How can you expect to be taken seriously when you can't even get to the point? How's that different from trolling?
Where are you when we need you? Yes indeed if people refuse to drill down and have their opinions scrutinized but insist on still voicing them over and over as valid rebuttals it is TROLLING. Not that alia is a troll at all really, they are known to be quite a good poster by a few quality members. He is just painting in broad strokes right now, he likely will drill down eventually. Perhaps just testing the waters first.
In this case though, GM should likely not be removed as moderator since he seems to be only concerned with the tech based forums where his knowledge and skill is likely suitable and who else can really be in a position to moderate what is valuable and valueless noise. I mean surely that is the moderators job to ensure the valuable information (for the entire movement and all members) remains and the valueless and net negative junk removed.
Of course many mods are corrupted by their sigs, and keeping in with those that control those sigs and have influence over other rev streams and desirable positions. I don't see GM being one of those bottom feeders and requires no such back scratching.
The best thing may be to add an moderator with (equal skill level or as near too as possible) that has not such a strong incentive to push in one direction. Possibly a skilled developer that has been known to voice opposing views and pushing in a different direct to GM. That could balance things up but could cause a few issues too. In the tech areas ( arguably the most important area (well meta should be very important but is fucked beyond all help now)) one must tread carefully and with diplomacy. Extremely smart people can also be kind of super volatile also. I also notice super smart people tend to get super angry when confronted by other super smart people rather than your general bod who they feel are of no real threat.
I just don't see how you can sensibly moderate a forum optimally unless especially a tech specific forum without being one of the smartest and skilled people there. So how many other options do we have that are near that skill and knowledge level in the essential fields that have been known to take a different view to GM on certain things that is not instantly going to ensure both parties get upset and leave.
When you only have a very limited number of people that can push things forward in certain areas then it can be hard to replace them, so it takes a lot more consideration than replacing the drooling tourettes suffering morons that you can switch out on other boards with immediate net benefit.
To be fair, when previously a friend of ours spoke directly to him he seem pretty courteous and pretty clear minded even when in clear opposition to his point. He seemed the sort of person that would totally explain and justify his actions. Of course that was one anecdotal experience. If you have others where you believe he is super heavy handed or the bias is net negative then you will need to present those instances for review. Specifics as always must be analysed before the correct action can be taken.
Perhaps bring anonymint back and make him a mod there with GM, he could fit the bill perfectly. I'll bring the pop corn. haha or what about we throw craig into the mix for like the big brother celebrity edition. That should even things up. Then nobody else would need to even post, could just enjoy the tone and odd funny and clever insult here and there since the rest would be beyond the understanding of 99% of the other members.
No impeachment vote here for now. Since we carry such sway here with theymos, that will obviously be a load off for GM.
edit - i see doomad already stolen my prime point, time travelling scoundrel.
