It is with some distress that I have noticed a tendency towards coarseness of expression among the posters of this site; as well as a neglect of others' feelings. I would like to discuss ways and means of making this site a more comfortable place for people such as women, people of colour, sexual deviants and the disabled.

I have some suggestions of my own, but I wouldn't like to thrust myself forward, possibly coopting other people's ideas before they have a chance to make their voice heard. I'd like to create a space in this thread where we can all examine each others ideas without judging.

What if we don't want an emotionally safe environment?

Paul, I'd really like to hear how you feel about this issue. Could you explain what it is about making others feel comfortable and safe that doesn't appeal to you?

'cuz then it would be somehow wrong to say "Screw you and your ham-fisted satire, droog!"

Oh, and before I forget ....

Screw you and your ham-fisted satire, droog

Howsabout this answer?  I'm not Paul, mind you;  I have my hands full taking care of my own emotional needs. I am not your parent, and I don't want to be your parent.  Take care of your own damn emotional comfort. You don't like something I have to say? Well, you have the right to ignore me at your leisure.  If you chose to not exercise that right, that is no concern of mine.

None.


I have the right to expose myself to coarse and crude behavior.  I do not recognize, nor do I suggest you should possess, the right to abridge my right to expose myself to things you dislike.

I don't give you that power over me. You are not my parent, just as I am not your parent.


Of course, i strongly suspect you are just stirring the shit, which gives you a minor pass on this here. Further, they took away the ATM smily, which gives you a second one, since i can't use it to reinforce my point. Alas.

I think that anytime, and I may be making the faulty assumption you're being serious in your line of questioning, you enforce "hospitality" it is doomed to fail. People are correct in that this board is a privately owned enterprise, and the rest of that nonsense, but the real appeal to these sorts of places isn't in that some dude owns them and is nice enough to share, it's in that these places are a living, breathing entity-with all the good and bad that comes with that.

I also feel that some people thrive on the edge, under pressure-and that some of the most creative things have come from conflict. Conflict is not a bad thing in my book, people who seek to avoid it are though. You can't avoid conflict in real life anymore than you can here-you can pretend, but that sort of pretend isn't healthy.

For a site like this to thrive it can't afford to become too comfortable, too homey. It has to have some fire-now I'd agree it doesn't have to be overwhelming, or constant-but it also shouldn't be canned.

This site has a lot of natural problems-4 separate RPG forums with no clear, or real reason for them to be separate. Another section devoted to two specific groups of Fan Boys-those of us who enjoy occasionally reading the Pundit's  Blog re-prints, and apparently some one likes Erick Wujick and Amber. (There's what six of them?) Add in that the off topic area is only just now starting to be looked at as a natural and healthy expression of the natural flow conversation instead of a filthy disease, and that we still have people who think banning people is a reasonable and rational response that also holds the moral high ground-and well I have high hopes for this place eventually.

But neutering it isn't the road I see us using to get there.

Quote from: TonyLBScrew you and your ham-fisted satire, droog

Tony, I'm a little hurt that you should choose to express yourself in this way.

Quote from: droogTony, I'm a little hurt that you should choose to express yourself in this way.

Only a little?  Gosh.  Now I'm offended

Quote from: droogI have some suggestions of my own, but I wouldn't like to thrust myself forward, possibly coopting other people's ideas before they have a chance to make their voice heard. I'd like to create a space in this thread where we can all examine each others ideas without judging.

You can start by getting rid of the Eric Cartman quote in your .sig.  That's gotta be offensive to someone.

Hopefully we can resolve this issue, Tony. I'm starting to feel anxious about our further interaction on these boards.

Spike - that's a really interesting perspective, Spike. I fully respect your right to have it. But you do see, don't you, that such things as that dreadful emoticon you mentioned are offensive to people--offensive enough to make them physically ill. Isn't it a reasonable position to give up small things like obscene smileys so that the more effeminate among us can be safe?

John - I'm very sorry. I had no idea that my sig would offend anybody at all. I"ve changed it, hopefully for something a bit less offensive.

I bow before the master.

I have been served.

Quote from: droogJohn - I'm very sorry. I had no idea that my sig would offend anybody at all. I"ve changed it, hopefully for something a bit less offensive.

That's a huge improvement.  Thanks.

more mollycoddling!

everyone is a special snowflake!

:grouphug:

okay, i'm done.