h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

During discussions in various threads yesterday most people made it abundantly clear that as long as I'm a community editor I cannot have a private opinion. And if I have, I need to put a disclaimer, but they won't believe me anyway.

That means I either quit - and I really can't do that right now, it would send the wrong signal and leave the others in the lurch - or stop participating in conversations here.

Sorry about that.

I suggest you discuss this with the other Community Editors, rather than with the Community.

I've obviously missed all of that because I was an over-worked mummy/niece/sister/auntie all weekend.

Don't you dare resign.

I know you're more than able to tackle any of the challenges being CE throws up and what's more the Guide needs good people like you so don't you dare - I'll have more to say after work.

We're all in the same boat. I'm not sure how others manage (assuming we do, of course). Do you really feel it's become worse for you? It may have done, which would be a shame. How do the rest of us manage? (My skin's like rhino hide, which may explain how I cope, of course).

as Mina said to me yesterday.

with everyone.

Nil carborundum... and so forth.



Geggs

The point is, I think, Bel, that the people here aren't used to CEs (and I still think that's a stupid name for what you do, btw) coming from the members and they just need time to get over themselves and adjust.

I moderated (which in most sites is a combination of what the mods and CEs do here) for years on a massive Sci-fi show website messageboard - it had 42 factions who hated each other with a vengeance - and I know that it is difficult, but it is perfectly possible to be a member of TPTB and to be a regular member who posts also.

However, as with a lot of jobs (policeman, politician, teacher) you have to also accept that whatever you do in a "private" capacity will be scrutinised and, however unfair you might think it, you will be held to a higher standard of behaviour than a "regular" poster. That just comes with the job and it might be an idea to make that clear to future volunteers - because for some that price might be too high to pay.

I read the thread you mean yesterday. I got bored with the first 20 ones, and thought, much ado about nothing, however I thought it was unusual such a long thread for such a petty thing, and read it all.
My conclusion: people overreacted, some people, REMEMBER that,some, and for different reasons.

Read again what Otto says, most of us agree with him.

And where and with whom and about what to discuss any issue... dear Bel, most people know you, you are humble, kind, never impose, never brag, feck! you are hard-working and you can´t say your opinion??? whoever critizise you is someone who doesn´t know you at all or just want to annoy.
Chin up, feel secure... don´t say sorry. and please go on doing what you do. We need you

oh come on - I'm intrigued now - which thread?

Just wondering what the job description of a CE would be...

"Must be able to demonstrate the wisdom of Solomon, practice the patience of Job, and possess the hide of a rhinoceros."

...perhaps?


Geggs

Thanks all.

I can't possibly say more than that, if my journal is now considered to be discussing things with the community (although my friends are certainly members of the community, and so am I. Or was, as it seems).

I know that nothing is *private* on here, but I used to feel there being a difference between 'ask h2g2' and my journal. I must have erred.

Brave, too.

The Guide Editors have decided that we can post personal opinions using our own "non-italic" accounts, but official announcements will come from the "h2g2 Guide Editors" account.

I know it is different for Community Editors, though.

Again, thanks all for your nice and encouraging words. I don't feel wise, brave, or any of the other so kindly offered things.

I just feel - well, I don't actually know how I feel.

Bel, forgive me, but you seem to put a lot of weight on things that other people say.

Gnomon suggests you talk about this with the other Community Eds (which I think is good advice, so far as it goes) and that you shouldn't talk about it here, (whcih may or may not be good advice), but you don't appear to think "Gnomon's one person, I am another, we've an equal right to our opinion". Looking from the outside, you seem to think "Oh, that's me told then. I must be wrong."

Ben

Things will settle down into a rhythm

We just may not be able to dance to it.

Bel, I didn't mean that you shouldn't tell the Community what you think. I just meant you shouldn't pay too much attention to their replies.

As a Community Editor, your opinion of what you're doing is more important than the opinions of all the posters whose extreme opinions you are trying to defuse and moderate.

Talking to the other Community Editors may give you guidelines on how they cope with the same situation.

As long as I have been on this you have been a fixture in some capacity or other Bel, and it would seem to me foolish for you and those like you not to be central to the running of the new guide. I wonder if this is the time to open up to the community a debate as to how the CE's can best function within the community (as they surely must) rather than outside it? Failing that- could you incorporate some kind of disclaimer into your name? Would that be acceptable to the chiefs? Or would that be unacceptable to you?
Incidentally, am I the only person who would respond to the presence of Job by trying to annoy him until he cracked?

The thread Bel refers to left me thinking that one individual in particular, came across as chief spokesperson for the community and what was said was what the community at large agreed with. Nothing could be further from the truth and frankly there has been a lot of unwarranted attacks on volunteers and what they do with little thought given to whats actually involved.
Whats that saying again? Its easy to complain and criticise, the hardest words for some folk to say is THANK YOU.
I say stick at it Bel, you do a good job in difficult circumstances, as do all the volunteers. The rest of us should take some 'chill pills' and show some patience while things get sorted, on all fronts.

for Bel.

Thanks for explaining, Gnomon. Trouble with me is (and Ben is spot on there) that I always try to see all sides and am usually willing to take on board suggestions and other povs than mine and question my standpoint. This means I am making my life a lot more complicated than I probably need to.