Has anyone here ever served as a moderator?

[Mike03]

I'm not confident I am up to that yet, but I was intrigued by the recent call for moderators.

What is it like?

I'm very disciplined, but I am also moody and prone to depression. But I also feel I'm rather objective, and I don't have any hidden agendas or even favorites, other than Gore, at this point. I sometimes wonder if that would be one way I could contribute something to society at a time when I seem a bit unfocussed.

How perfect do you have to be to do it?

[Mike03]

1. Eh, maybe that is not such a great

idea on my part.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear Mike03...

I served one term as Moderator...

You don't have to be perfect to do it!

You do have to be willing to spend hours at it, and to be objective about your decisions.

It is the hardest thing I have ever done online.

You really see the underside of DU...

You would certainly be making a huge contribution!

And BTW, no decision is made by just one Moderator. They are always working in cooperation with one another.

I made some very good friends in the Mod Forum...

It was tough leaving them...

I recommend doing it, if you have the time.

:patriot:

[XemaSab]

3. If you don't like teh gossip

Stay out of the mod hot tub! :o

[lligrd]

4. I Think It Is A Rather Lonely And Thankless

though noble job. That said, with what you are going through, it might not be the best time to take it on. Take time for yourself, meet some new people and somewhere out there is a pet that is waiting for you to save it. Plenty of time to become a mod.

Just my advice and you know yourself better than me, so do what you think is right. And my thanks to all the Mods out there.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. It is not actually very lonely...

There are plenty of other Mods to talk to...

But it can be thankless.

It is tough, for sure...

[lligrd]

9. You'd Know Better Than I

I think you guys deserve a medal.

[Mike03]

6. Thanks for the info

After listening to what you have had to say, and thinking about my current situation, I think maybe I will not apply for now, maybe later.

I thought it might be a good distraction, but reconsidering that point of view, that is not a very good justification for pursuing a job like this. My mind would probably be a million miles away for the next couple months.

But I appreciate the opinions.

[lligrd]

11. We Are Always Here For You

and I still say there is a pet out there who needs you even more than you need it.

[Haole Girl]

7. If you are prone to depression please don't do it to yourself

It is depressing to see what all really goes on between people. You don't want to know. Trust me on this one. You seem really nice and I don't want you to get saddened by it all. Of course, do what you feel you must do. :hug:

[Oeditpus Rex]

8. I think being a mod is like being a cop

Unless you're exceptionally good at it (see BigMcLargehuge, Call Me Wesley, Heidi), it probably isn't worth all the bullshit.

Most of us never see what goes on off the board unless we're involved in it. It can get ugly.

[TrogL]

10. I screwed up bigtime

I'm too impulsive and made rash decisions without checking with the group.

Banning Skinner didn't help.

[Critters2]

17. ROFLMAO!!

:rofl:

Yeah, banning Skinner was prolly not the wisest decision you've ever made. Still, if he was being a dick...

[RFKHumphreyObama]

12. I would encourage you to give it a try at some point

Even if you feel that you are not ready for it at the time being. You actually sound like the type of person who could make a good moderator. The job can be rather challenging and time-consuming but it is also immensely rewarding and, in my experience, it does give you the feeling that you are contributing to some aspect of society/political cuture.

I disagree with the assessment of another post here that it is a rather lonely job. In my experience -and this IS just my personal experience -the experience has been totally opposite. You become part of a moderating team -some new and some experienced old-timers -who are dealing with many of the same issues confronting the board as you are. The moderators I have worked with have been some of the most supportive, encouraging and generous people I have encountered in my life and there is often a common bond between moderators which allows for great camradrie and friendships to be formed when moderating. Skinner, EarlG and Elad are also the most supportive admin that you could ever hope to come across and they will provide you with a great amount of guidance and help should you ever feel confused or unsure.

It is worthwhile moderating just for the experience of knowing how this forum is run and the kind of decisions and issues moderators are faced with. You can always choose one of the smaller forums to moderate if you don't want to moderate a forum with heavy traffic. I know moderating has been of great benefit to me over the past five years

Ultimately, do what you are comfortable with. Good luck with whatever decision you make, now or in the future, about moderating

[RubyDuby in GA]

13. I've been one before and am thinking about applying for this go around

You don't have to be perfect at all. You bring an issue to the moderator forum and discuss it with all the other mods, then take the action that is the consensus of the group.

It's really a great experience to "see how the other half lives". It really makes you respect what the Admins have created for us here a lot more!

Give it a try! :)

[Mike03]

14. Gratitude to all of you for the input

I think it would be good to apply at some point, but I understand what many of you are saying about the dark underside of DU.

It's something I think about from time to time, because I am the kind of person who likes to have obligations and try to contribute something no matter how minor to the things in this world that I do respect very highly.

I'm also not sure about my future: I may have a lot of extra time on my hands, more than I ever imagined, and the last thing I want to do is have nothing to do during those hours.

But your input is deeply appreciated.

Thank you, each and every one of you.

[LeftyMom]

15. I found it stifling, thankless and generally horrible, but you might feel otherwise.

edit: modding DU, I mean. I've modded another (unrelated) board for years now and love doing that, but it's smaller and has more of a community feel.

[DS1]

16. Mine name's been entered

:evilgrin: