Wow, mods are one sided

[chrisc90]

Sometimes I do think it is a little over moderated. I mean if people strictly followed what the thread title is about then there would be virtually any discussion.

I have a feeling that this thread was 'bumped' because of the race thread being locked due to a bit of talk about Mercedes and where they go from there and a little cost cap related.

Put talk like that in the team thread, gets removed as not related to the team. Make a thread up about the discussion of potentially breaking the cost cap and it gets locked. Where do people go to discuss things like that?

One of the major teams, and probably about 20% fanbase of the members who frequent here. (it is the 2nd most commented thread on the team forum page) and thats a lot of people who just end up 'silenced' because it doesnt go against what the mod team want to see.

Dont get me wrong, they do a great job, and peace is kept most of the time, but people should just be allowed a bit more 'free-speech', so to say.

I mean it was only last week a mod commented on a thread about something, then half a page down the same mod keeps the conversation going that they have just tried to stop.

[johnny comelately]

I have just got to say, this is one hell of a forum.
Even with all its drawbacks there is nothing like it.

Gawd, give 'em a bit of power and look what they do...
Hop out of the road and give me a go, what's the pay?

As draconian as it looks at times with all the removed posts (why not make the effort to follow posting guidelines in the first place?), I'd like to think that both facts are, maybe, a bit related?

It is called irony or a paradox, take your pick

[organic]

More "free" speech invariably leads to lower quality discussions from my experience on forums. There are drawbacks to the current level of moderation - especially in some threads and on certain topics - but it will always be a balancing act and a well struck one at the minute IMO

[chrisc90]

More "free" speech invariably leads to lower quality discussions from my experience on forums

I mean im not meaning name calling, attacks or what-not as that's no good. Sometimes during a discussion things crop up whilst the topic is being discussed and you get a small 'tangent' of a discussion related to that. I think it sometimes falls as a natural part of a conversation with people. Its a tough one for sure, on one hand you get a good conversation between people with lots of good info (mostly) then on the other hand is it doesnt fall exactly in line with the thread title.

People discuss a teams drivers in their representative team thread, but you cant talk about drivers or make a comparison, so you lose good conversation potential.

Just my 2p of course.

[hollus]

I think we often fail to make policies clear enough…

A tangent in a team thread… OK, team threads move too fast, the tangent might get missed.
But… a tangent in most threads, is likely to be met with a “on topic please” before it becomes two pages, or it is likely to be moved or split to its own thread. A small tangent is typically left there.
Deletion is, in that case, normally a sign of mod exhaustion or desperation.
Tangents are normal and a by-product or cause of good discussions. In moderation, they are welcome in most threads.

Now, the 10 car threads. No mercy there, we make enough effort to mark a clear line there, so, with few exceptions, chop chop chop it is. Too many users, too many posts, allow lap times and gaps, and it would become a fan jungle faster than we could blink, or chop. Experience tells us that.

[Sofa King]

How many forums still have enough substantive discussion to heavily influence the news stories for their sport and even be pulled up on the pit wall? You are obviously doing a great job and presumably working for free or a nominal fee. Feelings of bias are more likely to be a reflection of the poster’s mood and sports are a big trigger for limbic thinking (I am very guilty)

I think we often fail to make policies clear enough…

A tangent in a team thread… OK, team threads move too fast, the tangent might get missed.
But… a tangent in most threads, is likely to be met with a “on topic please” before it becomes two pages, or it is likely to be moved or split to its own thread. A small tangent is typically left there.
Deletion is, in that case, normally a sign of mod exhaustion or desperation.
Tangents are normal and a by-product or cause of good discussions. In moderation, they are welcome in most threads.

Now, the 10 car threads. No mercy there, we make enough effort to mark a clear line there, so, with few exceptions, chop chop chop it is. Too many users, too many posts, allow lap times and gaps, and it would become a fan jungle faster than we could blink, or chop. Experience tells us that.

[Sevach]

I will admit that sometimes the strict policy of not talking about performance in the car threads is difficult.
Because, you know... upgrades are made to improve performance, so in my view it's a bit of gray area and sometimes inevitable, though i try to follow the law to the best of my ability.

In fairness to moderation, commiting "faults" there are usually regarded as "racing accidents" , i have had posts deleted for talking about things i wasn't suppoused to do it there, but i don't remember any scoldings.
Like they understand the rules are harsh so i appreciate that.

[ValeVida46]

I received this message and I'm bewildered as I've had no engagement with a mod (to my knowledge), I'm old and memory is both selective and jaded so I could be wrong.

This warning is for starting and doubling down repeatedly on an off-topic tangent espousing [snip], followed by a denial that you said it.
The biggest faux-pas is the contradiction (which came as soon as you were challenged - you also chose not to display the item that you contradicted in your response to the challenge).

There was no example, just a hot drop inbox message to say I repeatedly espouse off topic messaging and I contradict my responses to challenges.
Perhaps mods might consider using an example?
That way I imagine their job might be easier and discourse can continue according to their vision?

[johnny comelately]

I received this message and I'm bewildered as I've had no engagement with a mod (to my knowledge), I'm old and memory is both selective and jaded so I could be wrong.

This warning is for starting and doubling down repeatedly on an off-topic tangent espousing [snip], followed by a denial that you said it.
The biggest faux-pas is the contradiction (which came as soon as you were challenged - you also chose not to display the item that you contradicted in your response to the challenge).

There was no example, just a hot drop inbox message to say I repeatedly espouse off topic messaging and I contradict my responses to challenges.
Perhaps mods might consider using an example?
That way I imagine their job might be easier and discourse can continue according to their vision?

Maybe there is a course they can do to become "certified"