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Why are moderators allowed to troll without consequences?

Started by bluecyclist64 · · 👁 5 views · 26 replies

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Participants bluecyclist64Sandra Gonzalez3Nicholas KingDaniel Ward87rustydrifter10cosmicskipper39Susan Price30Christian Taylor3crimsonscout19Larry Walker24Karen Rodriguez3Scott Hall39
bluecyclist64 bluecyclist64 RegularOP
369 messages
joined Oct 2011
#1 ·
In a thread regarding moderation, an observer posted a link to some mindless song by an even more mindless band from our neighbors across the border.
When I asked Daniel Ward87 why that wasn't penalized, my specific inquiry was deleted, yet the observer faced absolutely no repercussions whatsoever.
Now, look, my fellow forum members—if any of you had performed that exact same stunt, you likely would have been slapped with at least 10 off-topic points. Yet, this observer walked away completely unscathed.

Here is how the sequence of events unfolded: first, the observer dropped a link to some trivial little tune in a thread dedicated to questions for administration, and then I followed up with this:

Well, thanks for the heads-up that my posts are uninteresting and lack educational value, but what I’m actually curious about is whether the observer received a warning for that trolling post you just wiped out.

To which Daniel Ward87 responds as follows:

I will ask once more.

He didn't, and he won't. (It remains unclear to me why you thought the observer was deleting your posts on Religion, given that you are well aware of how things operate here.)

So now, I find myself wondering: why isn't he, and why won't he be? Is it because moderators are permitted to troll, insult, and act out however they please? As I recall, rustydrifter10—who seems to be the primary moderator authority on this forum, judging by how often she addresses users regarding perceived injustices, whether real or imagined—explained just a few days ago that moderators are flesh and blood humans too, and are subject to sanctions if they overstep.
Clearly, that isn't the case.
That very same moderator, the observer, docked me 500 points simply because I referred to another user as a nationalist. I am not claiming I was right, nor am I denying my mistake; but I ask you, gentlemen and comrades, why does an ordinary user get hit with 500 points for being a nationalist (especially in a thread directly touching upon a moderator's religious and political beliefs), while a moderator protected by the current Sith master doesn't lose a single point?
Sandra Gonzalez3 Sandra Gonzalez3 Active Member
105 messages
joined Oct 2008
#2 ·
bluecyclist64 said:... first of all, he's just an observer...

Yeah, yeah, yeah... and before that, nobody was dealing with some paranoid delusion where you think moderators aren't actually moderating this subforum, or that others are just lurking, waiting to see when you'll finally get banned.

You're taking this way too personally. You don't matter, man. Nobody's following you, and nobody's paying you any special attention. You got banned because you deserved it. There’s zero reason to troll the PZK with fake, baseless accusations—because if that wasn't paranoia, then it's definitely trolling.

And look, we all know you've been having "issues" with me for a while now, and now it looks like it's moved on to Strilet. But you're gonna have to wait for a better opportunity to talk trash, because this one is pretty much useless.

Good luck finding that better opportunity. 👋
Nicholas King Nicholas King Regular
716 messages
joined Jan 2023
#3 ·
Kevin Williams56 said:Yeah, yeah, yeah... and before this, nobody was suffering from some sort of paranoia where they imagine moderators who aren't even moderating that specific sub-forum—or any other moderator following them just waiting to see when they'll get punished.

- The "question for administration" thread is actually one of the most actively maintained and kept free of off-topic chatter or random comments on the entire PZK forum.
- bluecyclist64 directed the comment "I feel like you're watching my posts a little too closely" at Strilet, not at you.
- You essentially posted nothing but a YouTube link, and you did it as a forum member (since you were replying to a post meant for someone else).
- You keep repeating this diagnosis of paranoia, which is frankly insulting.

The simple question remains: does the fact that this post went unpunished placet signal to everyone else that they can comment on the "question for administration" threads—or anywhere else on the PZK forum—on posts that consist solely of a YouTube link? If that's still against the rules, then how exactly did the observer earn an "it isn't and won't be" response?
because if that wasn't paranoia, then it was definitely trolling.

There are mods and admins specifically tasked with managing the PZK, and they hold the decision-making power here. Even if "that" situation was indeed both paranoia and trolling, why should that give you the right to such an unpunished reply?

I am repeating my question: I want to know the criteria by which this is allowed for the observer, but wouldn't be allowed for any other forum member—or perhaps it is allowed for everyone?
Daniel Ward87 Daniel Ward87 Active Member
195 messages
joined May 2023
#4 ·
When it comes to trolling, the mods on PZK scrub way more troll posts than this one with the YouTube link—even outright insults. It doesn't really matter who posted them, whether it was the staff or just regular users. That’s why the post was taken down without any penalties being handed out.
Nicholas King Nicholas King Regular
716 messages
joined Jan 2023
#5 ·
Daniel Ward87 said:That’s why the post was deleted without any penalty being issued.

I would honestly love to see an example of a bigger trolling post than that YouTube link—or anything more insulting than that paranoid outburst—that actually got wiped without a warning strike. Especially considering this happened in the "question for administration" thread, which isn't exactly some random free-for-all topic. But, I realize I probably won't get an answer, so I'll just ask again: if an observer's interference in an argument with you—specifically that post where they called bluecyclist64 a paranoid freak via a YouTube link (which was then doubled down on in a follow-up)—was "deleted without punishment," does that mean everyone else is allowed to act that way too? If it is, just give me a simple "yes" or "no" without the sarcasm and/or ad hominem attacks about having no life or being bored.

If it isn't, how is a person supposed to know when their post will be quietly removed versus when they're going to get slapped with a ban for trolling and insults?
Daniel Ward87 Daniel Ward87 Active Member
195 messages
joined May 2023
#6 ·
Nicholas King said:I’d love to see an example of a troll post even worse than that YouTube link, or an insult more intense than calling someone paranoid—something that just got wiped without a ban. Especially since it happened in the "question for administration" thread, which was pretty specific. But I know I won't get anywhere there, so let me just ask again: if an observer jumping into an argument with you and posting a YouTube link to call bluecyclist64 a paranoid nutjob (which they doubled down on later) gets "deleted without penalty," does that mean everyone else can do the same? Just give me a straight "yes" or "no" without any sarcasm or ad hominema about having no life or being bored.

If not, how is anyone supposed to know when a post will just vanish without a trace versus when they'll actually catch a ban for trolling and insults?

You’ve got a chance. Just hang out on the PZK long enough and you'll spot a post exactly like that, right before it disappears into thin air without a single penalty.

Like I said, posts get deleted here even if they technically count as insults because this place acts like a pressure valve; sometimes things just get cleared out to vent the tension instead of handing out bans. That goes for both the mods and the regular users.
rustydrifter10 rustydrifter10 Regular
693 messages
joined Apr 2011
#7 ·
Just having a link in your post doesn't count as off-topic. I rarely hand out penalties for that kind of thing; honestly, I wouldn't even think about issuing a warning unless someone is being a total spammer and won't take the hint.
Sandra Gonzalez3 Sandra Gonzalez3 Active Member
105 messages
joined Oct 2008
#8 ·
Nicholas King said:I’m asking again: what’s the criteria here? Why was an observer allowed to do that when no other user could—or was there someone else?

Of course it’s allowed, look at the damn evidence right there. You’re just spinning your wheels on stuff you don't even understand, guessing and throwing shade without having any clue about why he handled the topic that way... but sure, go ahead and act like you know... just like he does.

Why are you looking for special treatment on the PZK compared to the sub-forum mods for yourself (or bluecyclist64)?

What, you want to shut everyone up on the PZK and silence the mods who are being baselessly called out and accused? You want this place to become a stage where only you "crusaders for forum justice" and your lawyer buddies get a microphone?

Not happening if you ask me. I’ll take a ban if that’s what it takes... and I seriously hope the admins don't cave to this latest wave of attacks from these self-righteous "justice seekers."
cosmicskipper39 cosmicskipper39 Active Member
71 messages
joined Jan 2012
#9 ·
Nicholas King said:If it isn't, how's anyone supposed to know when their post is just gonna get wiped without a penalty, versus when they actually catch a card for trolling or being abusive?

I’ve had a decent amount of my own posts scrubbed from this sub without getting a single warning. And none of them—not one—involved any insults. We're talking at least 20 posts gone.

I’ve noticed other users getting their messages deleted here too, no penalties involved. It usually happens with stuff involving minor gripes about moderator actions, petty arguments between users, and all that fun nonsense.

Since you brought up paranoia, you reminded me that some other female user was recently accused of being delusional. You didn't seem to make much of a fuss back then when we were told that "delusional" is basically just slang for tripping out.
I honestly don't get what triggered this reaction from you now. One symptom leads to another. Let's not start the drama over nothing, alright? 😳

Besides, if you go look at the complaints regarding warnings, you'll see the person who started this thread accusing another user of lying, even though they weren't even sure if it was about them. 😁
BTW, it's not about him.
Susan Price30 Susan Price30 Regular
304 messages
joined Feb 2017
#10 ·
Daniel Ward87 said:You've got a chance. Just stick around the PZK long enough and you'll see a post just like that—and then you'll watch it vanish without even getting a ban.

To reiterate, posts categorized as insults get wiped here because this place is known for a certain kind of "catharsis" regarding posts and bans; instead of issuing a ban, things just get deleted. That goes for both moderators and regular users.

Sorry for jumping in, but that isn't quite right. From what I've seen, some posts like those on the PZK actually do get banned and deleted.

Take this example from a thread here—a post by satori yesterday where they called some users "idiots." Based on what I saw (I was reading the thread at the exact same time), they got a ban immediately for the insult, and the post was scrubbed from the thread.

Acting all high and mighty after someone clearly tells a user they're being "paranoid"... I don't know where that falls. Or acting like they're a regular mod who stands "above" the rules of the forum, thinking it's okay to be arrogant and condescending after insulting people for no reason—especially since the original poster started the thread perfectly fine, without insulting anyone.
Sandra Gonzalez3 Sandra Gonzalez3 Active Member
105 messages
joined Oct 2008
#11 ·
Susan Price30 said:sorry for jumping in...

Man, I’m not even surprised you’re popping in here. 🤣

Maybe you’ve got some kind of grudge because I gave you an "unfair" penalty like a hundred years ago or something. 🤔

Just because you saw one single instance doesn't mean you know what's actually going on at PZK. Drawing conclusions based on one lone example is incredibly shallow... but hey, I shouldn't be surprised.

As for everything else, just read what I wrote to Nicholas King above. It applies to you too.
Nicholas King Nicholas King Regular
716 messages
joined Jan 2023
#12 ·
Kevin Williams56 said:Without having any actual knowledge about... In the background...

We finally have some background information!!! 👋 Honestly, it feels like nobody from the old guard—the ones who actually remember how things used to be—has been around for quite some time now...

What kind of "silencing" are you even dreaming about here? And specifically, what exactly do you mean by this supposed "preferential treatment"? I don't recall ever drafting a post quite like the one you put up in the administration questions section—and that is precisely why I am asking if this is actually allowed, as I’m expecting everyone to be held to the same standard.

(Insert your custom YouTube spot here—I’m feeling a bit lazy today).
Susan Price30 Susan Price30 Regular
304 messages
joined Feb 2017
#13 ·
Kevin Williams56 said:......

As for you, maybe it's time to apologize? You've been insulting him and making fun of him, especially since (this time) you clearly aren't right.🙂😁
Susan Price30 Susan Price30 Regular
304 messages
joined Feb 2017
#14 ·
Nicholas King said:We have context here!!! However, nobody from the old guard... 👋

What kind of "silencing" are you dreaming about? Specifically, what kind of "special treatment" are you envisioning? I don't recall ever "writing" a post like yours in the "question for administration" section—that’s exactly why I’m asking if this is allowed, expecting equal footing.

(Insert a YouTube clip here if you want, I'm feeling lazy).

Old guard or not😁... but I don't remember anyone, even back then, responding to a complaint on the PZK with a perfectly fine opening post by being so vulgar and direct, telling someone they have 'paranoia.' Right out of the gate, just boom, insults flying at your head. It's unheard of.
Nicholas King Nicholas King Regular
716 messages
joined Jan 2023
#15 ·
I knew that, well, it wasn't exactly the wisest move to tell someone they need to grow up. Now I’ve realized—and I suppose I should have seen this coming—that being accused of being a glutton is actually far less damaging to one's paranoia than that.

But hey, why not just sing it from the rooftops? 😬.
Christian Taylor3 Christian Taylor3 Active Member
213 messages
joined Jul 2010
#16 ·
you don't matter

you're just guessing and making insinuations

you're sticking your nose into things you clearly have no clue about

I really couldn't care less about the backstory here, though I suspect we're all on the same page—including rustydrifter10 and Daniel Ward87—that this kind of language is totally out of line for moderators. Especially not within the PZK when they're handling complaints; that old rule from Anderlonov still rings true: "Being passive-aggressive, arrogant, cynical, sarcastic, condescending, or acting like some "I'm-god-the-mod" type during the PZK appeals process is strictly forbidden. (Violators will face bans.) If you can't manage to be cheerful and polite, at least aim for a neutral, professional detachment. Though, honestly, watching people crumble under the weight of a genuinely friendly appeals team would probably be quite the spectacle."

@observer

If the admins are expected to follow those standards, I don't see why it's such an issue for you, so maybe just try evolving a little, man. 🙂
crimsonscout19 crimsonscout19 Newcomer
4 messages
joined Jul 2012
#17 ·
Christian Taylor3 said:And that Anderlonov logic is still going strong: "It’s strictly forbidden to be condescending, arrogant, cynical, sarcastic, or act like you're some god-tier admin when handling complaints on PZK. (If you do, expect a ban.) If you can't manage to be cheerful and friendly, at least try to stay neutral and professional. Though, I guess it might be fun to watch people get totally floored by how polite the Appeals Team is.."

I feel like we've just been sitting on the sidelines watching certain mods and admins go on these massive ego trips for years now, which is probably why most of us stay quiet. That group of four from that banned religion is such a clear example of how the management team can basically terrorize people. And honestly, I guess I have to give a thumbs down to bluecyclist64 for his comments on the guys who started this thread—it's high time we finally call out the way mods torture people by deleting weird posts, which is why my post count has dropped to such an amateur level.
Sandra Gonzalez3 Sandra Gonzalez3 Active Member
105 messages
joined Oct 2008
#18 ·
Nicholas King said:We got the backstory!!! 👋 But honestly, nobody around here belongs to the old guard anymore... just us fossils...

What kind of "shutting me up" are you even talking about? And what’s this "special treatment" nonsense you're dreaming up? I don't recall ever dropping a post like yours in the administration questions section... that's exactly why I'm asking if this is how it works. I expect everyone to be treated the same...

Of course there's an angle here, just like there's an angle with you showing up to this thread (I see other people on here noticing it too), and Susan Price30 noticed it as well...

I’m not dreaming about anything, man. The way you and a few other bored mods act—suddenly acting like you just "discovered" the PZK—it’s pretty obvious what's going on. You're clearly obsessed with silencing the moderators and keeping that special treatment all to yourselves on the PZK...

And seriously, why are you even asking useless questions when the answer is already obvious?...

You really asking if it works like that...? You still haven't figured out it doesn't? My post got nuked, yet bluecyclist64's trolling garbage is still sitting right there...

What kind of punishment are we talking about here? My head on a silver platter, maybe?... 😛

Susan Price30 said:Maybe you actually owe that guy an apology... since you're out here disrespecting him and acting like a clown when—for once—you're clearly dead wrong.🙂😁

I don't feel bad, and I have zero intention of apologizing to bluecyclist64... he didn't do anything to deserve an apology.

I'm not even listening to his excuses until he owns up to that registration bullshit. Not one word until then...

Christian Taylor3 said:I don't give a damn about the context. I think we’re all on the same page here—including rustydrifter10 and Daniel Ward87—that this kind of language has no place coming from a moderator. Especially not on the PZK when they're supposed to be handling complaints. That Anderlonov quote is still hitting home...Don't get cocky, smug, or cynical when you're handling complaints on the PZK. No "I'm the god-mod" attitude allowed. If you can't manage to be actually friendly, then just stay neutral and strictly business... otherwise, expect a ban. Honestly, though, I think it’d be pretty hilarious watching people lose their minds when the appeals team actually treats them with some damn decency...."

@observer's

If the admins can stick to their own rules, why is it such a big deal for you? Just adapt already, man... 🙂

Christian Taylor3, it’s not even an issue. Honestly, I think I’m plenty polite to the folks who actually come here to vent without some shady agenda. But I am NOT going to bend over backward or play fake and nice with malicious trolls like bluecyclist64—at least not until their little scams and setups actually get them sanctioned. Until then, I’m gonna call it like I see it, even if it means getting my posts deleted, getting flagged, or even getting kicked off the mod team entirely if that's what it takes.
Larry Walker24 Larry Walker24 Veteran
1K messages
joined Jun 2022
#19 ·
The observer's got nerves of steel, honestly—he stays chill even when dealing with me—and he’s actually pretty polite too!
Nicholas King Nicholas King Regular
716 messages
joined Jan 2023
#20 ·
Kevin Williams56 said:Of course there’s an ulterior motive—just like there’s a motive behind you even showing up to this thread.

Would you mind, please, actually explaining what kind of "ulterior motive" my participation here supposedly has? I am asking you in all seriousness: nothing—absolutely nothing comes to mind, and the way you're framing it makes it sound as if my writing is part of some "larger picture," or rather, some sort of coordinated plan.🤦.
I'm not dreaming up any conspiracy theories here; it's just your behavior and the behavior of a few other regular forum users who are bored with everyone else and have suddenly "discovered" the FBI.

The ratio of my posts regarding the FBI versus the rest of the forum (where I am allegedly "bored") proves how nonsensical this claim is—even if, I'll admit, it sounds quite punchy to an uninformed reader. I am not bored with the rest of the forum, nor did I "suddenly" discover the FBI.
What would you have me for punishment then? My head on a silver platter, perhaps?😛

What you stubbornly refuse to grasp is the simple fact that you aren't even the subject of this discussion, so this attempt to cast yourself as some sort of victim—combined with your "ulterior motive" conspiracy theories—is frankly laughable.

I couldn't care less about your head or anything else belonging to you—all I want is for there to be actual criteria and for them to be applied consistently across the forum. If a female user isn't allowed to tell a moderator to grow up, yet a moderator is permitted to call a user paranoid (by wrapping it in a YouTube clip as the sole content of a post), then we don't have consistency, no matter how much someone tries to argue otherwise.

It would be wise for you not to fall into the trap—a classic mistake made by several members of the "old guard"—that is so prevalent here: grouping us into some imaginary interest group working toward some goal. Not only does such a "group" not exist, but we are actually dealing with individuals whose forum relationships are, shall we say, extremely volatile. In this specific instance, you have the woman who was targeted because of a message telling someone to grow up, the man who was told he was paranoid, and people I've had massive forum arguments with—these are all just individual interactions, not some orchestrated "forum plot." So, as much as it might be easier to claim there is some mutual back-scratching or some other hidden agenda, you're going to need a different story.

It all boils down to one single sentence: the fact that the vast majority of the administration is such beautiful, clear proof that a little kindness and consistency doesn't hurt anyone (and often works wonders in communication)—so why do you and a few members of the "screw you" school of thought so persistently refuse to consider that?

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