The best mods are the ones that, even though they're raging underneath, even though they're incredibly depressed or are feeling betrayed or perhaps even all of that, do not let it interfere in any way with the responsibility that they have. You also may not believe it but people do look up to the site staff as an example, even if it's only subconsciously. As such, they need to be a good example. Is it a tragedy that they let their anger show sometimes? No, but that leads into my second point.
Part of my job is deciding from among the userbase who would be a good mod. Who would be a good leader. And right now, I don't have very much to go off of when it comes to the Zoklet crowd. So, I have to make a decision with what sparse information I have or think I have. I have to analyze everything. And no matter who this equan person may have been in the past, during her time here, I have noticed that she has been active, nice, intelligent, easy-going, and hasn't ever flown off the handle at anyone here at all. I have discussed this with my staff and they have all agreed with me.
So with that in mind, when you guys tell me that this person is one of the most unfit people for modding, I think you'll understand me when I say that it's a little unbelievable to hear considering what I've seen so far.
I'm glad you brought out the "leadership" aspect as a requisite of being a mod, because it was always my belief mods should also be good if not great contributors most of the time when they do post. Since the entire purpose to a message board is to share information, give helpful advice, or at least give a thought provoking opinion....one would hope people that are modded have those necessary attributes.
But in Zek's case,exactly WHERE is all of that? 90% of the time his contribution(?) to a topic is some milquetoast one-liner, and usually its just emotional feel good tripe. Oh sure occasionally he'll make some comment about eating whatever food or "weapons are bad m'kay"....but you NEVER see Zek put up a paragraph or two of much of anything that is informative or thought provoking. Even as despised as I am because of my hard hitting truths about certain members....when I do post about regular topics at the end of the day I can give a sound, informative, and thought provoking opinion...even if you don't agree with it. But Zek comes out with nothing more than grade school babble, with a very simplistic mindset that doesn't show much of an adult outlook much less displaying any "leadership" quality.
Also, I would like to ask....you keep making this grandiose statement of..."this and this makes the BEST kind of moderator". Besides Zek or anyone else on Sanctuary staff, could you please give a couple of finite examples of past "best" moderators in your mind? Knowing you are unfamiliar with Zoklet, go back to Totse if you have to. Because in my mind, the "best ever" on Totse were Jackketch, Slave of the Beast, Arms Merchant, Angry Femme, and Spectral. ALL of these people displayed wonderful leadership qualities, had loads of entertaining contributions, but still had EMOTIONS in play....and could kick ass and takes names when they had to (with or without this dreaded "anger" directing their moderating abilities).
None of them came off as steady robots like you claim is an ideal quality, so I'm very curious to know some of the people you respected as being the "best" moderators you've seen in action.
