Mod Thing

Edited for offense. And though I can't lock it - and I don't feel like asking a mod - I request you keep your two cents to yourself.

I'm not going to rant/defend the site and Nate, though I could, very easily. Instead, I have a few questions.

All of your suggestions for change involve change of leadership in here. How will that help, exactly? I mean, what do you want accomplished that you think someone else can do better than Nate? You don't think he's doing a good enough job and that he's neglecting it - well, what changes do you want? Because unless you give examples of things that can and should be done that would actually improve things, I find it hard to take this post seriously as more than just a troll-esque rant on the leadership.

First off, I am going to say that I am not one of those Nate supporters. I believe he does have quite a few faults. Second thing, however, is that this request is absurd. Nate is a terrific admin. Don't believe me? Check out nsider2. Some asshole who didn't like me for a reason I'm not sure of, gave me a death threat. The mod said that was rude and gave my sister a death treat instead. I don't see nate giving out death threats. Those are some terrible mods. Or if you want to stay "local" in the writing community just drop into teenagewriters.com. Isha(irsha ishra? Close enough) was a jerk to me from the start. Others have left because of her too. Nate doesn't seem so bad eh?

And let's say we did change around the leadership? What would that accomplish? You would be sending out somebody who has been an admin since the beginning. Nate is a great admin, and just putting in a new person would not accomplish much. You even risk a terrible admin that could just throw the forum off the cliff. Why would you wish that upon the forum? A straight fact is that, while he is nowhere near perfect, he is a GREAT admin.

Lastly, it seems as if your solutions are a little selfish. All I am hearing is more power to the people, make us mods/admins, and why doesn't nate appreciate us more? Let's tackle all three points. First, you said more power to the people. So if we had power, than what would the mods do? Sit there and look good? No. There is a reason why there are only a certain number of mods. If it was an easy task to become a mod, Nate would risk the possibility of some guy who is good with words just coming in and reigning hell on the forums. Your second point was to make us mods. Again, what would that do. Chance's are, the people who couldn't make it in the first wouldn't be better than the already implemented mode regime. Your last point, the one I thought was truly selfish, was why doesn't Nate appreciate us more? Of course he appreciates us. However, what would it look like if Nate posted all the time "You guys are the best" and "Your #1". It would make him look hypocritical. Thus, he plays the cool card and acts as a 'fatherly figure'.

I hope I a have opened your eyes a little. I hope even more that this sends, for I just spent a good 15 minutes typing it on my blackberry.

I would like to point out:
Nate created this site, he invested a lot of his effort to create this platform for young writers to converge and have fun. I highly doubt he wants to see it slide down the slippery slope of implosion like is currently doing so.
So while we have every right to constructively criticise any mistakes he makes (To err, is to be human. I'm sure you know that), it would be nice if you didn't adopt such a disrespectful tone towards him AND the other Administrators. I'm not one for sugarcoating the truth, but there's no added value to just say 'they pretty much suck'.

While I disapprove of the way this drama has played out,
Us 'normal' members must realise that the Greens, Reds and Oranges have put in more effort to upkeeping this site than we have. We're the ones who supply them with some of the problems by not being more responsible members (not saying this applies to everyone, of course).

That said, I agree that some of your points are valid.

Ultra, did you read my post. Read it again then, don't just scan.

I said the problem is that Nate doesn't want to share any power. Firestarter and Mesh... what power do they exercise. Firestarter's busy, yeah, I get that he's a distinguished member and I don't know what's up with Mesh - I think she is an admin - but from what I understand, Nate has lost touch. Honestly. Whether willingly or what. And a few ex-mods (not neccesarily of the recent group) have voiced their anger too. I did try, though, to put together what I've been reading and seeing in a logical post. But if you're determined:

I want more say in what goes on.
The quality of reviews must improve - how? Treat things the way you want them to be. I dunno what the mods really do on this site but shouldn't their main focus be to help reviewers?

Also, read my disclaimers. I'm not exactly sure what goes on in the forums - I have a rough idea from some of the ex-mods I've asked, whom I won't name - but like I said, Cause and Effect. That post shouldn't have made it onto the forums and if it did it shouldn't be locked up. Just look at that flurry of lock versus unlock. It's chaos. And Nate should consider himself accountable, he should take the blame. The very fact that he's had very little to say is sad.

Writer, I just want to say I agree. That is all, lest I go on a rant.

You know what, you guys are right. I guess this is as much a rant of some things that have been bothering me as anything else. But I still find it funny you keep saying Nate has faults and ignoring the fact that most of our JMs are gone. I'm just angsty, is all, but my angst is not unfounded. Maybe there is something to all of this. But I disagree, Nate should have a better system. If you're about to say this system is working fine... go review the evidence.

I would just like to say - and not to stir up any trouble, because honestly I feel that's all these posts are doing - that the mods and admins are doing their job. We shouldn't be attacking them. It's childish and ridiculous. We're not part of the mod squad, therefore we don't truly know how much work and effort they put into the job. From what I know, they work their butts off for us. And we should be thankful. Very thankful.

As for Nate, I feel you were wrong in attacking him. He really does care a lot about his site and worries greatly about the quality of how it's running. And I know he cares a great deal about us because it's pretty apparant with how he's involved, and he's also voiced the fact. Many of the mods have as well.

But if you have a suggestion or complaint about how things are running on the site, I think you should address Nate personally, instead of posting something like this where everybody can partake and throw their two sense in, possibly stirring up only more drama in the end. That's all I have to say. :\ I appreciate everyone's opinion, but I think it'd be wise if someone locked this post, too. Just for the sake of nipping drama in the butt.

Psh. But I s'pose I shall take it down. Look, I don't have anything against Nate, but I have a right to criticize and criticism - not trolling - makes things better. If you guys really think this was a troll, fair. But, I have my opinion and my sources. If you feel this isn't the place, so be it.

I'ma lock this for you, NH.

To ultraviolet, WritersUnleashed, and Meep: Thank you very much for the kind words. Thankfully, though, this was a part of a counter-prank I was pulling against the JMs.

Thank you TheNewHero for helping