I understand all the rules of the legit talk thread, and will obey them. If I am found to have broken any of the rules, I will refrain from posting in the thread for a week. I understand that the purpose of this thread is to try and maintain discussion in good faith
It took me most of the day to decide whether or not I should actually post in this thread. For obvious or less obvious reasons that is. But the more I considered it, the more I reflected over the months I've spent watching the boards, and watching the in game interactions....which compelled me to feel I'd like to speak on the matter of my findings, for whatever worth there is to them.
I DO think a thread like this can help, as long as it's watched over and the same behaviors that we are so concerned about don't flare up here. Understanding and communication will always be key.
I do feel the community has changed since I first started in the game. I do see a very different energy about, and it's concerning for certain. There is a larger focus on negativity. There is a greater magnification on a lot of ideas that tend to keep the tone at a low. There is a large sense of entitlement, coupled with being offended, slighted, or otherwise wronged. More often than not a thread is derailed with venom, or excuses and reasons why things won't work, than solutions and questions on how things CAN. That said, these are things I can't solve. That no one individual or conversation can either.
For one there are alot of new faces all over the place. And a lot of frustration spilling out at concepts like the old heads being an issue, or not having time for them. Of walled off groups that they just can't get into...There is also the stigma of how much drama unfolds on other social media sites that also sweeps into the community. People are more ready now, to raise torches and swarm than I've ever seen before. I don't remember the prevalence of either when I began, but with the influx of new and returning players and the like spilling in, I think the tone is different now, and the new people coming in are taking that as just how things are here. That the expectation becomes a negative environment whether they want that or not, which honestly saddens me.
There has to be a general turning down of the volume level on the griping and anger. On the tension and bad things, and more of a push towards the positive that foster growth as an actual community. No member here will ever be able to build it on their own, and if we all exist together, we must coexist in a fashion that promotes growth.
It's all of our stories, all happening in tandem in the same setting at the same time. I for one have never blocked out a player for their character, their lore, or their Rp ability. Every interaction, every time I meet a new person it's adding another block to the foundation of what is my Rp world. In that regard I remain open to every chance, I cherish each opportunity and will always root for the folks who are having trouble fitting in. People can and will say whatever they please about me, but I've always made the point to involve as many people as I can in the storylines I do, and the sense of a living, organic world that grew out of that is something I find sorely lacking the current environment.
Every single person here who brings forth their creativity into a new life in our communal world is important. We ALL pay the price of admission to this setting each month, and we are all equal. That is the only way this can be, the only way it can work. The walls have to be acknowledge as perceived, or torn down if they do exist at all. We each have to be kind to ourselves, and more so to those around us.
That's all I've got.
It took me most of the day to decide whether or not I should actually post in this thread. For obvious or less obvious reasons that is. But the more I considered it, the more I reflected over the months I've spent watching the boards, and watching the in game interactions....which compelled me to feel I'd like to speak on the matter of my findings, for whatever worth there is to them.
I DO think a thread like this can help, as long as it's watched over and the same behaviors that we are so concerned about don't flare up here. Understanding and communication will always be key.
I do feel the community has changed since I first started in the game. I do see a very different energy about, and it's concerning for certain. There is a larger focus on negativity. There is a greater magnification on a lot of ideas that tend to keep the tone at a low. There is a large sense of entitlement, coupled with being offended, slighted, or otherwise wronged. More often than not a thread is derailed with venom, or excuses and reasons why things won't work, than solutions and questions on how things CAN. That said, these are things I can't solve. That no one individual or conversation can either.
For one there are alot of new faces all over the place. And a lot of frustration spilling out at concepts like the old heads being an issue, or not having time for them. Of walled off groups that they just can't get into...There is also the stigma of how much drama unfolds on other social media sites that also sweeps into the community. People are more ready now, to raise torches and swarm than I've ever seen before. I don't remember the prevalence of either when I began, but with the influx of new and returning players and the like spilling in, I think the tone is different now, and the new people coming in are taking that as just how things are here. That the expectation becomes a negative environment whether they want that or not, which honestly saddens me.
There has to be a general turning down of the volume level on the griping and anger. On the tension and bad things, and more of a push towards the positive that foster growth as an actual community. No member here will ever be able to build it on their own, and if we all exist together, we must coexist in a fashion that promotes growth.
It's all of our stories, all happening in tandem in the same setting at the same time. I for one have never blocked out a player for their character, their lore, or their Rp ability. Every interaction, every time I meet a new person it's adding another block to the foundation of what is my Rp world. In that regard I remain open to every chance, I cherish each opportunity and will always root for the folks who are having trouble fitting in. People can and will say whatever they please about me, but I've always made the point to involve as many people as I can in the storylines I do, and the sense of a living, organic world that grew out of that is something I find sorely lacking the current environment.
Every single person here who brings forth their creativity into a new life in our communal world is important. We ALL pay the price of admission to this setting each month, and we are all equal. That is the only way this can be, the only way it can work. The walls have to be acknowledge as perceived, or torn down if they do exist at all. We each have to be kind to ourselves, and more so to those around us.
That's all I've got.
