Risque Images and Writing on the Forums

[Piroska]

Perhaps it's time to take a hard stance in policing how people to communicate with one another, whether it is through the forums or in-game? I know that conflict and drama is part and partial of an online community (especially one like Conquest of the Horde where we have a very large mix of backgrounds and explore an almost limitless number of potentially volatile topics), but rather than take a soft-touch approach, start enforcing the rules publicly, vocally, and effectively.

I think that I'm mostly playing the role of Devil's advocate here, but -- given some comments that I've seen on the forums since coming back regarding the need to be respectful when communicating with others -- a small part of me wonders if maybe adopting a stricter policy (enforcement of policies?) would be beneficial.

I'd rather that moderated communication occurs than to never be allowed to have an opposing opinion for fear of drama rearing its ugly head.


Edit: I'd also love to see more communication between parties, rather than allowing things to escalate to the point where the staff has to become involved and make sweeping declarations that leave few people happy. It might be a matter of personal accountability; I'm not quite certain.

[Krent]

EDIT: and again I involve myself again without even realizing it. FML. Way to make it hard for myself.

Dun feel bad bby. It happens.

This is off topic (though related. Yeah, I know that doesn't make any sense), but I've noticed that there definitely are issues regarding stuff that people definitely want to talk about in a public forum. I understand, and even agree with, the general server policy that such issues should not be discussed. I'ma college kid, I spend enough time juggling with various conflicting political / philosophical beliefs as it is.

But.


Would the players and GM's consider a no-holds barred, special debate thread, where such issues could be discussed? I wouldn't even be proposing a separate forum or a different site. Just one single "Crazy house" thread. I'm not gonna lie and add a "Discussions would have to be as civil and respectful as much as possible", 'cause lets face it, that sorta thing crumbles fast when people really start talking about sensitive issues regarding whatever. This kinda "Debate" thread would be a messy, brutal place, filled with all sorts of craziness. They'd make every other "issue" thread on COTH look pretty orderly.

Yet part of me believes it may be necessary to have such a forum. Why? Because as I see things now, there are issues and things that people are obviously struggling with, obviously talking about behind closed doors, and obviously wanting to communicate...but they can't. All these thoughts, perspectives, emotions and feelings get bottled up inside, slowly building up and up until they can't take it anymore. Then we get sillyness like this.

My theory, and I could be totally wrong on this, is if people had some sort of outlet to freely express their own political / moral / religious beliefs, they may be less prone to skirt around the issue in threads such as these. Or explode in drama-ness.

Again, I'd like to stress on why I understand how this would be the worst idea ever. Look at what happens when we discuss prestige classes and character armor. What sort of chaos would unfold when we start talking about stuff that has significance in the real world?

But, hey. I'ma fan of intellectual debate 'n discourse. Part of me wants to see it happen, in all of its beautiful distorted mess.

Thoughts?

[Roxas65]

Would the players and GM's consider a no-holds barred, special debate thread, where such issues could be discussed? I wouldn't even be proposing a separate forum or a different site. Just one single "Crazy house" thread. I'm not gonna lie and add a "Discussions would have to be as civil and respectful as much as possible", 'cause lets face it, that sorta thing crumbles fast when people really start talking about sensitive issues regarding whatever. This kinda "Debate" thread would be a messy, brutal place, filled with all sorts of craziness. They'd make every other "issue" thread on COTH look pretty orderly.

Yet part of me believes it may be necessary to have such a forum. Why? Because as I see things now, there are issues and things that people are obviously struggling with, obviously talking about behind closed doors, and obviously wanting to communicate...but they can't. All these thoughts, perspectives, emotions and feelings get bottled up inside, slowly building up and up until they can't take it anymore. Then we get sillyness like this.

Name the crazy thread "Arkham City." Seems to have a lot in common.


Anyways, I'm really going to (try) duck out of debate here and go do something else. Such as leaning back and saying:

dfgkladhfgladkfhgsdfc.kxvzhdncg.,sdfhgadrlftkhearty.lwth6jwaETGADLFJGdaflytjer;a​lejryt;wq4e,mtays.dy,ganhrhy;aelkrjt;wltjawTADFH;ksdafghaegfa

Err, I mean. . .Hakuna Matata!

[Piroska]

It is my sneaky supposition that Krent is an anarchist.

Also, fun fact: my fingers apparently do not know how to type 'anarchist'; they originally attempted to type 'anti-Christ'. Sorry, Krent!

The idea has merit, Krent. I'm very much of the opinion that communication is always better than an absolute lack of communication, even when that communication can result in conflict. I feel that it's equally important, however, to respond intellectually rather than emotionally. I understand that it's sometimes damned difficult, but I'm certain that everyone in this community is capable of doing so if they put effort into it.

What's that saying? "Never compose an email while angry"? Adopt the same policy when interacting on the forums.

Name the crazy thread "Arkham City." Seems to have a lot in common.

That is too funny!

[Duraza]

I just have one point I'd like to make (I knew I couldn't resist opening my big mouth).

Too Far:
1. Detailed descriptions of sexual organs in RP. (And, of course, detailed nudity in art.) This includes female breasts/nipples. And usually butts too.
2. Blatantly over-blown/over-sized sexual organs in art. This, again, includes female breasts. Even when covered, as this goes into over-sexualized depictions or bodies only found in porn.

Not Too Far:
1. "Cartoon nudity." If I'm not seeing anything, I'm not seeing anything. Such a style is usually used for cuteness rather than an attempt to arouse.
2. "Sexy" characters, with all appropriate naughty bits covered, with believable proportions. A certain amount of sexualizing is just going to happen in art, and there's nothing wrong with that.
3. Non-described nudity in RP. Sometimes nudity is funny, that's hard to deny. The classic scene of someone dreaming about going to class naked, anyone? As long as nothing is described or seen, that's fine.

Along with this list if I could just suggest one thing, it would be a reiteration of the server rule of Respect. To explain what I'm saying, yes everyone has different standards for what is and is not too far (as has been discussed throughout this thread). But we also are here together as a community and should respect the comfort zones of other players. If I was honestly making someone uncomfortable and I was respectfully approached on the issue I hope I'd honor that I'd take that person's opinion into account.

Where am I going with this? Well, if I post something and a few people send me PMs about it (none of them trolling or being rude as respect should be given from all sides) maybe I'd think to myself, "Hrm, the content I'm putting up is really making people feel uncomfortable." From there I could simply choose to distribute that content to those who enjoy it in a different manner. No need for complaints to go between players and GMs, no need for back talk or heated tempers.

Now, I realize there is an inverse. You could say "but Duraza, if most people are enjoying this except that one person why should I feel like I've done wrong and change?" Well firstly, its got nothing to do with having done wrong. If rping with a group of people and one person feels uncomfortable about what's going on, do you annex that one person and continue on without them? Or do you respect their comfort zone and remove certain content so the rp can continue with everyone involved?

And don't take it as "oh, so you're saying that if I do X and people don't like it, I should stop doing X." That's not it at all. For example, someone could love the way you write.... Just feel uncomfortable with the content you're presenting. If that's the case, don't stop writing because that person probably wants to enjoy it too. Just maybe consider changing what you post publicly. Continue displaying whatever great skills you've got, but also make sure you're writing for all of your audience (i.e., the CoTH community).

Edit: And yeah... This is pretty idealized I know. Why would anyone bother? But hey.... if everyone did do this... It would work.

[Roxas65]

Stuff.

That. . .Does make a lot of sense. Although what you just described is the ideal community, and coth, despite being -extremely- awesome, isn't the ideal community. Although if everybody would think like that, it would be awesome. And rainbows. There would be rainbows.

[Duraza]

Stuff.

That. . .Does make a lot of sense. Although what you just described is the ideal community, and coth, despite being -extremely- awesome, isn't the ideal community. Although if everybody would think like that, it would be awesome. And rainbows. There would be rainbows.

I totally just edited for that too.... But yeah, point taken. Just me with some wishful thinking.

[Roxas65]

It's kind of wrong to read something like that from a man with a Scar avatar. It becomes all wrong in my head.

[Piroska]

Duraza's awesome post goes here. Read it!

Concise, to the point, and awesome. I have only one concern: it's dependent upon people taking the initial effort to contact the individual and share that something is making him uncomfortable.

I wish that I had numbers to back this up, but I have a sneaky suspicion that most of the time this does not occur. People instead choose to keep their mouths closed, let their ill-will simmer, and then either lash our or contact the staff about the issue. Then we run into the situation where everything has escalated beyond any reasonable expectation. Taking that initial step to speak about it would solve so many issues.

Also, I like rainbows. They're pretty. I think that we should work towards making more rainbows.

[Roxas65]

Also, I like rainbows. They're pretty. I think that we should work towards making more rainbows.

You're welcome.

[Piroska]

I just had a heartattack. That sucker is loud!

That said, I don't know if I should reach across the Internet and strangle you or shower you with a "Like". I'm so torn!

[Rigley]

Regarding the idea of a new forum for debate, I'm just not sure how that would turn out. Things are heated enough as is, and as you (Krent) said in your post bringing up even more controversial arguments or the like would probably not help that.

Seeing threads like these just doesn't make me think it could work. I picture that there would be a lot of hurt feelings across the board and, well, while it might be a more steady outlet to the bottled up tensions I only anticipate the same headache. But longer. And reoccuring.

... :c

I'm sorry if it seems like I'm a real downer. I guess I kinda am when concerning debate amongst the forum.

[Harmonic]

The only problem with that is that it also involves personal taste. There is always going to be at least a handful of people that don't like something, for -some- reason, and when that happens you start to go from being an ideal community, to harping on people about what -you- personally think is right. There is already wwaaaaay too much of that in CoTH, or at least there has been in the past, and was the reason for the bad version of the Phrase "Don't CoTH on me bro!" on urban dictionary.

What I'm saying is that I think what grakor outlined is -more- than enough, and to take it even further, to a point where anything someone could deem offensive should be taken down is starting to sound... well, silly. There really is no better word for it, unless I compare it to the SOPA act, which would be very easy to do.

Isn't the fact Grakor said giant over-sexualized organs will be taken down enough? Or are we going to say "Anything that could be offensive"? Because then I don't feel good about leaving up my cartoons or frankly a -lot- of the content I post on CoTH, just because it -can- be taken that route.

[Rigley]

The only problem with that is that it also involves personal taste. There is always going to be at least a handful of people that don't like something, for -some- reason, and when that happens you start to go from being an ideal community, to harping on people about what -you- personally think is right. There is already wwaaaaay too much of that in CoTH, or at least there has been in the past, and was the reason for the bad version of the Phrase "Don't CoTH on me bro!" on urban dictionary.

What I'm saying is that I think what grakor outlined is -more- than enough, and to take it even further, to a point where anything someone could deem offensive should be taken down is starting to sound... well, silly. There really is no better word for it, unless I compare it to the SOPA act, which would be very easy to do.

Isn't the fact Grakor said giant over-sexualized organs will be taken down enough? Or are we going to say "Anything that could be offensive"? Because then I don't feel good about leaving up my cartoons or frankly a -lot- of the content I post on CoTH, just because it -can- be taken that route.

...Wait. Was that in response to my post?

If so I actually am fine with what Grakor has proposed. My own sentiment was more directed towards the proposal of a new forum for venting.

If it's not to me then ignore me! I just got confused.

EDIT: Actually I assume that's to Duraza's post, amirite?

[Roxas65]

I just had a heartattack. That sucker is loud!

That said, I don't know if I should reach across the Internet and strangle you or shower you with a "Like". I'm so torn!

You could hug me until I can't breathe. That'd be kind of the best of both worlds.