Dissidence

[Grakor456]

I also find it amazing how some players expect the GMs to magically read their minds or something.

People are afraid.

I thought it was ludicrous at first when I heard it too, but that seems to be the truth. I can say "No one has ever been punished for expressing an opinion in a civil manner" and "We want feedback, both positive and negative" until I'm blue in the face, but people still seem to hold onto this irrational fear that either we GMs are ogres looking for reasons to ban people, or that their feedback in some way wouldn't matter.

It's a no-win situation for *us.* No, we don't know what atrocities X GM did. No, we don't know that Y server mechanic is stupid and needs to change. No, we don't know that Z player is a known nuisance. Why don't we know these things? Because no one tells us.

I don't like that it's that way, but every time we try to change it, it doesn't get any better.

Either way, Kretol's changing some things around. Though this may not help, I will take the time to say that we want feedback, both positive and negative, and that no one has ever been punished for expressing an opinion in a civil manner.

[Anski]

It's innate human nature to have a deep rooted psychological fear of anyone with a higher power once something wrong has gone awry. We can't help it, and even with power it's hard to shake that fear unless nobody is above you in the measurement of strength in which the achievement of your authority is measured. People see the people who speak out and lash at the GM's (and players!) in a wrong way, e.i. Theik's short return, and it only roots their presentimental ideal that speaking out at all will have dire consequences. People as a whole tend to overlook the civil qualms people who carefully overtake this fear display in order to voice themselves and focus on the fate that many, myself included, are trying to avoid. Banning.

Banning comes from the breaking of the preset rules and regulations of the server. Voicing your opinion falls under two of these in my opinion.Respect, and Maturity. If you're voicing yourself and you're also in turn doubting your voice, keep these two rules in mind.

As an end note as I run out of time, when someone DOES voice their opinion in a calm, respectful and mature manner, show the same respect back to them. Even if you don't like what they have to say, showing respect is the ultimate key. To quote one of my favorite philosophers, Voltaire, "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."

And, well, there's my two cents.

[Cressy]

...

...Clearly I've missed something.

...I'll just crawl back in my hole.

I feel the same way. >>

[Kelborn]

It's innate human nature to have a deep rooted psychological fear of anyone with a higher power once something wrong has gone awry. We can't help it, and even with power it's hard to shake that fear unless nobody is above you in the measurement of strength in which the achievement of your authority is measured. People see the people who speak out and lash at the GM's (and players!) in a wrong way, e.i. Theik's short return, and it only roots their presentimental ideal that speaking out at all will have dire consequences. People as a whole tend to overlook the civil qualms people who carefully overtake this fear display in order to voice themselves and focus on the fate that many, myself included, are trying to avoid. Banning.

However, I do not feel this besieged mentality is in any form limited to fear of the 'establishment' and server authorities. As a relatively aloof poster, I must now delve into the realm of brutal honesty and add that I have noted an endemic undercurrent of at various times condescending, spiteful, threatening, and dismissive postures from both of these self-perpetuating 'camps'. The dialogue which sustains social organisations, which is so obviously vital to creating a vibrant and healthy community, has broken down into a pattern which even the most stringent of forum warriors must recognise as thoroughly destructive.

I can only hope that all involved will accept Kretol's gesture in good faith and engage in a frank discussion of what is at the heart of this bitterness...!

[Kretol]

For those that have sent in feedback and may not have gotten a response, rest assured! Everything I've received I've taken into consideration (and shared with the rest of the GMs, where appropriate). I will be taking things one step at a time, so please do not presume everything will change within a couple days... especially with me going out of town again next week. Hehe.

Thank you!