The True Reason for Thread Closures

[RPGPundit]

The True, Sinister Reason For Thread Closure

So I seem to have really hit a nerve here, with this whole FFG thing; threads on theRPGsite, FFG's forums and even rpg.net.
The latter was briefly pulled, then reinstated. It appears that it was Darren MacLennan who tried to censor the thread, no doubt upset over the attention I was getting, but the other mods basically thwarted his attempt. Pity for him.

However, Brett Bernstein has a different theory. He thinks that more sinister motives were involved. Who knows? He may be right.

RPGPundit

(november 11, 2009)

[Doom]

I was all "What does this have to do with Gnome Mudered?", and then I clicked on the link.

Almost as good as the Saturday morning funnies (assuming they still have those, have subscribed to a paper in years).

[danbuter]

Nice. And Darren must have woke back up and logged in, since it is closed again.

[deMonica]

Darren's moderation manner is a prime example of unchecked attitude attached to a position of authority. If he was held to the same standard(s) as the average .net user, he would have been bounced a long time ago. He's a dick full of his own position that "baits" (.net term, and rules violation mind you) users with a belittling tone and manner. The only way you couldn't get yourself in trouble with Darren (while using his mod voice), is if you didn't have any fucking self respect. His ill mannered behavior is widely recognized over there, and is often joked about positively by the mod-squad cheerleaders.

edit: I'll add, its easy to look like the superior participant in a confrontation of words when your opposition isn't aloud to counter comment ("back talking" a mod, is another rules violation). The ability to censor and mute your opponent also make it easy to dominate such a situation. These are tools commonly at Darren's disposal, and are used with regularity.

I had one encounter with Darren on a mod level, and while what I have shared wasn't the case for me, I've seen enough of it happen with others to know its a problem. Had it occured during my situation, I know that my board handle would have [Banned] resting below.

[StormBringer]

Darren's moderation manner is a prime example of unchecked attitude attached to a position of authority. If he was held to the same standard(s) as the average .net user, he would have been bounced a long time ago. He's a dick full of his own position that "baits" (.net term, and rules violation mind you) users with a belittling tone and manner. The only way you couldn't get yourself in trouble with Darren (while using his mod voice), is if you didn't have any fucking self respect. His ill mannered behavior is widely recognized over there, and is often joked about positively by the mod-squad cheerleaders.

In fact, it is that exact behaviour that got him 'promoted' in the first place.

[Ian Warner]

Fantasy Flight are a boardgame company playing with shit they don't understand. It's like what would have happened to D&D if Hasbro had their initial wicked way and turned into a card game. Only it's actually happening. With my favourite Fantasy RPG (apart from Wizkid but that's not out yet).

Sad times.

[Benoist]

I had one encounter with Darren on a mod level

I had one encounter with Darren on a mod level, and I ended up permabanned, because I finally chose I had enough with the bullshit. I'm an adult, and when I post on a gaming site, I don't need some mod to talk to me like I'm 10 in a primary school, if not a full retard, thank you very much.

[deMonica]

Yes well there is an upside to the situation over there, the wind of (perhaps for) change is blowing, and it can only be avoided so long. If you're paying attention, you can see discontent rising about the current state of moderation (you can see it right now in some of the top Trouble Tickets threads). Of coarse you still have the "cheerleader" presence, but the number of voices displaying displeasure with individual calls, moderation methods and rules application / enforcement is growing.

The largest obstacle this "movement" presently faces, would be the pack methods being used by moderation against these voices. But this comes from an established "take care of our own" / US vs THEM practice with moderation, where and when they pretty much dog-pile upon opposition and defend their fellow moderator with the cheerleaders shouting "yea!" and pointing from behind them. If facing this "pack" of moderation, your argument is limited (rules violation : [talking back to a moderator]) and often will be silenced by a mod or admin that has his/her final say on the matter and then proceeds to close said thread. As stated up-thread, I think the wind can only be avoided so long, but the bullshit that will be faced until that push takes hold will see a lot of good people sacrificed.

[StormBringer]

Yes well there is an upside to the situation over there, the wind of (perhaps for) change is blowing, and it can only be avoided so long.

I went over there out of morbid curiosity to see about these threads of which you speak.  Unfortunately, what you are seeing as a change in the wind is what is more generally known as 'mid-quarter bitching about/by the mods'.  As the previously high-profile posters get banned over some issue or another, former B-listers rise to prominence until they too get banned over some matter or another.  Now, I have always hovered somewhere around the near edge of the B-list for a couple of reasons; some are personal, some are under my control, and some are institutional.

In any case, it works for me; I like to think Darren (and some others) as maintaining a level of  'pissed' because I still have an active account there.  Of all the mods, I think Darren is the only one that has been there as long as I have.  Pretty much everyone else that was around in '96 or '97 onward is gone, from what I can tell.  I found some of them again on Facebook and/or Twitter in the last year or so.  Some are still missing and very much missed.

Before I get all misty eyed, the point is:  don't count on it.  It's like a pressure valve.  Every few months a bunch of people 'rise up' and direct their fury at the tyrannical mods, only to be forgotten in a week or so.  This is one of those rare cases where things really were better back in the old days.

[RPGPundit]

So we are all basically in agreement here, that Darren isn't just a tool, but a TOOL OF THE GNOMES?

RPGPundit