When I started Dean's World, I had one rule for myself. In the comments, and even in submitted articles, one overarching rule would apply: almost any point of view is acceptable, including heated remarks. But personal attacks and vicious invective for the sole purpose of being inflammatory and hurtful are simply not acceptable. Not that we don't all fall down such goals at one time or another, because I know I have. But "defending the liberal tradition," to me, means trying your best to keep discourse civil even when discussing very contentious issues.
The problem is that this place is reaching the point where I can no longer read all the comment traffic. So I'm looking for online editors who will watch the comment traffic and take it upon themselves to delete offending messages and ban trolls.
To be clear, I wouldn't expect anyone to work a schedule, punch a clock, and pledge to read every single message in every thread. What I'd like to develop is a group of people who enjoy Dean's World, and the community of reasonable people who disagree with each other. People who would like to contribute to keeping things civil. People who would take it upon themselves to encourage people to stay civil, and who would, if need be, delete trollish messages.
In exchange for volunteering to do this, you'd get priviledges to edit or delete messages, a listing on our credits page, and special consideration if you should ever decide you'd like to submit a featured article. Otherwise, you're doing it because you think it would be fun.
Anyone interested?
I am a new reader of deans world but have putting in hours per week reading the Blogs and am a frequent commenter. I too hate invective. I am a middle aged sales engineer, a republican with neocon and libertarian tendencies.
I could spare 4-5 hours per week.
Sure, I think this would be good fun. My politics are about the same as tallans, I could spare a decent amount of daily time.
I'm willing as well.
Heh, on the personal attack vein, the only reason I mentioned my IQ percentile and pointed out that the religious believe in fairy tales was because Gary suggested I was in the left half of the bell curve.
You know which thread I'm talking about. :-)
Dean, this sounds like a possible solution to the signal-to-noise-ratio problems I've been sensing around here the past few weeks. By temperament I'm not cut out to be an editor myself-- but on a rapidly growing frontier, it gets to the point where a sheriff needs deputies. And Dean's World does seem to be a rapidly growing frontier, eh?
I might be a candidate for your late night filter. My on-line time is often from about midnight to 3am eastern time (Don't worry, I'm not crazy, I work nightside at my TV station). Anyway, let me know if you need me.
I vote for Paul!
I'd volunteer myself, but I have no idea what my time will be from month to month right now. :(
I'd be glad to help Dean. Say the word.
Just a word of advice, guys...
I did this job for many years on GEnie, CompuServe and Delphi. If you are the Comment Cop, you have to be very careful in your own comments. That is, if you enjoy commenting, and have interesting things to say, and viewpoints to defend, you can quickly run into a "conflict of interest" issue, where a comment that you think should be deleted is posted and it is posted in opposition to a comment you made, or posted by someone with whom you have had disagreements in comments.
It's a very fine line to walk.
Garys right, one deletion of a comment that contradicts you, even if it's blatantly personally insulting and over the line, and you lost credibility as a moderator.
Better to leave it in place, as visual proof of why they shortly got banned if they keep it up, than to appear heavy handed.
I'll volunteer, too. It's the least I can do for the help in escaping blogspot. I don't comment so would have no CoI problems. BTW, Dean, when I imported my archives I almost went over my space limit (missed it by a mere 250k). Almost a major screw-up on my part. Happy Birthday, too.
Gary: that's why I like Paul. He has always been a true gentleman.
I think you are a terrific writer and many people have great respect for you. It says a lot about you that so many have signed in to help!
And look at the response of those wanting to attend your party!
You are headed to a great frontier!
Blessings to you Dean!