Here's a thought, or two. Perhaps.

Fraser'sForumsland is still only less than two months old. Curiously that may seem an immensely long time to some of our silicon based components, the speed that they sort of think, but it is still a very small proportion of their possible lifetimes given that computers functioning today may still be healthy and active in millions or billions of Earth Sun orbits around their mutual gravitic median point.

However, for any MOSH (Mainly Original Substrate Humans) folk who have devoted six weeks or so to considering the future wellbeing of Fraser's latest project (as it is right to do with any infant potential prodigy, which of course every single human baby or computer spec is) that amount of time represents a noticeable fragment of their projected possible functionality.

Even a full two months is still not yet enough time to carry out a reality check for Fraser'sForumland. It will probably take at least one whole year before the inhabitants can agree amongst ourselves the meaning of the term 'reality'.

It might be time already, though, to carry out a terminology check on just one word.

Moderator.

Waste of time to discuss "What does the word mean?" Much quicker, cheaper and better perhaps to discuss "What do we want it to mean?" and "can we agree what we will choose to have it's meaning be for us here and now for a while?”

(Worth noting that Fraser is not categorised as a "moderator". He has defined his role as he sees it already, elsewhere. Presumably voluntary participants or asylum seekers in this land accept that definition).

Should moderators (whilst accepting and carrying out the title, tasks, duties and responsibilities of a moderator) be moderate? Should they be moderates, in any of the multiple meanings of that term?

Do the Forumites want the role of a moderator (whilst accepting the title etc. of a moderator) to be the moderation of contention, as in the insertion of control rods into a running-away nuclear reactor? Or would it be more fun if moderators were expected to liven up the level of the chat show by pouring hypergolic rocket fuel and oxidant on the campfire?

I dunno.

All depends on how much you value the launch site, I suppose.

Comments welcome and much appreciated. Views also valuable. And thoughts.


Philip