Only a 5 to 3 majority as of 13:25 British Summer Time on the 20th of May 2003.
Let's be serious for a moment though. I think the admins and the mod staff would have received me saying I'd like to be a mod, the way most people received Neutron saying he wanted to be a high court judge. With a look of terror and alightment into a fast car for immiediate exit, in other words.
I'm pretty sure that mods are selected only on how the admin perceives their attitude. Mimi may be an emotionally passionate person like me, but she got modded nearly two years ago because she showed she was capable of being more restrained. (I guess.) (She's only been a forum mod for a few months, but she was a chat mod for ages before that.) High profile and discussional contribution to the community doesn't come into it either. 4Pawz was made a moderator about three weeks after she joined the TMF; I think she'd barely made it to double figures on her posts. No jealousy from me to her for that, she obviously came across as having the perfect attitude for the job. A silver lined brow doesn't come into it either. 4Pawz is three years younger than me.
Then of course you have to address that it might not just be because there are people who the admins think would do it better than me. It's probable they think I'd be a bad one. I admit myself that there are times when my attitudes get the better of me in a very un-mod like way. Everyone is allowed an opinion here, but mods are more diplomatic and passive than I tend to be. Of course I expect that what JoBelle said is true and that I could tune it out into the background a bit, but I tend to draw a massive attention-grabbing arrow over my head whenever there's a controversial debate going on. Take the death penalty thread for example. I was so passionate and vocal that I accidentally said something to Steve that expressed more than indignation at his opinion. Given the circumstances it came across as a racial slur, soemthing which might not have happened if I'd been more observant and passive.
And I'm sure everyone will remember my exchange with Drew on the other thread. There were enough points against in that exchange to give any selector food for thought. (In fact I'd be surprised if he wasn't one of the three who voted no.) At least no-one will vote for "who the hell is BigJim?"
With a north and south like mine, I doubt here's any forum viewer who hasn't heard of me.
Come to think of it though, if Drew had already voted, I expect he'd have left his comments here too. One thing he isn't shy about it letting his feelings be known. I think his vote is yet to be cast. Make that 5 to 4.
While it may be fun to discuss the question, I don't think it will ever happen. 4 people have been created as forum mods since I expressed interest in it. If it was ever likely to happen, it would have done by now. But let's face it, the people on the staff do everything and more for the community that I could do. There is no direct benefit from me being made a mod ahead of anyone else.
😛
That said, I would still do the job if asked because I enjoy service. It's not a power trip or a reason for thinking you're better than anyone else in he community. It's a bundle of hassle that the existing mods get no thanks and plenty of hassle for.
