------------- Original message --------------
actionforum@comcast.net wrote:
I'm not sure what your point is, if you mean admins=police, apparently, they are running the judicial system too, and they are loath to cost anyone their "jobs", read sysop privilege. Do the admins here unite behind their own version of "The thin blue
line"?
[[WP:AN/I]] and [[WP:AN/3RR]] give me a different picture. I see quite a bit of disagreement between admins (and of course anyone can write there).
Agreed, I overgeneralized. I meant to refer to a general sense among the admins that sysop privileges are not to be revoked lightly. Furthermore, when admins err, I have seen apologias to the effect that they are just human and are so busy and contributing so much that errors should be expected to occur every so often. They are trying their best and should be allowed an error every so often. I can agree with this if one is referring to errors of interpretation or of overlooking certain facts. But it is a different matter when in pique or anger, the admin makes personal use of sysop powers. This shows a lack of the proper discipline and temperament to be an admin, and not simple error. It is possible for such a person to learn discipline with time, but they should not be allowed to learn it on the job. Such a person should be desysoped. When they feel they are ready, they can reapply, but if they reapply for adminship too soon they are probably the still the wrong temperament. Adminship is a burden and a public trust. Admins are to be servants not masters of the community. Forgive me, I am a community activist who has worked to reduce police abuse, so I am particularly sensitive and yes, even outraged (as a matter of principle) at those who have the hubris to think they have the perogative to abuse the public trust. I realize that matters here are not quite so weighty. But then "losing" an adminship, is also not quite as serious as losing one's job. -- Silverback
actionforum@comcast.net wrote:
------------- Original message --------------
actionforum@comcast.net wrote:
I'm not sure what your point is, if you mean admins=police, apparently, they are running the judicial system too, and they are loath to cost anyone their "jobs", read sysop privilege. Do the admins here unite behind their own version of "The thin blue
line"?
[[WP:AN/I]] and [[WP:AN/3RR]] give me a different picture. I see quite a bit of disagreement between admins (and of course anyone can write there).
Agreed, I overgeneralized. I meant to refer to a general sense among the admins that sysop privileges are not to be revoked lightly. Furthermore, when admins err, I have seen apologias to the effect that they are just human and are so busy and contributing so much that errors should be expected to occur every so often. They are trying their best and should be allowed an error every so often. I can agree with this if one is referring to errors of interpretation or of overlooking certain facts. But it is a different matter when in pique or anger, the admin makes personal use of sysop powers. This shows a lack of the proper discipline and temperament to be an admin, and not simple error. It is possible for such a person to learn discipline with time, but they should not be allowed to learn it on the job. Such a person should be desysoped. When they feel they are ready, they can reapply, but if they reapply for adminship too soon they are probably the still the wrong temperament. Adminship is a burden and a public trust. Admins are to be servants not masters of the community. Forgive me, I am a community activist who has worked to reduce police abuse, so I am particularly sensitive and yes, even outraged (as a matter of principle) at those who have the hubris to think they have the perogative to abuse the public trust. I realize that matters here are not quite so weighty. But then "losing" an adminship, is also not quite as serious as losing one's job. -- Silverback
Those who are not admins would not know how easy it is to make a mistake. You judge harshly: admins aren't paid, they cop abuse all the time and they do make mistake in judgement. I know I do. There are checks and balances: admins will often reverse the decision of other admins if they see a problem with the decision made. That's one of the reasons I created [[WP:AN]] - to allow admins to see what other admins are doing and to fix problems/mistakes.
Maybe if you became an admin you'd understand. Until then, I think it's fair you critique admins. This helps keep us accountable. However, keep those facts I just outlined in perspective!
TBSDY