Adam's WO never was a closed-elite club
But that's why this discussion exists. It's been clearly stated that the thread's a goner unless something is done.
I don't think it should be elites, but certain standards put in place from the off would ensure its survival.
The problem stated by theymos is that a lot of unrelated posts were being reported to moderators, but I saw nowhere he describing that those off-topic were posted by newbies, Jr Members, Members, Full Members and Senior Members ONLY. Maybe what pissed him off was the alt shill and nazi r0ach (look, he's a Legendary
!). If theymos states it's statistically proven that the problem is related to lower badges I'll grab my stuff and go away, so far Marcus and yourself are arguing enforced by data YOU DO NOT KNOW and he's clearly moved by hate and scorn.
What Marcus is suggesting is not unreasonable - because it has the potential to eliminate a lot of the need to moderate, and surely lower ranking members could still read the WO thread and there are other places that they could participate in order to rank-up.
I agree with you that it is likely not necessary to make the thread as exclusive that Marcus is suggesting - but I don't see any reason to allow posting rights to newbie and Jr member accounts (and I would even extend this to "member") - especially if there are goals to 1) take a way a lot of moderating responsibilities, 2) let the thread go as mostly unmoderated 3) allow all kinds of bullshit topics that would not otherwise be allowed in the speculation section of the forum - which is part of the WO thread history.
Personally, I don't have any problem with full member and above, but my consideration is nothing personal, and anyone below full member should recognize that nothing personal is meant by excluding them. On the other hand, I believe that leaving the matter to hero and legendary levels, would be overkill and potentially cause way to much sterilizing of the thread - which is a considerable departure from it's history.
One more point (on the other hand... I know it is my third hand), if all ranks are allowed to participate, of course we get the benefits of the community and newbie input - but at the same time, moderators are likely going to have to moderate a lot harder.. and deal with such clutter, yet most moderators are likely going to give more benefit of the doubt to higher ranking accounts, anyhow, even if some high ranking accounts (such as roach) are known for a particularly high level of offense, vile and off-topicness and would likely be subject to more "censorship" than an overwhelming majority of the accounts of a similar rank... in other words, accounts like roach seem to be the exception rather than the rule and most accounts of a similar rank are not even close to his tendencies in the seemingly censorable direction.
Surely, I believe all Legendaries and Heroes can agree with that. It won't harm you.
I'd do a research and bring you here all the Non-high-ranked posts that have aggregated and contributed to make Wall Observer what it is known to be - probably the most reliable Bitcoin debate you can find in internet, far more than /r Unlimited fans - but I'm sure it would flood this thread and make theymos angry. So, you can do that by yourself, the thread is still open to consult. Be honest to your conscience and look there if only Legendaries and Heroes helped building the largest thread in BTCT history...
You seem to be getting way too fucking emotional about this. Did you even read what I wrote? I suggested full members and above, personally.
Furthermore, I understand the situation on a personal level, and I probably am in the top 5 quantity-wise posters in the WO thread.
I had been posting in that thread from newbie, and yeah, I have more than 80% of my total forum posts in that thread.
Your suggestion that someone is biased in their perspective merely because they might benefit is ridiculous and seems to be without merit. Theymos and mods are presenting us with a particular situation and problem and at the same time allowing us to contribute input into possible solutions, and even though Marcus's suggestion is not likely to be fully adopted, it still remains a decent way to consider possible ways to address the problem and allow for various resolutions that will allow the continuation of the WO thread in a decent approximation of its former self - while addressing some moderation concerns.
Dude, I understood your point about adding Full Members to the "few-selected-list". My point is that theymos never stated the problem was low-ranked being reported to moderators.
Until he comes here and says "You Newbies, Jr Members, Members, Full Members and Senior Members are the problem here! You're not allowed to mix with the forum deities who receive Marcus respect!" what Marcus and all those who defend high-ranks-posting-only are saying is based on assumptions. You assume that MAYBE the thread was closed because low-ranks are sabotaging. Ok, show me where theymos stated this!