You're outta here!

I was given a demotion earlier today. It's nothing serious, and nothing professional. I was a moderator on a large social media site for a specific topic and the so-called "lead moderator" removed for me lack of respect.

I'm not going to lie, I don't respect him. Ever known a person who gets a little inkling of power and lets it get to their head? Yeah, that was this guy. I thought I was hiding my contempt quite well, but looking back, clearly not. Anyhoo... he was lead moderator by the sake of a random algorithm or luck of the draw, not through any actual knowledge, merit or tenure.

But he used that title and the few additional powers that granted him, to decide debates etc. Disagree with him about the way forward? He'd do it anyway under the guise of being "lead moderator". Make a decision he didn't like? He'd reverse it because he was the "lead moderator".

One of those people who always needs to have the final word? Yeah. 

He also hates feeling like he's been outdone. Which is why I think he's eventually cracked and removed me. You know the kind of person who replies to a message, ponders on it for ages, then replies again later in a longer, more ranty way? Yeah, he's one of those.

"You've done this thing that I've done loads, but I don't like your attitude, so I'm removing you" 

But he didn't say that first. He removed me without ever addressing any concerns that he had that apparently go back months.

The thing that I did was on Monday (I turned off a small feature in our community that barely anyone uses), but he's been stewing on this all week. You could sense it.

But for some reason, despite the fact I don't like the guy, despite the fact I was probably going to quit anyway and despite the fact it's only online rubbish, it's actually made me quite anxious. I don't do confrontation well, even something as inconsequential and impersonal as an internet argument.

I have replied to him, not to ask to be a moderator again but to point out his hypocrisy. I expect a reply, probably with some further accusations (his original one was that I am not a team player) and then be blocked... because he always has to have the last word.

The reality is, I think, he views me as a challenger to his position even though there's literally nothing I can do about it.