I am not here to discuss an individual penalty. I am not here to discuss any specific deleted posts at all.
I am here to discuss how an increasing number of people on the board seem to regularly deactivate their accounts. I am more aware of this from people on my friends list, but I'm sure it happens on "the other side" as well. Currently, nearly 1/4 of my FO is either 1) deactivated, 2) taking a hiatus, or 3) only posting FO. While there are certainly many issues at play, one of which is probably the monotany of COVID Board, a consitant refrain from people before and after they deactivate is the moderation.
I don't have stats to back this up, but it seems more and more posts have been moderated lately. It also seems that penalties are getting longer. While it used to seemingly be rare to get a 24 or 48 hour penalty, it seems to be a regular occurance now, for even somewhat nondescript posts. I'm sure penalties of that length (and longer) have their place. Posts that are overtly racist. Doxxing. Strong and repeated personal attacks. I'm not sure that's always the case here though.
I'm not suggesting any current rules that I think are leading to issues (although maybe I could in a different post), but I'm more concerned with the amount of moderation. The number of posts deleted and given penalties for is far too high. It's driving people from the board. And I'm sure it's happening on both sides.
Jefe, I've heard you talk before about decreasing the amount of moderation in the past and that stats showed that many people were turned off by it. Obviously I don't have the numbers you have, but I am suggesting that in favor of lurkers, non-donors, and others that don't regularly partipate in the site, you are driving away the most dedicated CBers. The ones that make this place a community of some sorts. The ones that subscribe and refresh the page 200 times a day.
My suggestion is to raise the threshold as for what requires a post to be moderated. Give more leeway. Use the penalty options much less. Stop driving people away from the board.
Note: I am trying to keep this post within the rules. As far as I can tell, the rules state:
KEEP POSTS ABOUT THE RULES/MODERATORS CIVIL
You are free to discuss the rules/moderators, as long as you keep it civil. Mocking the rules/moderators, going off on a tirade about the rules/moderators, and other such behavior is inappropriate. If you have suggestions for rule changes, post a well reasoned argument on the board, or send a BoardMail to El Jefe about it. I am trying not to mock the rules or moderators.
Just trying to start a discussion and making a well reasoned argument on the board.