You're angling for a staff position tho, didn't you start some thread about mods & your reporting, or am I thinking of someone else?
You've been consistent in backing/white-knighting/toadying in this sub. I like the cut of your jib, my boy!
Not really, my goodReports count is probably much lower than a lot of others. Not saying I wouldn't accept, but I'm probably not at the top of the list if I have to guess. It's much higher than the median probably, but not high enough to get very high on the leaderboard - and I did start a thread asking if there were plans to promote some staff to Global Moderators as I think that's needed to stop the influx of spambots, but obviously a quick review of what I actually just said shows that that can't really angle me for a staff position (I am suggesting existing staff are promoted, not that new staff should be made).
And this is where my cop analogy is helpful. How is it that cops, whose real life identities are known, manage to do their jobs? I understand that they have to deal with IRL folks with guns and shit, not just basement-dwelling keyboard warriors? Or are murderers and rapists less dangerous/likely to anger than bitcointalk users?
BTW, you forgot to address "set of clearly defined, binding rules." Just a heads-up, no rush.
A cop has a job. A forum moderator is a volunteer.
Please. A paid volunteer is not a volunteer. Theymos saying that "payments to moderators should be thought of as tipping" is neither here nor there. I can volunteer at BP, as long as they keep tipping me well. If you feel the pay is insubstantial, consider how many here are promoting the likes of Cloudthink ponzi for peanuts.
In addition, complaints against cops are relatively uncommon compared to what would happen if moderators had to give out their name each time they deleted a post. It's not about danger, more about an efficient use of time.
Complaints against cops aren't more common because there's a clearly defined body of law, and if these cops aren't free to do whatever their fancy tells them. Yeah, that's why.
A set of clearly defined, binding rules is feasible for a forum and does exist. However there has to be some kind of room for interpretation and difference of opinion, else moderation becomes way too difficult and way too stringent for the mods (only delete for spam if below x words, etc...).
No. There is no official set of rules, and that's why we're having this discussion. As far as wiggle room goes, how would you feel if (sorry to keep dredging up my useless analogy) IRL cops had the same "room"? I mean, they *know* you're guilty, why not just drop you on the spot and be done with it?