MHB What happens if you get into a kerfuffle with a Stack Exchange mod?

[polygamma]

I had some mildly not very nice words for a moderator on Stack Exchange.

I tried to end a long conversation that we were having in the comments section in a cordial way. It was my fault for dragging it on so long. But his response just came across as condescending, so I told him that I didn't think that was nice.

I'm probably going to get banned. (Worried)


Integrating $\int \frac{e^{ipx}}{(\cos x)^{a}} \frac{dx}{x- \xi}$ - Mathematics Stack Exchange

 

[Guest2]

The conversation is way above my head, but I would be shocked if you get banned for that.

 

[MarkFL]

If you want my objective honest opinion, I didn't see where the user "robjohn" was being condescending; it looks to me like he is sincerely trying to help. I mean this constructively and without malice: it looks to me that you were just a bit overly sensitive regarding his use of quotes around the words "branch cut."

I would say your last comment was a bit over the top, where you say he is trying to hammer home how "stupid you are." However, I would think a good moderator would not see this as a bannable offense. At most, a PM to advise you of your tone would be called for in my opinion. :D

 

[Sudharaka]

I had some mildly not very nice words for a moderator on Stack Exchange.

I tried to end a long conversation that we were having in the comments section in a cordial way. It was my fault for dragging it on so long. But his response just came across as condescending, so I told him that I didn't think that was nice.

I'm probably going to get banned. (Worried)


Integrating $\int \frac{e^{ipx}}{(\cos x)^{a}} \frac{dx}{x- \xi}$ - Mathematics Stack Exchange

As Mark already had indicated I also don't think you will be banned for that. You might not even get a PM warning if you haven't made that final comment I guess. My honest opinion is that you went a bit too far with that final comment and some other comments such as "I like how you addressed the comment to me as if there might be confusion about to whom it was directed". But by the look of his replies I have the feeling he won't take any serious action against this. So don't worry. :D

 

[polygamma]

I deleted my last comment in the off chance he never read it.

And that other comment was just to lighten the mood because we had been going back and forth in the same thread for so long.

We've actually done this before, that is, engage in these seemingly never-ending conversations in the comments section. They basically involve him telling me I'm wrong over and over and over again.

 

[Guest2]

I deleted my last comment in the off chance he never read it.

If he's moderator, he (and other moderators) could still see it I'm afraid. I don't think you've anything to worry about, though.

 

[polygamma]

It would appear that someone on here doesn't like me very much because they just took the unusal step of upvoting every single one of robjohn's comments. Thanks. (Sadface)

 

[MarkFL]

It would appear that someone on here doesn't like me very much because they just took the unusal step of upvoting every single one of robjohn's comments. Thanks. (Sadface)

I suspect that whoever upvoted the other person's comments was not someone directed to that thread from here. It could be that another moderator there, having access to your deleted comment did so, but I think it is more likely that another member there simply felt his comments were helpful and upvoted them not in the spirit of going against you, but simply to show appreciation to someone posting help.

I really wouldn't worry too much about this...you took action to remove your comment, and so you acted in the best interest of that site once you thought about the tone of the comment.

If it were me, I would thank the other user for his help, and be satisfied that in the end you did the right thing, and I know if I was a moderator there, and saw that you deleted the questionable comment, I would look upon you as having done the right thing, and would hold no ill will towards you.

Everyone makes mistakes at times posting, and to me, the real measure of a person is whether they own up to having made the mistake or not. You did this by deleting the comment, and so I think you can feel good about having done so. :D

 

[mathbalarka]

I'd have jumped in that discussion if I have had time enough. I simply see robjohn using a little "you-don't-know" kind of conversational speech, but that isn't nearly condensing. As for the mathematics, I am partial to robjohn and skeptically sticking to the formal method of finding branch cuts. (DON'T KILL ME! :D)

At most, a PM to advise you of your tone would be called for in my opinion.

To those who are familiar with the ways of stackexchange, I believe there is no such thing as 'PM'ing there. That is the first step to a large difference of a Q&A site and a forum. Nevertheless, a gallery chatroom might be the exactly what they need... if they need... well, nevermind.

If he's moderator, he (and other moderators) could still see it I'm afraid.

Indeed, and that's not always nice :(

It would appear that someone on here doesn't like me very much because they just took the unusal step of upvoting every single one of robjohn's comments.

Eh, that's actually nothing compared to what I've faced before. Ever heard of Cereal downvotes, mate?

but I think it is more likely that another member there simply felt his comments were helpful and upvoted them not in the spirit of going against you, but simply to show appreciation to someone posting help

Unlikely.

 

[polygamma]

As for the mathematics, I am partial to robjohn and skeptically sticking to the formal method of finding branch cuts.

I must have read only the informal textbooks.

 

[Fantini]

Eh, that's actually nothing compared to what I've faced before. Ever heard of Cereal downvotes, mate?

I haven't. Only serial downvoting, hahahaha. ;) Besides, serial downvoting gets usually undone by the system bot and isn't much of a concern.

As for the conversation, I don't know complex analysis that well but I didn't feel robjohn was condenscending. I agree with Mark: you were possibly overly sensitive and that resulted in a different interpretation of how he was presenting his argument. I also agree with others that no dire consequences will result (banning) from this, since you deleted a comment and tried to avoid further confrontation. :)

 

[mathbalarka]

I haven't. Only serial downvoting, hahahaha

Quite a bit of a good morning breakfasts they are. IIIIIT'S CRUNNCHEEY! (Wait, so you are in MSE too?)

 

[Fantini]

Yep, Balarka Sen. ;)

 

[Sudharaka]

It would appear that someone on here doesn't like me very much because they just took the unusal step of upvoting every single one of robjohn's comments. Thanks. (Sadface)

I am really sorry about this, but I am the one who up voted those comments. It's not because I don't like you, but rather because I read each and every one of his comments and normally (as you may see even here) I thank a reply to a post whenever I read it. This is of course a unusual thing to do but I don't take it very seriously as I believe saying thank you to someone (specially by clicking a small link) doesn't even worth sometimes for the effort and time the person had spent on the question. :)

I take the whole point of thanking quite lightheartedly and never thought that something like this could arise. So please I do apologize if you felt that I don't like you. :D

I suspect that whoever upvoted the other person's comments was not someone directed to that thread from here. It could be that another moderator there, having access to your deleted comment did so, but I think it is more likely that another member there simply felt his comments were helpful and upvoted them not in the spirit of going against you, but simply to show appreciation to someone posting help.

Sorry to disappoint you, but you seems to be wrong this time. :p

 

[Nono713]

I am really sorry about this, but I am the one who up voted those comments. It's not because I don't like you, but rather because I read each and every one of his comments and normally (as you may see even here) I thank a reply to a post whenever I read it. This is of course a unusual thing to do but I don't take it very seriously as I believe saying thank you to someone (specially by clicking a small link) doesn't even worth sometimes for the effort and time the person had spent on the question. :)

IMHO (and no offense) thanking every single post you read is about as useful as not thanking anything at all. It doesn't actually follow the idea of "I find this post particularly good, so I thank it", defeating the whole system. But that's just my own interpretation of the thanking system, I guess.

 

[polygamma]

Robjohn and I came to an understanding. It's all good.

And I found the flaw in my thinking.

I somehow failed to realize that $\cos z$ is also real and negative along the lines $\text{Re}(z) = (2n+1) \pi$.

Making those additional cuts gives a domain on which $\log(\cos z)$ is single valued.

But the domain is very restrictive and not useful for that problem.