1561
rating
205
debates
54.63%
won
Topic
#6266
DART Policy Proposal: Lemming should become a moderator.
Status
Finished
The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.
Winner & statistics
After 3 votes and with 3 points ahead, the winner is...
Sir.Lancelot
Judges

David
92 debates /
186 votes
Voted

Barney
53 debates /
1,410 votes
Voted

whiteflame
27 debates /
217 votes
Voted
Parameters
- Publication date
- Last updated date
- Type
- Standard
- Number of rounds
- 3
- Time for argument
- Three days
- Max argument characters
- 10,000
- Voting period
- One week
- Point system
- Winner selection
- Voting system
- Judges
1500
rating
19
debates
50.0%
won
Description
No information
Round 1
- I publicly disagreed with Adaptable about his views for total censorship.
- I predicted Adaptable's failed coup to overthrow whiteflame before it happened.
According to Adaptable, his motives are a little bit more personal and ideological. Which is completely reasonable and justifiable.I admire someone with a mission that is passionate and remains true to their cause. I support his goals in this case and think he's a great guy.But some of his views for total censorship, I believe are a little unrealistic.I believe if it were up to Adaptable, his version of the website would be to remove whiteflame from his position as head-mod. Because Adaptable likely sees whiteflame as too passive and incompetent of a mod to lead this platform. (I could be misquoting. Correct me if I'm wrong.)
Whiteflame will certainly back me on this.
On the day of Adaptable's promotion, I dm'ed whiteflame over discord informing him to keep watch over his position and to be looking over his shoulder. It was obvious to me what Adaptable would try to do, and then my prediction came to pass.:
To you it is craziness. To me, it is not.I am meant to be a mod. He treats me like I am not at all a mod and this is because David and Barney wanted me promoted, not him.We need a proper coup to make this work. Mike has to enable it.
Over discord, me and whiteflame discussed a lot of this in advance. Whiteflame was certain that if it came to it between him and Adaptable, that the mods would obviously choose to keep Whiteflame as mod.
Whiteflame will confirm I already knew this and that this wasn't the problem I was worried about. I was more-so concerned that whoever promoted Adaptable had to have known of Adaptable's feelings about whiteflame because he's made no secret about them. My original fear was that one of the other mods were plotting behind whiteflame's back in an attempt to overthrow him, and that Adaptable was being weaponized against him.
Luckily, this fear was proven false.
The reason I bring this up will be important later, as it sets a certain precedent. I am using this story to prove things.:
- I am an excellent judge of character. And I have the gift of insight. While not perfect as I'm wrong a lot, has proven to be extremely effective. I detected a liability and a threat that everyone else overlooked.
- Adaptable's tyranny is a cautionary tale and whiteflame is the main character of this story. The lesson of this cautionary tale.: Keep your guard up, and do not let power fall into the wrong hands.
Adaptable was behaving like Cassius, but I'm certain he thought of himself as Brutus.
Now here is my first contention.:
- Barney is on the verge of formerly retiring from his position permanently, and he needs a successor. But not just any third-rate successor, he needs a worthy successor.
Barney lists his criteria as the ideal mod having a thick-skin and having a passion for the site. Lemming meets both of these standards, in my opinion.
He has never been moderated once and he is one of the most active members of this community. The other point I wish to mention is that Lemming is not power-hungry. 2 years ago, I reached out to Lemming in dms and offered to vouch for him to become a mod. He refused. The second time, he also refused initially. It took some convincing to get him to accept.
Lemming is not a schemer, plotter, or a backstabber. He is a mediator and very rule-abiding.
But he also has backbone and would not hesitate to lay down the law on someone who was breaking the rules.
Here is my second contention.:
- There are a bunch of other possibly qualified candidates including Savant and Mharman. But if you're having a difficult time choosing, then Lemming is the easiest solution because he is by far the safest and most obvious option.
Thank you for having me in this debate. Sorry for such a late response, I had to do a bit of researching to make the strongest argument possible. Personally, I consider Lemming to be one of the strongest candidates for the moderator role. However, there are other users who could have an equally positive impact.
Whiteflame will certainly back me on this.On the day of Adaptable's promotion, I dm'ed whiteflame over discord informing him to keep watch over his position and to be looking over his shoulder. It was obvious to me what Adaptable would try to do, and then my prediction came to pass.:
While your predictions may have proven accurate, they don’t change the core issue. Whether you’re a “kingmaker” or not is irrelevant to the topic at hand — which is about Lemming, not your opinion on AR.
To you it is craziness. To me, it is not.I am meant to be a mod. He treats me like I am not at all a mod and this is because David and Barney wanted me promoted, not him.We need a proper coup to make this work. Mike has to enable it.Over discord, me and whiteflame discussed a lot of this in advance. Whiteflame was certain that if it came to it between him and Adaptable, that the mods would obviously choose to keep Whiteflame as mod.Whiteflame will confirm I already knew this and that this wasn't the problem I was worried about. I was more-so concerned that whoever promoted Adaptable had to have known of Adaptable's feelings about whiteflame because he's made no secret about them. My original fear was that one of the other mods were plotting behind whiteflame's back in an attempt to overthrow him, and that Adaptable was being weaponized against him.Luckily, this fear was proven false.
Again — relevance? You’ve shifted the focus from Lemming’s qualifications to AR’s opinions. While your views are supported by WhiteFlame, the discussion was meant to center on Lemming, not AR’s stance or past decisions. Spending a paragraph on your and WhiteFlame’s private concerns about Ratman only reinforces the idea that he was an “unrealistic” and “terrible” candidate for moderator — something we already agreed on.
The reason I bring this up will be important later, as it sets a certain precedent. I am using this story to prove things.:I am an excellent judge of character. And I have the gift of insight. While not perfect as I'm wrong a lot, has proven to be extremely effective. I detected a liability and a threat that everyone else overlooked.Adaptable's tyranny is a cautionary tale and whiteflame is the main character of this story. The lesson of this cautionary tale.: Keep your guard up, and do not let power fall into the wrong hands.
We respect your “great judge of character,” and I believe people like you can genuinely benefit the site. However, let’s be honest your ability to judge others is still based on personal opinion.
AR’s trial modship wasn’t “overlooked”; it was thoroughly debated in a public forum. We unpacked the implications and whether the decision aligned with the site’s values. In the end, beyond your private messages with WhiteFlame, AR was removed from trial mod because of a collective decision.
Everyone’s individual judgment played a part in that outcome, not just yours.
Regarding your story:
I actually found your quote inspirational and insightful. Maintaining vigilance to ensure power doesn’t end up in the wrong hands is extremely important — which brings us to why I believe Lemming should not be moderator.
Why?
As you mentioned in the second half of your argument, Barney’s qualities — thick-skinned, passionate, dedicated — are important. While Lemming fits those traits, so do others like Savant and Wylted.
Now, to the main point:
AR’s trial modship wasn’t “overlooked”; it was thoroughly debated in a public forum. We unpacked the implications and whether the decision aligned with the site’s values. In the end, beyond your private messages with WhiteFlame, AR was removed from trial mod because of a collective decision.
Everyone’s individual judgment played a part in that outcome, not just yours.
Regarding your story:
I actually found your quote inspirational and insightful. Maintaining vigilance to ensure power doesn’t end up in the wrong hands is extremely important — which brings us to why I believe Lemming should not be moderator.
Why?
As you mentioned in the second half of your argument, Barney’s qualities — thick-skinned, passionate, dedicated — are important. While Lemming fits those traits, so do others like Savant and Wylted.
Now, to the main point:
The other point I wish to mention is that Lemming is not power-hungry. 2 years ago, I reached out to Lemming in dms and offered to vouch for him to become a mod. He refused. The second time, he also refused initially. It took some convincing to get him to accept.Lemming is not a schemer, plotter, or a backstabber. He is a mediator and very rule-abiding.
Here’s where your logic falters. You mentioned that you had to ask Lemming not once, but twice, and he still refused. Which is a strong reaction. Just as your story emphasized the need to prevent power from falling into the wrong hands, this situation shows that Lemming doesn’t even want the role in the first place.
If someone clearly expresses disinterest in being a moderator, is it really wise to push them into that position?
You also admitted you had to convince him just to consider the role. While Lemming may not be manipulative or scheming, he also isn’t willing to step into leadership voluntarily and that says a lot.
Other users — such as Savant, FauxLaw, Mharman, and Swagnarok — share many of Lemming’s strengths, but with one key difference: they want to serve the community. That willingness matters.
I look forward to hearing your response.
Round 2
Lemming’s initial rejection of the role wasn’t because of desire or lack of it, he was worried he wasn’t qualified.
Now Savant and Swagnarok would make great moderators, no doubt. I don’t oppose their promotion, I am just arguing that Lemming’s promotion is necessary.
Consider that.:
- The site needs to find new blood soon, or they will be understaffed.
- The site needs a high-quality person on their team.
Here is how Lemming fits that role.:
- His reputation is in good standing. This predictability makes him a universally likable person that will make people want to stay. Driving people to the site rather than pushing people away.
- Lemming has a conservative leadership style. This is the perfect match for whiteflame, as it preserves the hierarchy and the community’s expectations for free speech while cutting back on abuse.
- Disinterest in site politics. Lemming wouldn’t participate in the usual coups or power-plays, as he’s above that.
- Proactive personality and promoting techniques. He pitched several ideas. Questionnaires for mod applicants, advertisements for the site, and youtube videos, deleting abusive forum threads.
- Popularity & Positive community engagement. (Mods cannot be divisive. Because without influence, you’re not a leader. Perhaps by title only, but not really. Think AR for example.) Swagnarok and everyone else already approves and supports his potential modship.
6. Participation & Commitment to the website. Lemming is pretty active, has a love for the community, and enjoys contributing.
Forfeited
Round 3
Unofficial Unconfirmed Announcement.:
After strong consideration.
We now welcome Lemming to The Mod Team.
We now see and realize how Lemming is a good fit for the role.:
- Competence.
- Rule-abiding.
- Experience.
- Firmness and humility.
Extend arguments and sources.
Bruh I quit
I want lemming to be mod anyway
sorry I miscalculated time and wrongly forfeited the argument. I do have it ready now. Can we please make it a two round debate?
Sorry just one question: Can there be only a specific amount of mods?
thanks for the clarification, I will try my best!
The way I interpreted this debate resolution is that the burden of proof lies on Pro to show why Lemming should be a moderator and your burden is to show why he shouldn’t.
You are free to counter arguments and show why other people should be a mod over a Lemming, but that is outside your immediate burden.
You can, but arguing that several other people should also become mods doesn't technically contradict the resolution.
The Pro side doesn't require me to exclude anyone else, I only have to prove that Lemming should become a mod.
Is it ok if i debate for a range of other people not one specific person