A good example.

[Naykid]

I was just reading back on some very old threads (CF mentioning religious beliefs to me yesterday and it made me think of it. Thanks CF) and found a real jewel.  Both Robert and Adrian were very active on it and I thought it would be an interesting read, not to mention, I also think that it shows a good example of how a forum should be run and how members should be treated.  Good or bad.  Fair and balanced.  

Since the topic was finally locked, I will just add the link here.  http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_world_cultures_traditions_and_religions/the_neverending_thread_was_satan_deceives_you-t6682.0.html

Enjoy.  

[AlanRK]

A bit confusing, but I managed to figure out that the original post in the thread is for some reason at the very end of the thread,

[Naykid]

lol I didn't realize that, thanks.    So folks just read the last post then go back to the first page. 

[Stookie]

Very, very interesting. I love how several mods participated rather than just locking it really fast. Sometimes people can learn when you just let them vent. Even 29 pages of it. And those that say stupid things... well, their words speak for themselves. They create their own reputation.

Here's what Bruce says in that thread on page 12:

Wherever this topic is going, I think its healthy. Whoever you are and whatever you believe in, in Western society you will eventually come across born agains, baptists, christian fundamentalists of all types. So, here is an opportunity for everyone to test out their wit and mettle in this arena. So debating here has merit for everyone.

[Naykid]

Very, very interesting. I love how several mods participated rather than just locking it really fast. Sometimes people can learn when you just let them vent. Even 29 pages of it. And those that say stupid things... well, their words speak for themselves. They create their own reputation.

Here's what Bruce says in that thread on page 12:

Wherever this topic is going, I think its healthy. Whoever you are and whatever you believe in, in Western society you will eventually come across born agains, baptists, christian fundamentalists of all types. So, here is an opportunity for everyone to test out their wit and mettle in this arena. So debating here has merit for everyone.

Yes!  That's what I was thinking when reading it, plus I've been trying to convey that for a while now.  I noticed that my sense of humor hasn't changed much and I still come off wrong in text.   I sure do miss James...

[Stookie]

I miss James too. I never got to know him too well, but he had a great sense of humor.

[Xanth]

I think that's a great example of a well run thread.

But, let's look a little deeper into why that is... it's a touchy subject, definitely.
What caused that thread to be well done and balanced was the fact that there were 5 moderators and 2 admins participating and monitoring on a consistent basis.

It was never given even a minute chance to get out of hand.

Stookie and I, being two of the moderators online with any consistency... we can't make that same assurance.
Evidence of this is the drama that happened on Xmas day.

So, really... that thread is evidence that when consistent and constant monitoring is present a fine conversation will evolve out of it.

[Naykid]

I think that's a great example of a well run thread.

But, let's look a little deeper into why that is... it's a touchy subject, definitely.
What caused that thread to be well done and balanced was the fact that there were 5 moderators and 2 admins participating and monitoring on a consistent basis.

It was never given even a minute chance to get out of hand.

Stookie and I, being two of the moderators online with any consistency... we can't make that same assurance.
Evidence of this is the drama that happened on Xmas day.

So, really... that thread is evidence that when consistent and constant monitoring is present a fine conversation will evolve out of it.

I see it a bit different than that.  I'm not sure there were five mods on there, but there could have been one moderator on that thread alone and it still would have worked out that way.  The reason being, is that the moderators, Adrian and Robert were all very comfortable and confident in their own opinions.  They weren't muzzling, or censoring just the ones that they disagreed with or the ones whom were insulting them, they allowed it to play out as far as it needed to be played out.   They gave him twenty-nine pages to change the way he was presenting himself, it just got tiresome I think.

Allowing people to feel and vent their frustrations is allowing growth and change.   IMO, if someone wants to censor or stop someone from expressing themselves, they should take a look within and see why they don't want to hear the words someone is expressing.   

That whole Christmas drama didn't even have to happen.  It had nothing to do with only one moderator being here.  Well, maybe in a way.... in the sense that if there were other moderators here and not just you, they probably would have told you that you were doing the wrong thing and to stop being bias for your friends.  Just a thought.

[Xanth]

I see it a bit different than that.  I'm not sure there were five mods on there, but there could have been one moderator on that thread alone and it still would have worked out that way.  The reason being, is that the moderators, Adrian and Robert were all very comfortable and confident in their own opinions.  They weren't muzzling, or censoring just the ones that they disagreed with or the ones whom were insulting them, they allowed it to play out as far as it needed to be played out.   They gave him twenty-nine pages to change the way he was presenting himself, it just got tiresome I think.

Allowing people to feel and vent their frustrations is allowing growth and change.   IMO, if someone wants to censor or stop someone from expressing themselves, they should take a look within and see why they don't want to hear the words someone is expressing.   

That whole Christmas drama didn't even have to happen.  It had nothing to do with only one moderator being here.  Well, maybe in a way.... in the sense that if there were other moderators here and not just you, they probably would have told you that you were doing the wrong thing and to stop being bias for your friends.  Just a thought.

I'll say that there was a whole bunch more consistent moderation in that thread.
Peacefulwarrior
Tisha
Nick
James
Clandestino
And the two admin (I think Robert was a mod at least) Robert and Adrian.
I think we can agree that that's a lot of moderation in a single thread. 
It was being monitored heavily due to the very nature of the subject... just as I expect it would be.

In any case, I actually do agree wholeheartedly with you in regards to what you're saying, Nay.  I really do.
However, the reality of the situation is that it doesn't work out like that.  Without the heavy moderation in that thread, I have no doubt that it would have been locked way before 29 pages.

With heavier moderation here, I have no doubt that the Astral Pulse would, once again, retain that "balance" and "fairness" that you're looking for.
Stookie and I (and the other moderators) are currently looking into solutions.

Oh and btw... I love the avatar. 

[Naykid]

I don't think all of them were moderators at that time but regardless we're just going to have to agree to disagree on how much "moderating" a website needs.  Frankly, when you say things like, when consistent and constant monitoring is present a fine conversation will evolve out of it.

It scares me.

And thanks, I thought the new avatar was cute. 

[Stookie]

Actually, there isn't much moderating in that thread at all. There is participation on an equal level with everyone. Equal respect all around.

[Xanth]

Actually, there isn't much moderating in that thread at all. There is participation on an equal level with everyone. Equal respect all around.

That's because it was mostly done elsewhere.  The participation after the original poster stopped posting was great.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading most of it (bookmarked to finish it later).

Thank you Nay for bringing this thread to everyone's attention.
First, it's a great read and secondly, it's a great commentary on how NOT to act on these forums... at least how the original poster is concerned.  hehe
Thankfully not many people come here to evangelize. 

[Naykid]

That's because it was mostly done elsewhere.  The participation after the original poster stopped posting was great.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading most of it (bookmarked to finish it later).

Thank you Nay for bringing this thread to everyone's attention.
First, it's a great read and secondly, it's a great commentary on how NOT to act on these forums... at least how the original poster is concerned.  hehe
Thankfully not many people come here to evangelize.  

What do you mean it was done elsewhere?  

You're welcome.  I definitely thought it was a great read, but you miss my other point, either on purpose or you really aren't getting it.  This thread was an example for you.  

Even Stookie's very first words on this thread were, "Very, very interesting. I love how several mods participated rather than just locking it really fast"  I believe he understood my reasoning.  You've made it perfectly clear that if I speak out on the open forums I will be banned permanently, so I was trying to do this in a kinder gentler way.   But I've met people that need to be knocked over the head first before having that light bulb moment.    And then usually they are like, wow, thanks! But you, you are an enigma to me.  And that isn't a bad thing.  I'm learning some good stuff about myself these past few months and I have you and a few others to thank.  

I wish I would have felt this way back in the day when I was dealing with a certain group/clique of people, but I didn't understand back then that I was suppose to learn from them.  It took me while to understand it but here I am using what they taught me.  So thanks, if you are out there and reading this, I really do appreciate your influence on my life.  I think you know who you are.  

This is one of the reasons I keep coming back to the Astral Pulse, I continue to learn.  That and it's been a second home for a lot of years.  

Anyhoo, I felt inspired to say that, but I digress.

People use to come here and evangelize on a regular basis but it got boring for them because we allowed them to preach, but no one would really listen.  I can't be a hundred percent sure, but I bet that if the moderators continued to lock, block, censor or ban the people with this mentality, it would have outraged them causing them to find ways to make multiple accounts and their preaching would be ten fold and they'd still be here burning up the pages.  

Another learned lesson.  

[Xanth]

What do you mean it was done elsewhere?  

If I must be more detailed here... on the moderator forum.
I'm surprised you never read any of it back when you were a moderator, it was done just before you were presented with the role. 

You're welcome.  I definitely thought it was a great read, but you miss my other point, either on purpose or you really aren't getting it.  This thread was an example for you.

Oh, I know you posted this entirely for my own benefit.  I just see it very differently than how you intended it. 
I know you don't have to trust me when I say this... but that thread *was* heavily moderated.

Even Stookie's very first words on this thread were, "Very, very interesting. I love how several mods participated rather than just locking it really fast"  I believe he understood my reasoning.  You've made it perfectly clear that if I speak out on the open forums I will be banned permanently, so I was trying to do this in a kinder gentler way.   But I've met people that need to be knocked over the head first before having that light bulb moment.    And then usually they are like, wow, thanks! But you, you are an enigma to me.  And that isn't a bad thing.  I'm learning some good stuff about myself these past few months and I have you and a few others to thank.

I appreciate what you're trying to say here, Nay, but you're jumping to conclusions... assuming that I would have locked the thread from the very get-go.
I read through the pages and honestly, I probably would have locked it much sooner than 29 pages.  I was thinking around page 8 or 9... HOWEVER, since it was being heavily moderated, I probably wouldn't have felt the need.  Actually, because of the topic of the thread, I probably would have glanced over most of it as I have very little interest in the "religions" section. 

See, Nay?  There's really so much more here going on than you're willing to give credit for or to even acknowledge... or really even know about.  I don't mean that in any harsh way.  Just you're not entirely in the loop as far as this particular thread is concerned.

I do appreciate you being candid on this topic though.

[Stookie]

It wasn't "heavily moderated" or it wouldn't go on for 29 pages, it was discussed by mods and let go on for 29 pages before Beth and a few got bored with it. Yes, the OP was finally banned, but he screwed up his several chances.

All in all, there was a time when good debate actually happened on this forum, from everyone, members and moderators. And without heavy emotions and feelings being hurt, and giving those you can't stand an equal chance. That's what I miss and what I would like to see come back. From EVERYONE.

[Naykid]

If I must be more detailed here... on the moderator forum.
I'm surprised you never read any of it back when you were a moderator, it was done just before you were presented with the role. 
Oh, I know you posted this entirely for my own benefit.  I just see it very differently than how you intended it. 
I know you don't have to trust me when I say this... but that thread *was* heavily moderated.
I appreciate what you're trying to say here, Nay, but you're jumping to conclusions... assuming that I would have locked the thread from the very get-go.
I read through the pages and honestly, I probably would have locked it much sooner than 29 pages.  I was thinking around page 8 or 9... HOWEVER, since it was being heavily moderated, I probably wouldn't have felt the need.  Actually, because of the topic of the thread, I probably would have glanced over most of it as I have very little interest in the "religions" section. 

See, Nay?  There's really so much more here going on than you're willing to give credit for or to even acknowledge... or really even know about.  I don't mean that in any harsh way.  Just you're not entirely in the loop as far as this particular thread is concerned.

I do appreciate you being candid on this topic though.

I did read back on the mods forum, are you kidding?  I'm about as nosey as they come, I couldn't pass up that opportunity, plus I knew it would help me to get a better feel on how things were run.  And apparently we both saw it differently.   

I love how you say page 8 or 9!  That was a good one Xanth!  Seriously!  I'm not hurt, I'm impressed by your cleverness.  But you do realize that proves my point, don't you?  You would only lock it after I said something.  I've come back onto this forum with a giant, invisible, red blanket that only you can see.  I feel like the matador every time I post in a thread.

Hmmmmmm..... I just had a light bulb moment.  I will meditate on this for a bit and get back to you.  And YES, I want to thank YOU for being candid on this topic as well.