Yaar, yeh to had ho gayi!! Chit bhi meri aur Pat bhi meri... Moderate karo tab bhi members ki gaaliya suno, aur Na karo tab bhi members ki gaaliya suno.
We walk a fine line as is evident from several threads over the past few days. While writing down every single area in which a post can be moderated is outside the scope, here is something to ponder: Moderators need to be fair and impartial. The same rules apply to everyone. We don't consider someone as our friend and let him slide and consider someone else as foe and target him. In general, we need to allow most content on a thread. We should only jump in when someone crosses a limit of decency (abusive language) or if members start making personal attacks against each other.
I think most members and moderators can agree upon everything I have said so far.
Now comes the major point of contention in between different moderators: Should we allow a general theme to continue in a thread or should we allow members to derail it. There are pros and cons of each approach.
Pro of allowing a general theme only: To everyone who reads the thread, they can get several members viewpoint without losing any continuity. No derailing of threads. Outside community (journalists from newspapers etc.) read the threads and are left with a good impression.
Con: As soon as a members post is deleted, it automatically antagonizes them against the moderators. Fun loving members who like leg pulling etc. are not allowed to have fun here.
Pro of allowing members to say what they want (as long as they don't cross the line): More and more members contribute. More fun at each others expense.
Con: Threads can get seriously derailed. Leg pulling can leave some people the more popular people to form a team that doesn't allow the senior or serious members to thrive.
Since we serve all types of people, my own approach is a compromise, let people have fun in some forums and allow serious discussions in others. For example, anything should be allowed in Time pass and Humor section, while General, Social responsibility, Editorial and Current Affairs should be left for serious discussions. This way everyone can get something out of this site. However, to implement this is very hard if not just downright impossible. New people join every day and may not be aware of these rules. Moreover, members (old or new) don't want any intrusion from moderators on any topic. Us being jats are strong willed individuals by nature.
This means that even an infraction of 1 point is considered like we just insulted the persons mother. I think that a hands off approach is important from moderators.
Now what will we do about that thread. In my opinion, we will let it stay on the Time Pass section. A lot of people already posted on it which means they are at least getting something out of it. Serious people, please excuse and find another thread to contribute upon.
-Bagh