Tales of Moderation
@talesofmoderation.bsky.social
Made this as a way to talk about moderation more freely, to maintain some lists, to learn, and to share the occasional funny or scary story about it.
Good faith questions welcomed, bad faith questions and sealioning muted, rude replies blocked.
Good faith questions welcomed, bad faith questions and sealioning muted, rude replies blocked.
When moderators say that 95% of user-submitted reports are actually not rule violations, this silliness is one of the reasons.
Mass reporting doesn't accomplish what this person thinks it does.
Mass reporting doesn't accomplish what this person thinks it does.
October 20, 2025 at 4:00 AM
When moderators say that 95% of user-submitted reports are actually not rule violations, this silliness is one of the reasons.
Mass reporting doesn't accomplish what this person thinks it does.
Mass reporting doesn't accomplish what this person thinks it does.
A big-time pack creator unblocked today and dropped into the replies. Then reblocked. Here are the remnants. Just ignorance and weird accusations. So... top to bottom:
- No reports, and no labels from Bsky (*)
- Never claimed to be
- No it doesn't, try reading
* See next post about my labels
- No reports, and no labels from Bsky (*)
- Never claimed to be
- No it doesn't, try reading
* See next post about my labels
October 7, 2025 at 6:21 PM
A big-time pack creator unblocked today and dropped into the replies. Then reblocked. Here are the remnants. Just ignorance and weird accusations. So... top to bottom:
- No reports, and no labels from Bsky (*)
- Never claimed to be
- No it doesn't, try reading
* See next post about my labels
- No reports, and no labels from Bsky (*)
- Never claimed to be
- No it doesn't, try reading
* See next post about my labels
They police what lists they're added to, demand answers, make accusations and then.... lie. Today's "I don't follow farm and I would never post something untrue" example (and link to prior examples):
September 22, 2025 at 11:16 PM
They police what lists they're added to, demand answers, make accusations and then.... lie. Today's "I don't follow farm and I would never post something untrue" example (and link to prior examples):
This is an interesting (and frequent) complaint because of how it ignores their own actions, and is also just wrong.
1. It's never harassment because @skywatch.blue isn't sending those messages. You get them b/c you asked for them from @listifications.app
2. If Listifications is spamming you 1/
1. It's never harassment because @skywatch.blue isn't sending those messages. You get them b/c you asked for them from @listifications.app
2. If Listifications is spamming you 1/
![Bluesky post by @bannerite.bsky.social:
At what poing does this become harassment?
[image, unsurprisingly without alt-text, showing several repeated DMs from @listifications.app that read 'skywatch.blue has added you to the "Follow Farming" moderation list"]
Reply from @dcombes.bsky.social:
They & tales of moderation should have been gone a long time ago. They keep making new accounts🙁](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:z5bcct4dcydkgnat7pdfluiz/bafkreidk5s3fhiwkp6klweegdqtw2rzb242m2xcf3scuaqrau3bvhe6umy@jpeg)
September 15, 2025 at 7:07 PM
This is an interesting (and frequent) complaint because of how it ignores their own actions, and is also just wrong.
1. It's never harassment because @skywatch.blue isn't sending those messages. You get them b/c you asked for them from @listifications.app
2. If Listifications is spamming you 1/
1. It's never harassment because @skywatch.blue isn't sending those messages. You get them b/c you asked for them from @listifications.app
2. If Listifications is spamming you 1/
Here we are again. Petty nonsense. Mad about what amounts to nothing, then lying for no good reason. At least they finally had the good sense to block and move on.
September 8, 2025 at 5:26 AM
Here we are again. Petty nonsense. Mad about what amounts to nothing, then lying for no good reason. At least they finally had the good sense to block and move on.
When the farmers reach a follower milestone they usually celebrate with an AI slop-a-thon highlighting whatever number their faux clout has reached.
Well in that spirit, today this account hit 5000... people blocking it. Yay?
No AI donkey or fox images, though. Sorry/You're welcome!
Well in that spirit, today this account hit 5000... people blocking it. Yay?
No AI donkey or fox images, though. Sorry/You're welcome!
August 29, 2025 at 1:52 AM
When the farmers reach a follower milestone they usually celebrate with an AI slop-a-thon highlighting whatever number their faux clout has reached.
Well in that spirit, today this account hit 5000... people blocking it. Yay?
No AI donkey or fox images, though. Sorry/You're welcome!
Well in that spirit, today this account hit 5000... people blocking it. Yay?
No AI donkey or fox images, though. Sorry/You're welcome!
Ever 🌲 Green 🌲
August 16, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Ever 🌲 Green 🌲
Well done, Bluesky. Keep it up! Big farmer/booster got suspended two days ago, and within an hour the others in the ring started boosting a brand new account by dropping it into their starter packs and giving it the "special shout out" treatment.
It's suspended now, too.
It's suspended now, too.
August 12, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Well done, Bluesky. Keep it up! Big farmer/booster got suspended two days ago, and within an hour the others in the ring started boosting a brand new account by dropping it into their starter packs and giving it the "special shout out" treatment.
It's suspended now, too.
It's suspended now, too.
"Doctor Moobs" doesn't know the difference between feed/curated lists and moderation lists. But here's a link to an explanation.
Hey and if finding out you're on unflattering lists makes you this upset, maybe your Bluesky experience would be better if you ditched listifications?
Hey and if finding out you're on unflattering lists makes you this upset, maybe your Bluesky experience would be better if you ditched listifications?
![Bluesky post by @doctormoobs.bsky.social: Oh, looky here. Someone loves to add people indiscriminately to block lists because they feel like they are the true owners of Bluesky but don't like being rightfully added to a list themselves.
Someone needs to take a long, hard look at themselves and how they live their lives.
😆
Blocked.
[screen shot of listifications DM, for which he unsurprisingly did not add alt-text]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:z5bcct4dcydkgnat7pdfluiz/bafkreibm4ewix46mvwcbaxjdigmuq5yz324kgihjss4nvlakzgd34c3lsa@jpeg)
August 11, 2025 at 12:59 AM
"Doctor Moobs" doesn't know the difference between feed/curated lists and moderation lists. But here's a link to an explanation.
Hey and if finding out you're on unflattering lists makes you this upset, maybe your Bluesky experience would be better if you ditched listifications?
Hey and if finding out you're on unflattering lists makes you this upset, maybe your Bluesky experience would be better if you ditched listifications?
If you subscribe to the farming/misinfo list, you won't be surprised to learn that this person who 1) claims comments are not allowed and 2) talks about being here "since the start of Bluesky" created their account in November of 2024.
August 9, 2025 at 7:22 PM
If you subscribe to the farming/misinfo list, you won't be surprised to learn that this person who 1) claims comments are not allowed and 2) talks about being here "since the start of Bluesky" created their account in November of 2024.
"Why am I on this list? I have no idea how I got on so many starter packs! It's a mystery!"
Mysteries... reveeeeeealllled!
Yes, this person belongs on the follow farming list. Repeatedly lying about it confirms that they're not above a little disinformation, too.
Mysteries... reveeeeeealllled!
Yes, this person belongs on the follow farming list. Repeatedly lying about it confirms that they're not above a little disinformation, too.
July 27, 2025 at 3:12 AM
"Why am I on this list? I have no idea how I got on so many starter packs! It's a mystery!"
Mysteries... reveeeeeealllled!
Yes, this person belongs on the follow farming list. Repeatedly lying about it confirms that they're not above a little disinformation, too.
Mysteries... reveeeeeealllled!
Yes, this person belongs on the follow farming list. Repeatedly lying about it confirms that they're not above a little disinformation, too.
Two things that show up rather often in the mentions:
1) Wrongly assuming that using tons of starter packs means *creating* them.
2) Equating follow farming with bots. They are usually different things and this list doesn't search for bots.
1) Wrongly assuming that using tons of starter packs means *creating* them.
2) Equating follow farming with bots. They are usually different things and this list doesn't search for bots.
July 24, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Two things that show up rather often in the mentions:
1) Wrongly assuming that using tons of starter packs means *creating* them.
2) Equating follow farming with bots. They are usually different things and this list doesn't search for bots.
1) Wrongly assuming that using tons of starter packs means *creating* them.
2) Equating follow farming with bots. They are usually different things and this list doesn't search for bots.
What you call "strength in numbers" (i.e. everyone has 10k+ followers) is not useful here.
Farming is not "building community", in fact it does the opposite because you never consistently read who you follow, so you rarely make a new and meaningful connections.
Farming is not "building community", in fact it does the opposite because you never consistently read who you follow, so you rarely make a new and meaningful connections.
July 22, 2025 at 9:31 PM
What you call "strength in numbers" (i.e. everyone has 10k+ followers) is not useful here.
Farming is not "building community", in fact it does the opposite because you never consistently read who you follow, so you rarely make a new and meaningful connections.
Farming is not "building community", in fact it does the opposite because you never consistently read who you follow, so you rarely make a new and meaningful connections.
Surprising and disappointing to know this rather unknown list lives rent free in follow farmers’ heads.
This person repeats 70,000 like it’s the gospel but the list only has maybe 8k entries so far. Guess their love of Big Fake Number remains undefeated.
Btw the list has also never been hidden.
This person repeats 70,000 like it’s the gospel but the list only has maybe 8k entries so far. Guess their love of Big Fake Number remains undefeated.
Btw the list has also never been hidden.
July 13, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Surprising and disappointing to know this rather unknown list lives rent free in follow farmers’ heads.
This person repeats 70,000 like it’s the gospel but the list only has maybe 8k entries so far. Guess their love of Big Fake Number remains undefeated.
Btw the list has also never been hidden.
This person repeats 70,000 like it’s the gospel but the list only has maybe 8k entries so far. Guess their love of Big Fake Number remains undefeated.
Btw the list has also never been hidden.
It's weird how obviously false some of these accounts reveal themselves to be when they get put in the disinfo list. Here's one example (see image and alt text for more details):
Using a sock-puppet account to make it look like an extra person is on your side? It's proof you belong on the list.
Using a sock-puppet account to make it look like an extra person is on your side? It's proof you belong on the list.
July 7, 2025 at 11:24 PM
It's weird how obviously false some of these accounts reveal themselves to be when they get put in the disinfo list. Here's one example (see image and alt text for more details):
Using a sock-puppet account to make it look like an extra person is on your side? It's proof you belong on the list.
Using a sock-puppet account to make it look like an extra person is on your side? It's proof you belong on the list.
The Google AI summary got mad at me for tweaking the interaction settings. 😂
June 30, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The Google AI summary got mad at me for tweaking the interaction settings. 😂
"Community" is apparently 15,000 people in one room, all shouting at the ceiling?
No, it doesn't matter that your intentions are good.
Your replies show you absolutely care about follower counts.
The "wall" you're building is preventing the kind of personal connections that actually matter.
No, it doesn't matter that your intentions are good.
Your replies show you absolutely care about follower counts.
The "wall" you're building is preventing the kind of personal connections that actually matter.
June 30, 2025 at 1:03 AM
"Community" is apparently 15,000 people in one room, all shouting at the ceiling?
No, it doesn't matter that your intentions are good.
Your replies show you absolutely care about follower counts.
The "wall" you're building is preventing the kind of personal connections that actually matter.
No, it doesn't matter that your intentions are good.
Your replies show you absolutely care about follower counts.
The "wall" you're building is preventing the kind of personal connections that actually matter.
Another day, another person making up a self-congratulatory story about why they were added to a list.
Once again they make fun of the follower count. That, of course, has never mattered to me here, but it tells us what matters to "Whiny the Elder" (apt name, btw).
Once again they make fun of the follower count. That, of course, has never mattered to me here, but it tells us what matters to "Whiny the Elder" (apt name, btw).
June 23, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Another day, another person making up a self-congratulatory story about why they were added to a list.
Once again they make fun of the follower count. That, of course, has never mattered to me here, but it tells us what matters to "Whiny the Elder" (apt name, btw).
Once again they make fun of the follower count. That, of course, has never mattered to me here, but it tells us what matters to "Whiny the Elder" (apt name, btw).
Another example. They consistently mock follower counts because they link it with clout, which is ironic because as farmers, they still don't have any despite making Number Go Up.
They tell themselves a story about me. Fun fact: This list is very easy to maintain.
They tell themselves a story about me. Fun fact: This list is very easy to maintain.
June 15, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Another example. They consistently mock follower counts because they link it with clout, which is ironic because as farmers, they still don't have any despite making Number Go Up.
They tell themselves a story about me. Fun fact: This list is very easy to maintain.
They tell themselves a story about me. Fun fact: This list is very easy to maintain.
Another week another story. This person also sent a similarly-unhinged DM before blocking. Apparently they think the word 'farming' in the list title refers to growing crops for food.
How would this person ever recognize propaganda?
How would this person ever recognize propaganda?
June 13, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Another week another story. This person also sent a similarly-unhinged DM before blocking. Apparently they think the word 'farming' in the list title refers to growing crops for food.
How would this person ever recognize propaganda?
How would this person ever recognize propaganda?
This week's example...
When you understand nothing, you'll fall for anything.
But the follower count shaming is the laugh line, here. Shows us what they prioritize above all else.
Meanwhile their 11K farmed followers net them about 20 likes on a post *at most*.
sigh, indeed.
When you understand nothing, you'll fall for anything.
But the follower count shaming is the laugh line, here. Shows us what they prioritize above all else.
Meanwhile their 11K farmed followers net them about 20 likes on a post *at most*.
sigh, indeed.
June 9, 2025 at 10:51 PM
This week's example...
When you understand nothing, you'll fall for anything.
But the follower count shaming is the laugh line, here. Shows us what they prioritize above all else.
Meanwhile their 11K farmed followers net them about 20 likes on a post *at most*.
sigh, indeed.
When you understand nothing, you'll fall for anything.
But the follower count shaming is the laugh line, here. Shows us what they prioritize above all else.
Meanwhile their 11K farmed followers net them about 20 likes on a post *at most*.
sigh, indeed.
They don't know the difference between followers and following. You can helpfully remind them, and they will smugly insist you are still wrong.
Individuals like this are easily duped by misinformation.
Individuals like this are easily duped by misinformation.
June 5, 2025 at 10:37 PM
They don't know the difference between followers and following. You can helpfully remind them, and they will smugly insist you are still wrong.
Individuals like this are easily duped by misinformation.
Individuals like this are easily duped by misinformation.
Today's tale is two parts. 1) Threaten legal action over a block list, @chrissysea.bsky.social drops into the replies to 'splain libel/slander.
2) Same two ppl. One reposts a false statement Trump never made, and @stepintoknowing.com engages uncritically with it.
See: The mod list's title.
2) Same two ppl. One reposts a false statement Trump never made, and @stepintoknowing.com engages uncritically with it.
See: The mod list's title.
June 2, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Today's tale is two parts. 1) Threaten legal action over a block list, @chrissysea.bsky.social drops into the replies to 'splain libel/slander.
2) Same two ppl. One reposts a false statement Trump never made, and @stepintoknowing.com engages uncritically with it.
See: The mod list's title.
2) Same two ppl. One reposts a false statement Trump never made, and @stepintoknowing.com engages uncritically with it.
See: The mod list's title.
Literally anyone using the block button is judging whether you're worthy to follow or not, schmoozy.
This person has deemed almost 7000 people unworthy *using lists* and another 2500 directly. Zero self-awareness. Would be easily duped by disinformation.
This person has deemed almost 7000 people unworthy *using lists* and another 2500 directly. Zero self-awareness. Would be easily duped by disinformation.
May 28, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Literally anyone using the block button is judging whether you're worthy to follow or not, schmoozy.
This person has deemed almost 7000 people unworthy *using lists* and another 2500 directly. Zero self-awareness. Would be easily duped by disinformation.
This person has deemed almost 7000 people unworthy *using lists* and another 2500 directly. Zero self-awareness. Would be easily duped by disinformation.
