Hmmm, could have sworn I posted this yesterday. Were some posts removed?
Just reading up on the difference between an elitist and a snob. It seems the elite are indeed members of a group that is of a higher class - as in better quality, higher intellect, wealthier, more educated and/or skilled. The elite can be objects too. For example, a Rolls Royce, Rolex watch, or a McIntosh audio amplifier would be considered elite. While a snob is a person who takes [often great] efforts to make sure everyone knows (or believes) the snob is a member of some elite group!
Not sure harassed is the right word but I have been accused of not being a computer enthusiast on several occasions for all sorts of reasons that make no sense to me. For example, because I am not a hard-core gamer, I can't be a computer enthusiast. Or because my CPU is not a "K" model. Or because I don't over-clock or because I cool with air instead of liquid. Most recently it was because I stated I'm not into RGB lighting. Never mind the fact I've been into computers since the early 70s when I literally stood inside a NORAD mainframe consisting of more than 67,000 vacuum tube diodes. Or when I started overclocking, it involved cutting motherboard traces and soldering in jumpers. But then that's when 32KB of RAM was "
more than you will ever need!" Oh well.
I've always been amazed at how much ad hominem was permitted on this forum.
^^^THIS^^^ Too often, it seems, if you post a different opinion or position, it is seen as a personal attack or disparagement instead of simply debating the facts or posing a different viewpoint.
Part of the problem, I believe, is forum posts don't allow readers to see the facial expressions and body language, or hear the tone-of-voice of the writer. These are critical elements of communication used all the time in face-to-face conversations that ensure the message sent is the message received. In forum posts, unless clearly stated, the message received can easily be misinterpreted. For example, unless the writer clearly states a sarcastic comment is meant as a joke with a
or a "LOL", it could easily be misinterpreted as an affront.
Leading me to this:
When I was staff, I was reminded I could wear two hats. My member hat and my staff hat.
I think clarification which this is coming from would be nice, but I still agree with the premise.
No clarification needed. It was a member post. I'm still a member. But when I see things that are unfair, I have the capacity to hand out infractions. That being said, I know the general difference between 'banter' and offence, i.e. we're still allowed to be PCMasterRace (are we not?). It's tongue in cheek. Many PC's are lesser than a console.
I also don't want my post to be taken as anything other than a member post.
RTB is right.
You are absolutely right that you are a member too, and certainly are entitled to post as such. The problem is, you are wearing the Moderator/Staff Member badge. So unless you take that badge off, or at least state that you are speaking as a member, you are representing the site, and speaking as a member of the site.
It does not matter that in your mind, you know you are speaking as a member. But we don't know that and can only go by what you say.
However, you never stated you were speaking as a member. And in fact, you specifically stated, "
As a mod" you will not hesitate to "
start handing out infractions left, right and centre." Therefore, it is impossible that your post should "
be taken as anything other than a member post". You made it clear, it is not.
This would be like a cop giving advice to a bunch of people saying, "
ignore my uniform, badge and gun", but then adds, "
if you don't heed my advice, I'll arrest you". Or the general talking to the brand new 2nd lieutenant who says "
ignore my rank" while displaying his stars in his face. No way is that lieutenant going to forget it is "The General" talking.
I'm on the staff at a couple other sites so I've seen and experienced both sides of the fence. If you don't want to be seen as a member of the staff, you have to take the badge off. I might suggest creating another username and posting with that. I know multiple username are generally frowned upon, but you might be surprised at how different some of the responses to your posts will be.
Again, as I said way above, your message was well said (and needed IMO). But clearly, it is a message coming from a TPU Moderator.
