- How would you deal with a user who produced a steady stream of valuable answers, but tends to generate a large number of arguments/flags from comments?
I've certainly generated a few flags from my own comments (often memorialized on my profile page), and I have experience with how the then current moderators (for which I have nothing but the utmost respect) approached those comments / flags. Generally speaking, I would remind the valuable contributor to make my life as a moderator less needlessly tedious than it needs to be.
- How would you handle a situation where another mod closed/deleted/etc. a question that you feel shouldn’t have been?
I expect that to happen and, unless an egregious pattern develops, I wouldn't consider a one-off closed/deleted/etc. a situation to handled.
- What are major challenges specific to PSE?
Keeping the site interesting for old-timers and newbies alike.
- Are there any PSE site policies that you find insufficient for the problem they try to solve, superfluous, or even actively harmful to the site? In the case where these policies cannot/will not be changed, how will you make sure to adhere to and promote these policies despite not agreeing with them?
There are no perfect policies. Understanding that adhering to a non-perfect policy is something one essentially agrees to when one accepts the role of moderator is essential isn't it? Not that one can't work to change a policy while as a moderator but, while it is a policy, it is a policy to be upheld, right? The alternative is to resign.
- What, if anything, would you do with a user who posts a steady stream of polite answers that derail questions to talk about their own personal theories, while not technically breaking any rules?
If a user is not technically breaking the rules then, clearly, it is the community's job to find a solution.
- How well do you think your previous behavior and actions on PSE have aligned with current PSE site policies? Do you think this will change at all if you are a moderator, and if so, how?
It's been awhile since I've been active here, and maybe that is best aligned with current PSE policies.
- Site policies need interpretation and interpretation of rules is never like proving a mathematical theorem. Moderators could play an important role in maintaining coherence in the interpretation of the site policies. However, elected moderators should act as an expression of their community. Do you think discussions here in Physics Meta could help? In the case of a positive answer, do you think this mechanism could or should be improved? How? In the case of a negative answer, why?
I pretty sure one policy is to not ask too many questions in one post.
- In your opinion, what do moderators do?
In my opinion, moderators more or less continually ask why in the heck they asked for this job. I can't imagine why anyone would want the position.
- A diamond will be attached to everything you say and have said in the past, including questions, answers and comments. Everything you will do will be seen under a different light. How do you feel about that?
It's a sobering thought.
- In what way do you feel that being a moderator will make you more effective as opposed to simply reaching 10k or 20k rep?
I don't think I'll be more effective. But honestly, someone's got to do this job and, I've learned so much here that I feel a debt that needs to be paid.