@Morrandir;
I agree it is not easy when you do not want to put someone on the ignore list.
Even if you do, you'll still see the quotes.
But in order for this place to be a light(er) place ignoring posts is essential.
People get triggered by something they do not like, it could be as simple as someone merely saying s/he is not interested in the posted newsbit. We all have seen how such a comment can get a thread derailed by others commenting on that one comment. If one starts targetting another personally as well, a similar reply will be triggered, and before you know it the thread turns nasty.
All that, in stark contrast with the situation where that first negative comment was 'simply' ignored: the thread will continue about the newsbit.
Some of you may remember that I often argued for playing it nice, see my signature. Some thought that with the new TOS and me being moderator no criticism or negative word could ever be said.
I, personally, do not like insults, be it subtle or not, and they won't help convincing others.
Anyway, as a moderator I follow the TOS. I try my best, as do the other mods/admins to set aside any possible personal feelings and see if there is something that is in conflict with the TOS. When in doubt I have no trouble asking the admin to look at the situation independently.
If we - mods - start acting upon things that are not covered by the TOS, on our own initiative, or indicated by a perceived wish of a (small/large?) part of our members, it would open the door to arbitrariness.
Besides, how am I to defend such a ruling to a violator: what rule exactly did s/he violate?
If anyone is not happy with the present TOS I suggest to write a different one and hand it over to Myrthos for him to decide.
I am aware that moderating is not math. People assess situations differently.
So I understand people in this and other threads who are disappointed with the moderators' stand on the matter, they would have liked to see a different ruling.
But if we ruled differently, other people would be disappointed. Surely moderators are the members most criticized - and they can not put anyone on an ignore list. Woe poor me.
(No, I would not put anyone on an ignore list even if I could, I don't want to miss the contributing and interesting posts either, Morrandir, which, I second that, everyone here may have, and @Nereida; is definitely one of them.)
Anyway, I hope these last two posts explained a bit of the mod team's reasoning, and motivate people, when annoyed, to 'just' get up, look outside, take a walk, hug your partner/dog/cat, start a game, and consider there are better ways to spend your time than writing off-topic posts about other people's behavior.
In the past years I have seen many people who are not like me, who do not (dis)like what I (dis)like, who do not behave or think the way I do, who do not understand me, who I do not understand, but, imo, without them this place would be a dull, quiet - dead - place.
Thanks, Morrandir, for your point and thus giving me a chance too to add something that I overlooked in my previous post.
I think it is time to get back on topic: 'Elex II wants to be ME'. [highlight]Official warning.[/highlight]
People wanting to discuss moderation policy any further, might try PM. I'll read it for sure, but doubt I'll have anything to add.
People wanting to discuss Morrandir's post, copy it and start a different thread.
------
Edit
Yes, Morrandir, I noticed your appeal "we all could care more about posting in a way that doesn't exhaust the fellow watchers in one way or another", and I support it.
(But as a moderator I don't count on it.)