Just a couple of thoughts.
Of course moderators are human too, so we should expect no less or more than human behavior.
Alas one persons enthusiasm can be another persons aggression. Some new posters enthusiastic expression is often regarded as aggression by some members. Perhaps some more tolerance is warranted.
Years ago, some old-timers may remember, some op was asking inane questions and generally making inane remarks. I still do not know if it was a seriously inept person or a troll, but the responses by some members, that I had grown to respect, was atrocious and then result was a highly fragmented community. It did recover a while down the road.
Maybe if a moderator thinks a discussion is going nowhere they should ask and get an opinion before locking. Of course some threads are clearly out of hand and moderators should not hesitate to lock it.
Anyway moderators are appreciated, mostly.
adios
sunland