I agree. the censorship on here has gotten ridiculous. I think the mods have gotten power hungry and look for anything they can delete or censor.
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MacRumors Censorship
- Thread starter Illusion986
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Actually, the opposite is true. The fewer rules violations there are to deal with, the less work there is for us (and the more time we can spend doing our own browsing here, for our own purposes and pleasure).
It's a volunteer gig, after all, and we do all have lives.
Do you really care that much about posts... On an online forum?
I would not dispute the implication of your post...that in the greater scheme of things, an online forum is of generally trivial importance.
However, within the context of that possibly trivial phenomenon, there is, for me, importance in the tone and atmosphere within which one participates.
While my time on MR, and certainly my posts, may be of little importance when put in a larger perspective, it is far more pleasant to spend that time on a well Moderated forum with a pleasant and welcoming environment, which functions within a Rule structure evenhandedly applied.
There are threads in this Forum where the posters are civil, respectful, informative, and friendly. There are other sub fora and threads which do not resemble those characteristic much of the time. Clearly, I prefer the former to the latter...and the only reason those less-than-civil-and-respectful threads are not worse is, in my mind, a tribute to the Rules and the Moderation team's application of those Rules.
Is an internet forum, and it's posts, of earth shaking importance...no, not at all. But participating in a well Moderated forum is more pleasant, from my point of view, no matter how trivial the endeavor may be.
It's a volunteer gig, after all, and we do all have lives.
To add to that, we are volunteering to help a private site we use and love ourselves. Many of the current rules are based on a combination of those put in place by the site owner, combined with feedback threads like this from users , and other moderators over the past 13+ years.
IMO, it creates a well balanced and (more open than many people give credit for) discussion forum that is also one of the largest, and most active Apple related forums in the world.
True, but it does seem that some viewpoints are more accepted than others.
Same here, and the ignore list gets three new members every time I sign on.
Personally, I wish we'd see more fair moderation (and moderation for mods) in forums like PSRI.
Although, I could just NOT visit those forums.
There was a post made by a mod that was downright insulting to a certain group of people, and instead of removing the post altogether, the mod in question just edited it with a snarky statement that really didn't change the overall bigoted message. If it had been a comment from a regular user the comment would have been removed and the user may have been put into time out.
For example:
While it may be from a joke that was made over 27 years ago, it's still offensive and makes light of a really serious situation in Africa.
Now if I had made a joke about "the status quo" here on MR I'd be put in time out for SURE.
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While this is true, one will get the snarky comment of "way to resurrect a thread this "X" days/months/years old....
It's just not true. Opinions aren't moderated as long as they are stated within the rules.
Speaking generally, the fact is that any post can be reported, no matter who made it. If anyone feels that any post is over the line in light of the rules, just hit the report button. If you're not sure that the problem will be clear to the person reading the report, add a few words to explain why you feel there's a violation.
was just having a discussion a bit off topic and it was removed by a mod because it was too off topic. if a new topic arises from the main topic why wouldn't we be able to discuss it in that thread. Just my opinion but seriously, sometimes its a bit extreme and makes this place dull.
Then the mods and admins need to do a better job. There's a thread like this what . . . . every 4 months? I know that some seem to think it's just a bunch of folks that got put in time out venting, but there IS a slight problem with the way things are handled. Or again, at least with the consistency.
There have been many times that mods deem an opinion not offensive, or inline with the rules, when in fact it was not.
And again, when a mod gets the option of editing the post instead of having it removed that's just blatant disrespect to those user that were in the same boat.
We DO report them. Even a reply from a mod stating that they reviewed it and deem it inline with the rules might be better, but frankly, seeing a rude or rule breaking post remain in the thread is almost a slap in the face to the person that deems it offensive.
We'll add the words, explain why it's offensive then sit and wait and wait and wait and wait until we just get tired and move on. Or in some cases do as others have done unto us.
Just a factual note...Post Reports never receive a Reply from Moderation. If you are referring to Contact Us forms, then they are almost always answered, although it might take a few days.
I know, but what I am referring to is reporting an offensive post, and waiting for that post to be removed.
There have been times when they aren't and it'd be nice to find out why.
Personally, if the post is that offensive I will that the extra steps and us the Contact Us form.
While all Post Reports are read and considered, it's up to the Mod (or group of Mods reviewing the Report) as to whether it should be deleted or edited. Sometimes they agree with the Report, and take some form of action, and sometimes they don't. It appears that you assume because you send in a Post Report it will automatically be agreed with and removed. It's the judgement of the Mod(s) as to whether the post constitutes a Rule violation.
While sending a Contact Us form is a good procedure, it is my understanding that Moderation actions regarding any complaint will not receive a response unless it is a matter directly involving actions taken toward you specifically. I believe the Mods will not discuss any action, or lack thereof, regarding any other member.
Again, that is the point that many here are trying to make.
The mods will have a bias.
I don't assume that sending in a report will automatically be agreed upon, all I know for a fact is that the mods will at times NOT see a problem with certain posts that may be offensive.
In essence you agree with me when you say that it's up to their judgement, and I (and others) say their judgement is flawed and at times biased toward the status quo.
Which led me to my point that the mods and admins should really go all the way, or provide reasoning behind their judgements.
If someone can make an offensive remark about someone's culture/country of origin/creed/location etc. it should be removed. Most times it is not, and some times it never gets removed even though it's obviously an insult or offensive, and it has been reported.
The truth of the matter is that offensive to one person is not necessarily going to be offensive to another. It's the same as in RL = that's why not everyone will enjoy discussing with everyone, why some people argue etc etc. I'm sure you've been in RL situations where you just haven't agreed with another person, don't understand their point of view, or condone what they condone. I know I certainly have. There are situations in my life where I'm just not happy with the way things are resolved or decided. I can only hope that even when my point of view isn't chosen as the way to go, it was at least heard and discussed.
Moderation is always going to be a balancing act, a trade-off. None of us has any illusions about pleasing everyone all the time, and I hear and respect that you haven't agreed with us (on more than one occasion, it seems from what you write in this thread). All I can say is that reports and contact messages are discussed, usually quite thoroughly and sometimes for quite a while. Our discussion coupled with feedback from members helps moderation to evolve and improve.
Edit: I posted something else about this type of issue in another SFF thread. Instead of making my long post longer, I'll just refer to it here.
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And I totally agree with that. Which is why I'd love to see a bit more strict rules regarding comments dealing with those grey areas.
So would I, and I think so would everyone who moderates. The problem with grey areas is that by their very nature, they are going to be areas with a lot of nuances and differences from member to member.
Some areas - like direct insults - are luckily easy. No one disputes that "You are a jerk" is for example something that should be moderated.
I choose to think of moderation as something that can always be honed and improved on. I can at least assure you that we take it seriously, and are very concerned with fairness - both actual and perceived. It's often not easy.
Hope that at least convinces you we are all on the same side here!
Good.
News threads are the most tightly moderated, as is made clear in the forum rules. Many of us over the age of thirty don't want to read your safari is snappier lolcat gif I agree +1 off-topic junky posts. Raise your game or take it to Youtube or Twitter. Nothing wrong with MacRumors striving for some degree of quality.
/getoffmylawn
The short response to this from me is:
You accept how the staff here run MacRumors or you move to another website. There's zero point trying to make a statement on this issue. If you want to stay on their (MR's) forums you have to play their game by their rules.
I just read the articles, make a contribution to the forums, and if some of my contributions are removed with the sweeping post deletions that happen from time to time, then so be it. I'm ok with that. It's not the end of the world. We all know it happens before we joined up. Your loss if you joined up and can't accept it.
I'm not trying to have a go at anyone here. My point is simply we all know how the places here operates before we joined. And if you don't like it there's always other places to visit.
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Everyone's definition of a quality post is different. And not all quality posts withstand the test of time.
We guests as you call us are what make the forum. Without us there would be none.
I just wish they would bring back the down vote button. Seems dumb to be so one-sided.
But I guess it speaks volumes of the mollycoddling society we've become.
If you consider MR to be over moderated, then try any one of a dozen or so sites that run along the same lines.
Allowing foul language, personal attacks and the like, result in a very unfriendly atmosphere indeed, and many of these sites now have more " Mods" then members, as people find the places unfriendly and difficult to use.
It's old advice, but if you have issues with a specific posting or member, then use the contact form. I have used it before, and although it can take time, you will get a fair reply. This includes unwanted PM's too which are something I report regularly.
Allowing foul language, personal attacks and the like, result in a very unfriendly atmosphere indeed, and many of these sites now have more " Mods" then members, as people find the places unfriendly and difficult to use.
It's old advice, but if you have issues with a specific posting or member, then use the contact form. I have used it before, and although it can take time, you will get a fair reply. This includes unwanted PM's too which are something I report regularly.