Open Call for Mod Applications

Submitted by taylorhayward_boston t3_yk2c02 in CambridgeMA

The next step in making the sub a place where people of differing points of view can come together and discuss things without personal attacks, insults, etc. is to get together 2-3 additional mods who can 1) come up with policies that make sense and 2) enforce those policies with more consistent and timely moderation of the sub.

I'm taking applications for people who would like to take an active part in the moderation process going forward. Please PM me including:

  • The amount of time you would be able to dedicate as a moderator.
  • Any experience you have had moderating other subs on the site.
  • Whether you live or work near the Cambridge area.

Once two or three additional moderators have been brought onboard, we will discuss how best to approach the rules and moderation process of the sub.Thank you for your patience while the sub continues to evolve.

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KatinkaVonHamhof t1_iuqw2bk wrote

This includes you also relinquishing your role as moderator, right?

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taylorhayward_boston OP t1_iuqwdtw wrote

That's an unlikely outcome.

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matthewsmokes t1_iuqykt8 wrote

Don’t worry, I’m sure it will be reviewed in the coming weeks.

This guy sucks. I bet you love your mother-in-law.

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KatinkaVonHamhof t1_iuqyvgr wrote

Why?

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SheeEttin t1_iuqzxsf wrote

Because it's my fiefdom and I'll never give it up!

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taylorhayward_boston OP t1_iur2s60 wrote

Because in life, not all people are going to agree with you on different topics. You don't give up and walk away when something doesn't work out, you learn and improve.

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akanefive t1_iur5f9c wrote

It's not about a difference of opinion, it's about neglecting and then misusing the moderator tools. But it's all good man, enjoy ruling over the ghost town.

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SheeEttin t1_iur7ie5 wrote

I don't see a whole lot of learning or improving here yet.

Walking away is also a valid option, especially if the community has made it clear they have no confidence in your moderation.

Better to die the hero than mod long enough to become the villain, but I suppose we're past that point.

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taylorhayward_boston OP t1_iur7xzb wrote

The first step is to find additional moderators. Then we will work together to come up with the best approach to have a better sub.

Sometimes things take time. Rushing can cause problems.

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KatinkaVonHamhof t1_iurbo68 wrote

You rushed to ban a broad, locally relevant topic, and then rushed to actively suppress feedback and conversation on the topic.

Your judgement regarding your previous actions and the path going forward is deeply skewed.

I'd suggest permanently closing this community, or handing the keys entirely over to someone with stronger communication, judgement and organizational skills.

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SheeEttin t1_iur9cqs wrote

"Can" is not necessary, as we've seen your rush to judgment against bike posts is what caused this whole kerfuffle in the first place.

It's that you're either unwilling or unable to admit that you fucked up and apologize to the community that's got everyone pissed off. Instead we get non-responses like "thank you for your feedback".

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taylorhayward_boston OP t1_iur03ll wrote

Because while my initial approach may have been heavy-handed, and perhaps misguided, the intent is sound - CambridgeMA shouldn't be a place where we contribute to the broad discord that's taking over the country where people are unhappy and antagonizing each other instead of working together to listen and solve problems.

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akanefive t1_iurmvw8 wrote

>CambridgeMA shouldn't be a place where we contribute to the broad discord that's taking over the country where people are unhappy and antagonizing each other instead of working together to listen and solve problems

This is rich. If you really wanted to listen to people then you wouldn't have banned people and removed posts about a totally arbitrary rule based on an experience you had outside the sub. You made a rash decision and now you're trying to do damage control and you're making the sub all about you. You turned off the comments on the post where you announced the rule and you removed a post titled "Is the bike related post ban real?" THAT is the toxic behavior. People upset about getting banned or having their opinions stifled is not toxic. That's a reasonable thing to get upset about.

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Lentamentalisk t1_iuteqk0 wrote

Wait wait wait. You banned everyone who said the b word because we should be "working together to listen and solve problems." Help me understand the logic there.

For christ sake I'm afraid to type out the b word for fear of retaliation! How is that "working together to listen and solve problems?" How can a community function when one side of a conversation wields ultimate power to silence all opposition?

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defenestron t1_iurmt81 wrote

You need to go.

Not only have you failed at basic moderation for years, but then show up to abuse your power because someone spit in your face.

The fact you refuse to give up power after everything speaks to how completely unworthy you are of having power over others.

Since you utterly lack integrity and maturity, we can only hope the new moderators oust you so the community you’ve held back for years can thrive without you.

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Elron-Cupboard t1_iuwqbcm wrote

r/AgedLikeMilk

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akanefive t1_iur8185 wrote

So this continues to follow the classic playbook:

  1. Create an overreaching policy based on a personal experience (i.e. assuming that your experience is universal)
  2. Stifle any dissenting opinion in the name of decorum
  3. Offer to listen to feedback while denying wrongdoing
  4. Ask for additional leadership while being the sole arbiter of who gets selected, while refusing to relinquish any control

Since I will almost certainly get banned, here's a form where you can report moderator abuse to reddit admins. I have no idea if it does anything, but it might be useful to some of you: https://reddit.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=179106

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taylorhayward_boston OP t1_iur9fpm wrote

Hi Akanefive, I can assure you, the goal of the process I'm putting in place is to improve the sub going forward. It is very likely I'll have a more hands-off approach once the new system is put in place. Control is not my goal, having the sub turn into one that's a better experience for its members is.

I get that people are angry, and hopefully their concerns will be addressed in the coming weeks.

And yes, if people feel that there has been any kind of mod abuse here please report it to https://reddit.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=179106

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NefariousnessNo7535 t1_iurbg5r wrote

The message is very clear. You should resign, lets have a vote to see who the new moderators should be.

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akanefive t1_iurl5x9 wrote

I think people would be less angry if you acknowledge that you overstepped, apologized, and listened to the suggestions that have been presented to you.

Vague promises about addressing concerns at an undetermined time in the future does little to convince me that you are actually interested in improving the discourse here.

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defenestron t1_iurn624 wrote

This is all a sad attempt at damage control.

Our only hope is the new mods just oust the bozo.

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SheeEttin t1_iurrghj wrote

Unfortunately that's not possible. Mods can only remove mods who join later.

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defenestron t1_iurv4cx wrote

That makes a lot of sense, sadly.

Well, El Presidente is no spring chicken so hopefully he finds the integrity and wisdom that has so far eluded him and decides his twilight years are better spent not holding a community hostage.

Or just loses the single sheet of paper he uses for all his passwords.

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Azr431 t1_iuuhgpd wrote

It’s truly remarkable that you have yet to admit you massively overstepped and overreacted and apologize. You keep dancing around that reality with “let’s move on”. Maybe you haven’t noticed, but there is no moving on until there’s contrition. But keep on digging my man, this could reach legendary Reddit status

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Carthago_146_BC t1_ius3heh wrote

Coming here from the North End to say that this has all been hilarious to watch. Might just have to ride over to Cambridge today.

🍿🍿🍿

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akanefive t1_ius4qsh wrote

Beautiful day for it--just got back from a ride myself.

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