Now that's the funny thing. I was being fairly gentle in my critique of woodface's tips on spinning, almost scientific: using references, quoting respected sources, etc, etc. I only started taking the Mick when it was obvious that woodface hadn't got a clue what I was talking about or wasn't listening - and after he'd made it clear that he doesn't like old people*.
Of course I expect the moderators to stand shoulder to shoulder and I expect Franck to back them.
What I'm saying is that there's now a feeling of over-moderation, at least from where I'm sitting. I'm saying it quite calmly, but I'm saying it clearly. I don't need to rush around the Forum picking up quotes to illustrate this. It's been everywhere over the last few days for anybody who cares to look. The moderators are giving gentle tickings off if a thread even looks like it might get exciting. It's like being in a mental home where the matron has gone mad with the sedatives "ooh, he's looking a bit excitable today, double the dose". And, from the PMs I've received, is a major reason for some old hands leaving the Forum.
Me? I'm posting what I don't like about the new behaviour patterns in the hope that they are not going to become the norm. Do I like the way the Forum has gone recently? No I don't, and if I'd just joined I wouldn't stay. There are too many in-jokes which a newby wouldn't understand: there's too much luvviness between individuals that I haven't met: there's too much talk of how bad and wild it used to be: the moderators seem to be popping up in many threads to talk about moderation: it all feels a bit cliquey too. It's all a getting a bit dull. In the past I've created a heated debate in the certain knowledge that people find it interesting. I've done it before, and the Forum traffic has been huge! But the last time I did it, in a fairly mild way (said that the bad taste in their mouth might cause bad breath) I got an infraction. This leaves me wondering what you can post, how far you can go. My guess is nowhere
Why am I posting this? I'd like to see a better balance. Before the new programme of moderation there was far too much mindless luvviness. I see this change as taking the Forum even further in that direction.
*not that I'm old, but I know how easily upset some old people can be
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