Moderation of threads

All threads are moderated in this forum. If you make a new thread and it doesn't appear within 24 hours, it is likely the thread has been auto-deleted because another one already exists. If you wish to discuss any issue with regard to thread creation in this area, please do so here.

Since Molly said a "bad word" can we? Please?

Only if you use it in the context of the quote :)

Only if you use it in the context of the quote :)

If you use the quote function, will it still make the words look like *****, because that really takes the fun out of the quote? Ron's quote where he calls Draco a "two-faced b astard" is another example of this.

Unless those words are removed from the auto-censor they will show up as so many *s.

But there are ways around it....:eeep:

But there are ways around it....

Surely we would get warned for that, though...wouldn't we? :hmm:

Will there be a Little Questions Answered section for DH?

Will there be a Little Questions Answered section for DH?

Don't know about a separate section, but here is the thread. Little Questions Answered (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=108297)

Surely we would get warned for that, though...wouldn't we? :hmm:

If it's in context then no, but if we see members deliberately avoiding the autocensor then yes.

Will the seers thread be reposted as a read only? I'd love to go back and check exactly how many I got glaringly wrong!!!! lol

The most recent version of the thread is still in the divination area

Are you a seer (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=89630&highlight=seer)

Wicked, thanks :)

EDIT - Just checked it... my mistake!!! It was the predictions thread I meant, not the seers one... sorry!

So you're sorted out?

heyzzzzz!!!
I was wondering about something...Well here it goes; i posted a thread,called "gap:whatever happened to the veil", after checking the whole DH area,in order not to make a thread that already existed ;)...anyway,it hasn't appeared yet and my question is,if it's not approved,will i get a notification,or will I be just waiting i vain?
thanx anyway

Currently we can't set the notifications with the link to the right thread in a duplicate thread as we usual do in every case (sometimes we still do, it depends on how many threads are awaiting approvement). It's likely that you don't get a notification.

For reference:
If you make a new thread and it doesn't appear within 24 hours, it is likely the thread has been auto-deleted because another one already exists.

ok,thanks anyway.

So you're sorted out?

Not exactly, I had my threads in a twist... you know the one where you guys posted loads of questions, and we had to make our predictions? That one. I think it was a contest thread, but since reading DH, I can't remember what some of my predictions were, or some of the questions, are there any plans for that thread to be reposted as read-only? I realise it can't be simply reposted, as some people might try to change their answers...

Not exactly, I had my threads in a twist... you know the one where you guys posted loads of questions, and we had to make our predictions? That one. I think it was a contest thread, but since reading DH, I can't remember what some of my predictions were, or some of the questions, are there any plans for that thread to be reposted as read-only? I realise it can't be simply reposted, as some people might try to change their answers...



I'll check that out for you.

What did you do with my Book Mistake thread?

We sent it to Dumbledore for review. :elaugh:

Nah, some technical glitch; it's still there, but somehow no longer accessable. We're trying to get what happened and keep you updated. :)

Dumby ...

Ok, thanks :)

Someone mistook it for a Horcrux and stabbed it with a basalisk fang.

I'll check that out for you.

Thanks :)

Why was my thread titled "Why didn't Harry order Kreacher to save him at Malfoy Manor" deleted? If there is a similar topic can you tell me the link?

I'm just curious as to why this website is being censored more harshly than the Harry Potter books were by JKR. The site is supposed to be about the books, and yet we can't discuss the books using the same language and/or references that JKR herself includes in the book.

It seems to me that if families/kids are old enough to read the books, they are old enough to handle what's IN the books.

The whole Aberforth goat thread is being mercilessly censored, even though JKR herself made jokes about it, both in the book and in interviews.

Molly uses the "b word" on Bellatrix... so what's the big deal? If we were only allowed to reference every other topic in the books by quoting canon, there would be a complete end to all conversation - we'd all just be throwing quotes at each other!

Unnecessary censorship like this just serves to limit the forum experience... why is it happening?

Sincerely,
Elysia

The goal of our forums is and has always been that our youngest members should feel safe here, and that their parents should feel safe to allow them to be here.

When it comes to Aberforth and his goats a fact is that Jo has never said what exactly he did with them. Everyone who claims that she implied something not family friendly is just extrapolating without having any evidence whatsoever to support their assumptions.

We have no reason to allow the speculation to drift into non family friendly land.

The goal of our forums is and has always been that our youngest members should feel safe here, and that their parents should feel safe to allow them to be here.

When it comes to Aberforth and his goats a fact is that Jo has never said what exactly he did with them. Everyone who claims that she implied something not family friendly is just extrapolating without having any evidence whatsoever to support their assumptions.

We have no reason to allow the speculation to drift into non family friendly land.

Of course, I understand that the forum is supposed to be kid friendly... but it's a foregone conclusion that in order to be interested in coming to this site, the kids in question must have read the books and watched the movies, right? Although some posts may look as though they were written by six-year-olds, I doubt there are actually any toddlers logging on. Just seems like anyone old enough to read the books is... well, old enough to discuss them.

Also - have you hung around many kids in your life? Most kids I know are extremely fond of rude noises, off-color jokes, and doing and saying things that make people's eyebrows go up. You say it's the kids you're catering to, but I'd bet it's really the parents, eh?

You've got the whole goat thing sewed up, but I hope you realize (in your real-life, non-moderation mind) that JKR was actually joking about what we were joking about. She's a very funny woman, and she put that in there on purpose, for the exact reason that everyone thinks, but is not allowed to suggest in these hallowed halls.

OK, I've had my say. No, not quite.

Here's an idea. Why not have a section for "underage wizards" and a section for those "of age"? Heck, it worked in the books, why not here? That way you guys would be off the hook liability-wise, and we adult Potter fans would be free to post without feeling like the Ministry of Magic was about to slap us with yet another decree.

Hem-hem!

- Elysia

Elysia, you make good points. I can tell you that, yes, the staff is aware of all these points and is discussing ways to deal with them, while still preserving the general family-friendly nature of the forum. When a decision is made, it will be announced.

I just want to add that the absence of such adult material is one of the reasons I love this forum so much, and I'm neither a kid nor a parent. I would feel highly uncomfortable discussing such goat-related "jokes," as I agree with Alastor that anything inferred from what JKR said has no evidentiary support. In my view, the censorship is not to protect kids from ever hearing such a joke, it's to prevent the conversation from spinning off wildly into unrelated, vulgar forms of humor.

I just want to add that the absence of such adult material is one of the reasons I love this forum so much, and I'm neither a kid nor a parent. I would feel highly uncomfortable discussing such goat-related "jokes," as I agree with Alastor that anything inferred from what JKR said has no evidentiary support. In my view, the censorship is not to protect kids from ever hearing such a joke, it's to prevent the conversation from spinning off wildly into unrelated, vulgar forms of humor. I would like to second this. It is the main reason that I joined this forum specifically in the first place. I have been very happy with the level of moderation at this site. Some people don't find innapropriate jokes or conversation to be amusing - adults included.

And considering this post (http://www.cosforums.com/showpost.php?p=4683180&postcount=125) I'll have to take back what I said before about quoting Molly in signatures and avatars.

I just want to add that the absence of such adult material is one of the reasons I love this forum so much, and I'm neither a kid nor a parent. I would feel highly uncomfortable discussing such goat-related "jokes," as I agree with Alastor that anything inferred from what JKR said has no evidentiary support. In my view, the censorship is not to protect kids from ever hearing such a joke, it's to prevent the conversation from spinning off wildly into unrelated, vulgar forms of humor.
Thirded!
I recall there were some threads in the DOIMC that were rated for 17+ due to subject matter, it made it easy for me to avoid them. Perhaps something along those lines could be considered if it becomes necessary.

Thirded!
I recall there were some threads in the DOIMC that were rated for 17+ due to subject matter, it made it easy for me to avoid them. Perhaps something along those lines could be considered if it becomes necessary.

The problem with that is putting an age limit on something only makes kids want to see it more.

Elysia, you make good points. I can tell you that, yes, the staff is aware of all these points and is discussing ways to deal with them, while still preserving the general family-friendly nature of the forum. When a decision is made, it will be announced.

:tu: Thanks, Sherlock. It's good to know.

From the posts that followed yours, it looks like the "underage wizards" area would be quite popular even among adults!

Just to clarify:

I am neither a parent nor a child (like YellowPoofBall) and by advocating an "adult" area, I am not suggesting a free-for-all area for the inclusion of outside, muggle "adult material", or for the allowance of bashing or using obscene language against other forum members.

I'm just wishing for an area where the ENTIRE content of the books and movies is allowed to be freely discussed without censorship.

Thanks again for your reply. I'm off to delve into the DH forum again! :cool:

I'm absolutely (pretty much) sure that this is the wrong forum to ask this question in... but I can't find the right one.

What is that symbol supposed to be - the one with the two glowing red areas that sort of looks like either a folded flag, or a hanky, or a pair of pants or something - that shows up to the very left of all the Deathly Hallows threads?

I've been staring at it for the past week and I just can't figure out what the heck it is.

Anyone?

You mean this? http://www.cosforums.com/images/hbp/statusicon/thread_hot_new.gif

It's "Hot thread with new posts". Find the list of symbols near the bottom of the page between Display options and Posting rules.

It's "Hot thread with new posts". Find the list of symbols near the bottom of the page between Display options and Posting rules.
... and I do believe it's meant to be an envelope with sheets of paper sticking out, although I will always think of pants now whenever I see it! :rotfl:

You mean this? http://www.cosforums.com/images/hbp/statusicon/thread_hot_new.gif

It's "Hot thread with new posts". Find the list of symbols near the bottom of the page between Display options and Posting rules.

No, no - not that picture! THIS PICTURE... http://www.cosforums.com/images/dhus/statusicon/forum_new.gif

The poster above understood what I was asking.

What is the icon picture supposed to be? A pair of pants waving from a clothesline? The curtain in front of Mrs. Black's portrait? An angry cheese danish? The Flag of Doom? What?

Well it changes depending on which layout you have, I believe, so which do you use?

http://www.cosforums.com/images/dhus/statusicon/forum_new.gif What is the icon picture supposed to be?These are Voldemort's eyes from the Deathly Hallows US edition. The icon shows if there have been any new posts in an area of the forums. If the eyes are red and lightning, there were.

I'm afraid the Dark Lord wouldn't be too happy about the former assumptions about what the image could have been, but glad we solved it now. :lol:

Oh! I'm getting the pants thing now! :lol:

These are Voldemort's eyes from the Deathly Hallows US edition. The icon shows if there have been any new posts in an area of the forums. If the eyes are red and lightning, there were.

I'm afraid the Dark Lord wouldn't be too happy about the former assumptions about what the image could have been, but glad we solved it now. :lol:

Merlin's pants! I NEVER would have guessed that's what that was! Now that you told me, of course I can see it.... however, I still think it looks like... well, you know. :lol:

Thanks for the clarification, in any case!

Not only did I think it looked like Merlin's - or Voldemort's pants - raised on a flagpole - but I was really curious as to what the red shiny things were...

I'm still glad we solved the mystery about Voldemort's pants-like eyes. But let us come back on topic now, please. Any questions regarding threads getting lost in the moderator's queue or similar issues can be addressed here. :)

i was posting on deathly hallows discusion and it wasnt counting them... its fixed now but does anyone know why it wasnt counting. was post count off in the deathly hallows discusion?

i was posting on deathly hallows discusion and it wasnt counting them... its fixed now but does anyone know why it wasnt counting. was post count off in the deathly hallows discusion?

No, post count is and has always been on in the DH discussion area.

It might be you checked when you posted in DH Floursih&Blotts, where the post count - right as in the Hogwarts Flourish&Blotts area - if off. :)

When will the moderation be turned off? same time as spoiler merge?

Hi,

I started a thread to thank Jo and actually did a search for duplicates. I posted it when the search came back empty. The very next day I discovered an earlier thank you thread! So, my thanks to whomever it was that deleted my thread, but moved my comments to the existing previous thread. That was classy!

Unless those words are removed from the auto-censor they will show up as so many *s.

But there are ways around it....:eeep:

If it were me I would put Molly's word in as "b1tch," and Ron's as b2stard." That's okay, right?

Hi,

I started a thread to thank Jo and actually did a search for duplicates. I posted it when the search came back empty. The very next day I discovered an earlier thank you thread! So, my thanks to whomever it was that deleted my thread, but moved my comments to the existing previous thread. That was classy!

If your post and the comments were moved into the existing thread, the threads were merged. This means that your thread was not deleted. :)

If it were me I would put Molly's word in as "b1tch," and Ron's as b2stard." That's okay, right?

If it were me I'd let the autocensor do its job and assume people can figure out the quote by the context.

If it were me I'd let the autocensor do its job and assume people can figure out the quote by the context.

Yeah, that works too!:cool:

If it were me I'd let the autocensor do its job and assume people can figure out the quote by the context.
I was actually warned one day for using the b-word "*****" because I was quoting something about Molly killing Bellatrix.

But I had tried to edit the word so it wouldn't offend anyone, and replaced some letters with stars. I rarely even think about the autocensor and don't use many censored words.

Gertiekeddle thought I was trying to get around the autocensor. :lol: But we worked it out. I thought it was funny that so many words are allowed (damn, hell, etc), but not that one from the canon.

However, since it's your show, I just spell it now and let the autocensor bleep it out.

But I had tried to edit the word so it wouldn't offend anyone, and replaced some letters with stars. I rarely even think about the autocensor and don't use many censored words.


Yeah. I don't think I've ever even used an autocensor word here. There's really no need to.

That's true actually. If one tries to make a swear word 'more visible' in a post by adding a letter or number to avoid the evading of autocensor or by adding a letter to the evaded word, we ask them not to do it again. If it happens again, one indeed may get warned.

For the two named words I believe it is like Jessica said - we all will recognize them when they're just typed out and so appear in asterisks.

You'll never have any problems if you just type all words out. Censored words just won't appear and you don't have to worry if it is one of the censored ones or not. :)

That's true actually. If one tries to make a swear word 'more visible' in a post by adding a letter or number to avoid the evading of autocensor or by adding a letter to the evaded word, we ask them not to do it again. If it happens again, one indeed may get warned.

For the two named words I believe it is like Jessica said - we all will recognize them when they're just typed out and so appear in asterisks.

You'll never have any problems if you just type all words out. Censored words just won't appear and you don't have to worry if it is one of the censored ones or not. :)

But will the censored word just not appear, or will it be replaced by a more approriate word? This what's confusing me.:huh:

Looks like this: "Not my daughter, *****!"

:)

Looks like this: "Not my daughter, *****!"

:)

Ok, thanks!

I have another question (I'm full of them!): There used to be a thread called Spanish, where you could discuss the language. I loved it, because I usually don't get the chance to hablar espanol with other people (speak Spanish).
However, I recently did a search, and I couldn't find this thread. Has it been deleted, or am I not looking in the right places? If it has been deleted, why?
Thank you!

You're welcome!

Do you look out for Spanish (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=111952&highlight=spani%2A)?

You're welcome!

Do you look out for Spanish (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=111952&highlight=spani%2A)?

Oh, my bad! Thanks, agian!

Please, it is possible to modify/could someone modify my thread title "PoA: Why didn't Sirius escape earlier?" (located at The Stone)

It was an accident, the title was meant to be "Sirius' escape as turning point of the series/Why didn't he escape earlier?" Describes much better the intended discussion there, you see.

Thank you beforehand!

You should be able to rename your own threads yourself. On the forum page, double click just to the right of the text of the thread name, and you get the name in edit mode. :)

I double-posted a thread at "Novellas" and don't know how to erase the second one...It's called "the toothbrush"

Threads can't be deleted by members so we'll delete it for you :)

Hmmm I started a thread and it's not there now..I might have closed the page before it fully loaded but I don't want to repost incase it was deleted..was it deleted? I beleive it was in the cinema thread.
TIA

Threads can't be deleted by members so we'll delete it for you :)

Thanks!:)

Hmmm I started a thread and it's not there now..I might have closed the page before it fully loaded but I don't want to repost incase it was deleted..was it deleted? I beleive it was in the cinema thread.
TIAI wasn't deleted, but we have a mod queue installed to avoid spam posts and threads. I approved it now, it just wasn't spotted yet by any moderator. :)

Ah, Ok..I thought it was me :whistle: thanks :)

If a person has made their own thread, say in the art or photography sections, and they wanted to delete it, is there an option for that?

Yep. Just owl one of us and we'll do. :)

Hello...

I actually pm'ed the webmaster regarding this...The thread "Hurt & Heal: Order vs. Death Eater" in Quidditch Pitch is finished and needs to be closed or locked or whatever the correct term is. I'm not sure who to contact about this.

In the mean time, I'll post something on that thread to direct people to a new game.

Thank you.

I closed it for you. :)

thank you!!!

Hi...

I created a thread for the NBA 2009-2010 season. The mods have decided the thread should be combined into another thread. OK, I have no problem with mod decisions. However...it was moved into the NCAA Basketball thread. Was this an oversight or was there a reason for this?

Thanks in advance!

Perhaps you could tell us what kind of sports this NBA is. Would make it easier to get it in the right place.

NBA = National Basketball Association.

Professional basketball.

Hi...

I created a thread for the NBA 2009-2010 season. The mods have decided the thread should be combined into another thread. OK, I have no problem with mod decisions. However...it was moved into the NCAA Basketball thread. Was this an oversight or was there a reason for this?

Thanks in advance!

Oops, that was my mistake. I meant to merge it to the NBA thread, but I clicked the wrong button.

Your post should have been merged to this thread:

NBA Basketball (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=111536)

Okey-dokie. When I made the thread I knew there was a chance it might be combined, but I figured I'd give it a shot.

Thanks!

I wish to comment on the moderating policy of banning a certain word and topic from the Ministry of Magic forum. It's the word the moderator named "Alastor" highlighted in red on the "UK Politics" thread. The discussion was based on a certain British political party which obviously has the banned word as its core ideology. Banning this word effectively means that discussing this political party is essentially impossible. It would be like discussing Sinn Fein without mentioning Irish republicanism. This is problematic for the thread, since the ideology and policy of the British political party in question will be of key importance to the upcoming British general election and after all the thread is called "UK Politics"

I wish to comment on the moderating policy of banning a certain word and topic from the Ministry of Magic forum. It's the word the moderator named "Alastor" highlighted in red on the "UK Politics" thread. The discussion was based on a certain British political party which obviously has the banned word as its core ideology. Banning this word effectively means that discussing this political party is essentially impossible. It would be like discussing Sinn Fein without mentioning Irish republicanism. This is problematic for the thread, since the ideology and policy of the British political party in question will be of key importance to the upcoming British general election and after all the thread is called "UK Politics"

Alastor quite rightly reminded posters that "racism" is a banned word in the DoIMC. However, that ban was put in place primarily as a result of the tensions within American politics. In the UK thread, we've decided it can be allowed in regard to the BNP.

OK thankyou.

I am banned for saying that Snape is one dimensional. A post on the Snape thread is up there and it says that being a schoolyard bully is worse than being a genocidal dictator and nothing is being done about it. You are supposed to be Mods. Try doing your jobs.If you don't want to tackle the blatant racism on the Snape threads then resign. If you secretly agree with the opinions being discussed then you should also resign.
Morgoth, I may be opinionated, but one of those opinions is that racism does not belong in this forum. By the way I read about this post on another site. Do you like this forum turning into a laughing stock?

Eliza. We all know that there is more to this then you make it appear to be with this post. If you have issues with posts you report them or owl a mod.

I am banned for saying that Snape is one dimensional.Nope.

We generally don't discuss measures on members in public for privacy reasons, but if you really want to I'm happy to repeat that you were temporarily forum-banned for ignoring a moderator's request to drop a topic for the sake of keeping a thread discussion alive. That's what you were told by staff and we didn't lie about it.

You were not banned, because you posted your opinion. The content of the post was fine, it was the topic itself what was just asked to be avoided and so - for particular during the activity of the Hot Zone Policy - got us only one possibility to act.


The general matter: CoS staff consists of several members from five continents with different backgrounds, different age ranking from 20 to 70 and as such with highly controversial opinions about Snape (as also other topics).

I'm always open for critiques on our moderation style. I'm aware that we're more stern than many other forum's staffs. But I'm also convinced that it is actually impossible that we ban a topic not being 'of our opinion' since we simply hardly agree on anything among ourselves - no matter how easy this explanations seems to appear for many members.

Nope.

We generally don't discuss measures on members in public for privacy reasons, but if you really want to I'm happy to repeat that you were temporarily forum-banned for ignoring a moderator's request to drop a topic for the sake of keeping a thread discussion alive. That's what you were told by staff and we didn't lie about it.

You were not banned, because you posted your opinion. The content of the post was fine, it was the topic itself what was just asked to be avoided and so - for particular during the activity of the Hot Zone Policy - got us only one possibility to act.


The general matter: CoS staff consists of several members from five continents with different backgrounds, different age ranking from 20 to 70 and as such with highly controversial opinions about Snape (as also other topics).

I'm always open for critiques on our moderation style. I'm aware that we're more stern than many other forum's staffs. But I'm also convinced that it is actually impossible that we ban a topic not being 'of our opinion' since we simply hardly agree on anything among ourselves - no matter how easy this explanations seems to appear for many members.

This is the last post I will be putting on any of the boards here on COS. It's sad because I have loved this forum. I am not leaving because of the ban. You say that I broke some rules and I am banned. Fine, they are your rules and if I want to post I have to obey them. What I am trying to say to you goes beyond my being banned. The Snape thread has degenerated into 'The Snape Fangirl Club'. The high point of the discussion today would seem to be what music Snape would like. That and how shcoolyard bullying is worse than the actual deaths of millions of people. Bullying of people who take a more balanced view of this character in endemic, defence of racism and bigotry is endemic and character bashing of every other character in the books from Dumbledore down the lowliest house elf happens regularly. You mods are supposed to apply the rules with an even hand and you don't do it. I don't matter in the grand scheme of things. I got banned, big deal, I will survive this believe it or not. I am concerned because this site once meant a lot to me and now I will never visit it again.

Miss Eliza,

As the poster of the message in question, I would very much prefer that you did not leave the site. You seem relatively active, quite happy here other than some decisions, and fairly well-liked. I for one think that your leaving would be a disservice to both yourself and the site. All perspectives are necessary.

Additionally, as the poster towards whom much of Eliza's last post's bitterness is directed, due to misreading of my post with the potential to offend her, I would like to appeal her ban as well. The fault lies as much with me as with her. I don't think her post on the Snape thread justified a ban. Plenty of others have said Snape is one-dimensional on that thread who haven't faced a ban, nor is there a rule under which they deserve to.

The discussion of music tastes on Snape's thread, like his artistic taste, was proposed not as a "fangirl" move (at least one of the other posters and I are both men), but because it adds an additional dimension to his character. Notice how the discussion thereof included debate about whether he would indulge his melancholy, avoid tunes that would too strongly remind him of his turmoil, etc. I would enjoy very much seeing how every character's tastes reflected who they are, including Sirius in particular. We had also just been reflecting on his teaching patterns at length, including debate on personality vs. style, with several including some of his fans mentioning that he taught poorly. I myself admitted that he only *would* have been a good teacher had his personality changed.

I would also like an opportunity to elaborate on my post for your sake, set as "spoiler" to differentiate it from the central purpose of this post:

I did not say being "a" schoolyard bully was worse than being "a" genodical dictator. I said that the former's collective has a worse impact on humanity than the latter. This isn't belittling the impact of dictators; rather, it's emphasizing the impact of bullies, which is too often belittled in itself. There are relatively few genocidal dictators and hundreds of millions of bullies. Can you show that they don't have a worse impact? Genocidal dictators rob millions of people of their lives, but bullies rob hundreds of millions of their livelihood and sometimes lives, and unlike with the relatively tame James and Sirius, it doesn't often end in adulthood. They force those people to spend their youth and frequently their entire lives literally wishing they'd never been born. There are worse things than death (Dumbledore said that!) and one of them is a hellish life. Bullying itself has also led to the deaths of millions of people through both murder and suicide, while destroying the quality of life for the majority of the remainder.

I also missed the racism on the Snape thread, and in fact fail to see how a person can go from talking about Snape to saying anything racist. Racism tends to imply a person has a problem with a particular race. If there were such a post I would object to it as well. Also, were there any real bullying on that thread of people for disliking Snape, I would tell the person off myself, for they make other Snape fans look bad. I have not seen any, however. I'm also missing the Dumbledore-and-Winky bashing. I think it may help to quote some specific cases to help both the mods and myself better see your point.

As for the "site" in question, if you even want to call it that, I've seen it myself. It's easy to find on Google. It's not so much a site as a small community of people who were banned from Livejournal for being too dumb and too intolerant of independent thought, and started a variant on another site, on an account where the name, mission statement and slogan are all stated in ways that befit the immaturity, extremely shallow analysis, lacking elaboration, inability to analyze anything within context or even to interpret a sentence correctly, and pitiful critical-thinking skills of its posters. Nobody could ever take that "site" seriously except for its own bloggers.

If the mods indulge my request to reverse the ban in question, I hope you will return and make your case eloquently. Who knows, you may help someone to see a fresh new perspective that they hadn't considered before. Even if not, it's not right to deprive yourself of community with people with whom you're well acquainted due merely to a single thread for a character you don't even like.

And here in lies the problem, folks.

Two different sides of the debate trying to explain what they meant. Welcome to 8 years of debating Harry Potter on CoS Forums.


We are set the impossible task of trying to temper two sides that have two very different sets of perceptions. Differences in nuance and tone cannot be conveyed over the internet, so the raw, written word is the only way to draw conclusions over individual conduct. One side suggests something, perfectly innocently and the post-reporting begins. One single line out of place sets things ablaze on here, because there is this common goal of always being right. Of always having the last word, irrespective of the frivolity of the campaign. There is no harm in 'moving on' as many a moderator has requested people do time & time again in these threads.

Eliza, you wrote something that got peoples backs up. I then had to read about your anger toward me and the staff in a Social Group not at all set up for that purpose. You seem completely incapable of tempering yourself when asked to. You presume to know the score about how we moderate on here, but you do not have the benefit of the great "All Seeing Eye." You do not see the warning logs like we do, so your accusations toward us do not measure up to the past few years of warnings that both sides of the debate have received.

Your scope for how we deal with issues is blinkered, rather heavily by your own personal bias. To rationalise your issues, we need to take them in the wider context of the debates at hand. Your bitterness toward the fanbase is exemplified by your characterization of them. You've shown your disdain for people by your bitter posting in this thread today and then expect the Mods to 'resign' for lack of dealing with your personal disgust. But unless you see what part YOU play in lowering the tone, no amount of action we do will ever completely satisfy you. Unless you are prepared to look at yourself and wonder where you fit into all this, what we do is merely a fools errand.

There is no 'safe' way to moderate a debate surrounding Snape or any hot button HP issue. We spent several years deeply embedded in the "Love Wars," a period in which Harmony & Heron shippers went at it with posts so long, it made dissertations look like footnotes. There are debates going back years that have scarred the perceptions of members forever, to the extent that our only course of action is to move under our own imperfect perceptions and do our best to temper the debates. What you do not see, rather regularly, is how we request people to edit posts. How we make in-thread comments for people to 'move on'. We attempt to give people opportunities to correct comments or attitudes before things get too far. You cannot say you never had the opportunity if two or three posts above you, a moderator says "Move on."

However, we sometimes *miss* things. That's human nature. We rely on the post reporting system. We rely on keen eyes. But that doesn't mean we'll capture every incident of every waking hour. Things get missed, but if that does not excuse us of our responsibilities it does not entitle others to act like lone gun[persons] and enact their own retribution by way of snarky, unhelpful posts in reply. In that way, we'll treat you as equally as you treat others.

If your last hurrah to me, Eliza, is to say I am a laughing stock, all I can suggest is that you get your membership card to the club of people who repeatedly relay that same message to me just before they make a sweeping exit from the site. I would warn you though, one of those club card holders has socks older than lanifiel.

I'm leaving it there for now, because opinions have been made. I won't go further with any public discussion of members warnings.