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Luinbariel
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Joined: 15 Nov 2006
Points: 4,204
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Race: I dunno, lol
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 A letter to the community, from the community
Please take the time to read this letter
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As a collective staff here, we would like to ask you, as members, to please take a moment and read this letter.
Dear everyone in the community;
First of all, we would like to take this moment to congratulate all of you for helping us bring this community together, and to make this an intelligent and safe place to discuss, debate, and to learn about all things 'kin or otherwise. We are very proud of you as our members and of your ability to think clearly and for yourselves. You aren't afraid to ask the tough questions and for that we are thankful.
We'd also like to say, however, that some of this questioning has perhaps gotten to be too pointed and ruthless towards those who had ideals that don't quite match our community manifesto, or to those that seem a little strange or different; while it's great that we are inquisitive, it's becoming alarmingly clear that some people are very uncomfortable with all of these questions as well as the way they are being put forward, and that something has to be done.
We would like to take this time to formally appeal to you as members who have once been "the new kid" or who have had theories that are considered new and different to remember your own fears about coming forward, to remember what it may have felt like at some point in your life to make an appeal to someone you didn't know; remember that each person who comes in may not be as confident in themselves or even in their ability to answer your questions as many others here seem to be, and that some of the more intense questioning can be extremely intimidating.
We are not asking you to stop looking for answers or to stop sharing your information and experiences with others; what we ARE asking, however, is that you remain conscious of the fact that this place is meant not only to be a comfortable community setting and center for intelligent debate, but also that we pride ourselves on being friendly and open.
This does not mean that you must instantly accept whatever another tells you; this does not mean that every claim that someone makes will be believed. This simply means that we must remember our manners and attempt to perhaps apply the same amount of pressure, just over a longer period of time. Instead of dropping the massive load on someone the moment they say hello, why not spread those questions over time, give them a chance to become comfortable and to feel welcome rather than immediately intimidated?
I'm sure some of you may feel a bit singled out by this message, and that's not our intent. This isn't meant to pin the blame on anyone, nor should any one person feel responsible; this has been happening to the community as a whole, and we are simply asking you, as a community, to think about how this has been making others feel and to perhaps step back a little.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this; I hope we can all continue to grow as a community.
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 Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:19 am
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Mike (Clodaus)
Founder, Director, Forum Administrator
Joined: 20 Oct 2005
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I insist everyone read the above letter, but for those who want to know what its all about and are too lazy to read it (which I suspect most are), here's a summary. Again, read the above letter - it goes into much more detail.
The same rules in place to protect our members from negative influences apply to everyone, regardless of their beliefs. This means that if you think someone's a troll or roleplayer (regardless of whether or not they actually are), you will still treat them with respect, or you will receive a warning as well. It's fine to disagree - but the respect rule still applies.
If they are treating you with disrespect, bring it to the attention of the staff and we'll take care of it - do not do it in return. Again, you may receive a warning, as it simply provokes an argument. We want members to feel comfortable here, not alienated if their beliefs are outside the "comfort zone" of others'.
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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:16 am
_________________
If a theory doesn't raise an eyebrow, then it's not a theory.
The content of my posts may not reflect my personal beliefs.
"...Put it inside them; men and women will never think of looking for it there..." ~The Secret of Life
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Zimmerchild
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Joined: 31 Aug 2008
Points: 29
Posts: 95
Race: Vampire
Location: United States
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I read this before Clodaus' response, but I thought it required me to state that I have read this and fully understand it.
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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:51 am
_________________ ~Zola.
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Mike (Clodaus)
Founder, Director, Forum Administrator
Joined: 20 Oct 2005
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Nope - no response necessary - but thank you for reading it  We just want people to glance it over to understand that some things will be changing around here to make this place more welcome for "outsiders".
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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 6:05 am
_________________
If a theory doesn't raise an eyebrow, then it's not a theory.
The content of my posts may not reflect my personal beliefs.
"...Put it inside them; men and women will never think of looking for it there..." ~The Secret of Life
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Zimmerchild
Member
Joined: 31 Aug 2008
Points: 29
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Race: Vampire
Location: United States
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| Clodaus wrote: |
| Nope - no response necessary - but thank you for reading it We just want people to glance it over to understand that some things will be changing around here to make this place more welcome for "outsiders". |
Very glad to hear it. 
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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 6:07 am
_________________ ~Zola.
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Shangrila
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Joined: 07 Sep 2008
Points: 382
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Race: Polymorph
Location: United States
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I know no response is necessary, but I read it and have been paying more attention to what I type now before posting >> Thanks for the letter ^_^
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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:10 pm
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Miniar
Ardent Defender
Joined: 25 Jun 2008
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Posts: 1189
Race: Rakshasa + Elf Halfbreed
Location: Iceland
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Read the post, understand the post, don't think I've been overly aggressive in any shape way or form.
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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:38 pm
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Luinbariel
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Joined: 15 Nov 2006
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| Quote: |
| I'm sure some of you may feel a bit singled out by this message, and that's not our intent. This isn't meant to pin the blame on anyone, nor should any one person feel responsible; this has been happening to the community as a whole, and we are simply asking you, as a community, to think about how this has been making others feel and to perhaps step back a little. |
Again, this isn't meant to be directed to anyone specifically, Miniar. If we have an issue with your posts or anyone else's for that matter in regards to this letter, we'll be letting you know.
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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:50 pm
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Zuni
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Joined: 19 Jul 2008
Points: 98
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Race: Ice Dragon
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Re: A letter to the community, from the community
Please take the time to read this letter
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very well spoken
<EDIT: sorry>
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Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 1:29 am Last edited by Zuni on Sat Jan 24, 2009 1:22 pm; edited 1 time in total
_________________
Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
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Oblivian
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I also read this before anyone posted.
I know it's not pointing at anyone, and while my image of how I behave may not always be.. nice.. lacking better words, I'm at least doing my best to stay neutral if not else.
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Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 2:33 pm
_________________
If something works, stick with it -
- when everything works, panic.
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Nanara
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You don't have to be flowery and hug everyone to be respectful of others. Everyone deserves a little respect, and newbies deserve the space to say hello without being torn apart by other people. Being frank and upfront isn't a bad thing as long as you be polite and respectful, and stay within the rules and regulations.
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Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 2:17 am
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Miniar
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Joined: 25 Jun 2008
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Location: Iceland
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The most respectful thing, in my opinion, that I can do, is ask questions and treat people like they are relatively intelligent, reasonable people, capable of thinking as well as a basic application of logic, at least until proven otherwise.
The most disrespectful thing I've been shown is when people just go "yes" and "amen" to everything I say and it makes me want to smack 'em upside the head and yell "think for your god-damn self for crying out loud!".
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Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 1:18 pm
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Nanara
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| Miniar wrote: |
The most respectful thing, in my opinion, that I can do, is ask questions and treat people like they are relatively intelligent, reasonable people, capable of thinking as well as a basic application of logic, at least until proven otherwise.
The most disrespectful thing I've been shown is when people just go "yes" and "amen" to everything I say and it makes me want to smack 'em upside the head and yell "think for your god-damn self for crying out loud!". |
I can understand where you're coming from, but, Miniar, people need to realise that being respectful is not shredding someone with questions because they hold beliefs that are contrary to one's own beliefs. And neither is it aggreeing with someone without question. There's a medium point between these two, and you, personally are smart and aware enough to know the difference.
This is a general-aimed letter, it is about everyone in general. All we're asking is for members to just think before they press the submit button on a hello thread. Newbies shouldn't come here and feel badgered enough on their first thread to leave again, irregardless of whether they're a troll or not.
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Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 10:24 pm
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Archer
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Regarding that thread in particular - it doesn't take a lot of brains for someone to work out WHY a particular post might be as it is.
If someone is blatantly trolling, then sure, it's not such a bad thing to troll right back. If someone is roleplaying, there's nothing really wrong with asking the kinds of questions that might make it obvious. But it really does help to look at an unusual post and ask "WHY did this person say that? What was his reason?" and then react accordingly.
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Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:28 am
_________________
Ubi Dubium, Ibi Libertas
"I got soul but I'm not a soldier"
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Nanara
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Archer, you're deliberately missing the point. The point isn't really about what's right, it's about the founding principals and the main view that we're aiming for with this community and that is Respect.
Even if they're obviously and deliberately trolling it is against the TOS of this community to troll aggressively back at them and that's it. Being a lawyer I'd assume you would know that distinction.
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Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 6:18 am
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