Is there a way back?

I'm just curious how permanent the Resident Moderator program now is? Is this a done deal? End of story, like it or not? Or is there room for negotiation?

Perhaps if the Linden's specific problems leading to the Resmod program were clearly defined, we could work together to find an alternative solution?

Aimee, good question and i think it's definitely not set in stone. (what is around here?)

i'm sure they'll want to keep it alive for at least a couple generations, as even the first turn-around of ResMods could produce wild effects.. either good, bad, or both.

if it turns out to be more debilitating than helpful, then i'm sure it'll be scrapped.. as i hope it would be in that case.

a possible alternative would be to hire one or two new Linden moderators who are well versed in what is proper conduct in such a role and who would be wise and fair in their moderating.

I would personally be shocked--and disappointed--if there wasn't progressive change. I'd be aghast at apathy too. Like people's reaction to what happens in the world around them, the ResMod programme has now landed and is affecting us here on the SL Forums.

I didn't start posting on the SL Forums until a few days in. "A way back"? I don't think so... "A way forward"? I certainly hope so!

A lot about this program depends on the integrity (if you'll pardon such an formal-sounding word from me) of the individuals involved.

There's already a marked line of "2 weeks":



(emphasis mine)

which is a short amount of time, and before you know it--more change! Infact, change is happening now.

It's very openended. And flexible. That is a cornerstone of the SL Forums, much as it is of Second Life itself.

I think one thing that may have been a blow to the senses was the introduction of this... which is natural, and human. But in time... like so many other things here... the rock tumbler will polish the stones, and they will be shiny. We do not build character in life--or Second Life--if we are not put through adversity and challenges.

beautifully put, Torley.

that really sums up this (and many mothers) whole process and the stages we must go through. so well defining is your statement, that i really don't need to say any more..

This is just the beginning. We'll have ResMods in-world before the year is out. You can all call me crazy at 1 minute to midnight December 31st if I'm wrong.

I'll give this a 99% probability

What's the track record for this to date?

Onwards Christian Soldiers?

We have seen LL reverse so many decisions in world that anything is possible.

OOF. I am VERY concerned about this, but I don't want to judge the Resident Moderator program on the basis of a "slippery slope." I would like this see this program rolled back on the basis of its own specific characteristics rather than creating a panic about the potential future.

However, we should be VERY vigilant about letting Linden Lab know how we feel about in-world resmods BEFORE they commit time and resources to setting up such a program as they have already done in the forums. There are a number of highly productive community meetings on an ongoing basis and we should occasionally pose the question of "what can we as residents do to prevent the need for in-world resident moderators."

Sorry, my comment was not about spreading panic, just what I see as the logical conclusion to this "experiment".



Before they commit? They're already breaking us in, both with the ResMods and another recent change in policy. I mean, what do you think Torley Linden was all about? Torley is basically the first iteration of an in-world ResMod, a testing of the waters if you will, the first baby step. Once we're used to the change in policy that allowed them to promote Torley to a Linden, retain his persona, still involve himself in the community as he did before, and yet now have the weight of being a Linden, it'll be easier to move that policy along further. It's coming, I'm absolutely sure about that.

But again, it's not about panic. It's about making yourself aware of what might be the bigger picture here. I have difficulty in thinking that ResMods are not just a small step in a much bigger plan.

PS. Sorry Torley for making this post so much about you, but it's all part of the whole.

I had a rock tumbler once, it made a horrid racket morning noon and night, I decided to turn it off cuz it was a annoying the hell outta me.

Just saying..............................

I had a rock tumbler once, it made a horrid racket morning noon and night, I decided to turn it off cuz it was a annoying the hell outta me.

Just saying..............................

"Might" is the key word there. Since you're going on 99.99% pure speculation I wouldn't waste a lot of time worrying about it. What would really be new anyway? LL has been hiring liasons from the playerbase since SL first went live and they relaxed the standards about keeping former identities a secret a long time ago. I don't see Torley being able to retain her persona as some kind of quantum shift. Torley is one of the most universally loved people in SL. Why wouldn't LL want to let her keep that since it's only good for them? I have plenty of reservations about resident moderators on the forums but let's try and keep some perspective.

No I didn't think you were trying to spread panic I think you made some REALLY valid points, I just wanted to stop a panic before one got started. If we are to make the resmod program go away, we will have to do it on top of a solid logical foundation. Using the "slippery slope" fallacy would only set us back and make the work we have to do more difficult in the coming weeks.




Now see I don't agree about Torley! Torley is a Linden now! While I don't know the details of her employment I think I can safely say the following:

-Torley had to quit a previous job to be a Linden.

-She had to sign a small pile of employment-related contracts, NDAs, tax-forms, etc.

-She is now on salary and depends on this salary to live.

-She is looking to Linden Lab for her medium and possibly long term career goals.


In other words, Torley now has a lot invested in Second Life, and a lot to lose if she stepped out of line (not that she ever would.)

Contrast this with our resmods who only face the loss of resmod status if they step out of line ... and many of them didn't want the status to begin with!!!!

We're all entitled to our opinion Chip. If you don't wish to connect the two or don't see a connection between the two, that's your perogative. You're also going on pure speculation as well, in suggesting what LL's reasons were for making Torley a Linden whilst keeping the Torley name (not something that has happened before) were, incidentally.

I'm with Aimee on this one. Making the discussion about what might happen isn't helpful for having a constructive debate about the current state of affairs. No offense.

I said it was baby steps You see Torley as a Linden does something that nobody else becoming a Linden has done - getting the community used to a person they accept as being in the community then stepping up and being the same person whilst also suddenly having more powers (actual or percieved) over them. In that way, it's really no different to a ResMod, although obviously much further reaching because of the employment and Linden name. But, as I said, baby steps. Get people used to this and who knows where it will end

Let's be honest, Torley was a safe bet to do this with. If you're going to get people used to it, set a precedent (as this didd, no matter what Chip says), then the best person to choose is somebody who's pretty much known by everyone and doesn't really ever have a crossed word. Much easier to accept the precendent then.

Who knows *shrug* I don't think it'll end with ResMods on the forum only and I do see a connection in policy between the two. I mean, surely it's all just about player government at the end of the day?

Well I am not invalidating Moopf's concerns. They are my concerns too. But we should keep the two problems separate.

In the case of resmods we are dealing with an existing program that we need to figure out how to roll back. For in-world mods we are dealing with a theoretical problem that can best be prevented by early communication with the Lindens. I think mixing the two would be more of a liability for us than than a boon.

Removed so I don't continue to derail this thread.

Resident moderators in the world? Of course there will be! In a way, we already have thousands.

Try pulling nonsense on someone's land, and you'll be 'moderated' right quick.

Anyways. Even a small grid will get completely out control for a small tech company, fast.

The problem of keeping the peace via the Company just doesn't scale.




Somehow I'm not too terribly worried about any of this. I personally invoke the incredible power of anonymity. Nobody really cares much what Desmond Shang does! Or, for that matter, what any of you do.

And that, fellow forum creatures, is a beautiful thing.

With respect to all the people concerned, this is exactly why it is wrong. Any system which depends on the integrity of individuals will, eventually succumb to corruption. The system should be set up in such a way that corruption is kept in check by the system, not by the people who operate within it.

Which puts one in the position of appearing to criticize the individuals rather than the flaws of program. Neither the success nor the failure of the program should rely heavily on personal integrity. It is the framework which should provide individuals with the means to execute their job with integrity not the individuals which should provide integrity for the program.

How do you moderate these forums without having it relying on the individuals tabbed to moderate, whether LL employees or ResMods? Much of the issues arise from a difference of opinion as to how certain threads/posts fall with respect to flaming, trolling, constructive, personal attack, etc.

Selador and Moopf have hit the nail on the head I think.

Any system that uses residents to monitor or control other residents will fail eventually.

Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.