Censorship etc... have at it

Sorry, I guess I've not seen the posts where other sites were utterly dismissed and their inhabitants were deemed worthless. That clearly goes beyond respectful critique. And to reiterate what I wrote in the portion of my post that followed the portion that Lowell quoted - I'm fine with critiquing a site to which one also posts, and so am fine with Scotty's stirring the pot a bit here in order to get a little discussion going about what people may or may not value about TAY, but of course, we're going to find from that that some people LIKE what others DISLIKE - imagine that!

Edited to add: I'll reiterate that I appreciate the leaning toward "moderating for civility" that we've seen here on TAY. Such moderating will never be completely consistent, unless perhaps the moderators really do take on the task as a full-time job (and even then it would be tough to both see everything that goes by AND handle it evenly). But I guess I'd simply observe that having some pushes in the direction of civil discourse has tended to set a tone for TAY, and that has somewhat self-perpetuated as members generally attempt to post according to the "community norms" (with reminders here and there as discussion pushes well beyond the norms). I, for one, appreciate the philosophy of "if you're going to attack, attack the content of the posts, not the people behind the posts." I don't see where that needs to stifle any really interesting discussion. Quite the reverse, IMO.

I like TAY for it's high percentage of good information about skiing in Washington State.  In my mind that makes this site much more useful and entertaining than cascadeclimbers and TGR with their high percentage of pointless ranting.  I still frequent those sites on occation because they do have a broader range of content and I support them.  However, it's important to have variety and the last thing I want is for this site to dilute the quality of information with endless ranting (like this thread for example, which now includes my own rant...).  

I would like to see more pictures, but I think a limit is reasonable (something less than 10).

So I beg of the operators, the moderators, and the users of this site that it maintain it's "branding" as a place of civility and high quality information regarding backcountry skiing in Washington State.  

Regards

In reply to Charles' offer of a moderator's job, Scotsman replied:

Chris, you started your argument by saying that moderating is acceptable as long as it is even-handed. That's a very reasonable point. I generally feel that the TAY moderators are fair, but maybe you have seen stuff I have missed. (I don't read TAY as thoroughly as you do.)

But after making a very reasonable point to begin with, it seems to me that you've gone off the rails. This thread has turned into a rant. You've said that you don't have the skill required to be a moderator. But this hasn't stopped you from criticizing them (and others) pretty severely. If you don't have the skill to be a moderator, why should we listen to you when you criticize them?

I agree with Marcus that this thread is a good example of why the TAY guidelines are valuable. Thinking back to the times when I've been moderated, I was thankful to the moderator for saving me from myself.

Can you imagine if I was a moderator and one of the other moderators deleted something I thought shouldn't be deleted. Would I keep quiet about it and follow some sort of moderator's code( no idea if that's the case but would seem to be necessary to prevent anarchy) and not complain. No way. Last thing we need is moderators openly disagreeing on the site, and since I couldn't live with  an agreement to not complain if I thought another moderator was being heavy handed.. etc.
Does that explain it better for you? Makes sense to me and not off the rails.
Your point is illogical, you only have the right to complain if you have skill set that makes a good moderator??mmmmmhhh ???

..............acting like 7 year old girls.

Excuse me, I have known some icky acting 7 year old boys.   

Excuse me, I have known some icky acting 7 year old boys.   

Good point and I agree, I was merely repeating an insult that Randy made that was deleted ( it all gets so confusing with these deletions)
Perhaps you should be making your point to him!
It's a good one!

Sorry, I guess I've not seen the posts where other sites were utterly dismissed and their inhabitants were deemed worthless. That clearly goes beyond respectful critique. And to reiterate what I wrote in the portion of my post that followed the portion that Lowell quoted - I'm fine with critiquing a site to which one also posts, and so am fine with Scotty's stirring the pot a bit here in order to get a little discussion going about what people may or may not value about TAY, but of course, we're going to find from that that some people LIKE what others DISLIKE - imagine that!

Edited to add: I'll reiterate that I appreciate the leaning toward "moderating for civility" that we've seen here on TAY. Such moderating will never be completely consistent, unless perhaps the moderators really do take on the task as a full-time job (and even then it would be tough to both see everything that goes by AND handle it evenly). But I guess I'd simply observe that having some pushes in the direction of civil discourse has tended to set a tone for TAY, and that has somewhat self-perpetuated as members generally attempt to post according to the "community norms" (with reminders here and there as discussion pushes well beyond the norms). I, for one, appreciate the philosophy of "if you're going to attack, attack the content of the posts, not the people behind the posts." I don't see where that needs to stifle any really interesting discussion. Quite the reverse, IMO.

Its a question of nuance. I have said OVER sensitive emphasis on tone not abandonment . There is nothing wrong with having a tone of civility at TAY. It is when IMHO, this dogma of positive tone overrides a good message or discussion or a different point of view because somebody thinks it negative or uncivil. It is my opinion that this self perpetuating emphasis on tone which as another poster says has become ingrained in TAY posters can at times reach a level of crusade and almost religious fervor.  That stifles and repels discussion and some people.
However, I'm glad were finally talking about nuances which is where the true conversation lies.

I was talking to a friend last night and they didn't agree with my views( imagine that.. friends that disagree on a subject but still remain friends. ) but they commented that the thought TAY a nice place where beginners could post a fairly unexciting TR but still get nice uplifting comments about it. I agree, and I'll put my record up against anybody here in being supportive of new people, jeez I'm just a beginner myself.. you should see my skiing.

However, and maybe its just me but in some discussions on TAY this dogma of positive tone has reached a stage where its like disciples at the altar, in competition  to see who comes across as the most pious.