Self-Mod-able threads?

[SiliconJon]

Perhaps if consideration were given we could run a test on OP's (original posters) being able to have limited moderator powers for the threads they create. I do see both positive and negative issues arising with such an ability. We could essentially moderate out crapping and fallacy overload, but also there will be the ability to censor or silence appropriate disagreement or competition. Would the benefits outweigh the detriments, or would there be a way to minimize the detrimental potential of such an ability, such as mere hiding or notation capability being the maximum ability of the OP, and perhaps popular reversal ability (not that mob rule or democracy are always accurate)?

[GroundZero3]

What is an appropriate disagreement to censor?

[SiliconJon]

To a great degree that is in the eye of the beholder, though I think there are some clear black and whites that fall into either appropriate or inappropriate. Pure presonal attacks would be an inappropriate "disagreement". Fallacy free would be obviously appropriate, though even low fallacy content should be appropriate. Again, though, this will obviously vary greatly depending on the OP.

[butch81385]

I think he meant that they could inappropriately censor an appropriate disagreement (that being one of the negative side effects).

[SiliconJon]

^ Yes, exactly.

[GroundZero3]

Im not sure how complicated it would be to implement something to so many members, its an interesting idea but something that could be abused really easily especially in debate section.

[no1_vern]

I really think its a bad idea, unless there are significant restrictions on the mod properties - such as only being able to remove/delete offensive words and language. Which makes it useless in any case.

[SiliconJon]

Some abilities that should definitely NOT be granted: Post-content editing*, per-thread user banning (everybody should have the chance to straighten up and participate)

The ability foremost in my mind for such a forum capability would be post-hiding which would require readers unhide the hidden post in order to view. I'm sure I have more, but to lunch I head.

Though I, too, am not sure if this would be beneficial, none the less worth the effort of implementing. That is why I wished to discuss it.

*post noting sounds like a positive capability, though this would be an extensive modification to the forum code, so I'm not going to actually request that as I think this would only work if the notes to non-OP posts made by the OP were footnotes with citation marks in the text. Why? Well, so we could label our fallacies, of course! Or for citing supporting or rejecting materials, perhaps.

[SiliconJon]

I thought crossed my mind that has me wondering if user-specific banning from a thread would actually be inapproriate. Say someone just keeps blatantly crapping my thread despite my attempts to hide them. A time-specific band on that user for that thread may be appropriate, or maybe that should just remain in the hands of the real moderators since that is something they would likely be willing to address.

[howste]

Or we could just close DIMO. That would be easier.

[Steve R Jones]

Instead of reinventing the wheel - wouldn't the report this post button that is already in place do the same thing?

Often time the OP could easily be over sensitive when people don't like the thread they started etc...

[tony_j15]

this is actually a good idea, and one that good be quickly utilized in the same manner that many blogs allow for voting on posts. Merely give the OP the ability to vote down a post, and then it will show in the thread "minimized". This still allows people to maximize the post and view it, or they can leave it minimized and merely skip past it as they read.