Posted by alexandra_k on September 14, 2006, at 9:02:57
In reply to Re: some merging of the two worlds, posted by Dr. Bob on September 13, 2006, at 10:44:25
is quoting more of what has gone before supposed to be a mark of understanding?
> I'm not sick of anyone.how about moderating in general? are you sick of that? i'm fairly sure you know what i'm getting at so lets not make the answer dependent on the precise meaning of 'sick of'.
>There are real issues that need to be addressed
such as...
> I do think my thinking about "the best of both worlds" is evolving:
> One issue is the sustainability, or advisability, of having one administrator.
so you aren't sustainable?
> More heads are better than one
i'm not sure that follows...
> if other administrators weren't posters, either volunteers would need to be recruited from elsewhere or employees would need to be hired. And those are valid alternatives.
so i guess you aren't sustainable then.
> I'm not inclined in that direction, but if this doesn't work, I may need to reconsider.
deputies don't seem to be willing when you aren't around to reinforce their being deputies...
> Regarding the role of the deputies in the community, one issue is whether they can be impartial administrators, and I think our current deputies have been.
fairly much, sure.
> Partly it's selection
of course. kudos to you.
> Another issue is whether they can be impartial posters. I'm not saying they're not, but that's less of an issue because other posters can provide support.
maybe it isn't about their supporting other posters so much as them posting about their vulnerabilities and asking for support from the community. in the sense that... if they are deputies their posting about their fears and vulnerabilities is more likely to be targeted by posters who are disgruntled by... oh... your blocking system, for example.
>it's also an opportunity to contribute to the site in an important way and may lead to learning and growth.in a way that other positions within the community don't lead to.
you seem to be doing all you can to foster a 'deputy' 'regular poster' divide. is it any wonder that they feel the sense of division when you seem to do what you can to foster it? and they say this... and you seem to continue on, oblivious. how many times do they need to say it? what are you trying to do? whoever isn't for me is against me? people who are for me have special positions within the community? special opportunities for growth and development? are you helping or harming the community in fostering this sense of division do you suppose?
> Regarding the community as a whole, if there's more sharing of power, there may be less splitting (seeing administrators as bad and posters as good)oh. i thought you fostered that so posters didn't turn on each other. rather... they focused on a common enemy... namely... you. i thought you fostered that...
> and more of a feeling of shared ownership and that we're all in this together.
who, sorry? you and the deputies?
> But power and authority will be issues no matter who has them.
and more especially when the moderator and / or deputies foster the notion of a power divide by such things as...
- not taking posters concerns seriously
- implicitly or explicitly implying that only deputies opinions / concerns are of importance
etc.> Regarding me, I benefit from and greatly appreciate the input and assistance of the deputies.
in the sense that you think it entitles you to say that 'we have decided' instead of 'i have decided'?
> I also have to manage them, and that may not be my strong suit, but maybe this will be a learning and growth experience for me, too.
you or whoever you pay or recruit to take over moderator role. but... it isn't going to amount to that - is it? i mean... you simply aren't willing to take other opinions into account enough to SHARE the power even less to actually turn the control over to someone else... and given that... do you really think you are going to get outside volounteers? you have to be kidding...
> Also, things change with time. Starting out is different, and poses different challenges, than keeping going. But change is hard, too, so that's an added stress.sure. you have the power... distributing that has to be hard for you. also... babble isn't the challenge it once was. there isn't the thrill of 'will people come?' anymore. the thrill of 'will this work?' anymore. your wife giving you a hard time about how much time you spend online? your work? is your sleep time comprimised? i guess you can't keep up that indefinately over the years...
> If anyone has any suggestions regarding a middle way, or another different way, I'm open to suggestions. Or at least try to be. :-)yeah whatever. been there. seen you ignore that.
> New deputies are a key ingredient, so I definitely want to get back to them. I'm really sorry that's been stalled, and grateful for their patience.sure sure. on with the plan ho.
poster:alexandra_k
thread:682937
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20060826/msgs/685847.html