Complaint about moderator conduct...

So, after being "promised" that I’d be kicked off the forum just because my expertise makes a few people feel a little insecure... well, I figured I'd send over this formal appeal. I've already laid everything out for the moderator, but I guess I'll just leave it here for everyone to see...

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...g/7012e25c.jpg

So, you can see right here how the moderator promised he’d kick me off the forum!

But why?
I mean, I reported every single insult thrown my way, so maybe he’s just complaining about having too much work on his plate... plus, if you look at the screenshot, I didn't actually snap back at a single insult! All my posts are right there in the thread...

How exactly am I supposed to be insulting anyone?
According to the moderator, I'm "escalating tensions" by being "provocative"...

What kind of provocations are we even talking about?
Just knowing stuff about the topic... I guess when you actually have some expertise or a degree in what we're discussing, people get jealous. It seems like they're trying to work through their own "complexes" at my expense—some by being rude, others by using "censorship" (looking at you, mod)...

Here's a clearer shot:
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...Lockheed Martin.png

casualmason4 said:as an expert who actually studied this stuff... it’s highly likely people are just jealous and trying to work through their "complexes" by targeting me—some by being insulting, others by crying about "censorship" (acting like a moderator)...

Yeah, I'm jealous. 🤦 that quote tells me everything I need to know about you.

Basically, I said what I had to say in the thread, and I sent you my thoughts via DM... no point repeating myself. You're educated, you have a degree, you should've gotten the point already...

Look, I don't care how much of an expert you think you are; the majority of people in that thread already covered it. Your communication style is just pure flame wars. Whether you're right or wrong doesn't matter—you provoke people, and then when they react to your attitude, you play the victim and start whining about how mean everyone is being. 🙂 I sanctioned actual insults; I didn't touch the mild stuff that barely counts as an insult.

The guy started the thread to help people, and he's been helping users on this site for years. On the other hand, you (and a few other stalkers) mostly just write posts looking for any tiny mistake someone might make just so you can stir up drama and derail the conversation to feed your own ego. There's a small group of you following the author around, constantly jumping into useless arguments. To put it simply: if someone asks how to change a tire, you guys will somehow turn it into a debate about PSI levels based on vehicle weight and August humidity in Minnesota.

As a moderator, I don't need this on the site. I want peace. If his answers were actually bad for the community, it would show. It hasn't. So, he’ll keep posting in his thread, and you won't be there. At least, not in the way you've been doing it. Either go find some threads about soda, tea, group sex, erectile dysfunction, or sinkholes to argue in, and leave the Wonder thread alone. Find another forum, or wait until I get replaced as a moderator on Reddit before you continue with your ego trip.

Michael Lee4 said:Yeah, I guess I am. A little jealous, maybe. 🤦 I guess that quoted part says enough about you, really.

So, basically, I already laid out my thoughts in the thread, and I even sent you a private message with my take on things... I don't really see the point in repeating myself, I guess. You've got the education and the degree, so you probably should have caught my drift by now... maybe.

Look, I don't really care how much you know about this stuff, honestly. Most people already covered your expertise in that other thread anyway. It’s just... the way you talk to people feels like you're constantly trying to start a fight, whether you actually mean it or not. Even if you happen to be right, you still end up poking at people. And then, once you get everyone worked up with that attitude, they snap back at you, and suddenly it’s all "oh my god, look what he said to me!" and everyone starts whining. It's just a cycle, I guess. 🙂 I went ahead and sanctioned the insults, you know? But I didn't touch the benign stuff... the little things that I don't really even see as being offensive, I guess.

So, this guy started this thread because he actually wanted to be helpful. He’s been around here helping people out on Reddit for years now. But then you—and honestly, a few other stalkers too—just seem to turn everything into a hunt for any tiny mistake he might make. It feels like you just stir up drama in the thread to fuel some kind of ego trip, dragging the conversation away from what everyone is actually asking. There’s a small group of you that have been following his every move for a while, constantly jumping in with these totally unnecessary arguments. To put it plainly, if someone asks a simple question about how to change a tire, you guys somehow manage to derail the whole thing into a massive debate about optimal PSI based on vehicle weight and August humidity levels in Seattle. It's just... yeah.

Look, as a moderator, I don't really need all that drama on the forum. I just want some peace and quiet, honestly. If he’s actually being toxic to the other users, it’ll come to light pretty fast on its own. Actually, it probably would have happened by now already. So, my thought is... he can just keep posting in his own thread, and you should probably just stay out of it. Or, well, at least not engage the way you have been lately. Maybe you could head over to the threads about Coca-Cola, or those discussions on yellow tea, or even the ones about group sex, erectile dysfunction, or sinkholes... you know, just go argue there instead. Just leave the Wonder thread alone. Either find another subreddit to hang out in, or just wait until I'm off the mod team here on Reddit before you start with all this ego stuff again. I guess.

I guess you didn't quite get it... those frustrated people on Reddit just get jealous, I suppose. And when they run out of actual facts to argue about, they pretty much resort to what they're best at—which is just being insulting. It's all they have left at their level, really.

I feel bad that this is putting so much on your plate... I mean, you're a moderator, and I guess that just means your whole job is basically keeping the peace and making sure things don't spiral out of control here on Reddit. It doesn't have to mean you go around getting rid of all the experts—you know, the people who actually have the credentials and the degrees to back up what they're saying. Especially since you mentioned yourself that you don't really grasp half of this stuff anyway. Maybe it's more about just keeping those certain "problematic" users in check? Just enough to keep things civil, I suppose.
I guess when someone’s just being arrogant for no reason on Reddit... you kind of have to step in and rein them in. And if someone is being outright rude? Yeah, they need to be checked. When people get moody, or acting crude, or just straight-up insulting others... I think they really ought to be held accountable. Maybe it's just how things should work, but you know, there's gotta be some consequences for that kind of stuff.
I've been exactly where you are, so I get it... honestly, I really do. Just take the job or walk away from it, it's your call. But please, just don't go around making threats or telling people you're going to ban them from the forum. We're all just here to help each other out and maybe learn something along the way, I guess.

It feels like you’re constantly asking me to censor myself... I mean, this is a free country, right? As long as I’m not out here insulting anyone, I should be able to chime in on whatever topic I want. If the conversation is about cars, then I want to have my say... I guess. Honestly, thank God I had the luck, the drive, and the brains to actually finish my mechanical engineering degree. Wonder isn't quite there yet, I suppose, but once we finally get things fixed up, that's when the real trouble is going to start.
If you just take a second to look back at that thread, you'll see my apology is actually right there in the mix... I messed up once, and I owned it by writing an apology. I mean, I'm only human, right? I don't make perfect calls all the time. And honestly, I'm really not some kind of "egomaniac" like the folks down in the comments are trying to claim I am.
I mean, honestly, posting stuff like this just feeds the ego of one specific guy who thinks he's some kind of genius... but once you actually dig past the surface level, it’s pretty obvious he doesn't have a clue what he's talking about. It's all just empty noise, I guess. Like, totally superficial knowledge, almost like a cheap car door panel.

So, I'm asking you again, and let's keep this public: please stop making those threats about censorship or getting people banned if I'm not even insulting anyone! Maybe instead of that, you could focus on actually handling the people who *are* being rude—the ones acting all high and mighty with zero actual expertise and just wandering around the subreddit like they own the place...
☕

Look, I’m not making threats; I’m telling you how it is. If you don't like it, either adapt or get lost, or just wait for them to kick me out. I don't care. If I have to put my moderation on the line and choose between Wonder and CRDW or you and a bunch of stalkers, I’m picking those two every single time.

What I do know, despite my supposed ignorance, is that people spend years of their free time here offering advice. They’ve contributed massive amounts to making Reddit what it is today. You? All you do is argue about who’s smarter or who knows more. I need substance. Sorry, but you aren't providing it. For example, I get your point about the low-profile tires, but if you were honking under my window every day, I’d shove that horn in your mouth regardless of how much the tires bothered me. It’s about approach. It’s the same on the road as it is on this site... These guys help people; you just use the site to feed your ego...

Long story short, since this is wasting my time, back off his thread and end this. If you're so desperate to show off, start your own thread; I'll tell them to stay out of it so I can have some peace. End of story. He stays, and so do I. If the admins boot me, you'll be thrilled because you finally got rid of me—and probably him and most of the other users who can't stand you, too. Who knows what the site will lose because of it... From what I can see, your only goal was to get this thread shut down anyway. Based on your history on Reddit, you aren't even close to being as invested in this community as they are. So, for me, that's enough.

All I want on this site is a thread where someone can actually get helpful advice. I DO NOT need a thread where you "professionals" can condescend to the "uneducated" guys (who, by the way, actually have hands-on experience). Go find another thread, another site, whatever... I have nothing against your expertise, and I'm not bitter about it; I just want practical help for the users, not theory that 99% of the people coming here can't use, other than giving themselves something to read over coffee while watching you guys bicker...

I've already penalized the insults, and I told you to spare me the childish reports... grow up and stop the nonsense...

That's all from me. Let the admin decide and let me know where I stand...

Michael Lee4 said:Look, I’m not making threats here. I’m just telling you how things are going to go down. If you don't like it, then you can either deal with it or just walk away—or maybe wait until they decide to pull me off this job. Honestly, I don't really care. If I actually have to put my moderator status on the line and choose between Wonder and CRDW, or choosing between you and all these other stalkers... I guess I'd pick those two.

I mean, this feels like a textbook case of censorship and just plain biased moderation... and honestly, neither of those things is supposed to be allowed here!

If this doesn't get sorted out right now, I might just have to take matters into my own hands and say how it’s gonna be: the whole Reddit community is going straight to the newspapers with massive exposés about "censorship and freedom of speech"... there are plenty of examples floating around here already, and they'll all eventually come to light and tell their side of the story!

Michael Lee4 said:All I know, in my own little world of ignorance, is that some people spend years of their lives just giving away free advice. They’ve put so much work into making Reddit what it is today, honestly. But you? It feels like all you do is argue about who’s the smartest or who knows more than the other guy. I’m just looking for something useful, you know? And sorry, but you aren't really giving me that. Like, I get where you're coming from with your whole thing about speed bumps, I really do. But if you were honking your horn outside my window every single day, I don't care how much those bumps annoyed you—I’d probably shove that siren right back down your throat. It’s all about the approach, I guess. It's the same on the road as it is on a forum... most people here are just trying to help out, but it seems like you're just using this place to feed your own ego.

If you actually think this is some kind of stage for me to go on an ego trip, man, you've got it all wrong. I honestly have no idea where you'd even get an idea like that, I guess. Maybe it just came out of nowhere? I don't know.
I pop in here every now and then, whenever I actually find a spare moment to sit down and write... honestly, everything I put out there is just a reflection of my own experiences and what I've picked up along the way. I guess if someone comes along and says something that isn't quite right, it's probably a good idea to step in and set the record straight... maybe.
Honestly, what CDRW and Wonder post is just a bunch of "internet wisdom," you know? It’s like they have all this surface-level info but don't really grasp the actual subject matter... I guess. And the weirdest part is that whenever someone tries to correct them, they immediately get defensive and start taking it personally. Like, if you try to explain things by saying, "Look, this is just my professional opinion based on my degree," they just turn around and call you an egotist. It's kind of funny, in a sad way, how they react like that.

Look, if you guys are sitting around feeling jealous of people who actually know their stuff or managed to make something of themselves... I don't know... maybe just deal with that internally? Like, figure it out among yourselves. Just a thought, I guess.
I guess this whole forum is basically just a mirror of society as it is right now... and yet, somehow, all the educated and professional people end up getting pushed out of here. Bravo, I suppose.

Michael Lee4 said:Look, I won't drag this out because honestly, this is just eating up my whole day. Just step away from his thread and call it a day. If you're really that desperate to show off how much you know, just start your own topic. That way, I can tell them to stay out of it and I can finally get some peace. End of story. He stays put, and so do I. If the admins decide to ban me, I guess you'll be happy and satisfied since you'll finally be rid of me—and probably him and a bunch of other people on here who can't stand you, too. I don't know what the site actually gains from any of this... But from the looks of your posts, I think you wanted that thread closed anyway. And looking at your history over on Reddit, you aren't exactly one of those super active users, are you? So, for me, this is plenty.

I mean, if this is a free country, then I guess there's no reason for me to just disappear... this is a free nation and a free forum...
As long as I'm not insulting anyone, you don't really have the right to kick me out from anywhere!

Just try it, and I've already said how it’ll go—you'll end up all over every possible newspaper, news site, and media outlet! So, see for yourself...

Michael Lee4 said:What I want on this forum is a thread where someone can actually get some helpful advice. I don't need a thread where you guys with degrees can just lecture those who "don't have schooling" (even though they have plenty of hands-on experience). If that's what you want, maybe find another thread, another forum, whatever... I'm not against your knowledge, I'm not jealous of it, but I'm looking for practical help from other users, not theory that 99% of the people coming to this forum won't find useful, unless they just want some morning entertainment while drinking their coffee reading your arguments...

I've dealt with the insults, and I told you nicely to spare me those childish reports... man, just grow up and leave the petty drama alone...

That's about it from my side, I guess. Let the admin decide and let me know where I stand...

Go ahead and look over there, "who's insulting whom"?
I reported a whole bunch of examples where they were the ones insulting me...

Regarding the "lecturing," or whatever you want to call it... that isn't even happening! What we call professional expertise is just provable stuff... it’s not in our interest to put anyone down, because we're just people with academic backgrounds...
The fact that others are being insulting or are just jealous of people who finished college—well, that's their own issue... they had their chance to finish school, but they didn't... why? I guess I won't get into that!
So, it's not us doing the insulting... it's just that people feel "threatened" when someone more educated and skilled tells them something... that's really all it is!

Whoever is right here, I guess the admin should say... I can't stand censorship, and I know how I fought against it back in the old country... and it looks like I have to fight it here too!

casualmason4 said:Look, if this isn't fixed immediately, I’ll make sure of one thing: this entire Reddit community is going straight to the press with massive exposés on "censorship and free speech." There are plenty of examples here that will tell the story just fine.

🤦

casualmason4 said:Go ahead and try me. I've told you how it ends—you'll be featured in every newspaper, news site, and media outlet imaginable. Now watch...

🤦

casualmason4 said:Let the admin decide who's right. I can't stand censorship, and I know exactly how I fought against it back in my old country...looks like I have to fight it here too.

Says the guy born in 1980... definitely don't forget to mention that part when you're talking to reporters. I'm sure they'll find that ☕really relevant.

And finally, like I said before: if you want to talk, start your own thread and lecture people there. I don't care. Leave Wonder's topic alone and drop it.