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Female, LGBTQI+ or People of Colour Mods

0xzmro3n4y7lb5

Is there any Female, LGBTQI+ (Outside that forum) or People of Colour Mods?

The tone of the men creates a hostile environment and they all seem to back each other up.

Allowing new registered posters free reign on using the word ‘retard’ and the vilest objectification of women.

Is boards the place diversity left behind?

I bring this up as I feel it’s a very intimidating place because of the toxic masculinity on display.

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[Deleted User]

I do think that a diverse team of mods isn't in itself an inherently bad concept

But going about aiming for it, and how you ensure it, is- as always with these things- the kicker

I also think that the suggestion is stronger made when not such an obvious swipe at the existing mods while in a sitewide tantrum tbh

Gatling

I beginning to think we're looking at one of bigger wind ups on boards for a while ,
Look at the toxic masculinity but I'm a little old dear who's lived a sheltered ,
Suddenly I want mods based on their sexualities and race and ethnicity , beliefs.

It's such a shame this is allowed to continue

banie01

Are genitalia or gender now on display as part of a Mod's Sig?
Reducing your dissatisfaction with a Mod's opinion to a belief of gender bias?
Really?

Fúck me that's a stretch.
In a medium that removes gender, accent, visual cueing and race from being an immediate concern or trigger...

You are claiming sleight?

I've seen a lot of stupid posts on boards, but often they are part of an overarching performance, like Songhua, or Mr Feg.
Is this what your post intends OP?

To shine a light on the stupidity of gender shaming on a forum where gender is generally a guess?

Dravokivich

Don't you dare thank me for my contribution as its anything but!

What do you think would change from a moderation perspective based on gender, orientation or race?

What makes either of these any more likely to be sympathetic qualities? As this seems to be the basis of your OP.

cdeb

I think you come across a bit racist by suggesting that, say, black people would make better moderators than white people. (And similarly with your other labels)

This kind of categorising of people is deeply unhelpful. Would it not be better to see everyone as people rather than focusing on the colour of their skin? Because to focus purely on skin colour isn't diversity, it's literally the definition of racism.

I don't think the skin colour/gender/sexual orientation of moderators is any of your business to be quite honest.

Beasty

There's a place on this site for pretty much everyone except for those who simply want to stir things

The site caters for probably close to a complete range of topics, and posters often find personal "gems" among particularly some of the less active forums

When it comes to the larger forums there is much more of a tendency to consider posts in light of forum specific rules. Two particular forums that immediately come to mind are Politics and Soccer - two very different forums but for very good reason having quite strict rules and typically very experienced mods

Others like AH and Current Affairs cater for discussion in a more "laid back" form. Yes civility is expected and there is more of a tendency for some posters to troll in such forums

When it comes to choosing mods, there are several hundred already in place. Some very experienced, some less so, and with some of those "smaller" forums they may hardly ever have to deal with issues within the relevant forums. That highlights there is no "one size fits all" in terms of the characteristics of moderation and indeed moderators

One thing we will never ask a prospective mod is anything about their sex/sexuality, religion, race, age etc. All posters on this site are entitled to their anonymity and that applies equally to moderators. If posters and or mods choose to reveal such personal information that is entirely up to them. However we are not in a position (nor would ever want to) "verify" such statements

As is stated repeatedly, particularly in Feedback, we are all unpaid volunteers. There are 2 "verified" staff, Niamh and Mark, who you will see on occasion along with some of the site developers. They are the only people who "work" on the site and get paid for doing so

So OP, in suggesting more diversity, and given the parameters I've set out, firstly you (and we) can never "know" what backgrounds moderators come from (although we may be able to make educated guesses) and given we all do this for no personal reward, it's also a case of "beggars cannot be choosers" to some extent. We will look for certain characteristics in posts and posting styles, but have no other meaningful "data" to go on

0xzmro3n4y7lb5

hullaballoo wrote: »

It's funny. In all the years I've been an admin and in all the mods I have been involved in appointing and of all of the questions I have asked of mods, never have I even thought to ask what their sexuality, gender or race was.

And now that I start down the long road of thinking about it, I am struggling to find any reason whatsoever why I ever would consider asking those questions.

I suppose those aspects of moderators' lives will have to remain a mystery to me, unless of course these things have some kind of fundamental relevance to my consideration of their judgment or character, which seems to be the inevitable conclusion on this path.

Thank you for your contribution.

I think then that's a shame and I feel it's sad for moderators like JoeyParrot for example.

Is it because Boards.ie sees it's social obligation filled by having a forum for LGBTQIA+ but when threads spread into the main pages it's different.

I think a lack of diverse voices is evident on the forums if even you are uncomfortable with it.

It reminds me of people who say I don't see colour, which is very easy for a white person to say.

Do you not think the obsession with trans peoples genitalia is, sleazy, to rob the word from another poster?

Does it ever cross your mind that Boards isn't a welcoming place for women, LGBTQI+ (Outside that forum) or People of Colour?

Tom Mann Centuria

Sterling Worried Mackerel wrote: »

Thank you for your contribution and advice.

I think because this is Boards the self-proclaimed largest online community in Ireland i expect more. Maybe my life has been to sheltered.

I just think the internet, even in the mainstream, is generally a much darker and seedier place than boards.

Only you can really decide if boards is a place you want to post/read though.

hullaballoo

It's funny. In all the years I've been an admin and in all the mods I have been involved in appointing and of all of the questions I have asked of mods, never have I even thought to ask what their sexuality, gender or race was.

And now that I start down the long road of thinking about it, I am struggling to find any reason whatsoever why I ever would consider asking those questions.

I suppose those aspects of moderators' lives will have to remain a mystery to me, unless of course these things have some kind of fundamental relevance to my consideration of their judgment or character, which seems to be the inevitable conclusion on this path.

0xzmro3n4y7lb5

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

But what site would you feel happy on, because if you go to Reddit, it's worse, Twitter it's worse. General sites are always going to have something you might want to avoid. I like reddit, but search new on the front page and it can be a sewer. Twitter is as good/bad as who you follow, but also who they follow or interact with, who you might object to, can appear on your timeline.

Follow the forums you like and just click straight on that tab, then hopefully you'll enjoy the site more.

Thank you for your contribution and advice.

I think because this is Boards the self-proclaimed largest online community in Ireland i expect more. Maybe my life has been to sheltered.

0xzmro3n4y7lb5

Fr_Dougal wrote: »

It feels like you might be part of the problem. You’re assuming gender of posters and mods alike.

Thank you for your contribution.

My point being that dissenting voices aren't welcome?

I'd like to know how you view me as part of the problem unless the problem is having someone disagree.

Most are open about their gender and sexuality.

Tom Mann Centuria

Sterling Worried Mackerel wrote: »

Thank you for your contribution.

That's a really good word to describe the thread.

This is my second run in with a moderator and the other time it was ignored when i criticised what I see as bias in the mods.

Maybe posters are right. Maybe the site is not for me.

I hate, honestly hate, seeing that thread on the opening page consistently and the, as you said, sleazy content, it's upsetting and I am not trans I can't imagine what it's like to be trans or the family of a trans person who has to see that.

I come here to talk about Aldi products, i know boring, maybe it's not my place as a moderator has suggested to pose suggestions but perhaps the constant questioning of minorities can be relegated to a forum where they don't appear on the opening page.

But what site would you feel happy on, because if you go to Reddit, it's worse, Twitter it's worse. General sites are always going to have something you might want to avoid. I like reddit, but search new on the front page and it can be a sewer. Twitter is as good/bad as who you follow, but also who they follow or interact with, who you might object to, can appear on your timeline.

Follow the forums you like and just click straight on that tab, then hopefully you'll enjoy the site more.

Fr_Dougal

Sterling Worried Mackerel wrote: »

Thank you for your contribution and for reinforcing my point.

It feels like you might be part of the problem. You’re assuming gender of posters and mods alike.

0xzmro3n4y7lb5

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

I don't like the word retard, I don't particularly like the way one thread on AH has indeed become sleazy but I don't think either is an indication of any particular problem on boards.

I don't think it's any different from any other website, in fact it's considerably less problematic for the reasons you outline op, than most other sites I can think of.

Thank you for your contribution.

That's a really good word to describe the thread.

This is my second run in with a moderator and the other time it was ignored when i criticised what I see as bias in the mods.

Maybe posters are right. Maybe the site is not for me.

I hate, honestly hate, seeing that thread on the opening page consistently and the, as you said, sleazy content, it's upsetting and I am not trans I can't imagine what it's like to be trans or the family of a trans person who has to see that.

I come here to talk about Aldi products, i know boring, maybe it's not my place as a moderator has suggested to pose suggestions but perhaps the constant questioning of minorities can be relegated to a forum where they don't appear on the opening page.

Tom Mann Centuria

I don't like the word retard, I don't particularly like the way one thread on AH has indeed become sleazy but I don't think either is an indication of any particular problem on boards.

I don't think it's any different from any other website, in fact it's considerably less problematic for the reasons you outline op, than most other sites I can think of.

0xzmro3n4y7lb5

Esel wrote: »

I could be wrong, but to me "Thank you for your contribution" in the context of this thread comes across as being sarcastic and passive-aggressive.

I'm trying to be polite and validate every contribution even the horrible ones.

Esel

I could be wrong, but to me "Thank you for your contribution" in the context of this thread comes across as being sarcastic and passive-aggressive.

0xzmro3n4y7lb5

muffler wrote: »

If you dont like the place then close the door gently on your way out.

Thank you for your contribution and for reinforcing my point.

muffler

Sterling Worried Mackerel wrote: »

I bring this up as I feel it’s a very intimidating place because of the toxic masculinity on display.

If you dont like the place then close the door gently on your way out.

0xzmro3n4y7lb5

Esel wrote: »

Thank you for thanking my post. It confirmed my suspicions.

What's your suspicions?

I thanked you for pointing out something to me.

Esel

Esel wrote: »

Why didn't you thank this poster for their contribution?

Thank you for thanking my post. It confirmed my suspicions.

0xzmro3n4y7lb5

Esel wrote: »

Why didn't you thank this poster for their contribution?

I thought I hit copy and paste but it didn't land Sorry

0xzmro3n4y7lb5

NormanNicetouch wrote: »

If she's a leftie lesbian she's probably very very overweight as well.

Thank you for your contribution.

Not lesbian.

Not very overweight.

Not a leftie.

Not going to report your uncivilised comment though it breaches the 'Don't be a dick' rule.

0xzmro3n4y7lb5

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

Maybe boards just isn't for you?

You are one poster on a forum of many thousands, yet you want everyone to change their style of posting to make you feel better.

Thank you for your contribution.

Yes, I have questioned this lately when faced with the opening page.

I have enjoyed the company some threads have provided.

I just feel the little communities fostered in other sections of the site are let down by the content of others because and it's just my hypothesis, the site isn't very diverse. When people from other backgrounds come on they have to face a barrage of hatred.

It's funny you mention style rather than content because my style of posting as in actual style not content has been asked to change.

I don't want people to change their style, I would like that the content especially the ones that I have to face everyday logging in is a bit better quality than continuous obsession with trans people and genitalia.

Esel

Sterling Worried Mackerel wrote: »

That in my opinion would help also.

Why didn't you thank this poster for their contribution?

0xzmro3n4y7lb5

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

I, personally, think that when a “regular user” becomes a mod they should be given a new mod account. When they are “on the clock” they wouldn’t post opinions in any thread, or thank any posts.

This would allow threads to “flow” and would remove any perceived “bias”. Members would get carded or banned without knowing who the moderator, in question, was on the site.

Another upside would be that the lame “mod humour” would disappear from those ‘where are you now/what are you eating’ type threads. Mods would simply be mods and could focus on the task at hand.

Obviously, it’s not a perfect “solution” but it would be a start.

Thank you for your contribution.

That in my opinion would help also.

Timberrrrrrrr

Sterling Worried Mackerel wrote: »

Is there any Female, LGBTQI+ (Outside that forum) or People of Colour Mods?

The tone of the men creates a hostile environment and they all seem to back each other up.

Allowing new registered posters free reign on using the word ‘retard’ and the vilest objectification of women.

Is boards the place diversity left behind?

I bring this up as I feel it’s a very intimidating place because of the toxic masculinity on display.

Maybe boards just isn't for you?

You are one poster on a forum of many thousands, yet you want everyone to change their style of posting to make you feel better.

EmmetSpiceland

TheValeyard wrote: »

Mods should be selected on their ability to mod, remain calm, keep an open mind and not take things personally.

Race, religion, colour, status, political views, should not play any part of the process.

I, personally, think that when a “regular user” becomes a mod they should be given a new mod account. When they are “on the clock” they wouldn’t post opinions in any thread, or thank any posts.

This would allow threads to “flow” and would remove any perceived “bias”. Members would get carded or banned without knowing who the moderator, in question, was on the site.

Another upside would be that the lame “mod humour” would disappear from those ‘where are you now/what are you eating’ type threads. Mods would simply be mods and could focus on the task at hand.

Obviously, it’s not a perfect “solution” but it would be a start.

0xzmro3n4y7lb5

TheValeyard wrote: »

Mods should be selected on their ability to mod, remain calm, keep an open mind and not take things personally.

Race, religion, colour, status, political views, should not play any part of the process.

Thank you for your contribution

I respectfully will have to disagree. I don't think a moderator requires any explicit skills so the more diversity among the group the better in my opinion.

0xzmro3n4y7lb5

Deleted User wrote: »

How can you be intimidated by random anonymous people?

Thank you for your contribution.

Someones tone, someone who is forceful or dominating in telling you how to explain yourself.

I've been told how to write or how not to write.

I'm retired 5 years (early I must add) and that way of speaking to people wouldn't have been tolerated in my experience.

I know this isn't a professional environment but when the balance of power is not equal it's easy to feel intimidated for me.