If anything is to blame its human nature which fills us with an irrational fear of failure and rejection. That's what makes engaging in social interaction so difficult. I don't think anyone suggesting that new players try to do just that is also suggesting that its easy. For many of us we've pointed out that its not, it really isn't easy at all. Its nonetheless the very best thing that any new RPer can do for meeting people.
There is no easy route, there is no panacea. One can simply hope that society and community will bend their way: that others will be willing to take the leap of faith that they are unwilling, or unable to take themselves. Some people will get lucky, they'll be in the right place at the right time, and that is exactly what will happen. But suggesting that people just sit there and hope is not very helpful.
My main goal is just to try to instill some hope and optimism. I want people who are new to realize that they are not alone in this, that they are not the first to face these problems, that many have come before, and many have succeeded in finding the sort of interactions and friends they're looking for. I want them to know that there is an entire community out there waiting to meet them. That there are dozens of potential friends waiting just on the other side of the screen. That there is reason for optimism, that there is reason for persistence, that there is reason to take that risk. To try to put away their anxiety and their fear, to know that if they can conquer it for just a few moments, a few times, there's a good chance that they will make some connections, some of which may be lasting.
There is literally no better advice I can offer, no better suggestion I can muster. There is no amount of finger-wagging or head-shaking toward the community that can do a fraction of the good as successfully encouraging just one individual to try to overcome their shyness and take that leap to meet new people.Â
There is no one to blame. There is no magic continuum from unpopular to popular to try to make meet in the middle. All there is of any real use is advice, and that's what we're doing our best to offer.
There is no easy route, there is no panacea. One can simply hope that society and community will bend their way: that others will be willing to take the leap of faith that they are unwilling, or unable to take themselves. Some people will get lucky, they'll be in the right place at the right time, and that is exactly what will happen. But suggesting that people just sit there and hope is not very helpful.
My main goal is just to try to instill some hope and optimism. I want people who are new to realize that they are not alone in this, that they are not the first to face these problems, that many have come before, and many have succeeded in finding the sort of interactions and friends they're looking for. I want them to know that there is an entire community out there waiting to meet them. That there are dozens of potential friends waiting just on the other side of the screen. That there is reason for optimism, that there is reason for persistence, that there is reason to take that risk. To try to put away their anxiety and their fear, to know that if they can conquer it for just a few moments, a few times, there's a good chance that they will make some connections, some of which may be lasting.
There is literally no better advice I can offer, no better suggestion I can muster. There is no amount of finger-wagging or head-shaking toward the community that can do a fraction of the good as successfully encouraging just one individual to try to overcome their shyness and take that leap to meet new people.Â
There is no one to blame. There is no magic continuum from unpopular to popular to try to make meet in the middle. All there is of any real use is advice, and that's what we're doing our best to offer.
![[Image: 21282370099_a814a08664_o.png]](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/590/21282370099_a814a08664_o.png)
