If not why would they devote so much time editing questions and so forth?
What do they get in return for these services?
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
0
Add a comment
|
2 Answers
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
5
Paid? No.
What do I get? Well, aside from the thrill of power there is the warm glow of a job well done and they sent me a Stack Exchange Tee-shirt so that all may know me for the geek I am.
Update Dec, 2012 StackExchange is making charitable donations in the names of community moderators, which feels like a kind of compensation to me
answered Aug 14, 2011 at 3:09
dmckee --- ex-moderator kittendmckee --- ex-moderator kitten
84.1k1 gold badge34 silver badges86 bronze badges
-
$\begingroup$ seems like stack exchanges in general provide a useful service to people... I don't see why a useful service should be provided for free if it takes up a qualified person's time. I guess stackoverflow.com is not gonna introduce a premium subscriber option--- as it sort of goes against what this movement is all about--- free flow of ideas $\endgroup$– TimtamAug 14, 2011 at 3:11
-
$\begingroup$ I figure it as an extension of the duties that are expected (but not enforced) of a high rep user. Check out the privileges page to see what sort of cool tool can be yours with enough effort. $\endgroup$ Aug 14, 2011 at 3:16
-
1$\begingroup$ @Timtam: I can't find the reference right now, but I'm pretty sure the idea of a premium subscriber option was raised (and immediately denied by the people in charge) on Meta Stack Overflow. $\endgroup$– David ZAug 14, 2011 at 3:53
-
$\begingroup$ Once Stackexchange starts to get revenue some way, the moderators will need to be paid. I can't see stackexchange becmoning another Wikipedia $\endgroup$ Aug 31, 2011 at 15:09
-
$\begingroup$ Note that Stackexchange is 'addictive' because answering questions is more attractive than learning difficult concepts (deliberate practice). $\endgroup$– raindropDec 21, 2012 at 5:07
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
5
(But seriously, remember that community moderators are democratically elected. See http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2010/12/stack-exchange-moderator-elections-begin/ for details on that. So you might well ask, "why does anyone run for public office?")
-
1$\begingroup$ i'm pretty sure public office jobs come with a salary and cushy benefits $\endgroup$– TimtamAug 14, 2011 at 5:19
-
2$\begingroup$ yes, but for the cushy benefits, see above image. $\endgroup$ Aug 14, 2011 at 5:48
-
7$\begingroup$ ooh, does this mean we get to shoot lightning out of our hands? $\endgroup$– David ZAug 14, 2011 at 18:53
-
$\begingroup$ Power wears out those who don't have it ;-) $\endgroup$– SklivvzAug 17, 2011 at 12:42
-
$\begingroup$ Members of school boards often aren't paid :P $\endgroup$ Aug 17, 2011 at 19:17