While I agree with you that quality moderating is rare indeed, I find the behaviour of some 'members' of our forum so utterly abhorrent that in this case I think we'd be much better off with moderators than without...

Yeah, I was replying to that. Honestly, it's a damned if you do, damned if you don't thing. But I will say it again - three troublemakers is absolutely nothing. At all.

The only thing that bugs me in these forums is not knowing WHO downvotes posts. I usually like to wear the people I pissed off as a badge of pride. So far, it has ALWAYS been the same type of people & worth it every time. Too bad I can't be sure here.

I really think this is the way it should be. Let anyone have their opinions & be judged by them. Enforcing ideologies only works for so long.

It would be kind of nice if some of those people came in here. It would make GOG's decision a lot easier.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but it's a lot better for you in the long run if you learn how to cope with abhorrent behaviour without relying on having them silenced.

If you really can't stand them, just ignore them. It's really not that hard.

You have a fair point in this, but NES and Wakalo (forgot to mention NES in that post) are people who are commonly cited by the older members as being responsible for the downfall of the forum, and, as I mentioned, the reason people here have left.
And it's not only certain users doing things, but there are also other issues, like political topics getting out of hand, or threads getting hijacked.
Perhaps it would only be a small improvement, but it would be a welcome improvement. A VERY welcome improvement, that, in fact, would probably GAIN GOG money in a few ways.

A solution to solve the whole power issue could possibly be that the volunteer mod lacks the power of banning. He or she could have the authority to issue warnings or put temporary locks on posting and, if things get out of hand, alert the "higher-ups".

I *am* here.

I agree with letting people have their opinions, but it's different when it starts reaching into death threats or racism, which it has before, multiple times. You'd have to concur at least LIGHT moderation would be appropriate.
Currently, we have NO moderation.

Yeah, that sounds cool and all, but if you think about it, that would require you to either: getting infested by parasites and being unable to wash and have sex ever again, OR become a rotting undead who does nothing but sitting on his throne for the rest of eternity.

I'd... be careful if I were you. It's your life man, don't throw it away.

No offense, but I find this an odd comment from somebody who just said earlier about having a thicker skin...

That was just an example. There's obviously more than that.

Edit: I really should learn to just put all of my replies on one post...I keep forgetting there are others here who'll post as fast as me and break the chain...

I don't even know who those people are, I haven't noticed them yet.

As far as politics go, I'd say it's a direct correlation with what's brewing throughout the world right now. I predict before the end of the year, you'll look back with fondness at political topics getting out of hand in the safety of internet forums, as opposed to meat space. It really won't be pretty if someone doesn't remove the lid of the pressure cooker to allow for the steam to blow out. But that's beside the point.

Now, threads hijacked, I'm sorry to disagree with you, but I'm all for that. I say if a thread finds its own way to a "life" not intended by the author, let it go! That just means people found something they enjoy discussing. If the thread is strong enough, hijack attempts will fail. No heavy hand needed.

The rest, I think we could go on splitting hairs forever, if we so chose.
No offence taken, please read my justification for having said that:

"I usually like to wear the people I pissed off as a badge of pride. So far, it has ALWAYS been the same type of people & worth it every time."

That's the kind of hijacking that's fine. I'M fine with that. The kind I'M referencing is the bad kind. I think I'd rather discuss this one with you via PM lest some of the undesirables get any ideas.

Yes, and shiny, too. I like shiny things. They're pretty.

I'll explain to you via PM so I don't turn this thread into a scammer discussion.
The issue isn't so much divisive ideas as it is the previous point I mentioned about death threats, racism, personal attacks, etc.