New Moderation Team Member February 15, 2023 10:28 AM Subscribe
Hello Everyone!
Please join me welcoming our newly-hired Moderator: Brandon Blatcher!
Brandon accepted to join the Mod Team last week and we have been in training since then. While he needs no introduction, since he has been part of the community since 2004 and was one of the members of the Transition Team that laid the foundation for the current site structure, I'll let him introduce himself below.
Also, he will not have any shifts assigned just yet. For now we will continue to go over policies and procedures and training together. Once the training is completed we'll assign him some shifts here and there so you will see his name popping here and there.
Brandon accepted to join the Mod Team last week and we have been in training since then. While he needs no introduction, since he has been part of the community since 2004 and was one of the members of the Transition Team that laid the foundation for the current site structure, I'll let him introduce himself below.
Also, he will not have any shifts assigned just yet. For now we will continue to go over policies and procedures and training together. Once the training is completed we'll assign him some shifts here and there so you will see his name popping here and there.
Hey that's great news!
posted by warriorqueen at 10:36 AM on February 15, 2023
posted by warriorqueen at 10:36 AM on February 15, 2023
I, for one, welcome our new &c...
posted by chavenet at 10:38 AM on February 15, 2023 [11 favorites]
posted by chavenet at 10:38 AM on February 15, 2023 [11 favorites]
Excellent news! Glad to have one of my MeFi spouses (ever since the Great Espousal Thread of 2009) on the mod team.
To be fair, BB is a lot of people's spouse.
posted by Pallas Athena at 10:39 AM on February 15, 2023 [9 favorites]
To be fair, BB is a lot of people's spouse.
posted by Pallas Athena at 10:39 AM on February 15, 2023 [9 favorites]
Hooray! You'll be a great addition to the mod team!
posted by Frowner at 10:44 AM on February 15, 2023
posted by Frowner at 10:44 AM on February 15, 2023
This is the good news that my morning needed.
Felicitations!
posted by NoThisIsPatrick at 10:48 AM on February 15, 2023
Felicitations!
posted by NoThisIsPatrick at 10:48 AM on February 15, 2023
Congratulations!
posted by gentlyepigrams at 10:56 AM on February 15, 2023
posted by gentlyepigrams at 10:56 AM on February 15, 2023
I just SQUEE'D WITH JOY at this. (You can't prove that I did tho, I'll deny it)
Congratulations and hooray!
posted by Tom Hanks Cannot Be Trusted at 11:10 AM on February 15, 2023
Congratulations and hooray!
posted by Tom Hanks Cannot Be Trusted at 11:10 AM on February 15, 2023
Yay! Congrats!
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 11:15 AM on February 15, 2023
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 11:15 AM on February 15, 2023
I am very happy about this. Welcome Brandon. I've enjoyed being MeFites together, talking to you when you were part of the Transition Team, and look forward to continuing to work with you.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 11:35 AM on February 15, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 11:35 AM on February 15, 2023 [5 favorites]
Congrats!
posted by Going To Maine at 11:35 AM on February 15, 2023
posted by Going To Maine at 11:35 AM on February 15, 2023
Excellent news! Congratulations BB (and all of us, really)
posted by Shepherd at 11:44 AM on February 15, 2023
posted by Shepherd at 11:44 AM on February 15, 2023
Woo!
posted by PussKillian at 11:44 AM on February 15, 2023
posted by PussKillian at 11:44 AM on February 15, 2023
Congratulations and welcome, and huzzah!
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 11:46 AM on February 15, 2023
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 11:46 AM on February 15, 2023
Such good news! Congratulations!
posted by kimberussell at 11:57 AM on February 15, 2023
posted by kimberussell at 11:57 AM on February 15, 2023
Whoa, hey, cool. Welcome, Brandon.
posted by soundguy99 at 12:16 PM on February 15, 2023
posted by soundguy99 at 12:16 PM on February 15, 2023
Woo hoo! Congratulations!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 12:38 PM on February 15, 2023
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 12:38 PM on February 15, 2023
Congratulations, Brandon!!
posted by kitten kaboodle at 12:55 PM on February 15, 2023
posted by kitten kaboodle at 12:55 PM on February 15, 2023
Great news, and many warm congratulations!
So if I may: which pinkie did the Cabal (TINC) make you cut off, and how has it impacted your keyboarding?
Looking forward to many years of nimble, nine-fingered Mod notes, and -- for once, seriously -- I hope we still get to enjoy your comments as an ordinary MeFite when you're off-duty, because you're one of my favorites.
posted by wenestvedt at 12:55 PM on February 15, 2023 [2 favorites]
So if I may: which pinkie did the Cabal (TINC) make you cut off, and how has it impacted your keyboarding?
Looking forward to many years of nimble, nine-fingered Mod notes, and -- for once, seriously -- I hope we still get to enjoy your comments as an ordinary MeFite when you're off-duty, because you're one of my favorites.
posted by wenestvedt at 12:55 PM on February 15, 2023 [2 favorites]
congratulations Brandon!
posted by supermedusa at 1:07 PM on February 15, 2023
posted by supermedusa at 1:07 PM on February 15, 2023
So if I may: which pinkie did the Cabal (TINC) make you cut off, and how has it impacted your keyboarding?
That's ridiculous. We'd never knowingly negatively impact a critical skill like typing speed. All mods get an eleventh finger grafted on.
Congrats, Brandon.
posted by cortex (retired) at 1:19 PM on February 15, 2023 [11 favorites]
That's ridiculous. We'd never knowingly negatively impact a critical skill like typing speed. All mods get an eleventh finger grafted on.
Congrats, Brandon.
posted by cortex (retired) at 1:19 PM on February 15, 2023 [11 favorites]
Thanks all for the congratulations and welcome, it is appreciated!
I come to MetaFilter for fun and hopefully I’ll be able to assist members and the site overall to be a fun place!
Being helpful, straightforward, and accountable as the other mods is
what I striving for in this role.
Now back to training!
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 2:00 PM on February 15, 2023 [41 favorites]
I come to MetaFilter for fun and hopefully I’ll be able to assist members and the site overall to be a fun place!
Being helpful, straightforward, and accountable as the other mods is
what I striving for in this role.
Now back to training!
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 2:00 PM on February 15, 2023 [41 favorites]
Fantastic news, congratulations!
posted by skycrashesdown at 2:05 PM on February 15, 2023
posted by skycrashesdown at 2:05 PM on February 15, 2023
cortex: All mods get an eleventh finger grafted on.
I saw online today the idea that criminals will wear a latex synthetic extra finger, so they can request any footage of their crimes be thrown out on the grounds that it's the product of low-grade deepfake software.
Just in case the Cabal (TINC) wants to do a heist: "Mods Eleven" or whatever.
posted by wenestvedt at 2:16 PM on February 15, 2023 [2 favorites]
I saw online today the idea that criminals will wear a latex synthetic extra finger, so they can request any footage of their crimes be thrown out on the grounds that it's the product of low-grade deepfake software.
Just in case the Cabal (TINC) wants to do a heist: "Mods Eleven" or whatever.
posted by wenestvedt at 2:16 PM on February 15, 2023 [2 favorites]
I am just curious... what is the process for picking (and hiring) a new mod? Is this something the SC does on their own or do the current mods decide? Or do they have an interview with Jessamyn where she asks questions like "how many fire hydrants do you estimate are in the city of Indianapolis?" before she takes them on a tour of the vegan cafeteria and beanbag chair room at MeFi HQ?
posted by bondcliff at 2:34 PM on February 15, 2023 [12 favorites]
posted by bondcliff at 2:34 PM on February 15, 2023 [12 favorites]
! That's great!
Wow. That's really perfect. Great.
posted by From Bklyn at 3:08 PM on February 15, 2023
Wow. That's really perfect. Great.
posted by From Bklyn at 3:08 PM on February 15, 2023
You know how sometimes an old celebrity dies and you think "huh, I didn't know they were still alive"? That's how I feel about this. But in a positive way. Of course Brandon should be a mod, and I'm not saying that just because he's my spouse (I think).
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:19 PM on February 15, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:19 PM on February 15, 2023 [3 favorites]
This is very good news! Congratulations!
posted by MonkeyToes at 3:24 PM on February 15, 2023
posted by MonkeyToes at 3:24 PM on February 15, 2023
Oh my goodness, what a fabulous hire!
We are indeed fortunate and I congratulate Metafilter — and you too BB, though maybe not so loudly since you’ve chosen a tough and weedy row to hoe. But if anybody could have a better idea of the difficulties of a job they are about to take, or whose judgments I would trust more, I don’t know who that would be!
posted by jamjam at 3:38 PM on February 15, 2023 [2 favorites]
We are indeed fortunate and I congratulate Metafilter — and you too BB, though maybe not so loudly since you’ve chosen a tough and weedy row to hoe. But if anybody could have a better idea of the difficulties of a job they are about to take, or whose judgments I would trust more, I don’t know who that would be!
posted by jamjam at 3:38 PM on February 15, 2023 [2 favorites]
I am just curious... what is the process for picking (and hiring) a new mod?
loup is, generally speaking, in charge of staffing, with feedback from the SC (I think?) and from me. There may be a future version of MeFi where there's a different approach to staffing/moderating but for now that's how it's been working. I think this is technically loup's first hire!
While there is no beanbag chair room here at MeFi Paperwork HQ, I will note that I am still sitting in the Herman Miller chair that mathowie bought me in 2009. It's nice.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 5:24 PM on February 15, 2023 [11 favorites]
loup is, generally speaking, in charge of staffing, with feedback from the SC (I think?) and from me. There may be a future version of MeFi where there's a different approach to staffing/moderating but for now that's how it's been working. I think this is technically loup's first hire!
While there is no beanbag chair room here at MeFi Paperwork HQ, I will note that I am still sitting in the Herman Miller chair that mathowie bought me in 2009. It's nice.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 5:24 PM on February 15, 2023 [11 favorites]
Great job, kid! Don't get cocky!
posted by briank at 5:35 PM on February 15, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by briank at 5:35 PM on February 15, 2023 [6 favorites]
While I wish the new mod all the best, it’s quite a disappointment that so soon after the fundraising drive the powers that be have chosen to put limited dollars into additional moderation. There’s so much need for improvement on the site that has nothing to do with moderation.
posted by crazy with stars at 7:03 PM on February 15, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by crazy with stars at 7:03 PM on February 15, 2023 [3 favorites]
Get this man a cheese plate!
posted by Oyéah at 7:14 PM on February 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Oyéah at 7:14 PM on February 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Good luck, we’re all counting on you.
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:37 PM on February 15, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:37 PM on February 15, 2023 [3 favorites]
Great news please do a good job Brandon Blatcher.
posted by Meatbomb at 11:17 PM on February 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Meatbomb at 11:17 PM on February 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Congrats!
posted by Chrysopoeia at 11:49 PM on February 15, 2023
posted by Chrysopoeia at 11:49 PM on February 15, 2023
I didn't even realise there was a job opening... where was it posted just wondering?
posted by Lesium at 12:51 AM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Lesium at 12:51 AM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
Also Brandon Blatcher was commenting in the MetaTalk Mod Post just the other day about moderation policies.... was the hiring in the works then? Had a decision been made? Or was he hired because of his comments?
Not trying to start something with BB and the decision itself because I think its a good choice if another mod was needed but just a little confused/concerned on the optics and transparency (or lack) of it all...
posted by Lesium at 1:02 AM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
Not trying to start something with BB and the decision itself because I think its a good choice if another mod was needed but just a little confused/concerned on the optics and transparency (or lack) of it all...
posted by Lesium at 1:02 AM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
Anyone who's paying attention knows how stretched thin mod hours have gotten, to the detriment of the site. And also what a big deal it is to have diverse experiences and voices on the mod team. Who wouldn't place BB among the best of us? This seems pretty great.
posted by rikschell at 4:26 AM on February 16, 2023 [12 favorites]
posted by rikschell at 4:26 AM on February 16, 2023 [12 favorites]
Also Brandon Blatcher was commenting in the MetaTalk Mod Post just the other day about moderation policies.... was the hiring in the works then? Had a decision been made? Or was he hired because of his comments?
My last comment in that thread was on February 6 and yes, I was aware I might be hired as a mod. But pretty much every comment or post I've made since Augustish of 2022 was with the knowledge that I might be offered a position.
Around that time, Jessamyn had mentioned in side email conversation about Transition Team stuff that she and Loup had talked and were interested in me being a mod if more funds ever became available, to help edge the moderation team back to full coverage.
This comment from 8 days ago is when it was official in the sense that Loup made an offer, I thought it over for a few days, replied with a yes, and Loup acknowledged that acceptance.
Why say yes, especially, to my understanding, that I won't be working a lot (this will probably be one of three or four jobs that I might have)? Couple reasons:
1. This place has its ups and downs yeah. But I was also going to Chicago a lot last year and spending time on a Mefite's couch, while they basically showed me around town. Had never physically met before, just knew them from years of being friends on the site. That says a lot about the power of community and if I could help facilitate that for others, then that sounds good, yeah.
2. The survey results from the user survey of 2022. One of the most surprising and wonderful things to me, as someone who's paid a lot of attention to MetaTalk over the years, was that most of the respondents were fine with the moderation and had good feelings with the site. That doesn't mean mistakes haven't been made or that improvement and changes aren't needed, just that there's some good bones here to help build (remodel?) a stronger/better house.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 4:45 AM on February 16, 2023 [27 favorites]
My last comment in that thread was on February 6 and yes, I was aware I might be hired as a mod. But pretty much every comment or post I've made since Augustish of 2022 was with the knowledge that I might be offered a position.
Around that time, Jessamyn had mentioned in side email conversation about Transition Team stuff that she and Loup had talked and were interested in me being a mod if more funds ever became available, to help edge the moderation team back to full coverage.
This comment from 8 days ago is when it was official in the sense that Loup made an offer, I thought it over for a few days, replied with a yes, and Loup acknowledged that acceptance.
Why say yes, especially, to my understanding, that I won't be working a lot (this will probably be one of three or four jobs that I might have)? Couple reasons:
1. This place has its ups and downs yeah. But I was also going to Chicago a lot last year and spending time on a Mefite's couch, while they basically showed me around town. Had never physically met before, just knew them from years of being friends on the site. That says a lot about the power of community and if I could help facilitate that for others, then that sounds good, yeah.
2. The survey results from the user survey of 2022. One of the most surprising and wonderful things to me, as someone who's paid a lot of attention to MetaTalk over the years, was that most of the respondents were fine with the moderation and had good feelings with the site. That doesn't mean mistakes haven't been made or that improvement and changes aren't needed, just that there's some good bones here to help build (remodel?) a stronger/better house.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 4:45 AM on February 16, 2023 [27 favorites]
Hey! Congrats and welcome!
posted by JHarris at 5:42 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by JHarris at 5:42 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
The active moderation is what lifts MetaFilter above most of the web, so I am glad to see resources being used to increase coverage.
Excellent hire, loup!
posted by wenestvedt at 5:53 AM on February 16, 2023 [7 favorites]
Excellent hire, loup!
posted by wenestvedt at 5:53 AM on February 16, 2023 [7 favorites]
Congrats, BB!
posted by Twicketface at 6:16 AM on February 16, 2023
posted by Twicketface at 6:16 AM on February 16, 2023
Good choice! Thanks for stepping up for the community, Brandon, despite knowing well what you're getting into!
posted by biogeo at 6:23 AM on February 16, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by biogeo at 6:23 AM on February 16, 2023 [4 favorites]
Congrats to BB and congrats to MeFi! Brandon's comments always seem to be well thought out and non-confrontational, regardless of the heat of the topic. I can only imagine he will bring that same level-headedness to moderation duties.
A win all around!
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 6:36 AM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
A win all around!
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 6:36 AM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
Congratulations!
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:48 AM on February 16, 2023
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:48 AM on February 16, 2023
Or do they have an interview with Jessamyn where she asks questions like "how many fire hydrants do you estimate are in the city of Indianapolis?"
Yes, I did Google that, but there was nothing definitive, but the first link in the results was to the Indianapolis fire department. Which had a contact email. So yeah, I fired off an email last night.
A reply came back just now, from their Media Relations department, with an answer of "32,000"
Which seems like a lot, right? But if ideally you want a lot of fire hydrants to for the trucks to hook into, like one on every corner or similar, so maybe it isn't a lot? This feels like it should a front page post, maybe.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 6:54 AM on February 16, 2023 [13 favorites]
Yes, I did Google that, but there was nothing definitive, but the first link in the results was to the Indianapolis fire department. Which had a contact email. So yeah, I fired off an email last night.
A reply came back just now, from their Media Relations department, with an answer of "32,000"
Which seems like a lot, right? But if ideally you want a lot of fire hydrants to for the trucks to hook into, like one on every corner or similar, so maybe it isn't a lot? This feels like it should a front page post, maybe.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 6:54 AM on February 16, 2023 [13 favorites]
I thought about telling you you have failed the interview, since the question was to estimate, not look up, but I am mightily impressed that you actually took the question seriously and inquired to the actual Indianapolis Fire Department, so I will let it go.
Jess, get this man a beanbag chair.
posted by bondcliff at 7:40 AM on February 16, 2023 [3 favorites]
Jess, get this man a beanbag chair.
posted by bondcliff at 7:40 AM on February 16, 2023 [3 favorites]
It's pretty funny that they gave you the suspiciously round number 32,000. Like even the Indianapolis Fire Department only knows how many they have plus or minus 500.
posted by Mitheral at 7:46 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Mitheral at 7:46 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Yay!
posted by ob1quixote at 8:29 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by ob1quixote at 8:29 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'm kinda guessing that someone in like public works or the water department or something knows the exact number.
posted by box at 9:49 AM on February 16, 2023
posted by box at 9:49 AM on February 16, 2023
Well that’s really cool :)
posted by toodleydoodley at 12:22 PM on February 16, 2023
posted by toodleydoodley at 12:22 PM on February 16, 2023
I've definitely noticed BB around being a good member of the community. I'm excited to see him transition into becoming a site elder.
posted by Night_owl at 12:52 PM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Night_owl at 12:52 PM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
[This is good ]
posted by adamvasco at 3:09 PM on February 16, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by adamvasco at 3:09 PM on February 16, 2023 [3 favorites]
Congrats BB, I'm personally very excited and grateful for your presence on the team already. Thanks for joining us. Woooooo!
posted by travelingthyme (staff) at 4:05 PM on February 16, 2023
posted by travelingthyme (staff) at 4:05 PM on February 16, 2023
I am pretty excited about this! Welcome!
posted by Eyebrows McGee (staff) at 4:24 PM on February 16, 2023
posted by Eyebrows McGee (staff) at 4:24 PM on February 16, 2023
This is great news! Congratulations!
posted by cupcakeninja at 5:44 PM on February 16, 2023
posted by cupcakeninja at 5:44 PM on February 16, 2023
Hmm, it seems that Indianapolis doesn’t put their fire hydrant layer on line. (Madison has 10,622 fire hydrants)
Congrats Brandon!
posted by rockindata at 6:21 PM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Congrats Brandon!
posted by rockindata at 6:21 PM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
As best as I can tell, NYC has 109,335 fire hydrants.
Good luck Brandon.
posted by JSM at 6:40 PM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
Good luck Brandon.
posted by JSM at 6:40 PM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
This is swell news; another mod and it’s BB. I hope you’ll take lots of notes for an eventual memoir in which you reveal the secret handshakes and stuff.
posted by theora55 at 7:29 PM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by theora55 at 7:29 PM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
My affectionate initial impression of Brandon oh so many years ago was along the lines of "good lad, heart in the right place, carries a can of gasoline around for no apparent reason".
So take this as my version of "Why Deputy Blatcher, it seems only yesterday you were jumping into puddles getting soaked right up to your britches".
Warms the cockles of my heart.
posted by tigrrrlily at 8:33 AM on February 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
So take this as my version of "Why Deputy Blatcher, it seems only yesterday you were jumping into puddles getting soaked right up to your britches".
Warms the cockles of my heart.
posted by tigrrrlily at 8:33 AM on February 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
Oh, yay! Congrats and I’m glad to see you taking this on.
posted by eirias at 10:36 AM on February 17, 2023
posted by eirias at 10:36 AM on February 17, 2023
Excellent!!!!1!
posted by a humble nudibranch at 12:44 AM on February 18, 2023
posted by a humble nudibranch at 12:44 AM on February 18, 2023
Excellent news!
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 1:01 PM on February 18, 2023
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 1:01 PM on February 18, 2023
I've known BB since before I had to change accounts cause of GG. He's a groovy dude, glad to see him as part of the team.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 2:23 PM on February 18, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 2:23 PM on February 18, 2023 [1 favorite]
I am in favour of this choice.
Congrats BB, you'll be great!
posted by Pink Frost at 5:18 PM on February 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
Congrats BB, you'll be great!
posted by Pink Frost at 5:18 PM on February 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
I saw him do a moderation. He did great!
posted by Glinn at 8:39 PM on February 21, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Glinn at 8:39 PM on February 21, 2023 [2 favorites]
You fool, it's a trap!
(Congrats, man.)
posted by klangklangston at 10:20 PM on February 21, 2023 [3 favorites]
(Congrats, man.)
posted by klangklangston at 10:20 PM on February 21, 2023 [3 favorites]
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posted by whitewall at 10:33 AM on February 15, 2023 [1 favorite]