[Accepted] ParadoxSpace's Server Moderator Application

[Snakebittenn]

Server Moderator Application

Basic Information
Byond Account: ParadoxSpace
Character Name(s): Any of the following: 
AI Name(s): None
Discord username + tag: ParadoxSpace#6294
Age: 20
Timezone: MST
When are you on Aurora?: Pretty much most of the day.
Experience
How long have you played SS13?: Since somewhere in late 2014.
How long have you played on Aurora: Pretty sure I only really got active around two years ago.
How much do you know about SS13 (Baystation build) game mechanics?: A lot, I have been playing mostly baycode servers for years.
Do you have any experience moderating for an SS13 server?: Yes, on Baystation12. However, I steadily lost passion with the setting.
Have you read through the criteria thread; https://forums.aurorastation.org/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=4198 - and believe that you mark off all the criteria?: I believe I mark off almost all criterea besides courtesy, which I am going to try my best to improve the unmistakable blackness in my heart through this job.
Have you ever been banned, and if so, how long and why?: Not from Aurora. 
Personality
Why do you play SS13?: I have been playing Space Station 13 daily for years, and most of my internet friends are people I've met on various servers. It's, for better or for worse, a large part of my life.
Why do you play on Aurora?: Aurorastation is a server I have a lot of passion for, the setting is one of the better HRP settings I've ever seen, and I enjoy the interactions I've had ICly.
What do moderators do?: Moderators ensure that no person, or group, is intentionally making the game a poor experience for anyone else, and ensuring that the rules are more than just window dressing.
What does it mean to be a moderator for our server?: To help lost players, give even veterans knowledge they might not have, and make sure that everyone is having a good time.
Why do you want to be a moderator?: I want to become a moderator to increase my efforts in helping the server be a good place for everyone. There are areas I believe need additional help, mostly in the way of the Discord/forums' level of moderation, and there are areas in myself that I want to improve by taking up a role in helping players out. Also, I want to ban everyone.
What qualities do you possess that would make you a good moderator?: I know pretty much everything ingame except certain aspects of chemistry, circuits, and xenoflora. I believe I was really good at interacting with players 'on the level' during my time on Baystation. I am also familiar with Github, which it seems not a lot of moderators are. I am on the Discord near-constantly, which I think makes me pretty connected with the community. Lastly, I have a pretty great knowledge of lore (though it is mostly non-human lore.)
How well do you handle stress, anger, or insults?: I am frankly not that great at handling slights to my person, but I am on the road to being better at that. I am always able to detach myself from a hostile ticket, and even back out if needed, though this had never happened in my previous tenure.
Anything Else You Want to Add:
A final command human, but it is more of a plea. I know not a lot of people in this community like me a whole lot. If you have a huge issue with me, the way I do things, even the way I speak, please don't be afraid to DM me about it. My friends have before, and I have always taken their words into account. 

[ReadThisNamePlz]

We will contact you for an interview sometime soon.

[Scheveningen]

The way I see it, you have had some difficulties in the past being courteous and showing courtesy to others, even when certain 'others' contribute to being part of the problem, I've seen instances where you where you got unnecessarily sassy and nasty to people due to discussions getting heated as they tend to. Likewise I've also seen particularly disparaging language from you to describe certain members of the community, and when challenged on the matter, you didn't step back and clarify if you were joking, but you would stand your ground and more or less repeat what you already said to mock the person further for getting upset, which often drove the affected individuals to get even more heated.

What steps will you take to minimize these occurrences from repeating themselves, if you become a moderator? 

[Snakebittenn]

Thanks for the question, Schev.
While I cannot promise that I will never get Totally Hotblooded as a moderator, I will be doing my best to pull out of arguments that I know I will get extremely emotional about, or at the least choose my words carefully as to not make anyone feel like they're wrong for joining in such discussions. I'm aware of my patterns of behavior, and I am actively trying to keep these things from happening and to put my best face on when in the Discord.

(comment about mouse mains here)

[Scheveningen]

Sufficient response. I think you're worth trialing just to see if any recurrent issues pop up and if they don't, then people's initial worries can mostly be dismissed for the time being.

 

[ReadThisNamePlz]

I will be contacting you sometime soon to perform the interview. 
In the meantime, try to get some additional feedback from the community, please.

Sorry for the wait. 

Edited April 2, 2019 by ReadThisNamePlz

[Doxxmedearly]

I also have to echo Schev's initial sentiments, though I'm more skeptical about your ability to calm yourself than they are. When I think about the people whose constant belittlement of others and general toxicity led to me muting OOC and leaving the main discord, your name appears on that list. You can be nice when you want people to get excited about things, such as lore, and you've answered peoples' questions on Vaurca patiently enough, which is a positive thing for you. But schev pointed out your general trend of being abrasive, which has been a pattern I've seen little improvement on. 

Moderating will lead to people being snappy with you out of frustration. You'll have people questioning your rulings, and making complaints, and salting at you. The way I've seen you respond to negativity is to snap back and get heated, which is something staff needs to try to be above. 

Were it up to me, I would not give you a trial at this time. But I won't throw a fit if you get one. I'd like to see you being patient and courteous, but I have reservations about whether or not you can. I hope these concerns will be unfounded. I'll also please ask that you do not DM me about this; RTNP asked for more feedback here, and this is my honest contribution of such. This will be my only post. 

[Snakebittenn]

Thanks for being real w/ me Doxx and I appreciate your post. 
I'm not sure how to convince you that I am earnesly willing to do my best to improve my usual pattern, and if I can't that's okay. Even if not, I apologise for my behavior pushing you out of interacting with the community, and knowing this strengthens my resolve to not be negative all the time (and not fire shots back. I'm working on detaching myself from these things as best I can.) I understand that often moderation isn't a positive experience, but for what it's worth, I never had any issues with this in previous experience taking and handling ahelps. 

Edited April 2, 2019 by ParadoxSpace

[VTCobaltblood]

Paradox is one of my friends on this server, and he cares deeply about the game and the server - which is what leads to him being heated in discussions. I know for a fact that Paradox regrets being as abrasive as he currently is, and is completely willing to step forward and work hard to change for the better. I really think that a mod trial would help him in that regard. Even if he doesn't live up to my (and others') hopes for him, well, that's what trials are for, right?

[DeadLantern]

You've stated that there are too many moderators currently on Aurora station, yet you are applying for one. How do you justify this?

[Snakebittenn]

Easily. Not all mods come on at the same time. There's a pretty good spread of timezones.

[DeadLantern]

I see your reasoning.

[ReadThisNamePlz]

Here is the interview. 

https://pastebin.com/bkEHkJch

[AmoryBlaine]

I do not like that Paradox does not attempt to communicate with me privately in order to clear up any misunderstandings we may have on each other's opinions. But, I also respect him for being willing to voice his opinions publicly, as he clearly cares about the game.

Overall, he's committed and probably worthy of the position.

[TheSleepyCatmom]

I've had very negative experiences with ParadoxSpace in the past. He's been more abrasive than I, he's been overly argumentative. Something that I'm well aware I do too. He's standoffish and refuses to apologize for things. All of these traits are not someone I'd want to see as a moderator at all.

 

With that being said, Paradox and I have been interacting much more level-headed and calmly lately. It's to the point where I can say I actually appreciate insight from him at times, and have no problem talking or poking him with things I'm doing that are related. I feel he's improved significantly passed what he was before, even if he is a little hard to read about whether what he says is sarcastic or serious. +1, trial worthy. I hope it goes well, pal.

[MattAtlas]

I don't actually post here often but this one caught my attention.

 

Man's got balls of steel and a resolution of steel too. Worthy of being a moderator imo. +1

[Flamingo]

Trial began as of the April 8th, 2019, and will last until May 8th, 2019.

[Scheveningen]

Let me rescind this entire post for a bit while I figure out what went on.

Edited April 21, 2019 by Scheveningen

[Faris]

I think you’ve calmed down with acting like a bull and seeing red when interacting with people. That has always been my biggest gripe with you. 

I haven’t seen any glaring issues when it comes to you handling your trial either.

I’m still a bit skeptical at the attitude issue as it’s either for real or you’re just repressing it meaning you could blow up, figuratively.

That being said, I think you deserve a pass.

[SatinsPristOTD]

I've had several of my ahelps answered and dealt with by Para. They're were all positive experiences and I felt like they did the job right. Para has toned down a lot since I got here (which compared to some of the old coots above me isn't much, but it's been a years worth!).

I... would love to see Para be a full mod.

[Doxxmedearly]

I have to say I've been pleasantly surprised by Paradox's handling of my ahelps during his trial. While in my eyes you still have a lot of past behavior to correct, so far you seem to be sticking to your word. Pretty glad and maybe a little proud to see that. I'm not against you becoming a mod due to what you've shown so far.

[Flamingo]

Application accepted. Welcome to the team.