smooshable wrote:Seriously though, I don't think we're fooling anyone with our team work this week.
Without wanting to sound callous - 'team work'?
Throughout my time as a mod, supermod and Admin on this forum, I have been the one who has, probably more than anyone else, tried to ensure the mods work as a team. I have been the one, probably more than most, who has tried to get the community to understand how best to go about issues with mods. I have been the one, definately more than most, who has urged other mods to keep their arguments away from the public eye and resolve them in house - but when those problems go unanswered/glossed over/ignored, needs must! And I have definately been the one who has cleaned up mod messes more than most, and who has not batted an eyelid in telling people when they are the cause of the problems.
And when I see posts such as that above, I can hardly believe my eyes!
The post was unlocked because it wasn't justifiably locked, as I pointed out.
As for your team work comment - isn't the majority of this recent debacle as a result of the fact that decisions have been made in isolation, rather than as a team?
The answer to that question is 'Yes'.
- Let the community vote on new rule: isolated decision seemingly on the basis of a conversation with a non-mod and in the name of a 'democratic forum' - no proper mod discussion beforehand, meaning mod opinion is bypassed. Outcome: lack of team work, loss of faith in admin, potential undermining of mods ability to carry out their responsibilities. I'm all for increased interaction - but not to the setriment of those who enforce the rules.
- MLH initially discounted from ombudsman vote (despite being in top 3 for nominations): isolated decision without speaking to any mods, based on the assumption that the mods would not be able to work with MLH. Furthermore, goes against the aforementioned 'democratic forum' policy instigated by this admin - i.e. give the people what they want only when it suits! Outcome: lack of team work, further loss of faith in admin - issue resolved after numerous mods complain.
- Jack made a supermod: isolated decision, going against a recent supermod discussion in which it was agreed that there was no further need for any supermods. Despite this, the admin made Jack a supermod, without any consultation with the other supermods - which has taken place in every other case, on top of the fact that other mods had recently been turned down as supers for the reason that no further supers were needed. Furthermore, unlike those other mods who were turned down (at the time), Jack has no prior experience of a mod on this forum and therefore does not warrant being given supermod status (sorry Jack - you're my bud - but it's true).
- Firing of Teal'auc and Freespirit: again, an isolated decision with no warning - and given the prior weeks events, people can be forgiven for thinking why it occurred. I do not accept any explanation I have seen in that they were 'problem mods' - I respond to that with a direct question to the admin - 'a problem for whom?'.
So where is the 'team work' in that pretty lot? They are separate events - but there is an underlying thread of lack of co-operation to all of them.
People talk about another former Admin being a dictator - but I have to say that recent events have been just as bad.
MLH wrote:I want to thank you all for tolerating me in this topic. I feel I have learned alot about you all and I must say you all share something in common with which to recapture a great mod team.
You're more than likely right - but in reference to what I posted above - it is not possible so long as the people who actually do the work are kept out the loop, or their opinions discounted without sufficient reason, and thus undermined. My main grievance is in the way that things are being done in isolation and without consultation at the moment - and unless those responsible can change their ways, or at least acknowledge and be seen to consider strong opinions of others, the mod team will never be improved.
I have no desire to see anybody removed from their positions (all members of the mod/admin team (past and present) have added something positive) - I simply want the mod/admin team to actually work as a team. The fact that a significant number of people (not all of whom are obvious from this discssion) have brought up concerns or supported concerns of others, must surely make alarm bells ring in certain areas?
Therefore - if it takes getting all this out and having a public debate in order to actually get back to having some teamwork - so be it!
