Indeed, I have crossed over to the dark side. Which proves that I am
a) the sort of idiot who volunteers for a shooting gallery duck position
b) obviously part of another "cozy clique" I wasn't aware of
Martin hinted already that this wasn't something that happened from one day to the next, but a process of several months. And no, that wasn't because that was how long it took to read that first email. Let's just say I thought about it for a while.
I like to think I have an opinion that is my own, rather than the echo of some sort of group-think. I am far too old to need "to belong". I like to believe that the vast majority of posters here are equals amongst equals, people with opinions sharing a common enthusiasm. And that people only lower themselves out of that group by picking the sort of behaviour that aims to spoil the pleasure of respectful others here. I also believe we all have a bad day at times, and most of us will regret that on reflection.
I have seen that some people here are quick to put you "in camps" regardless (jesting aside), and treat whole food groups as if they speak with one voice, often ignoring what is
actually said.
Becoming a mod will have repercussions on how my posts are perceived by some readers, on my "freedom" to post here as an equal amongst equals, and inject some aggro in site visits that I didn't initiate, but will be dealing with. On a site I visit solely for my enjoyment. It's a price that I have now volunteered for, but it is still a price I only reluctantly pay.
I do hope that the pay-off is a site enjoyed by (most/more) others. I don't expect it will please all.
To the easily polarised: feel free to skim over all my past posts about LA (and Gesink) for signs of how that will relate to moderation decisions on my behalf. Or ponder for a few minutes the possibility that that my view on issues might actually not have much to do with my moderation interventions, if any. I'm no crusader.
Whilst you are at it, you might also spot a reasonably consistent attitude to fellow posters here, that other POV are seen as valid by me, or equally daft as many of mine, and not signs that the poster who spouted them must be drunk, an infant, or mentally unstable. I hope that I have, anyway.
In the past I have made public complaints about general posting behaviour more than targeting one camp or the other, and even mediated between posters here, rather than picked a side. When I addressed people on certain posts, I tend to favour reflection and appeal to maturity and common enthusiasm more, rather than jump to aggression as an anti-dote.
So instead of looking at which Lance Camp I fall into, or which tectonic plate I was born on, maybe judging me by how I actually behave on the forum might be the more insightful way to extrapolate upcoming moderator behaviour from.
So, if you worry about having a contrary view and me as a mod, chances are I will be able to set differences of opinions aside and look at a situation without much bias baggage. If you think I am in "your camp", you haven't read a lot of what I wrote in the past then.
I'm no fan of moderation. I much prefer self-moderation and respectful engagement.
The proof will be in the eating though. And do feel free to complain if you think I am wrong. I have made many mistakes in life. I don't expect that to stop soon.
I, like the other mods, will no doubt make a decision or two that could have been made better. We try our best but are only human. If you feel that is the case, and you are (understandably) upset, communicating calmly might still be the more productive way to proceed. We like to think we are all adults. It would be nice if we showed that capacity too when things don't go our way. You can judge me on how I uphold those standards too.
And be ready to be served long papers
I do appreciate the work of some of the mods that caught my eye here. I will have "my job" cut out if I hope to evoke a similar level of appreciation of my judgement calls, over time.
One small but important note: I am not fully up and running yet. There is a small glitch in my set-up that stops me from having access to an important part of the mod tools. Until that is fixed I will be taking a back-seat.
Any questions, just ask.
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