So there is this question that I asked. In the first redaction, it was short and nice, and I liked it. Eventually people started to drop by and comment on how they do not like this or that aspect of the question. I introduced several edits to address the issues raised. Eventually a moderator came by and "put my question on hold", which is fundamentally the same as "closed". A conversation in chat where I tried to achieve understanding has been terminated as well.
- The comments I received are not consistent; indeed, two moderators clearly disagree in their judgement. I also disagree with the particulars of their judgement, but who cares.
- On a personal level, I am very unhappy with the way things are going, and especially with how one of the moderators has positioned himself.
- The question has, in the meanwhile, mutated into a mess that I cannot associate myself with.
This has been the most sad, bitter and laughable experience I ever had across Stack Exchange. I am considering to remove my question, and withdraw from this community. What are my alternatives?
P.S. I gather from other posts here on meta (examples: 1, 2, 3) that there is some kind of a crusade whereupon a clique of power users devoted to nudge this site towards research level take it on themselves to purge it of questions they find not to be up to their implied standard. This is of course not how Stack Exchange should work, but seeing how this group of, like, 5 people apparently constitutes the majority of visitors, it would be pointless to try and argue for a saner policy. Let this post be a warning to other good willing, curious lay people.
Turns out this is not news.
I would love to be pointed to the particular questions/answers where you feel we acted too soon or unjustly, and how it could have been handled in a better way.
So I point you. Your moderation is not only overboard. Your handling of the question in question is, first and foremost, poor. An early intervention has more effect than late. If it is a wrongful intervention, it will have more negative effect. If there are 4 independent, contradictory interventions, negative effect is multiplied.
Put a banner on top of your site, say it straight that your guidelines for asking questions here are much more strict than elsewhere on Stack Exchange, so it is better not to even try. You will save yourselves a lot of time, and the unwary visitor a lot of pain.