09-09-2009, 12:01 PM
I've rather plainly said, on a number of occasions, probably solutions to these 'problems'. Roleplaying itself hashes the vast majority of them out. Don't like yesterday's rp? Rp to make it better. Bored? Make it exciting. Stagnant? Move. Don't like the 'newbies'? RP with them to make them 'better' and stop bitching about it.
That's right, I said bitching.
Because it's bitching.
So stop bitching.
The 'lower rp quality of this server' does not annoy me. I see it, the remedy is so simple it's laughable, and it'll fix itself in a short time anyway. What I also see is that there are mindsets which are inherently prohibitive to any sort of improvement ever happening. First and foremost: No, you are not on the 'high end' of rpers here.
No, you are not 'better' than other rpers here.
No, you are not 'more talented' than other rpers here (and the word 'talent' in an amateur fictional writing medium is worth a laugh all its own seeing as a measure of 'talent' is only a measure of creativity and we've all got that).
There is no one, not a single person on here, with any appreciable right to look down upon others in any way shape or form. Creating some group centered upon those who are a 'cut above' cutting apart those belong to create something better is only a benign suggestion on the surface. The absolute surface---I'm talking a micron of thickness before that breaks down into the elitist or ego maniacal blather it really is.
You want to improve rp you see around you? Get into it. Be a part of it. I had an rp with someone in the Ghostlands just the other day---now, this individual was obviously new to things. Did some things that were out of line, awkward, maybe even *gasp* a bit environment-breaking.
Did I hit the ostracize button? Or decide I need a whole comittee of fellow whiners to help me whine about how this individual wasn't up to some invisible set of standards I may have? No. Why? Because that would not have helped him. At all. And he didn't need to be helped---he was having a good time. If you do not like how someone rps, chances are they are not doing it so they too will be uncomfortable. Plainly, they see nothing wrong with what they are doing.
It might be below your 'standards'. It might be slightly inappropriate for the environment we foster here---but that is OUR problem. Not theirs. It becomes their problem once we've done our job...that is, getting them involved enough for the style to change, and for a happy amalgamation to occur. I have proof, from that instance just the other day, that this will happen. Within one session, things changed. Just a little bit. Did I chastise him, or just leave because I felt that he was an affront to my standards?
No. Seemed like a pretty cool guy, and I'd bet given a few weeks no one will be able to pick him out from anyone else. In fact, I doubt after that session anyone could pick him out now.
With that said, my slight ire vented, I offer solutions. Because criticism should be constructive.
Don't like how the newer folk rp? Bring them into rp in the form/style/'level'(I typed it with a straight face...sort of) you're used to. Ask yourself a question---do I rp enough at all for me to be able to complain about this? Maybe there's nothing to model off of, because I don't do anything myself. (Ask yourself that several times. Then ask it again. If you get tired of asking, go rp and you can pretend the answer was always yes.)
Feel that rp lacks cohesion? Then be an rp adhesive. Make a group that matters. Better yet, do something interesting. You do not need to coach others on this---just go do it. If you rp, they will come. The ones that really want to rp anyway. (Ask yourself---is the group/guild/party inviting to other rpers? Does it have a purpose aside from giving my character some form of status? Do I believe I have some form of status? Am I inviting to other rpers?)
Feel that newcomers need some sort of leadership to 'better' themselves (mocking grin included on this one)? Then lead. Do not gripe. Lead. Leaders typically do so with minimal noise, unless noise is necessary. The only noise that should be heard, on the grounds of improving RP...is more RP. Shut up and play.
Feel that people should shut up and play?
...
Yeah. I do.
Still optimistic, and think it's another swath of 'problems' that really aren't,
~AmyT, minus a few secrets
That's right, I said bitching.
Because it's bitching.
So stop bitching.
The 'lower rp quality of this server' does not annoy me. I see it, the remedy is so simple it's laughable, and it'll fix itself in a short time anyway. What I also see is that there are mindsets which are inherently prohibitive to any sort of improvement ever happening. First and foremost: No, you are not on the 'high end' of rpers here.
No, you are not 'better' than other rpers here.
No, you are not 'more talented' than other rpers here (and the word 'talent' in an amateur fictional writing medium is worth a laugh all its own seeing as a measure of 'talent' is only a measure of creativity and we've all got that).
There is no one, not a single person on here, with any appreciable right to look down upon others in any way shape or form. Creating some group centered upon those who are a 'cut above' cutting apart those belong to create something better is only a benign suggestion on the surface. The absolute surface---I'm talking a micron of thickness before that breaks down into the elitist or ego maniacal blather it really is.
You want to improve rp you see around you? Get into it. Be a part of it. I had an rp with someone in the Ghostlands just the other day---now, this individual was obviously new to things. Did some things that were out of line, awkward, maybe even *gasp* a bit environment-breaking.
Did I hit the ostracize button? Or decide I need a whole comittee of fellow whiners to help me whine about how this individual wasn't up to some invisible set of standards I may have? No. Why? Because that would not have helped him. At all. And he didn't need to be helped---he was having a good time. If you do not like how someone rps, chances are they are not doing it so they too will be uncomfortable. Plainly, they see nothing wrong with what they are doing.
It might be below your 'standards'. It might be slightly inappropriate for the environment we foster here---but that is OUR problem. Not theirs. It becomes their problem once we've done our job...that is, getting them involved enough for the style to change, and for a happy amalgamation to occur. I have proof, from that instance just the other day, that this will happen. Within one session, things changed. Just a little bit. Did I chastise him, or just leave because I felt that he was an affront to my standards?
No. Seemed like a pretty cool guy, and I'd bet given a few weeks no one will be able to pick him out from anyone else. In fact, I doubt after that session anyone could pick him out now.
With that said, my slight ire vented, I offer solutions. Because criticism should be constructive.
Don't like how the newer folk rp? Bring them into rp in the form/style/'level'(I typed it with a straight face...sort of) you're used to. Ask yourself a question---do I rp enough at all for me to be able to complain about this? Maybe there's nothing to model off of, because I don't do anything myself. (Ask yourself that several times. Then ask it again. If you get tired of asking, go rp and you can pretend the answer was always yes.)
Feel that rp lacks cohesion? Then be an rp adhesive. Make a group that matters. Better yet, do something interesting. You do not need to coach others on this---just go do it. If you rp, they will come. The ones that really want to rp anyway. (Ask yourself---is the group/guild/party inviting to other rpers? Does it have a purpose aside from giving my character some form of status? Do I believe I have some form of status? Am I inviting to other rpers?)
Feel that newcomers need some sort of leadership to 'better' themselves (mocking grin included on this one)? Then lead. Do not gripe. Lead. Leaders typically do so with minimal noise, unless noise is necessary. The only noise that should be heard, on the grounds of improving RP...is more RP. Shut up and play.
Feel that people should shut up and play?
...
Yeah. I do.
Still optimistic, and think it's another swath of 'problems' that really aren't,
~AmyT, minus a few secrets