I'd like to ignore a moderator

[RunningBum]

I could go on and on, but 'much ado about nothing.'

We all have to tune out people in real life, on television, in movies, on the radio, etc. - every day. It's not difficult to skip over doofi posts here. It's hard to believe every single post by any individual is intolerable, some may be, some might be worth reading.

With all due respect, hard to believe this is something worth all this fuss.

That's your opinion. I can, and do, avoid or walk away from people, mute or tivo skip over TV stuff, change the radio station, and put posters on ignore. You may have tolerance for everyone and everything, but I find it easier to just not see something from someone who pushes my buttons, and it keeps me from posting something that will likely devolve into something worse. With some posters, it's like a gory train wreck. I know I shouldn't look, but I'm drawn to it, and it irritates me.

Not sure if I've heard the advice here or not, but in many forums where there are conflicts that lead to threads being closed and people being booted, the advice from mods is to just put the other person on ignore. It works well. The function exists here, it should be available for all, in my opinion, even though I don't have any mods I want to ignore, at least not right now.

 

[Katsmeow]

The "two account" answer seems to keep things cleanest. If, say, a person who is a moderator complains about the tone of a post, we know if he/she is "wearing the star" or not. I would think it would make the mods more comfortable being able to make posts while making clear they weren't speaking as a mod.

The thing is that it really isn't always that clean. I've done a lot of forum moderation elsewhere in the past. Sometimes, sure, I might moderate in a thread that I would otherwise not be posting in. But often it was a thread I was generally making comments in. There are a few points that I think are important:

One -- As a moderator I always felt that I should model appropriate posting behavior. I made a real point to always post in the way that I would want others to post. So did the other mods. Before I became a moderator on those forums I could look at the "regular" posts of moderators and get a good feel for the board culture and what the powers that be deemed to be acceptable posting behavior.

Two -- In some threads I would start out as regular poster then something would happen and I might make a moderation type post (although truthfully much of moderation happens behind the scenes). If I had to switch accounts to do that it would be a PITA and would seem jarring.

Third -- This is probably most important. Sure there are threads where it would be crystal clear that I was posting with my moderator hat on. But, quite often it was more of a gray area. I would see a thread that hadn't yet gone off the rails but might be getting close or on a topic that tended to excite comment. I would often post in the thread not formally as a moderator but really trying to gently get it back on track or to smooth over a potential issue before it even formally arose. So, it is sort of hard to determine in that situation whether to post from the mod account or the non-mod account. If you do it from the mod account you make something formal that didn't need to be formal. If you do it from the non-mod account then maybe someone who has ignored you doesn't see it or if you later do post more formally someone criticizes that you weren't always on the mod account....

 

[Midpack]

That's your opinion. I can, and do, avoid or walk away from people, mute or tivo skip over TV stuff, change the radio station, and put posters on ignore. You may have tolerance for everyone and everything, but I find it easier to just not see something from someone who pushes my buttons, and it keeps me from posting something that will likely devolve into something worse. With some posters, it's like a gory train wreck. I know I shouldn't look, but I'm drawn to it, and it irritates me.

Not sure if I've heard the advice here or not, but in many forums where there are conflicts that lead to threads being closed and people being booted, the advice from mods is to just put the other person on ignore. It works well. The function exists here, it should be available for all, in my opinion, even though I don't have any mods I want to ignore, at least not right now.

Fair enough. I don't have a "tolerance for everyone" - but I've learned that it's more beneficial to learn how to deal with doofi than to avoid them. Every confrontation is a chance to strengthen my ability to not allow anyone to push my buttons, so I welcome the opportunity. Avoiding the confrontations will never work, they will never go away, better to learn how to let them roll off you unscathed. I used to be a mildly competitive driver, now I just laugh when other drivers drive selfishly, it's a lot healthier to laugh than to let some anonymous stranger "push my buttons." YMMV, though I hope you read this in the spirit intended.

I thought the table in my earlier post offered a good insight. The more people you need to ignore, the more likely it's your own intolerance maybe?

 

[RunningBum]

Fair enough. I don't have a "tolerance for everyone" - but I've learned that it's more beneficial to learn how to deal with doofi than to avoid them. Every confrontation is a chance to strengthen my ability to not allow anyone to push my buttons, so I welcome the opportunity. Avoiding the confrontations will never work, they will never go away, better to learn how to let them roll off you unscathed. I used to be a mildly competitive driver, now I just laugh when other drivers drive selfishly, it's a lot healthier to laugh than to let some anonymous stranger "push my buttons." YMMV, though I hope you read this in the spirit intended.

I thought the table in my earlier post offered a good insight. The more people you need to ignore, the more likely it's your own intolerance maybe?

I get your point. I guess I find if I have fewer annoyances to deal with, I can handle the ones I do have to face better. It sounds like you use it as an opportunity to build a thicker skin, while I try to protect my thinner skin from getting worn away as much as I can. Different approaches. I agree it would be healthier to be able to laugh them all off, but since I've found that I can't, I feel it's healthier to limit my exposure.

I have 11 on my ignore list, though I'm pretty sure at least a couple of them have been banned, and some probably don't post anymore. I admit that I'm not a tolerant person, but I can live with that.

 

[Gotadimple]

You don't need software to ignore a moderator. You can ignore him/her/them all you like. In fact, many people do.

Although those who ignore flagrantly could receive a 'love note!'

. . . Back to the regularly scheduled SERIOUS discussion.

-- Rita

 

[Midpack]

I get your point. I guess I find if I have fewer annoyances to deal with, I can handle the ones I do have to face better. Can't argue with that. It sounds like you use it as an opportunity to build a thicker skin, while I try to protect my thinner skin from getting worn away as much as I can. Different approaches. It's not about a "thicker skin" at all. It's all in how you to react to people who provoke (intended or not). No one can make you unhappy, ultimately you do that to yourself, no one else. Once you practice a little, it makes life so much easier, no one can "push your buttons." Like everything it takes practice, but you get better and better at it, effortlessly in time. I agree it would be healthier to be able to laugh them all off, but since I've found that I can't, I feel it's healthier to limit my exposure. I thought I couldn't for the first 50 years of my life, but anyone can do it. I'm still practicing, but it's pretty easy now. You can never totally eliminate your "exposure" but you can learn to prevent anyone from "pushing your buttons." That's why it's a worthwhile skill to develop IMO.

FWIW, maybe I should leave well enough alone, but might as well try to help. I promise I won't follow up on this topic on this thread again...done.

 

[james7]

Could that be because you have mastered the art of looking rich?

I believe I've already done that and I don't advise it because people will always hit you up for money.

 

[james7]

Hi all,

Out of the 20 or so people in this category, one of them happens to be a moderator. I can and do ignore the 19 folks, and would like to ignore this 20th person as well.

REWahoo, yes, I'm aware of that rule, and am grateful that people take on the moderating job on this board. As someone who already ignores ~20 posters, I know I won't ever be a moderator here.

2Cor521

You ignore 20 people??!! It is good that I don't attend a cocktail party with people on this thread because I'd need psychotherapy afterward. I could ask a psychotherapist at the party, but he would probable ignore me.

 

[Janet H]

The thing is that it really isn't always that clean. I've done a lot of forum moderation elsewhere in the past. Sometimes, sure, I might moderate in a thread that I would otherwise not be posting in. But often it was a thread I was generally making comments in. There are a few points that I think are important:

One -- As a moderator I always felt that I should model appropriate posting behavior. I made a real point to always post in the way that I would want others to post. So did the other mods. Before I became a moderator on those forums I could look at the "regular" posts of moderators and get a good feel for the board culture and what the powers that be deemed to be acceptable posting behavior.

Two -- In some threads I would start out as regular poster then something would happen and I might make a moderation type post (although truthfully much of moderation happens behind the scenes). If I had to switch accounts to do that it would be a PITA and would seem jarring.

Third -- This is probably most important. Sure there are threads where it would be crystal clear that I was posting with my moderator hat on. But, quite often it was more of a gray area. I would see a thread that hadn't yet gone off the rails but might be getting close or on a topic that tended to excite comment. I would often post in the thread not formally as a moderator but really trying to gently get it back on track or to smooth over a potential issue before it even formally arose. So, it is sort of hard to determine in that situation whether to post from the mod account or the non-mod account. If you do it from the mod account you make something formal that didn't need to be formal. If you do it from the non-mod account then maybe someone who has ignored you doesn't see it or if you later do post more formally someone criticizes that you weren't always on the mod account....

These are all good points and in my experience also true and then there is a fourth point to make.... An earlier poster asked about having moderator actions come from an anonymous 'moderator' account. I have experieinced this on a forum and found that it removed a much needed layer of personal accountability for the moderator. There is MUCH greater potential for abuse of power when there is a cloak of invisibility.

My suggestion is that simply try to ignore the posts of a member you don't like or routinely disagree with - we all do some of this and with determination and practice you can become quite adept at this

 

[Purron]

A little less talk, and a lot more action.

And a little less conversation...

Elvis Presley - A Little Less Conversation - YouTube

 

[foxfirev5]

I work 60+ hours per week and have not found a need to ignore anyone. What's the point. Back in the 70's I took an Evelyn Woods speed reading course and can breeze through this stuff like nothing.

 

[Texas Proud]

I could go on and on, but 'much ado about nothing.'

We all have to tune out people in real life, on television, in movies, on the radio, etc. - every day. It's not difficult to skip over doofi posts here. It's hard to believe every single post by any individual is intolerable, some may be, some might be worth reading.

With all due respect, hard to believe this is something worth all this fuss.



I was surprised to learn anyone would feel a need to ignore 20 active members! So I did a search and found, http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f27/how-many-people-do-you-ignore-35980.html. Summary:

# of members Ignored

ZERO	1-5	6-10	11-15	16 or more
78	21	2	1	5

Not sure about the stats.... can you explain

I would think there are more than 100 or so members....

 

[REWahoo]

Not sure about the stats.... can you explain

It is the results from a 2008 poll by the OP of the thread you are currently reading: http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f27/how-many-people-do-you-ignore-35980.html

 

[SecondCor521]

You ignore 20 people??!! It is good that I don't attend a cocktail party with people on this thread because I'd need psychotherapy afterward. I could ask a psychotherapist at the party, but he would probable ignore me.

I just checked...actually it's up to 30 now. But I will say that there are only a few who are actually regular posters. Maybe I have an itchy trigger finger (or good spidey-sense) with board noobs.

@Midpack...that's good food for thought. Thank you.

2Cor521

 

[SecondCor521]

A little less talk, and a lot more action.

#21 if not 1-19

Nope on both counts, FWIW.

I guess I'd like to shift the discussion a little. Most of this thread has been about whether and how much the ignore feature should be used, and about moderation issues in general.

I'm more curious about the following, and I'll phrase it in the form of an open and admittedly somewhat pointed question to anyone who wants to answer it:

Given that moderators on this board are unpaid, publicly identifiable servant leaders; and,

given that moderators can and do delete posts, edit posts, close threads, and can suspend and expel other posters but cannot ignore anyone; and,

given that the ignore function is written into the board software;

why is it that regular posters can ignore other regular posters posts but cannot ignore moderators' posts?

In other words, imagine a world where the board is exactly as it is today but clicking on the "Add X to ignore list" on a moderator's post would result in a "User X added to your ignore list / click here to return to where you were" instead of "User X is a moderator and can't be ignored". What would be the additional drawbacks to that imaginary world that don't already exist in the status quo?

(It's a sincere question, and I'm trying to be pointed while also being neither provocative nor antagonistic. I can understand that maybe this just isn't a big deal to anyone so it's not worth spending Andy's software development budget on something like this, but I don't yet understand any legitimate problem that my suggestion would create if the implementation was "free".)

2Cor521

 

[Janet H]

Nope on both counts, FWIW.

I'm more curious about the following, and I'll phrase it in the form of an open and admittedly somewhat pointed question to anyone who wants to answer it:

Given that moderators on this board are unpaid, publicly identifiable servant leaders; and,

given that moderators can and do delete posts, edit posts, close threads, and can suspend and expel other posters but cannot ignore anyone; and,

given that the ignore function is written into the board software;

why is it that regular posters can ignore other regular posters posts but cannot ignore moderators' posts?

2Cor521

The reason is that good moderators while usually just regular forum participants, often can subtly rescue a thread that is headed into the dumper by redirecting the topic. If you pay attention you will see light hearted comments, subtle redirection of topics and deflections. This activity often averts real moderator actions (edits, deletions and more).

Occasionally it's appropriate to actually post a moderator message on a thread and you see these once and while as well - informing everyone subscribed to a thread of an issue and these posts usually begin: "moderator hat on" or similar. If you are ignoring the the moderator you can't see this.

 

[SecondCor521]

The reason is that good moderators while usually just regular forum participants, often can subtly rescue a thread that is headed into the dumper by redirecting the topic. If you pay attention you will see light hearted comments, subtle redirection of topics and deflections. This activity often averts real moderator actions (edits, deletions and more).

Occasionally it's appropriate to actually post a moderator message on a thread and you see these once and while as well - informing everyone subscribed to a thread of an issue and these posts usually begin: "moderator hat on" or similar. If you are ignoring the the moderator you can't see this.

Janet,

Ahh. That makes sense. Thank you for the explanation. I could half-heartedly argue that such "subtle rescue" posts could be sent as PMs to the intended audience, but I can imagine situations where there might be multiple posters in the intended audience which would make PMs a clunkier solution, so I guess what we have is a decent compromise solution.

To everyone else, for what it's worth I went and did some research on my massive ignore list of 30 individuals. In total those 30 individuals post about 11 posts per day to the board. A moment ago there were 18,496 board members and a total of 912,665 posts. So I am ignoring a very small part of the conversation here.

I have decided to remove all but the 8 most prolific posters from my ignore list, which will bring it down to a total of 7 posts per day to the board that I am ignoring. I'll see how it goes.

2Cor521

 

[REWahoo]

Can you hear me now?

 

[SecondCor521]

Can you hear me now?

Always could

2Cor521

 

[flyfishnevada]

Nope on both counts.

2Cor521

Damn! Note to self: Try harder to annoy others.

I have exactly one person on my ignore list. I don't remember why. Maybe I was drunk-ignoring.

 

[Nords]

To everyone else, for what it's worth I went and did some research on my massive ignore list of 30 individuals. In total those 30 individuals post about 11 posts per day to the board. A moment ago there were 18,496 board members and a total of 912,665 posts. So I am ignoring a very small part of the conversation here.
I have decided to remove all but the 8 most prolific posters from my ignore list, which will bring it down to a total of 7 posts per day to the board that I am ignoring. I'll see how it goes.
2Cor521

I don't know how many of the 51 on my "Ignore Poster" list have been banned (or have just flounced off) but I find that it's very difficult to simply scan past the provocative statements that they make/made.

If I had to choose between "learning to manually ignore" and using a tech solution, I'd go for the tech solution every time. Even if I was able to teach myself to manually ignore a post, a slip of attention would make me grumpy. Many of those on my "Ignore Posters" got there from me thinking "Well, I'm not going to change their mind or their behavior, and I get tired of reading those comments again and again."

And while this board has improved my social skills, I see no reason to aspire to "Dalai Lama" class.

 

[Redbugdave]

I have never used the ignore button on a forum before. I do have one at work and have about half the people out there on it...

 

[CMH in CO]

You guys are tooo funny. I love the moderators. They are the perfect mix of ER society. Some like to suggest gently, some like to boldly tell you how it is, and there are those in between. Either way, they are moderators for a reason and their comments keep things interesting.

Cass

 

[Nords]

I have never used the ignore button on a forum before.

vBulletin software allows the moderators to track how many posters have a member on their "Ignore Poster" list.

I suspect that every few months the "Top Ten Ignored Posters" list comes up for review. Or, if a poster starts causing problems and they're already a Top Ten member, that might be an extra strike against them.

So I see the "Ignore Poster" list as a way for members to provide feedback to the moderators on who we'd like to kick off the board. Vote early, vote often!

 

[Redbugdave]

I never knew it worked that way. That's interesting that you moderators get a list and monitor it. You just can't get away from Big Brother.

I still do not see why anyone would want to ignore anybody. Everybody has something to learn even from people you may not like. And a thread would lose some of it's charm or follow through if it's missing some conversations.

I think the secret top 10 bad boy list needs to be posted for all of us to see. Then we can vote on whether to send them to Redemption Island or out of the game. We would make alliances to protect ourselves and if a bad guy has an Immunity Idol he can't get voted out. I like Survivor. Hmmm...the ex-Mil tribe against the Civi Tribe? What about Challenges? Sidetracked again...