C'kayah, I couldn't nod my head any harder to that statement about the Town Square posts, and I believe there's a valid point to be explored here;
I've read through the plethora of posts regarding the whole ERP fiasco, the Miqo'te Slavery thread, etc. and I haven't once commented because I just didn't think it was an issue worth discussing beyond "RP how ya want to, live and let live." but it appears that the more people have discussed it, the bigger the issue it's become. And now the labelling of threads? This, to me, feels very much like a reaction based on a narrow-minded precedence. Let me give you an example:
Why now, not in response to the threads in the Town Square? I may be out of line for suggesting thing, but I heavily suspect it is because of the quality of the content delivered. When something is written out for us in literate fashion, we tend to give it some allowance despite the graphic or shocking depiction of events therein. In this case, with RP, it requires the person observing to appreciate that other people are involved, the story has not been predetermined and cannot be guaranteed as a quality piece of literacy. The proposition of an unknown is always more disturbing than a history of what has already happened. Another small example:
"Rohan Balthev's life has been a disturbing path, consisting of frequent raping, torturing, and slavery of young women."
or
"I'm looking for someone to be a captive young woman to my character, Rohan Balthev. Rape, torture and slavery should be expected."
Which brings up the most red flags in your mind? Which seems immediately the most offensive?
I've read through the plethora of posts regarding the whole ERP fiasco, the Miqo'te Slavery thread, etc. and I haven't once commented because I just didn't think it was an issue worth discussing beyond "RP how ya want to, live and let live." but it appears that the more people have discussed it, the bigger the issue it's become. And now the labelling of threads? This, to me, feels very much like a reaction based on a narrow-minded precedence. Let me give you an example:
- Someone makes a sword, uses it to go out and slay all manner of beasties and nasty things. Everyone knows what the sword is and what it does. It becomes a prolific tool.
- Now someone uses a sword to slay someone else. Scandal, understandably. The person is vilified and the sword is now feared for it's potential use against another person.
- Despite the long history of usefulness and versatility the sword has maintained, it's now seen as something potentially dangerous, even though it is merely a tool and the fault lay with the vast minority of people who would exploit it. So now it's required that only registered people may carry swords.
- Registered people use these swords for killing beasties and nasty things and people are placated because that should technically mean only responsible people should be wielding them. The unregistered miss out and must rely on people who can use a sword rather than utilizing one themselves.
- A registered person uses a sword to slay someone else. Scandal again, because someone who was supposed to be responsible with a sword has betrayed the trust of the people. The person's fault, but the tool again is vilified and as a result, now it is required that swords be outlawed entirely due to the fact that someone could potentially use it to slay another person.
- Now no one has access to a sword, but the people who would abuse them are still out there. No fault lay with the tool, but now through narrow thinking everyone who could have benefited from it's use has to go without.
Why now, not in response to the threads in the Town Square? I may be out of line for suggesting thing, but I heavily suspect it is because of the quality of the content delivered. When something is written out for us in literate fashion, we tend to give it some allowance despite the graphic or shocking depiction of events therein. In this case, with RP, it requires the person observing to appreciate that other people are involved, the story has not been predetermined and cannot be guaranteed as a quality piece of literacy. The proposition of an unknown is always more disturbing than a history of what has already happened. Another small example:
"Rohan Balthev's life has been a disturbing path, consisting of frequent raping, torturing, and slavery of young women."
or
"I'm looking for someone to be a captive young woman to my character, Rohan Balthev. Rape, torture and slavery should be expected."
Which brings up the most red flags in your mind? Which seems immediately the most offensive?
