I can't help but feel many of these problems could be significantly alleviated by the moderation team adhering to the core rules of the subreddit themselves.

It's not that I mind seeing things like critiquing artists who haven't asked for it in a less than constructive fashion; they know the regulars here well enough to predict whether offense is going to be incurred within a reasonable degree if accuracy. I feel that falls well within the permissible boundaries of the spirit of the rule, even if not the text.

But to see comments like this? And taking place inside the sub, no less? That is where I feel outsiders become motivated to treat the mod team differently than the every bit as ban and delete happy mods over at /r/science, who run quite a stern ship indeed.

What's more, I feel it turns potential participants in the community away as well. No offense intended, but it's the reason why I don't really have any plans to post here again, I'm already a little worried this post it going to be deleted despite my utmost efforts to remain entirely reasonable and respectful.

I guess it boils down to rule one: "Mods can do whatever they want, whenever they want". I understand the need for such a rule, when people are watching your every move for the slightest slip up or whatever, but it needs to be said that it just doesn't work when members of the team are saying things like "I can see your vagina from here, you big baby."

That kind of conduct is hurtful to everyone, and at the very least should be limited to private messages. I don't want to have to worry that my judge, jury, and executioner might treat me differently because they don't like which pair of chromosomes I was born with, or whatever.

That's just not conducive to a positive atmosphere.