@GraceNote Moderators serve as the caregivers and cultivators of the community. They carefully cultivate an environment where good questions can flourish whilst weeding out bad questions and other noise. They encourage new users. They listen and respond thoughtfully, respectfully, and constructively to complaints. They act as a kind of face to the community, always trying to bring out the very best within themselves and those around them.

@TimStone I do feel that meta is perhaps less lively than it should be. I think meta feedback should still be given due consideration. I do think more people should be encouraged to participate in meta, to have their voices heard. I want Meta to be where the site is built, not just a reservoir for dealing with complaints, though it should still serve that purpose.

@GraceNote I may not downvote but I do leave comments on posts as to why they might be seen or are a poor fit for the site. I have little problem closing questions in keeping with closing as a "room for improvement" option rather than "Path of Death". I understand that it may make me seem "soft" or "out of touch" but I don't downvote because I feel that it serves as a "we hate you" sign toward new users. Leaving a comment has often resulted in a more reasoned reaction than "ZOMG why you downvote!"

@PearsonArtPhoto It's going to depend on the evidence. As a moderator I have to look at the facts and consider what is best for the community, regardless of the individuals involved. A new member may be confused about scope, a veteran may be sore about seeing yet another insert bad question here. I have to read all sides and decide as fairly as I can in the general interest, not specific ones.

@GraceNote I've put some thought into this. It's a tricky thing to avoid a swarm on a question. The main thing to look for, in my view, are controversial but not immediately off topic questions that are likely to get a spike in views from people unfamiliar with site scope or just "me to!" answers. It's a tricky problem and one that may not be solved without some machine learning or other technical tweaks.

@PearsonArtPhoto Programmers is site where you can ask questions about abstract programming related topics like what algorithm to use for this case or that. Is this class structure good and if not why not? It's a part of a much larger network full of all kinds of interesting sites on a multitude of topics. All without most of the noise of the rest of the net.

@JimmyHoffa I'm going to listen to what they have to say first. If it makes sense, I'll take that approach. If it doesn't, I won't. The formost question is always "what is best for the community?". I'd take my ego out of the equation.

@GraceNote The most important job of a moderator is to serve the community. That doesn't mean being a pushover or a sycophant. It means carefully balancing the interests of everyone with the site. It means keeping things clean, it means listening carefully to concerns and complaints. It means offering a helping hand to newbies. It means pushing for a better site, no matter what.

@PearsonArtPhoto I've explained numerous times in comments to new users why their question is off-topic or otherwise has been given downvotes or comments they may not understand. I routinely go through the review queue and look at close votes and other such issues raised by the community. I participate in Meta, asking about things like whether a tag is good or not.

@GraceNote Dynamic. He cares very deeply about this community and I think firmly understands what the site is about.

@PearsonArtPhoto I think History questions that have answers that are more than just anecdotes or idle trivia are valuable. I think closing can serve as a useful flag that a question can be improved. Reopen votes exist for a reason.

@JimmyHoffa Some of the mods are less active perhaps than they could be.

@GraceNote I'd look at what exactly what causing these arguments and deal with it accordingly. I'd try to understand their point of view and empathize with their concerns whilst pushing for a more diplomatic approach on their part.

@PearsonArtPhoto I think the moderators as a whole are keeping the site pretty well moderated. I think more community projects might be in order as far spearheading and the like.

@GraceNote I will for better or worse, be in some sense, a face of the site. Everything I do will reflect on the site, good and bad. That's a great deal of responsibility. I think I'm ready but there's always that tiny doubt.

Did I miss anyone?

@YannisRizos I had to pick something.

@JimmyHoffa in that case, no.

@GraceNote I've grown to love this community over the 20 months I've been here. This place feels like home to me and I want to do whatever I can to ensure that it remains a great community. Does it have problems? Yes. But I believe those can be worked through and I want to help the community work through them.

@GraceNote Thank you for the thought provoking questions