Here’s something I have been thinking about today. It came from voat going down yesterday and looking at some of the other options out there for those voaters who were displaced.
I personally like the level of admin involvement here. It’s the perfect mix for me.
We know what it looks like when a site has zero involvement with the community (voat/putt)
I’m curious, do you guys think sites like phuks, voat, poal, etc can be over moderated by admins? Do you think the admins should have a somewhat stand off approach until needed?
Just a curious thought.
Edit: do we have a casual conversation sub? This might fit that sub and my other thoughts better as I’m just looking for some light conversation. I can’t access the sub key on mobile.
I think the admins of both Phuks and Poal have it about right. Meaning IMHO, being available to keep the platforms operating smoothly, upgrading capabilities, and fixing glitches in a timely manner are huge benefits for all. At the same time I've noticed that both aren't afraid to take a stand when necessary to enforce the rules they operate under, when necessary. There will always be those who drift in who are bent on disruption. When admins take a stand against this type activity, it is a good thing, not a negative. I have no heartburn at all when someone is quickly banned or booted when their only reason for dropping by is to drive away others or violate community standards just for fun and games.
Putt, on the other hand with his hands off style, though I get what he's going for, simply doesn't work. Even with a free forum where all viewpoints are welcome and encouraged, someone needs to take a stand. There are always do's and don't's anywhere in polite society, and if you ignore those who push beyond the limits, all others lose. It is also important that if you want a forum to succeed and thrive, an admin has to pay attention. Fix errors in a timely manner ... keep the lights on. That's where Voat has lost it's way.
Can an admin go too far. Probably. Getting involved beyond administration is not good, for instance. In a free forum, people need to be able to speak freely, so should an admin begin to delete or ban things because he or someone else disagrees with it, yet it violates no rules, then you went too far. Otherwise though, I always look at these places in the light that even if I am a contributor here, I'm still just in reality a visitor enjoying the place on someone else's dime. So unless they go mad dog crazy, which would drive me on to bigger and better things, I'm good. It's their house, their rules, I'm just happy for the diversion.