Mod inaction and the future

[Sean Manning]

Just having noticed this thread, I have mixed feelings about the OP. I know that sometimes I get too rigid and enthusiastic. On the other hand, to have actual discussion between people who do not know each other well its necessary to have some way to rebuke people one disagrees with. Otherwise, the only possible response to something that one strongly disagrees with is silence, and people whose ideas aren't very good will seem to be convincing people because there is no serious criticism. And if there is no criticism, there is no scholarship (Keine Kritik, keine Wissenschaft?).

Irony, sarcasm, and polite but persistent questioning seem to work better than insults for allowing cordial but vigorous discussion. After entering graduate school, I discovered the shocking truth that professional historians and archaeologists are sometimes rude to each other offline

Creating a new group of moderators seems like a good idea.