I was a moderator once, it was a mistake, I was lousy at it
It was naturally a singular honour to be asked when I was asked to moderate over at Wargamer. I was given the capacity to moderate over the entirety of the Wargamer forums.
But I suck at being a moderator.
Moderating requires a person have absolutely no opinion.
The only role a moderator can perform, is the neutral voice of the judge.
The moment a person becomes a Moderator, they are no longer "one of us". They can't afford to be one of the gang. Because they might have to slap down one of the gang at some future moment.
And does anyone really want to have to do that?
I am an opinionated person. I like being an opinionated person. Neutral is not what I want to be.
I can keep my opinions confined to proper english usage. And I can refrain from uttering what are considered by common aggreement profane or unacceptable terms.
I can limit myself to topic categories as well as refraining from singling out individuals for personal attack.
But refraining from having an opinion, is the same as being unable to even say anything at all.
That removes the point to ever even coming to the forum.
After all, what is a forum for, if not the exchange of opinions.
Sure we can place messages requesting aid or assistance. But I hardly want to think of the Matrix Games forums as some sort of unusual tech support center and information guide.
Freedom of speech is also another interesting subject. There is virtually NO freedom of speech here. Never was actually. This forum is private property.
That it is accessible to the internet means nothing.
My home is private property. There is no freedom of speech in my livingroom either. Its my rules or to bad. Doesn't matter that my home is on a public street. I chose who comes in and who does not get to stay.
But one thing is for certain. If I am unfrendly, I get to sit alone.
