Self-appointed moderators

[rlogan 2,036]

I have certain posters on ignore because I don't enjoy maliciously manipulative posters, but one of the things I see happening that has forum-wide repercussions is those same individuals acting as self-appointed moderators and making pronouncements about what they deem acceptable or not. They've both directly and indirectly called the moderators in on discussions when the site policy is to use the "report post" function, and not to discuss moderation in the threads. One of these individuals has "warmly" invited all opinions to an OP and then used the report post function to conceal that they were lying about that, and just baiting people they don't like into responding so they can report them.

So that tells me they are working on both sides of it: publicly and secretly, depending on which is the best manipulative approach. One of the reasons why moderation is not to be discussed within threads is to prevent narcissists from becoming defacto moderators and bullying others with it: dictating what other people mean with terms they are using for example - which is the green light for other posters to pile on. Not because the poster meant it, but because bullying is fun and all you need is other bullies and now you've got your pitchfork and torch mob the rules were designed to prevent.

Bullies wear halos: they're not getting enjoyment out of getting a put-down on someone else, no sir. That's why they're doing it loudly in public, contrary to the forum policy of using the report post function and having the moderators do their job without a mob assembling to pressure them into bullying someone on their behalf.

I'm handicapped in using the report-post function myself because the two people that are doing it the most are on ignore. But I see that because they have been given such wide latitude in acting as self-appointed moderators that others are starting to do it as well. We can't have moderation taken out of the hands of the people designated to do it, and we can't have them being pressured by mob rule. Moderators have to protect minority views or quirky people that others just like to pick on.

If the call for moderation is legitimate it does not need to be made public. Please enforce the policy that people are to use the report post function and not make moderation susceptible to manipulation and mob rule. Thanks.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Can you give some examples of where this has happened recently?

[X Factor 1,112]

Can you give some examples of where this has happened recently?

Yes and which forum in particular?

[John and Camie 39]

I've seen moderators on this site who have no business being one. We're supposed to help and support each other, and there have been times when I've seen a moderator shame someone right off of VJ.

The best moderators are the ones who have been around forever, and they know who they are. They're patient, kind, firm when they need to be, and usually years beyond ROC or Naturalization. They're the ones I particularly defer to on VJ.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I've seen moderators on this site who have no business being one. We're supposed to help and support each other, and there have been times when I've seen a moderator shame someone right off of VJ.

The best moderators are the ones who have been around forever, and they know who they are. They're patient, kind, firm when they need to be, and usually years beyond ROC or Naturalization. They're the ones I particularly defer to on VJ.

While I tend to agree with you, I think rlogan is asking about people who act like they're moderators when they're not, and who aren't using the report button to report TOS violations but instead calling people out in threads, and drumming up support for their opinions. (I think I read that right!)

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

Speaking of being bated, one now banished (deep into the iggie bin) user asked me to explian my thoughts on a private message. He then weaseled me in to the mods - we have a name for people like that where I come from.

[rade2rising 205]

yah i observed this too but my personal advise is just try to stay away and dont be baited.

the site is big enough avoid those ppl

[engineer21 51]

I would just try not to get baited to pile on.

When I read a thread and towards the end it's a bunch of posts piling on about one miniscule aspect of a term someone said, be it the OP or someone else, I just move on my merry way.

I don't even bother replying to a thread where someone's questions are already addressed. Sometimes I give thumbs up to a particularly informative reply.

I'm here to better understand immigration processes because it interests me.

And every now and then someone has a question that I feel I can answer or OP may benefit from my similar experience that I can share.

If I have nothing valuable to add, I have nothing to add

Beyond that, the rest is just reading material to me

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Waiting for an update from the OP on this.

[Tinchen_ 21]

i agree with the OP and john&camie.. some moderators are really wrong and weird in their decisions. it really start to bug me.

when you post something and ask for something you also need to expect to get an answer that u dont like. specially when you post threads about fraud, divorce and all that ( you know what i mean??)

i think everyone is in title to an opinion here as well .

and what is that with this threads all the time you get right away a thread the ban you and that hello..

sorry need to vent for a sec cuz its really annoying..

i had questions b4 and ppl helped me a lot and put their personal opinions in their responds i didnt felt attacked or something..ppl need to chill seriously. this is the internet not a church group.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

i agree with the OP and john&camie.. some moderators are really wrong and weird in their decisions. it really start to bug me.

when you post something and ask for something you also need to expect to get an answer that u dont like. specially when you post threads about fraud, divorce and all that ( you know what i mean??)

i think everyone is in title to an opinion here as well .

and what is that with this threads all the time you get right away a thread the ban you and that hello..

sorry need to vent for a sec cuz its really annoying..

i had questions b4 and ppl helped me a lot and put their personal opinions in their responds i didnt felt attacked or something..ppl need to chill seriously. this is the internet not a church group.

There is oftentimes a difference between one's personal opinion about an immigration process and the law. I think I just read the thread you posted in about your opinion about people doing AOS from a tourist visa. You may not like that it is possible, but that doesn't obviate the fact that it is permissible under the right circumstances.

This is utterly off-topic here (as it was in that thread) though, as the topic is about people who are NOT mods acting like mods.

[Pooky 3,843]

The thing with self-appointed moderators is that, in time, they get their butts handed to them in no uncertain way, when the rest of the VJ community decides they've had enough fun and that it's time to get serious.

[Darnell 8,479]

I'm handicapped in using the report-post function myself because the two people that are doing it the most are on ignore.

So, take a 24 hour period, turn off the ignore bits, and use the report button.

Then study the results, let us know what happened?

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

So, take a 24 hour period, turn off the ignore bits, and use the report button.

Then study the results, let us know what happened?

Unless he has you on ignore, and can't see your advice here, Darnell.

[Darnell 8,479]

ya, there is that. He and I got into a fracas a coupla weeks back, so I'm thinking tis possible.

Thanks for quoting me, though - he'll see that, with your post.

Edited June 10, 2012 by Darnell