Mods: contest participants?

[Polar Bear]

Really . . .shouldn't all mods be disqualified. I mean. . .it is kind of part of their job to contribute to the site and keep things amicable around here and police the masses. I do realize she made prior contributions before becoming a mod. . .but once she did. . .she kind of agreed to help the progress of this site going forward. She has a vested interest here greater than the common member. Its kind of like naming the branch manager of the bank employee of the month when the award was meant to be for the tellers.

I agree with you that as a Moderator, you DO have an invested interest in the site as opposed to a regular member. And if the things I were nominating her for had anything to do with things that are specific only to moderators, I would agree wholeheartedly with you and revoke my nomination.

But here's the rub: Anyone who so desires could have the same level of interest in this site as her. You've seen members like Mcsmc for example. He doesn't hesitate at all to correct someone when he sees them breaking a rule. Likewise, me or you could PM a mod and report it when we see an infraction.

It's true that Mods are part of the 'staff' here. And because of this, she's obligated to do things that help this site rather than doing it because she has a personal desire to. But your analogy is flawed. Branch managers are paid accordingly for their services. It's a well paid position that comes complete with its own reward system.

Any former Mod who thinks being a Mod was a well paid position that came complete with it's own reward system, raise your hand.

A better analogy for Moderator would be tireless volunteer. GDP isn't paying Violet and Pinkslit. They aren't enjoying some special status that puts them above the law themselves or affords them the ability to meter out personal justice when and where they see fit. Their user privileges aren't based on how much of a reward they deserve, it's based on what tools they'll need to fulfill the responsibility they volunteered for.

Bottom line: I'm not nominating her because she's a Moderator. I'm nominating her because she volunteered to step up to the plate. And because when compared to everyone else on this site, she's done the most for it.

Would you have her commitment and sacrifices go unrecognized while some other member reaps the benefits simply because she said she would help keep order here?? I'd like to think that you get out of this place what you put into it, regardless of who you are here.

[mcsmc]

I, for one, disagree that Violet has done the most (out of any member) for this site so far. I think the success thus far of the site is dependent upon how many members have forgiven and forgotten, and generally acted with the team spirit necessary. I think some of the things you're generalizing that Violet should get credit for (in your opinion) are the result of this teamwork, not her actions.

On that note, I have no issue with her nomination. I do agree that she's put a lot of effort being a mod on the site. You're right... it's work, and not a job. Jobs are work rewarded, whereas no one so much as thanks her for her duties that she performs. So, in that respect, I personally feel she should be nominated for accepting the task of being a moderator.

Forgetting everything I just said, I agree also (re: your post in the MOTM thread) that she's an outstanding person in general, and that shows when she posts on this site. However, everything she's done since she was modded I do agree (with funee) shouldn't count for a MOTM nomination.

Basically, what I'm saying is, she's got two aspects that I think are both worthy of MOTM nomination: how she acts as a person on this site, and the fact that she stepped up to the plate as a moderator. However, they don't go together as well as you're trying to make them. THAT (I believe) is what funee is trying to say in so many words.

I do NOT think that moderators should be excluded from the contest. Why? They've been moderating all of a few weeks. It's not like it's something they're even used to doing (on this site anyway) yet. They're still getting their feet wet. So, at the moment, they're nothing more than members with site work. They're not established very well yet.

Hell, I'll even throw in that Pinkslit has exuded the same characteristics that Violet has as far as moderator responsibilities go. They've both forced themselves to become diplomatic, hold their tongues when they normally wouldn't, and take an extra step back before typing. On that note, I believe the nomination for Violet should be focused on her as a member, and not include anything even remotely connected to her moderating responsibilities.

Anyway, I'm hella tired, so I hope I at least made a little bit of sense. I'm too lazy to re-read, edit, etc.

[Josie]

I really haven't read through this thread much, but I don't care if mods are included. The only objection I would have would be admin... because he'd always win.

There are shit mods and there are good mods. If enough people feel Vi deserves MoM, then so be it. That doesn't mean she'll automatically win just for holding a special position on the site. If that were true, Absinthe would've been nominated already.

[funeeman]

My theory isn't flawed. The manger is in the position that its his responsibility to make his/her organization better and make decisions that effect its operation. In that sense that a manager is a position of authority (mod) and the teller is the every day worker (regular members). There is always. . .always. . .going to be favoritism placed towards those in charge because by nature people want to please those in authority and seek their approval. Granted it won't be 100% of the people but its much more likely to happen. If it bothers you that its a paid situation think of it in the terms of a church's scholarship bizarre. The coordinator volunteer is in charge and the workers, set up people, cooks etc still all look to that person to get direction. Everyone is doing the good but you bet your ass the coordinator is going to get more than their fair share because they are the face of the event. In this cyberworld it holds true as well. Go to any web forum and see who the newbie slobber all over. The average member? no. Its the moderators that they kiss up to. So in a head to head challenge Vi vs say 4nik8 (if both were equally deserving) there is going to be a natural inclination to try and keep on the good side of the authority figure. Or for the manipulative type at least try to keep in good favor with them to be able to get away with more.

Again. . .I'm not discounting any of the good your girlfriend has done here. I stated that before. And if it were say Pink vs Vi then the playing field is equal on the authority level but as soon as the average member becomes involved the game changes. Take your emotions for Vi out of this and look at it objectively and you'll have to agree that what I am saying holds some weight.

[CrAnIuM]

1. The Position of MOD is not a permanent position.

2. Mods are members FIRST, Authority second.

3. As far as these THREE contests are concerned being a MOD offers no advantage.


Therefore MODS and CONSULTANTS can be nominated.



The position of ADMIN does offer an advantage .. and will never be included in any contest as a potential winner.
The Admin vote will ONLY be given should a tie breaker vote need be cast.

[Polar Bear]

My theory isn't flawed. The manger is in the position that its his responsibility to make his/her organization better and make decisions that effect its operation.

You're actually making the argument that it's part of a moderators responsibility to make this website better?

So when she advertises this website on Stumble using her account to do so..that's just part of being a mod.

When she goes out of her way to quell forum rivalries even when they'll have no real effect on her job as a rule enforcer, that's just part of being a mod.

When she suggests interesting and novel ideas for contests (like the youtube contest, where you make a commercial for the site) THAT's just part of her responsibility as a mod.

You DID see where I wrote that she wasn't on any kind of payroll, yes?

There is always. . .always. . .going to be favoritism placed towards those in charge because by nature people want to please those in authority and seek their approval.

Ok, so because some people might let their emotions cloud their judgment, you're answer is to kick the mods out of the contest? This is honestly the strangest, weakest, tail-biting-est fucking argument I've ever heard you make, funee.

Everyone is doing the good but you bet your ass the coordinator is going to get more than their fair share because they are the face of the event.

My point is that in this case, the 'coordinator' is NOT getting more than his/ her fair share. He/she is getting out of it what they put into it.

So in a head to head challenge Vi vs say 4nik8 (if both were equally deserving) there is going to be a natural inclination to try and keep on the good side of the authority figure.

In the hypothetical scenario where Violet and 4nik8 were on equal footing as far as contributions to the site, I would EXPECT the one who volunteered their time and service to the site as a mod to win out.

Being a moderator SHOULD offer a tiny boost to a members chances to be nominated for MOTM. Abso-fucking-lutly. Why the hell shouldn't it?

Again. . .I'm not discounting any of the good your girlfriend has done here.I stated that before.

Really?...It sounds to me like that's EXACTLY what you're trying to do. In fact, you pretty much said flat out that everything she's done since being a mod shouldn't count.

And if it were say Pink vs Vi then the playing field is equal on the authority level but as soon as the average member becomes involved the game changes. Take your emotions for Vi out of this and look at it objectively and you'll have to agree that what I am saying holds some weight.

It's funny you mention emotions regarding my position on this. It's funny because when Incognito nominated Violet, you didn't say a fucking word. When Violet nominated Pinkslit, again...not a fucking word from you.

But when I nominated my girlfriend (oh noes!) you were right behind me with some snide, half-joking, bullshit comment about how I must have been in the dog house with her.

Only after I explained my reasons to you about why I nominated her did you suddenly have a fucking problem with her being nominated in general. And I know you saw the two prior nominations, because you were in that thread nominating Amythist. So I know you saw the shit.

But you only found issue with it after I nominated her. Seems like you've got some issue with me personally. Or me and Vi as a couple. This isn't the first time you've made hit and run comments regarding the two of us together, so I suspect you've got some kind of problem.

Of course I never mentioned it before because...well...You've never been outspoken enough to say anything yourself, and I don't give a fuck how you feel about us as a couple.

...You know...while you're flippantly tossing around accusations of letting emotions cloud judgment and all....Chew on that a while, bitch.

[Shade]

1. The Position of MOD is not a permanent position.

2. Mods are members FIRST, Authority second.

3. As far as these THREE contests are concerned being a MOD offers no advantage.


Therefore MODS and CONSULTANTS can be nominated.



The position of ADMIN does offer an advantage .. and will never be included in any contest as a potential winner.
The Admin vote will ONLY be given should a tie breaker vote need be cast.

So i cant nominate you as best female member?

ehh i agree, mods have no advantages what so ever, mainly because they end up doing the shit work, and can be over riden at any time. If anything its a social status with alot of work involved, that no one ever really notices

[funeeman]

You're actually making the argument that it's part of a moderators responsibility to make this website better?

So when she advertises this website on Stumble using her account to do so..that's just part of being a mod.

When she goes out of her way to quell forum rivalries even when they'll have no real effect on her job as a rule enforcer, that's just part of being a mod.

When she suggests interesting and novel ideas for contests (like the youtube contest, where you make a commercial for the site) THAT's just part of her responsibility as a mod.

You DID see where I wrote that she wasn't on any kind of payroll, yes?



Ok, so because some people might let their emotions cloud their judgment, you're answer is to kick the mods out of the contest? This is honestly the strangest, weakest, tail-biting-est fucking argument I've ever heard you make, funee.




My point is that in this case, the 'coordinator' is NOT getting more than his/ her fair share. He/she is getting out of it what they put into it.



In the hypothetical scenario where Violet and 4nik8 were on equal footing as far as contributions to the site, I would EXPECT the one who volunteered their time and service to the site as a mod to win out.

Being a moderator SHOULD offer a tiny boost to a members chances to be nominated for MOTM. Abso-fucking-lutly. Why the hell shouldn't it?




Really?...It sounds to me like that's EXACTLY what you're trying to do. In fact, you pretty much said flat out that everything she's done since being a mod shouldn't count.




It's funny you mention emotions regarding my position on this. It's funny because when Incognito nominated Violet, you didn't say a fucking word. When Violet nominated Pinkslit, again...not a fucking word from you.

But when I nominated my girlfriend (oh noes!) you were right behind me with some snide, half-joking, bullshit comment about how I must have been in the dog house with her.

Only after I explained my reasons to you about why I nominated her did you suddenly have a fucking problem with her being nominated in general. And I know you saw the two prior nominations, because you were in that thread nominating Amythist. So I know you saw the shit.

But you only found issue with it after I nominated her. Seems like you've got some issue with me personally. Or me and Vi as a couple. This isn't the first time you've made hit and run comments regarding the two of us together, so I suspect you've got some kind of problem.

Of course I never mentioned it before because...well...You've never been outspoken enough to say anything yourself, and I don't give a fuck how you feel about us as a couple.

...You know...while you're flippantly tossing around accusations of letting emotions cloud judgment and all....Chew on that a while, bitch.

You were the only one who took the time to say why she was deserving in specfic detail and at the time it was cog and you that had nominated her. I was simply pointing out she kinda has a reason for doing those things now. Hell . . .even pinks mannerisms changed when she became mod. I understand there is reason for it.

And as far as having a problem with you two. Nanda, zip, zero. I belive I even expressed extreme happiness for the both of you when I found out you were together. If my recollection is clear I think I even told Vi that you were about as perfect of a pair as there was. (not in those exact words, but along those lines.) Trust me. . .if I wanted to dog on you two. .I'd go about it in a completely different way. If you're reading something into my comments maybe there's some insecurities with you regarding me. I would have figured you'd be over those feelings by now. Whats it been? Over a year now?