Meet the Mods - MrMark

MrMark · Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 3:10 pm Post subject:

Hi Planeteers-

My user name is MrMark, but you can call me Mark. I would have just gone with Mark, but it was already taken. I’ve created this thread to give members an opportunity to get to know me better. I did this once before, a long time ago. You can read that here:

http://www.wrongplanet.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=15454

I’d like to share with you a little bit about my philosophy with respect to Wrong Planet and my role as Moderator. Please bear in mind that these opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the owner or other moderators.

I drafted a mission statement for the moderators. “It is the mission WP mods to promote and maintain a peaceful and supportive environment, where members can help each other grow and change and learn skills that they will need to succeed in life.” I feel like this is consistent with the mission statement that appears on the home page. We are first and foremost a support site and information resource. We also perform the secondary function of providing for some of the social needs of some of the members, people who might otherwise have no social lives whatsoever.

As with any community, virtual or otherwise, there are mischievous elements. This necessitates some type of regulation. This is achieved by giving some members additional authority to censor posts and sanction members. Such authority is typically given to long-time members in good standing who have good communication skills and have demonstrated an ongoing interest in the mission of the site, the ability to consistently comply with the rules, the ability to set not just a good example but a better example, and a calm demeanor when dealing with conflict. I personally feel that policing the forums is only 5% of a mods job. The other 95% is setting a desired tone, keeping discussions interesting and on-topic by asking relevant and thought provoking questions, and helping to cultivate the leadership skills of less experienced mods.

In a perfect world, everybody would behave themselves and there would be no need for police. We do not live in a perfect world. Additionally, our membership is unique in that the vast majority of us have some type of developmental disability. Some are mild and some are severe. Most are in between. We have a number of members who are particularly vulnerable. Some are suicidal. We have other members who are bullies. Some of them are homicidal or may become so. What all of these people have in common is that they experienced some sort of trauma early in life, in addition to having a diagnosed or undiagnosed ASD. Some responded to that trauma by turning their anger inward and experienced depression and low self-esteem. Others turned their anger outward and became bullies themselves. I belong to the first group. As I matured, I learned to let go of my anger and develop a more positive self-image.

I am extremely hesitant to exercise my authority to ban other members. The owner has always demonstrated much less patience than I have in this regard. I find banning people to be most distasteful. I strongly prefer that members correct their own behavior. However, when that does not happen, I have an obligation to the owner and the membership to take appropriate action.

Speaking of the owner, I am aware of some uncomplimentary references. “The Emperor” and “His Highness” come to mind. Personally, I prefer “Captain” of this spaceship. It has been suggested that Alex is a rich kid here to make more money. I don’t know if he makes any money here or not, but I wouldn’t have a problem with it if he did. Capitalism and altruism are not mutually exclusive, and if he can generate $10,000 or $20,000 or $30,000 a year from operating this site, he would be free to focus more on activism. Alex is famous. He’s done TV appearances. He’s spoken with presidential candidates. It’s no wonder he doesn’t have time to answer all his mail.

I’m thinking about establishing a locked thread where I can report on a daily or weekly basis on my policing activities, number of warnings, number of bannings, that sort of thing. Alex, the other mods and I are still revisiting and reviewing the current rules. Until we arrive at a consensus to the contrary, I am not inclined to discuss any member or their activities in public. Recently, there has been a rash of allegations from all quarters, yet my mailbox remains virtually empty. I read and respond to all thoughtful, well-written complaints about the activities of others or myself. I also read complaints that are not so thoughtful or well written, at the very least. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any ideas, praises, comments, concerns or criticisms you may have.

-Thanks,
Mark

(I moved this from site discussions so that it would headline on the home page.)
_________________

"It dives in shallows for beakfuls of moss, heads to sandy isles to preen its feathers. It was ready to fly off all by itself, then found its reflection and lingered."
- Xie Tiao