Moderation on this site - particularly the Motoring Section

Mercdriver

I've been a member for nearly a year. I usually reside in the motoring section, and while this forum can be a helpful place, it is also usually one of the most inhospitable places on the internet. I have to wonder how many new posters stay.

If you are new, you always stand the chance of being called 'DM' or dark matter. People openly bicker and few threads will pass without descending into argument and accusations of being DM.

I've pressed the report button, but nothing seems to change. I get the automated email but absolutely no follow up, and the behaviour is always allowed to continue. Essentially there are a few users who like to act like some kind of self moderation team and nothing seems to happen by way of moderation, even if it is reported.

Ad hominem attacks aren't just there, they aren't just rife, they are part of the culture.

I know that motoring like football can bring out the most strident in people's character, but the motoring section really is a bear pit much of the time.

That "Newbie - please be gentle" Flag may as well be "Newbie - please berate me and accuse me of being a banned member".

I wonder how many of them stay? I would suggest that the turnover rate would be quite high which is not good for any forum.

I do understand that many mods do their 'job' in a voluntary capacity, and their time is valuable, but the bear pit that is motoring can be incredibly inhospitable.

cajef

Mercdriver wrote: »

I've been a member for nearly a year.

I do understand that many mods do their 'job' in a voluntary capacity

In which case you should have known by now that these forums are not moderated there are no 'mods', the board guides can move posts but cannot delete or modify posts.

When you send a report it goes directly to the forum team and they will investigate and if they consider intervention is necessary will take appropriate action, but they do not have time to go through the forums checking every thread.

Mercdriver

The vast majority of forums I frequent do have mods that look through posts, and most of them aren't as well known as this one. I have reported several posts and there is NEVER any follow up. People are allowed to just use ad hominem attacks just as they like and no one does anything even if it is reported. So the offenders are like an in forum !!!!!. Not conducive at all to new members. But hey if the forums owners don't give a fig about that, that's up to them.

They do care about words, though. Seriously the word m4fia (substitute 4 for a) is banned but bullying isn't...

Priorities...

Ridiculous.

cajef

While agreeing that some posters wind others up we have to accept that this is an open public forum and people can post what they like and providing the forum team do not deem it unacceptable the post remains, what one person considers to be abuse may be accepted as banter or an opposing view, we all read posts that we do not agree with but that does not make them wrong, if you cannot ignore them maybe it is time to consider whether you wish to contribute further or even carry on using the these forums.

Mercdriver

cajef wrote: »

While agreeing that some posters wind others up we have to accept that this is an open public forum and people can post what they like and providing the forum team do not deem it unacceptable the post remains, what one person considers to be abuse may be accepted as banter or an opposing view, we all read posts that we do not agree with but that does not make them wrong, if you cannot ignore them maybe it is time to consider whether you wish to contribute further or even carry on using the these forums.

Of course, because "if you don't like it, you don't have to be here" is such a great response...

To be fair, I expected it before now...

cajef

Mercdriver wrote: »

Of course, because "if you don't like it, you don't have to be here" is such a great response...

To be fair, I expected it before now...

My posts in this thread have been perfectly polite and reasoned replies to your posts which you appear to have taken as something personal, it would seem from this thread that you are not happy with debate and take offence at anything that does not agree with your view so the comments in the last part of my post are maybe the best advice for you.

Norman_Castle

Threads like this?. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5385380 It looks like some posts have been removed. The op was given answers then the thread deteriorated into a boring unrelated bickering match. It does happen quite often. No-one forces you to join in. They seem to enjoy it. If you don't then just walk away and leave them to it. Lifes too short.

!!!!! is a banned word?. Strange. Its not generally considered offensive like !!!!, !!!!!!!! or !!!!!.

Mercdriver

cajef wrote: »

My posts in this thread have been perfectly polite and reasoned replies to your posts which you appear to have taken as something personal, it would seem from this thread that you are not happy with debate and take offence at anything that does not agree with your view so the comments in the last part of my post are maybe the best advice for you.

I have no issue at all with debate. But "if you don't like it, leave" isn't a debating point. It's unequal and is a discussion ending device. So not really debating at all.

System

But in a face to face discussion/argument you wouldn't stay when things escalate and you don't like what is being said. You leave (or maybe you are the type of person that would stay and increase the escalation?). Why should you stay to the bitter end in online discussion and report people in a similar scenario?

cajef

Mercdriver wrote: »

But "if you don't like it, leave" isn't a debating point.

Which is something I never said or posted but if you think that then you have a problem, I have quoted what I posted below and highlighted the operative words.

cajef wrote: »

if you cannot ignore them maybe it is time to consider whether you wish to contribute further or even carry on using the these forums.

Mercdriver

If you can't see where you are suggesting it then I really have to shake my head in disbelief