Something to think about....

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

In my passing time, I tend to watch YouTube videos.

I have it on usually in the background when I am working on the Pride of Nottingham, plus other things I do online. So, whilst the videos loop to a new one - unless I choose what to watch, leaving the videos to play brings up videos it deems of interest to me. One of the videos, it made me feel like déjà vu, but I tried shrugging it off as just being due to the content being the same subject.

 But it kept bugging me, and near to the end it almost became word for word in memory on a video I had watched 2 years ago.

I found it incredibly intriguing. I watched both videos - stopping and pausing as the script to the video seemed too familiar. And yes, to me, I could identify that the video script did clash in most parts with the original video that I had watched earlier. With this information, I went to the YouTube channel's Discord and posted about it.

I got warned for sharing the link.

Okay, they don't allow links, but the warning came across very heavy-handed.

I reposted the same message, remitting the URL.

A new member joined amongst this and asked a genuine question, which I answered. Both the question and my response were deleted almost instantly. Now, the question just asked why the channel joked about not being able to mention a certain subject, and my response was the take on it. Basically, it seemed a nod at a political family's links to conspiracies and scandals. Nothing OTT, just my thoughts.

I asked about why the messages had been deleted, I then received another warning. So, I politely asked why I kept receiving warnings. To which, I had another warning about not publicly arguing with moderators.

A moderator sarcastically referred to my message original and told me to speak with them privately.

Now the rules are not to message people privately without being requested to do so, so how do you ask questions?

Upon the moderator opening up a private conversation with me, I realised I had been banned.

Confused and frustrated, I did become somewhat argumentative after the moderator listed the channels rules. I asked him if free speech meant anything, and how a simple message from the start could have avoided much of my responses. I was trying to be fair, but I felt like I were being handled by the nazi's. I received another warning, and were told that I would be removed from the channel if I kept arguing.

Trying to calm down, I  took a step back and wrote how this whole interaction came across to me in a fair and polite way. Pointing out that I had posted to help them, and that the moderation seemed very heavy and unfriendly. I stated I wasn't trying to argue, but I had questions, and with them, you will get points that they might not like.

The moderator began responding with brief three-letter replies. This was a grown adult, acting like a child, it felt.

I took a step back, and thought about how strange this situation was. So, I carefully explained and mentioned that I felt my points were failed and asked if he understood my point.

He claimed he did, and said if I agreed to the rules I would be allowed access again.

I thanked him, and reaffirmed my points that I had not intentionally broken the rules but that again, the moderation was very heavy without any consideration. I took the rules, quoted them and explained why I didn't believe I was breaking them. Sometimes, rules do need to be mentioned. If I blocked every URL it would be very excessive, but I do understand that it's restricted. I gave my advice on moderation fairly, explaining that I have been around popular forums since the 00s.

The moderator said I had my access restored, whilst typing a response he closed the communication between the two of us.

You might think, I am being difficult, but I'm not. I went with good intentions to point out a video was ripping them off. Due to the heavy moderation, you cannot speak or do anything without being warned. It's not helpful, it's not reasonable, and thirdly where's the transparency? I guess, I am too old-fashioned.

So, at this stage I still have had several warnings for things which break their strict rules but in a way where it wasn't intentional. I was trying to be helpful, as I say I understand the rules, but it was very unpleasant. In the main channel, I asked if I could speak to another mod, mentioning two other names.

The same moderator replied saying that the discussion was over and that they don't speak to people unless it's needed.

So, I replied that I wanted to give them a link to the video and that I was done with trying to plead my innocence because clearly they don't care what people say. They're disinterested, noncommunicative and very aggressive.

I left the channel, then I had another senior moderator try to speak with me. I declined, then an admin popped up trying to do it. I declined, then I had this warning message about that I was banned due to being confrontational and unwilling to discuss the issue.  

It's really put me off watching the YouTube channel, as I don't wish to support this behaviour. All the years I have used forums, chat rooms etc. I have never once had an experience like this. I might not compare to their size with any of the sites I have done or owned, but I would never treat someone like this.

[liampie]

yeah i would not bother dealing with any of that @Chris. stick to watching the copy channel even if they are taking the script of the main channel, least that way you dont have to deal with the bs.

[allardyces tash]

I find this can happen when the owner isn't involved directly and that rules are laid out like law. You will get people who try to bend things, but clearly you were trying to help and it seems very excessive. I would have just left the Discord channel; it wasn't worth your time trying to help them.

[CliftonMagpie]

Yeah, that is heavy-handed moderation where the people doing those roles seem more intent on alienating people than helping them understand the rules. I would certainly keep away from the discord channel, it sounds like it's run by people who like finding fault. You were probably better off ignoring the video that criticised them.