So over the inconsistent moderation.

[iObama]

I've been a member here for nearly 20 years. The past couple, it feels like the joy has been sucked out of this forum.

I've been warned for "trolling" for responding "Cool" to people who were going off on me. I've been warned for making "political comments" on articles that are about the EU's regulations on Apple. I've been warned for making "off-topic" comments for responding to someone else's comment on the moderation of a thread I was in.

Meanwhile, today, I reported four comments that called Jony Ive fat on an article about LoveFrom, and the "moderation team concluded no action was warranted." That's super odd, mods – I didn't realize the article was about Jony being fat at LoveFrom.

Frustrating as ****, man.

 

[BrianBaughn]

I like this forum when it's folks asking about software or hardware issues and other folks are trying to help.

Speculation by members (none of whom I know and most completely anonymous) about laws and how tech companies are run and so on doesn't usually interest me. I realize the staff often posts things on the main page that invite such comment…so it's impossible to avoid completely.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

I personally think there should be little to no moderation. It's a niche tech forum, as long as you're not posting stuff that could get you banned (e.g. racism, hate speech, etc) then who cares if a bunch of nerds call either other fat or dumb. Hell, getting rid of political or religious talk cut's down on the vast majority of issues in society as whole.

Let the mbrs self moderate/report others and if enough people report the same issue then 2+2=4 ya know.

 

[I7guy]

I've been a member here for nearly 20 years. The past couple, it feels like the joy has been sucked out of this forum.

I've been warned for "trolling" for responding "Cool" to people who were going off on me. I've been warned for making "political comments" on articles that are about the EU's regulations on Apple. I've been warned for making "off-topic" comments for responding to someone else's comment on the moderation of a thread I was in.

All of the above are “in the rule book” about things not to do. And are minor violations at first that escalate as infractions accumulate. But if we understand the rules and keep breaking them that’s on us.

Meanwhile, today, I reported four comments that called Jony Ive fat on an article about LoveFrom, and the "moderation team concluded no action was warranted." That's super odd, mods – I didn't realize the article was about Jony being fat at LoveFrom.

There is no rule against public figure insults, unfortunately. I think it brings the level of the conversation down, but it is what it is.

Frustrating as ****, man.

 

[I7guy]

I personally think there should be little to no moderation. It's a niche tech forum, as long as you're not posting stuff that could get you banned (e.g. racism, hate speech, etc) then who cares if a bunch of nerds call either other fat or dumb. Hell, getting rid of political or religious talk cut's down on the vast majority of issues in society as whole.

Let the mbrs self moderate/report others and if enough people report the same issue then 2+2=4 ya know.

There will never be little or no moderation on Macrumors. And from what I gather much of the moderation happens with user reporting.

It’s not that moderators go canvassing the forums for violations.

 

[S.B.G]

And from what I gather much of the moderation happens with user reporting.

It’s not that moderators go canvassing the forums for violations.

These are accurate statements.

When I was doing the job I absolutely did not go trolling for rules violations. I wanted to enjoy the forums just as much as the users did. I would get annoyed when I came across stuff and had to do some work for a while to clean up a thread.

I don't know any stats, but from experience I can say that the overwhelming majority of moderation reports come from the users and not the staff.

 

[fatTribble]

There will never be little or no moderation on Macrumors. And from what I gather much of the moderation happens with user reporting.

It’s not that moderators go canvassing the forums for violations.

I may be in the minority, but I actually stay engaged on the forums because of the moderation. Friends try to compare my forum participation with something toxic like Twitter, but the moderation is what makes this different.

I enjoy hearing other opinions on products from people who have experience with the products. I’m often surprised though at how a simple exchange of ideas can quickly turn into personal attacks. I’ve seen new people get blasted personally simply for bringing up something that has been discussed. There have been completely innocuous comments about a product met with personal attacks. We’ve all seen it.

That Report button, in my opinion, helps keep the conversation civil and focused on the technology.