Oerdin
Deity
Since the other thread got closed for going off topic I'd like to see if we can do another thread which actually stays on topic. IMO there is a pretty fundamental difference in the moderation styles between Civilization's two main fan sites and much of it has to do with who visits each site. Apolyton tends to be populated by older posters, most of whom are very well educated, so the site has a high number of people with PHds, Law degrees, or master's degrees in hard sciences. This means that when clueless people spout off about things they know nothing about then there is usually a subject matter expert, who deals with the topic for a living, who can set them straight while CFC tends to have a much younger poster audience so you get a lot more background noise.
The other main difference in moderation style seems to be that Apolyton treats people as big boys and girls letting them speak their minds, even if it is to call an idiot an idiot, where as at CFC you're never allowed to say the obvious no matter how well called for it is. Contrary to the claims some people here made in the other thread Apolyton does have great adult debates though people are expected to make mature and well reasoned arguments or else they'll be near universally derided. Again, since CFC tends to have such a young posting membership blatantly wrong or out right stupid posts must be tolerated and the rules insure this is the case. Much of the reason CFC gets more traffic is they get a lot of repeat traffic for the young and clueless who would be quickly ostracized over at poly for being stupid. Again this all connects back to the fact that poly's average user is in his 30's with around 10 years in a real career and normally at least a B.Sc. but more often a M.Sc. or a PHd while CFC's population seems to be mostly high school kids or college kids who have not yet graduated. Sure, there are exception in both cases but that observation is more true then not.
Please add your own observations.
The other main difference in moderation style seems to be that Apolyton treats people as big boys and girls letting them speak their minds, even if it is to call an idiot an idiot, where as at CFC you're never allowed to say the obvious no matter how well called for it is. Contrary to the claims some people here made in the other thread Apolyton does have great adult debates though people are expected to make mature and well reasoned arguments or else they'll be near universally derided. Again, since CFC tends to have such a young posting membership blatantly wrong or out right stupid posts must be tolerated and the rules insure this is the case. Much of the reason CFC gets more traffic is they get a lot of repeat traffic for the young and clueless who would be quickly ostracized over at poly for being stupid. Again this all connects back to the fact that poly's average user is in his 30's with around 10 years in a real career and normally at least a B.Sc. but more often a M.Sc. or a PHd while CFC's population seems to be mostly high school kids or college kids who have not yet graduated. Sure, there are exception in both cases but that observation is more true then not.
Please add your own observations.
