To Mod or Not to Mod

Dear Reality Board Observer,

I was offered a Moderator position at a board where I have been for a long time. Tho I have a curiosity about what secret areas they get to see and all that power over people must be sweet plus whatever other information you might get to scoop up,I also have seen over the years that it is usually something that doesn’t last forever and once a Moderator falls from grace for whatever reasons they usually leave the board and not always on the best of terms. I am worried to take it and worried not to take it. It is sort of like sleeping with your best friend. If it doesn’t work out forever then the friendship is out the window for just a cheap shag. If I don’t take it they might see my declining the offer as a slight. I can’t win. Plus won’t my other board friends be jealous of me? I feel like I wont be able to fight about stuff as much.

Do you have advice for this situation?

Signed,
Not Power Hungry

Dear Not Power Hungry,

Good one. I would say that you have to ask yourself *WHY* you would want to take this position? What are your motivations? Strictly on what you wrote, I would advise you to pass on it. If you enjoy posting and enjoy your friends, then leave it alone. Nothing good can come out of it. Your instinctual perceptions of the pitfalls are pretty good. Your posting freedom will intellectually suffer as you will have to take a neutral position in any area that you have power to censor. Few people can do that and none do it perfectly. The temptation to mod someone who argues with you can be great. Power feeds power. (Root of all evil. etc. etc. etc.)

I say don’t do it. You’ll be happier. Let us know what happens if you can.

-RBO