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This thread is for discussing the following topics:

  • Questions and clarifications about the site's rules and policies pertaining to wiki editing, forum posting, trope launching, and so on.
  • If you have an idea for a thread on another part of the forums but aren't sure if creating it would be allowed, feel free to ask here.

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  • Reporting complaints or concerns about specific moderation decisions (e.g. suspensions and thumps). Report these directly to the admins via the contact form. Selecting "The Staff" sends your message to the admins only, without making it visible to moderators.
  • Queries about thumps applied to your own forum posts (reply to the relevant moderator via PM).
  • Ban appeals (use the "Edit Banned" thread in this forum).
  • Reporting problems or requesting moderator action in the wiki or forums (use Ask The Tropers or Hollersnote  or specialized threads such as "Locked Pages").
  • Queries about locked On-Topic Conversations (OTC) threads or banned discussion topics. OTC has its own moderation discussion thread here, and the latest statement on the locked US Politics thread and other banned OTC topics is here. Bluntly, when certain OTC threads and topics have repeatedly caused problems, we're not going to provide forum space to discuss them again until the moderation toolkit is equipped to handle those conversations.
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  • Discussion about changing or implementing policies. Please use Wiki Talk for that. (Asking whether it's OK to make a specific thread is acceptable; using this thread in place of such a thread is not.)
  • Asking about the whereabouts of inactive mods (or other inactive users) before they return, if they return at all. Use the Absent people thread for discussing inactive users.

Posts that use this thread in place of the sections listed in the bulleted list above are off-topic.
We're aware that the Edit Banned thread has a Non-Indicative Name, due to it also covering non-editing suspensions. We're not sure whether the name for that thread can even be edited without breaking the special coding that keeps posting restricted to mods and suspended users, so we're leaving it alone for now, because better safe than sorry.
(Edited Mar 28 2024, adding bullet about OTC and amending layout a little)

Edited by Mrph1 on Mar 29th 2024 at 10:55:20 AM

Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#3501: Jan 27th 2022 at 6:19:51 AM

I don't think it's bad to start such threads here, as long as we immediately spin them off into their own threads (should they not be able to be resolved within a few posts, like this one). Having a central place to bring up such issues would not be a bad idea.

Optimism is a duty.
WarJay77 Discarded and Feeling Blue (Troper Knight)
Discarded and Feeling Blue
#3502: Jan 27th 2022 at 6:23:07 AM

When it comes to ATT especially this is the only place to "report" such threads, unless we want to derail the actual ATT threads. It's hard.

Currently Working On: Incorruptible Pure Pureness
GastonRabbit Sounds good on paper (he/him) from Robinson, Illinois, USA (General of TV Troops) Relationship Status: I'm just a poor boy, nobody loves me
Sounds good on paper (he/him)
#3503: Jan 27th 2022 at 6:41:12 AM

Could you be more specific by which issues you're referring to? The discussion regarding the Gay draft was off-topic because there's a separate thread for TLP community issues, the discussion on the previous page was off-topic because it was a report about someone who isn't a mod, and the political discussion I previously referenced was off-topic because the correct place for political conversations is a board with "On-Topic" right in the name.

Edit: Accidentally said "thread" instead of "page".

Edit: And I accidentally put "too" instead of "to" because my keyboard put more than one "o".

Edited by GastonRabbit on Jan 27th 2022 at 9:28:02 AM

Patiently awaiting the release of Paper Luigi and the Marvelous Compass.
Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#3504: Jan 27th 2022 at 6:51:44 AM

Where should we report issues with people who aren't mods, then?

Optimism is a duty.
AegisP Since: Oct, 2014 Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
#3505: Jan 27th 2022 at 6:52:42 AM

I am not on the mod team and everything they say goes... but how about Ask The Tropers?

Discord: Waido X 255#1372 If you cant contact me on TV Tropes do it here.
GastonRabbit Sounds good on paper (he/him) from Robinson, Illinois, USA (General of TV Troops) Relationship Status: I'm just a poor boy, nobody loves me
Sounds good on paper (he/him)
#3506: Jan 27th 2022 at 6:52:52 AM

Ask The Tropers. It even says that in the pinned opening post, and I mentioned it when warning the thread to get back on-topic.

Edited by GastonRabbit on Jan 27th 2022 at 8:54:42 AM

Patiently awaiting the release of Paper Luigi and the Marvelous Compass.
Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#3507: Jan 27th 2022 at 8:32:05 AM

Oh, I always thought that was just for questions about tropes. My bad.

Optimism is a duty.
Tabs Since: Jan, 2001
#3508: Jan 27th 2022 at 9:05:35 AM

Yeah, the opening blurb isn't clear about that, and the little blue link is easy to miss.

WaterBlap Blapper of Water Since: May, 2014 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Blapper of Water
#3509: Jan 27th 2022 at 9:58:30 AM

Something has been bothering me about my previous suspension, and I would appreciate clarity from the mods.

A few years ago, there was a big uproar when a toxic and popular OTC contributor was banned and so there was a long discussion in the older "appeal to moderation" thread about what it even means to be a dick and what the limitations are on the moderators. At the time, nombretomado was a very active mod and so she posted some PR statements that assuaged the crowd. But I don't think it was just PR control, so that's why I'm bringing it up. Some key quotes include, "Our policy is, ultimately, not going to change when we have more mods" and "When potential oversights are seen, we do want to hear about it" (citation).

My ultimate concern here is twofold: (1) I was suspended for "being a dick" but I didn't receive thumps or other warning signs that I was being rude and (2) I was PM-suspended for "attacking a mod in PMs" but I've reviewed the two-sentence PM in question and don't agree with this assessment. To be clear, I misremembered what the PM actually said when I was PM suspended because I could not review it, but now I have reviewed it and don't understand how that led to a suspension.


Regarding Concern 1, nombretomado stated:

In case there are some further questions about "do" vs. "are".

An individual post ("do") is most likely minor, and calls for a minor intervention, if that. We thump or warn in-thread.

However, you may have a suspicion, as a long-term poster, that this reflects a deeper ("are") issue. This can also be framed as active vs. passive. Passive actions require a deeper dive from the mods to feel we have a good case - the post history review, potential PM review. Casually speaking, we need to put together the "being a dick" evidence.

(Emphasis mine, source)

So there ought to be evidence or warning signs that someone is "being a dick," since this rude behavior is not a one-time occurrence. It's doing something more than once that is so egregious that it not only gets mod attention but something happens, such as a warning in-thread or a thump, as nombretomado said in 2018. Merely expressing a disagreeable position is not doing something so much as it is merely expressing one's opinion. How one chooses to express that opinion, such as by throwing leaflets off a building or shouting into a megaphone in a residential area (which are both illegal in the US) or being a boor in the forums, can obviously be punished. But merely holding an opinion or disagreeing with someone are not acts one could be legitimately punished for.

In the EB thread, crazysamaritan said:

This was one incident, and by itself wouldn't merit a suspension. However, the team has noticed a trend of similar behaviour[...]

Given the above understanding of "being a dick" as acts done, I would appreciate feedback on what behavior I did that led to that suspension. Like what were the posts, for example, since I didn't receive any thumps (in my tenure here I've only gotten one thump) or other warning signs, I'm curious to know what posts were problematic.


Regarding Concern 2, I would like to know if there are any mods who seriously consider what I said to have been "attacking a mod." I didn't threaten, swear, or insult. I've reviewed the offending PM and I actually misremembered it from when I was PM suspended. It's much more tame than I recall, so I would like to hear from mods why it was so egregious to warrant a PM suspension.

You have my permission to post the offending PM, so you just need Gaston's permission as well, as per our rules about posting private messages.

In case there is confusion, the series of messages went: holler > Gaston's response > my first response > Gaston's second response > my last response > suspension.

Crazysamaritan said in the EB thread that my next action "was to defend the mistake and attack a moderator," but upon reviewing the offending PM there was no defense of the mistake made and I can't see something that is overtly an "attack." I explained the situation in my embarrassment, but since it was all in past tense I would expect it to be clear that I wasn't defending my previous actions. Explaining is not the same as taking up arms to defend oneself, unless I'm mistaken.

How can I avoid getting a PM suspension like this in future? Or did I not actually do anything wrong in that PM?

Look at all that shiny stuff ain't they pretty
DivineFlame100 Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#3510: Jan 27th 2022 at 6:06:19 PM

This ATT thread will need to be locked. It's been necroed by the OP after two years of inactivity.

themayorofsimpleton Now a lurker. Thanks for everything. | he/him from Elsewhere (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: Abstaining
Now a lurker. Thanks for everything. | he/him
#3511: Jan 27th 2022 at 6:22:43 PM

[up] Furthermore the troper being responded to has been bounced for ban evasion.

TRS Queue | Works That Require Cleanup of Complaining | Troper Wall
Piterpicher Veteran Editor IV from Poland, for real (Series 2) Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
Veteran Editor IV
#3512: Jan 27th 2022 at 10:30:26 PM

Maybe, but they still brought up a related point worth discussing or mod actioning. And locking with literally zero reply is pretty underhanded if you ask me. I don't think we should shut queries down just because they were brought back from the dead or respond to a banned user if there's something new.

Edited by Piterpicher on Jan 27th 2022 at 7:32:43 PM

Currently mostly inactive. An incremental game I tested: https://galaxy.click/play/176 (Gods of Incremental)
megagutsman Maverick Hunter. from Dragon Turtle MK.1. (Seven Years' War) Relationship Status: Complex: I'm real, they are imaginary
Maverick Hunter.
#3513: Jan 27th 2022 at 10:48:42 PM

Thing is that is better if dsneybuf had started a new ATT. That would have also avoided the problem of trying to talk with a banned user.

Piterpicher Veteran Editor IV from Poland, for real (Series 2) Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
Veteran Editor IV
#3514: Jan 27th 2022 at 10:54:17 PM

Is it really? Chances are someone could see it and reply anyway, if anything it being old could bring some attention. As for HC being banned, it shouldn't be hard to just bring it like "HC is banned so they won't help you here, but..."

Currently mostly inactive. An incremental game I tested: https://galaxy.click/play/176 (Gods of Incremental)
megagutsman Maverick Hunter. from Dragon Turtle MK.1. (Seven Years' War) Relationship Status: Complex: I'm real, they are imaginary
Maverick Hunter.
#3515: Jan 27th 2022 at 11:52:54 PM

if anything it being old could bring some attention.

How does an ATT being new negates attracting the same kind of attention? If anything, people are prone to reply more often than not to a newer ATT than an old one that somebody decided to revive.

As for HC being banned, it shouldn't be hard to just bring it like "HC is banned so they won't help you here, but..."

However, this wouldn't even be needed to be brought up if a new ATT is made.

Piterpicher Veteran Editor IV from Poland, for real (Series 2) Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
Veteran Editor IV
#3516: Jan 28th 2022 at 12:11:24 AM

Maybe it would, maybe it wouldn't. And I'm pretty sure telling them HC is banned may be needed anyway as they may still bring them up in the new ATT. I just don't feel like starting new ATT queries for every single time a new issue shows up when there's an existent one is not needed, but that's mainly my opinion. I'm probably most frustrated about it being locked with literally no reply, now it has received one so it's better, but it's still something to avoid in the future.

Could any mod reply to WB's post above, please? I don't think any users may know, but it shouldn't be disregarded either...

Edited by Piterpicher on Jan 28th 2022 at 9:16:24 PM

Currently mostly inactive. An incremental game I tested: https://galaxy.click/play/176 (Gods of Incremental)
themayorofsimpleton Now a lurker. Thanks for everything. | he/him from Elsewhere (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: Abstaining
Now a lurker. Thanks for everything. | he/him
#3517: Jan 28th 2022 at 6:01:54 AM

[REDACTED] I shouldn't have commented. I apologize.

Edited by themayorofsimpleton on Jan 28th 2022 at 11:07:12 AM

TRS Queue | Works That Require Cleanup of Complaining | Troper Wall
PurpleEyedGuma Since: Apr, 2020
#3518: Jan 28th 2022 at 6:19:36 AM

This ATT was locked just because it was bumped after two months, despite it being a valid unresolved issue and the bump containing substantial conent. Why are we so averse to this?

STARCRUSHER99 The Moron from one of my unhealthy obsessions (Captain) Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
The Moron
#3519: Jan 28th 2022 at 6:22:20 AM

Cause I'm pretty sure a new thread got made before it was locked never mind, I got mixed up

Edited by STARCRUSHER99 on Jan 28th 2022 at 9:23:07 AM

DivineFlame100 Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#3520: Jan 28th 2022 at 6:33:43 AM

Thing is, I think it's better to bring up HC's ban to the OP on DMs anyway. It be a more discrete way of saying "Sorry, the troper you're trying to contact for help is banned." than suddenly bringing back an inactive two-year old thread from the shadows.

Walkinshadows Since: Jun, 2012
#3521: Jan 28th 2022 at 7:01:16 AM

The bump did not contain substantial content, what are you talking about? All they said was that they were bumping it. And the OP actually said in another thread that it didn't need bumped.

Edited by Walkinshadows on Jan 28th 2022 at 10:02:41 AM

Ultimatum Disasturbator from Second Star to the left (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
Disasturbator
#3522: Jan 28th 2022 at 8:00:44 AM

> Agree with Piter, WB's post should be at least responded to.

Its a lengthy post referring to a user who was banned ages ago,don't be too surprised if it takes awhile

New theme music also a box
themayorofsimpleton Now a lurker. Thanks for everything. | he/him from Elsewhere (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: Abstaining
Now a lurker. Thanks for everything. | he/him
#3523: Jan 28th 2022 at 8:05:22 AM

[up] Oh no I get that. I shouldn't have commented, sorry.

Edited by themayorofsimpleton on Jan 28th 2022 at 11:06:39 AM

TRS Queue | Works That Require Cleanup of Complaining | Troper Wall
Synchronicity MOD (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#3524: Jan 28th 2022 at 8:54:44 AM

We are discussing ~Water Blap's case internally.

Piterpicher Veteran Editor IV from Poland, for real (Series 2) Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
Veteran Editor IV
#3525: Jan 28th 2022 at 8:55:15 AM

Don't feel bad. I don't think there's anything wrong with not wanting someone's post to be ignored/buried when another issue comes up. Admittedly I thought it could be easier for mods to decide, but still, thanks for the notifier that it's being discussed.

Edited by Piterpicher on Jan 28th 2022 at 5:59:49 PM

Currently mostly inactive. An incremental game I tested: https://galaxy.click/play/176 (Gods of Incremental)

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