Cliques, Popularity, and Positivity

[g0ne]

Positivity is something that I think we have all needed a heavy dose of in the past couple of days.

 

:bouncy:

 

Ooh! Ooh!

 

Pick me!! May I try and spread positivity?! Pick me! Pick me! :3

 

Pick me, I say!!

 

(Right now I feel like Benny from the Lego Movie going SPACESHIP! SPACESHIP! SPACESHIP!)

[Sophia_Grave]

It makes me sad that stuff like this has to be said at all. Every one of these threads that pop up after whatever weekly argument are essentially 'How to be decent to other people 101'. (Not that I don't support this, I pretty much agree 100% Faye)

[No Longer Exists]

I am skeptical about this topic, given how the rant thread became a colossal waste of time.

 

However, I am yet again the example against the notion that cliques, popularity, etc are worthy of being demonized. As such, I feel I should at least sound off once on this subject. Understand, dear reader, that because of yesterday's nonsense, even I am reluctant to engage in discussions at this point and I LOVE to talk. At any rate, on to the point.

 

 

I am a Time Lord around here. I jump from server to server willy nilly because I can and I enjoy seeing new things happening. Whenever someone from a non-balmung world pops up with a "HAY, WE RP OVER HERE" post, I hop in my big blue police box and twirl my way over there to check it out. I make a few friends, meet interesting people and eventually go off on my merry way again to check out the next budding hub or to hang out with some folks back on Balmung and even Gilgamesh. I have no clique. I possibly have some semblance of popularity or notoriety depending upon how one perceives this merry ole hat of mine. I -know- many of you in one form or another, through various mediums of communication surrounding the game itself.

 

I told no one that I played Zealous Oak, except for my FCmates on Balmung in The Red Wings when I mentioned my RPC name. Even Warren was like "ZOMG, I had no idea that was you!" and that's how I roll because my clique is anyone with the word "roleplayer" in their description. That's how most of us are, even those "accused" of that most hated word: Elitism.

 

In fact, the OP of this thread and I go way back, when I played Lukas Valenwood in HoD. We even stood on opposite sides of drama at one point and I took to heart a breach of her trust and confidence when that happened. Even though we only knew each other through the game, standing against her at that time made me feel very low. So low, in fact, that I went out of my way to swallow my pride and apologize. In time, I jumped into my blue box and wandered off to a new dimension as is my way and when I came back to Balmung, I immediately requested to return to HoD. I was denied and I understood why, so no hard feelings were involved. To this day, my personal feelings about Faye and HoD are joyful ones. We're roleplayers and that makes us part of a clique, no matter what.

 

Now, because I flit about from world to world like a caffeinated gnat, my time spent is separated into small chunks (until lately, when I settled in on Balmung again). Am I ignoring people? Am I favoring one person or a group over another? YES, actually. I am. And if that was your platform for hating on me, I would readily agree with you. I am favoring whoever I'm with at that specific moment over anyone else simply because I'm having a good time ROLEPLAYING.

 

My concern with this recent outcry of popularity, cliquishness, etc, and the apparent position that everyone should include everyone else at every moment of every day is that it's exhaustingly impossible to please everyone and no one should be expected to try. Last night, five things happened in my hour and a half of RP. Note: ONE HOUR AND THIRTY MINUTES IS ALL I HAD TO ROLEPLAY. These are the things that happened:

 

* Oak had a brief conversation with Cliodhna.

* Oak was approached by Artemis Newton and Edda Vincents. Artemis bought him a drink.

* Lynx ran up and hugged Oak then ran away.

* John Waterstrike avoided Oak seeing him, because he didn't want to be questioned about his injuries. 

*Lucina Mercer approached Oak for help, overhearing that he was a doctor.

 

This is how I handled it.

*Oak talked to Clio for awhile.

*Oak greeted Artemis and Edda, accepted the drink and invited Artemis to a hang out for healers he was preparing.

*Oak was utterly perplexed by the random hug.

*Oak had no knowledge of John's presence.

*When approached by someone with a medical need, Oak excused himself and went with Lucina to discuss it.

 

Could I have chased Lynx down for an explanation? Sure. That was a missed/ignored RP opportunity. No harm was meant by it. Oak wouldn't have chased the guy down. Oak could have meta'd noticing John and chased him down too. Another missed/ignored RP opportunity. Why? Because other things were happening that had the character's immediate attention.

 

When Lucina approached, Oak could have said "I'm sorry, I'm off duty" and dismissed her. The character doesn't think that way though, so I went with the direction he would go and missed out on further RP with Edda and Clio.

 

 

 

To summarize my ramblings as directly as possible:

 

1> STOP ASSUMING PEOPLE ARE IGNORING YOU OR BEING ELITIST. UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO THEIR OWN AGENDA AND THEIR CHARACTER'S PERSONAL CHOICES ON WHO THEY ASSOCIATE WITH.

 

2> IF YOUR CHARACTER IS PASSIVE, EXPECT TO BE PASSED OVER IN LARGE RP SCENES OR EVENTS. THERE IS A -LOT- OF STUFF GOING ON AND IT IS UNFAIR TO EXPECT EVERYONE TO NOTICE YOU HIDING IN THE CORNER.

 

3> DO NOT ASSUME THAT YOUR PARTICULAR CHARACTER CONCEPT WILL BE WIDELY ACCEPTED BY EVERYONE AROUND YOU. EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE, JUST LIKE YOU, HOW TO PLAY, WHO TO PLAY WITH, AND WHAT IS ENJOYABLE. RESPECT EACH OTHER'S PERSONAL SPACE AND CHERISH THE ONES WHO THINK LIKE YOU, FEEL LIKE YOU, AND ACCEPT YOUR CONCEPT. THEY -ARE- OUT THERE, YOU -WILL- FIND THEM. CHILLAX.

 

4> CLIQUES EXIST, DEAL WITH IT. A FREE COMPANY IS A CLIQUE. IT'S EMBEDDED IN THE GAME ITSELF. YOUR JOB IS A CLIQUE, YOUR CLASS IN SCHOOL IS A CLIQUE AND HAS SMALLER CLIQUES IN IT. IT IS IN THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM, PEOPLE. YOU ARE ALL PART OF AT LEAST 1 CLIQUE.

 

5> I LOVE MY COMMUNITY AND I LOVE ROLEPLAYING. THAT MEANS I LOVE YOU, YOU COLLECTION OF OBNOXIOUS, STUBBORN, ANNOYING ARSEHOLES. YOU ARE ALL POPULAR TO ME BECAUSE YOU ARE MY PEOPLE.

 

*coughs* Right then.

 

Cheers!

 

 -Black Hat

[Hammersmith]

Cliques only become a "problem" when they start getting political in their maneuverings and try to leverage population/popularity into power over people, either in or not in it who have no reason to be within their influence for any reason.

 

The moment that happens you're into the Being a Dick category and you should stop.

[Kage]

((I'm not quite sure if your Lynx thing is a point, you'd have to ask Lynx. But Lynx and I hug each other and others as more of an OoC thing than anything. Not sure if he feels the same way but it's the almost-every-day-I-see-you-I-wanna-hug-you-take-care type of thing? Hey, I know (of) you and I like you, have a hug! ?))

 

 

To me, I could be wrong, I've never felt that any of the "cliques" were hard to get to? Get into? Until you burned a bridge, perhaps, by doing something you regret later?? Like, maybe people think joining X Y Z FC or interacting with members of that FC were hard, but when I used to feel much about my RP I didn't find it so hard.

 

I guess my point is, yes there are groups of people. It's sorta natural that as you get closer to people that you tend to hang out with them more often. They're easier for you to get along with, etc. However, it's been my experience that these groups are not hard set on being -exclusive- which is when I feel that they would be a problem. I've never experienced an actual group that straight up ignored or rejected or blatantly refused to interact with me.

 

And I've burned my fair share of bridges.

 

Which leads me into the thought where I've always been confused by the whole "popular" part. @_@ What defines someone into being popular? Someone who has a large community that they've worked hard to network with? Someone knows their name? I admit to having this one heart attack moment where a fellow healer, a WHM, one I -think- who frequents RPC but the last name is a common one so I'm not sure... asked if I was "that Kage from Balmung." Wah? Was it because I post a lot?

[Branson Thorne]

Was it because I post a lot?

*looks at your post count*

 

Yes, yes it was:thumbsup:

 

I actually do believe popularity is being based on post count, and who many people reply to your posts/topics.

[No Longer Exists]

((I'm not quite sure if your Lynx thing is a point, you'd have to ask Lynx. But Lynx and I hug each other and others as more of an OoC thing than anything. Not sure if he feels the same way but it's the almost-every-day-I-see-you-I-wanna-hug-you-take-care type of thing? Hey, I know (of) you and I like you, have a hug! ?))

 

 

 

I was not aware of this, nor has it been a normal experience of mine SO since I was actively RPing with Clio when it happened, I made the assumption that it was IC and Oak went "Bwuh??? The hell just happened?"

[Warren Castille]

Can confirm: I've been run-by hugged several times. Just go with it.

[Gegenji]

((I'm not quite sure if your Lynx thing is a point, you'd have to ask Lynx. But Lynx and I hug each other and others as more of an OoC thing than anything. Not sure if he feels the same way but it's the almost-every-day-I-see-you-I-wanna-hug-you-take-care type of thing? Hey, I know (of) you and I like you, have a hug! ?))

 

 

 

 

I was not aware of this, nor has it been a normal experience of mine SO since I was actively RPing with Clio when it happened, I made the assumption that it was IC and Oak went "Bwuh??? The hell just happened?"

 

It is indeed a thing that happens! I know if I'm doing OOC stuff (Ixal dailies, checking my Golden Saucer ticket, etc) and I come across a person on my friend's list, I'll often give them a quick /poke or /hug before running off like some sort of hit-and-run cuddle-bunny.

[Kage]

Yeah! Actually I think my first interactions with Iex was entirely through hugs and fawning over a specific healer robe (*cough*robeofdivineharvest*cough*orwasitthecasterversionIhadatthetime...)

Anyway, I do it when I notice someone I recognize as a sort of "hello!"

 

@Casden:

I certainly wouldn't doubt it. I tend to speak my mind which gets me into heated topics that I've tried to curb recently. It obviously hasn't been curbed enough but, I'm trying? I would also attribute it at the time to be because I used to always plop Kage on the rails in Quicksand.

 

I'm pretty sure it's because of my post count. ><; The thing is... I've made my post count entirely with posts that I had actually felt had a point. On RPC, I've not really participated in forum games that I've done in other forums. So while others might think I'm spamming, I'm really not I swear ; ;

[No Longer Exists]

Was it because I post a lot?

*looks at your post count*

 

Yes, yes it was:thumbsup:

 

I actually do believe popularity is being based on post count, and who many people reply to your posts/topics.

 I have 205, been a member since.....good god. Is that accurate?? And my rep is right around Casden's.....I feel like that argument is invalid. If you break it down mathematically, 205 divided by 18 months is roughly 11 1/2 posts per month. Roughly 3 posts per week as an average. You have 420 since February. That's 140 a month at an average rate of 35 posts per week or 7 posts a day. So you must be more popular than me, even though I've been a member longer?

[No Longer Exists]

Was it because I post a lot?

*looks at your post count*

 

Yes, yes it was:thumbsup:

 

I actually do believe popularity is being based on post count, and who many people reply to your posts/topics.

 I have 205, been a member since.....good god. Is that accurate?? And my rep is right around Casden's.....I feel like that argument is invalid. If you break it down mathematically, 205 divided by 18 months is roughly 11 1/2 posts per month. Roughly 3 posts per week as an average. You have 420 since February. That's 140 a month at an average rate of 35 posts per week or 5 posts a day ( DID MATH WRONG ). So you must be more popular than me, even though I've been a member longer?

[Nebbs]

Was it because I post a lot?

*looks at your post count*

 

Yes, yes it was:thumbsup:

 

I actually do believe popularity is being based on post count, and who many people reply to your posts/topics.

 I have 205, been a member since.....good god. Is that accurate?? And my rep is right around Casden's.....I feel like that argument is invalid. If you break it down mathematically, 205 divided by 18 months is roughly 11 1/2 posts per month. Roughly 3 posts per week as an average. You have 420 since February. That's 140 a month at an average rate of 35 posts per week or 7 posts a day. So you must be more popular than me, even though I've been a member longer?

 

But all those stars (x6).. you are like a celebrity!

 

Notice me!

 

(warning this post may contain sarcasm and ironing)

[Alothia]

*snort* 

 

Post count and rep, huh? I'm falling behind based on how long I've been here. I need to post more! Aaaaah! *runs of to make lots of posts*

[Gegenji]

Post count is a bad indicator of popularity because it can be so easily inflated. A good round in one of the "complement the person above you" thread and you can suddenly have 5-10 more posts added to your total within an hour. Not saying we shouldn't complement people, I'm merely using it as an example.

 

Seniority doesn't mean popularity either. I bet there's lurkers who have been around since RPC's inception who have been content to just read and post here and there.

 

If there was any "marker" of popularity in the forum stats, it'd likely be reputation? But even then, that's mostly a matter of someone agreeing or enjoying what someone said. Agreeing with a post doesn't mean you automatically think the person who posted it is amazing. They just happened to put into words something that you gel with.

 

... Unless you're repping up the person themself instead of just a post. Then you're saying you like that duder.

[Nebbs]

*snort* 

 

Post count and rep, huh? I'm falling behind based on how long I've been here. I need to post more! Aaaaah! *runs of to make lots of posts*

 

But you have stars.. and a moderator trump cars.. and that sig! You have Kred and cool.. you don't need popular.

 

(thank you for letting me increase my post count by one)

[Branson Thorne]

Was it because I post a lot?

*looks at your post count*

 

Yes, yes it was:thumbsup:

 

I actually do believe popularity is being based on post count, and who many people reply to your posts/topics.

 I have 205, been a member since.....good god. Is that accurate?? And my rep is right around Casden's.....I feel like that argument is invalid. If you break it down mathematically, 205 divided by 18 months is roughly 11 1/2 posts per month. Roughly 3 posts per week as an average. You have 420 since February. That's 140 a month at an average rate of 35 posts per week or 5 posts a day ( DID MATH WRONG ). So you must be more popular than me, even though I've been a member longer?

I wouldn't, and have such stated before, that I do not think I'm popular at all, (though I may be recognized in game) So I wouldn't think I'm more popular than anyone. But I will say this, it would stand to reason that the one with the higher post count in the shorter amount of time would be a bit more recognizable than someone with less post in a longer time, but that'd dimply due to maintaining a heavier presence.

 

But I digress, I was simply echoing what the general rule of thumb of new forums goers seem to be implying. I did not know I was invoking a popularity contest:P

[g0ne]

I don't know. Does popularity and post counts and rep and all that really matter? Why can't we all just be normal? 

 

Isn't it easier for everyone that way?

[No Longer Exists]

Was it because I post a lot?

*looks at your post count*

 

Yes, yes it was:thumbsup:

 

I actually do believe popularity is being based on post count, and who many people reply to your posts/topics.

 I have 205, been a member since.....good god. Is that accurate?? And my rep is right around Casden's.....I feel like that argument is invalid. If you break it down mathematically, 205 divided by 18 months is roughly 11 1/2 posts per month. Roughly 3 posts per week as an average. You have 420 since February. That's 140 a month at an average rate of 35 posts per week or 5 posts a day ( DID MATH WRONG ). So you must be more popular than me, even though I've been a member longer?

 

I wouldn't, and have such stated before, that I do not think I'm popular at all, (though I may be recognized in game) So I wouldn't think I'm more popular than anyone. But I will say this, it would stand to reason that the one with the higher post count in the shorter amount of time would be a bit more recognizable than someone with less post in a longer time, but that'd dimply due to maintaining a heavier presence.

 

But I digress, I was simply echoing what the general rule of thumb of new forums goers seem to be implying. I did not know I was invoking a popularity contest:P

 

Perhaps it would be better if one did not echo the sentiments of others, but let them speak for themselves. After all, the point is that they wish to be heard and recognized.

[Cest]

I don't know. Does popularity and post counts and rep and all that really matter? Why can't we all just be normal? 

 

Isn't it easier for everyone that way?

 

This one right here speaks the truth!

[Branson Thorne]

*looks at your post count*

 

Yes, yes it was:thumbsup:

 

I actually do believe popularity is being based on post count, and who many people reply to your posts/topics.

 I have 205, been a member since.....good god. Is that accurate?? And my rep is right around Casden's.....I feel like that argument is invalid. If you break it down mathematically, 205 divided by 18 months is roughly 11 1/2 posts per month. Roughly 3 posts per week as an average. You have 420 since February. That's 140 a month at an average rate of 35 posts per week or 5 posts a day ( DID MATH WRONG ). So you must be more popular than me, even though I've been a member longer?

 

I wouldn't, and have such stated before, that I do not think I'm popular at all, (though I may be recognized in game) So I wouldn't think I'm more popular than anyone. But I will say this, it would stand to reason that the one with the higher post count in the shorter amount of time would be a bit more recognizable than someone with less post in a longer time, but that'd dimply due to maintaining a heavier presence.

 

But I digress, I was simply echoing what the general rule of thumb of new forums goers seem to be implying. I did not know I was invoking a popularity contest:P

 

Perhaps it would be better if one did not echo the sentiments of others, but let them speak for themselves. After all, the point is that they wish to be heard and recognized.

Sorry, maybe you missed the whole topic about everyone crying about not being popular, it was brought up that post count should be hidden to make everyone feel equal. So my response, was actually stating what they themselves was discussing8-)

[Gegenji]

Just because post count doesn't mean more popular, that doesn't keep people from thinking it does.

 

Then again, I'm not entirely sure what quantifies as popular in MMO RP and what it entails. I mean, a couple folks have said I'm rather popular (which I still find hard to believe)? And, oddly enough, I was told this because I was talking about having trouble finding RP! Apparently, I'm popular/famous enough that people are afraid to RP with me?

[No Longer Exists]

 I have 205, been a member since.....good god. Is that accurate?? And my rep is right around Casden's.....I feel like that argument is invalid. If you break it down mathematically, 205 divided by 18 months is roughly 11 1/2 posts per month. Roughly 3 posts per week as an average. You have 420 since February. That's 140 a month at an average rate of 35 posts per week or 5 posts a day ( DID MATH WRONG ). So you must be more popular than me, even though I've been a member longer?

 

I wouldn't, and have such stated before, that I do not think I'm popular at all, (though I may be recognized in game) So I wouldn't think I'm more popular than anyone. But I will say this, it would stand to reason that the one with the higher post count in the shorter amount of time would be a bit more recognizable than someone with less post in a longer time, but that'd dimply due to maintaining a heavier presence.

 

But I digress, I was simply echoing what the general rule of thumb of new forums goers seem to be implying. I did not know I was invoking a popularity contest:P

 

Perhaps it would be better if one did not echo the sentiments of others, but let them speak for themselves. After all, the point is that they wish to be heard and recognized.

Sorry, maybe you missed the whole topic about everyone crying about not being popular, it was brought up that post count should be hidden to make everyone feel equal. So my response, was actually stating what they themselves was discussing8-)

Twas not missed. Unfortunately, you've begun to contradict yourself and it might be time to step away from these topics awhile. As plainly written in black and white above, you first are echoing what new forum goers seem to be implying and now are "actually stating what they themselves was discussing." which is it?

 

In this specific thread, YOU brought up post count. Presumably echoing for a nebulous unheard mass that you may or may not be championing because WE were discussing popularity, cliques, and positivity not post counts and reputations until you and I began this sequence of posts. 

 

If you would like to discuss this further away from a thread that isn't about you and your post count theory, I will gladly do so. I am still requesting that you stop being someone else's loudspeaker though. At this point, it is becoming inappropriate and detrimental to multiple threads now. I am not a mod, nor do I have any sort of power to stop you but as a concerned citizen. Kindly shut up and let these newcomers speak for themselves for awhile. I don't even know who has a problem at this point, because all I see is you, Casden, typing "PEOPLE SAY THIS IS THE PROBLEM." over and over again.

[Iex]

Sorry, I just burst into a bit a laugh when my drive by hugging was referenced.

 

As a lot of people have noted, it was far from IC. A lot of times I use FFXIV as a 'pacing' simulated while I am thinking. I am one of those people that PACE A LOT while thinking, and since my significant other is one of those folks who rightly might get bothered by someone pacing, FFXIV serves as a good substitute. That is why a lot of folks will end up seeing me literally do many circles running through the Quicksand, down the markets, up the main 'drive' of Ul'dah to the Aetheryte and back to the Quicksand. I end up doing that many times before I sit down with an idea of what I want to RP. When I see someone I know or at least recognize at the moment while pacing a lot of times I will just /hug and keep going. Weird little habit.

 

My /hug of someone rarely is IC. (I think only one of my characters regularly hugged people, and he would actually lift highlanders off the ground with those hugs. Go go Seawolf.) Most of the time the hug is a version of me saying "HI! Hope you are doing well." but I seriously have nothing else to say because my brain isn't working well so it doesn't become that odd "Hi" "Hi" How are you doing?" "Good you?" "Doing well." and then just stopping. It really just is me acknowledging I saw you but at the same time apologizing for lack of conversation due to me... just not having any at the time.

[Unnamed Mercenary]

I don't know. Does popularity and post counts and rep and all that really matter? Why can't we all just be normal? 

 

Isn't it easier for everyone that way?

 

This becomes difficult, because we have to consider who actually cares about the post count, rep, stars, color of text in a username. Anyone can say they're "popular". But it only carries meaning if other people recognize it, which is why it can become so dangerous.

 

People who've interacted with me know I'm not particularly good at reaching out. And my scheduling abilities are pretty terrible. (Trying to fix this). But whether or not I think I'm popular, someone else may think I am. And to that person, I would then have some "popular" status that influences how that person would interpret my words or react to me.

 

I was literally dragged into the community by some friends. First they lured me into an out of game chat. Then some RL friends in the chat lured me out with food. I talked to people out of game, and then we worked out plotting and stories in-game.

 

But that was only how I met -some- of my contacts. Remember our first couple meetings, Eleni? Spontaneous and completely unplanned! (And I'd say we had a pretty good time). The RPC simply alerted us that the other existed. I don't think post count, rep, or other statistics on the forums made that decision. But for someone else, it might.