@Argmeister I totally get that and yeah I don't blame you.
So we've got a problem, as Haily pointed out, we have two staff members, and Aaron is a wisp of the wind type who has really never shown any semblance of willpower to me. Not that I think he's a bad person or anything, but that's not really what you want in a staff member.
I'm going to stay away from the conspiracy because it's counterproductive. If it's happening, there's nothing I can do about it, and if it's not, then I've slung mud needlessly. What I will say is that the forum really can't run with two people, and really one person, because Aaron hardly ever does anything mod related that I've seen. It's just not feasible.
We need more staff, pronto, or the admins should basically just be like OK anything goes, rules out the window, because it's going to get to that point. I saw this coming for about a year and a half now. I figured one day that we'd see Jayde as the only effective staff.
So what can be done? I feel like we need at least four moderators to run effectively, given that each of them will have their own lives outside of the forum. But we need people who will be dedicated to the cause, and do what needs doing.
I've never done this before, but for this reason, i want to throw my hat in the ring. Now, I know that the knee-jerk reaction will most likely be a resounding hell no, but let me lay out some things. I want to share my overarching goal as a user of this forum. Essentially, you've all just seen it take place with TLOU2.
That game had accessibility consultants working on it for the better part of three years. But not all games are as large as that. So, if an indie developer comes along and happens to see this forum, they're thinking they've hit the place to be to ask questions and so forth. But what do they receive? A mouth full of human feces. I've been trying to change that for so long now, almost my entire time being here, but I've finally realized that I can't. Or, not as a user at any rate.
My past actions have been misguided, I will admit. But they've all been to try to fulfill that one goal, to make this a place where developers can come and know that they're respected, and that they can get decent information from us. What I was doing before was like trying to push a boulder up hill. That's also tantamount to what Jayde's doing now, except through proper means, but the ends are still the same. he cannot effectively moderate this forum by himself.
I refuse to let people on this forum get me to the point where I'd do like I did with dan_gero. I knew back then that he'd not change and that I was basically poking the bear for no other reason than because I could. Even then, my goal for him was to try to get him to see the error of his ways and be a better person.
I'm over becoming angry at people, because it doesn't work. If it did, I'd have changed this place by now. But I can still help to change it going forward as a moderator. I can do that by enforcing the rules that are already in place and suggesting revisions or amendments to the team as situations arise that might make it prudent to draft them up. I can also keep tabs on the restricted room and mainstream those as they arrive.
I tend to think that when people think of me being in a position of power, they think I will go johnny rambow, but that's not what I'm about. I have no intention on going rogue and every intention of being a team player.
I do want things to be more welcome for developers though, and I have the passion to fight to make things that way. I also have no qualms about ruffling feathers, though that isn't my goal. I also will never be the super emotional type who says everyone gets a hug, and I get that makes me less approachable. But I would be willing to accept PM's from people and to talk over any issues they might have, as I would consider that not only a part of the job, but the right thing to do.
Look, I know it's not ideal with me just coming off a second ban. I will say this though, I feel like the first one was somewhat unfair and I wouldn't mind awfully much if it were stricken from the record. However, giving me a chance doesn't mean such a big risk when there are basically one staff member than it would if there were 3 or more. Also, with most of them being admins now anyway, I could be easily removed as a moderator. I would probably be skeptical of me anyway, but a trial run might help persuade some.
In a trial run, just remove me if I've done something inappropriate, kind of like how law enforcement gets suspended pending a review. If you do that review, and it turns out in my favor, add me back.
I think barring Jayde, I'm the only one with the dedication necessary to try my best to turn the tables and make this a place where developers are welcomed.
Edit: Oh wow, I didn't even realize this topic was almost three years old. What I've said though I feel is still relevant.
Facts with Tom MacDonald, Adam Calhoun, and Dax
End racism
End division
Become united