In response to the HoPer's
Sep. 10th, 2004 12:58 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dagas_isaI've read what a lot of you have said, and I've talked through some of you through IM.
I'm glad that I'm not the only one who sees and senses a problem with how HoP is behaving as a community. I mean, yeah, being paranoid would probably have been more pleasant for the lot of you, but it's nice to get a problem out in the open before it explodes.
I'm going to be realistic here. We're growing. We're growing because we're wonderful and because people bring in people. Back in the day, HoP was small and intimate. We had maybe 10 regular posters, RP threads that never really split, and big interacting parties. Most of us also knew of each other through outside sources, and those who didn't were personally connected through at least one link. And we got to know each other well. And we were such a good community that we grew and drew in members.
However, when something starts getting large, groups form. The oldbies stick with the oldbies, and if the newbies are less skilled, they stick with the newbies. And if someone knows someone from somewhere else, they tend to stick with them. There's little crossover, because unlike the old days, we don't have to leave our groups and know people to have fun.
What dissatisfies me personally, and what I think needs to get worked on is this sense that the RP is all that matters. Yes, it's fun and it's escapism, but it's only that way as long as everyone is having fun. When someone leaves for the summer or something, I don't expect the RP to end. But when someone tries to go along with a real life or spend a bit of time away from HoP and pages upon pages get updated, it's impossible to catch up with and get back into the flow.
Away from the RP, we are people, not characters, not players. And 'back in the day,' that's how we treated each other. Like we mattered outside of the RP. Our chats were random and omakeish and a heckalot of fun. Those who were around, I'm sure remember it as fondly as I do, and those who don't, well, you missed out.
It's no one person's fault, but I don't think anyone is blameless. Not you, not me, not the third or the fourth person. That rant was a plea for common courtesy, and to remind HoPer's that appreciating people for who they are goes a long way to keeping things fun.
First, thanks to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
nekoshonen, I managed to teach my computer how to write Japanese. Good stupid computer, good. This means that I can now annoy those of you with out JLS! Go me!
Second, Norse Myths have become my new best friend. *hearts the Elder Edda* Some of the passages are so quotable. Particularly 'Sayings of the High One'
A bad friend lives far away
though his house lies on your road,
but it's no distance to one who is dear
though you travel many miles
For human beings, the best things are fire,
and the sight of the sun
and to be granted good health
and to live a blameless life
I know spells no king's wife can say
and no man has mastered;
one is called "Help" because it can comfort
the sick and the careworn, relieve all sorrows.
Third: Sabi gave me a beautiful motorcyle ride tonight! We went to Custard Cup for some icecream and had much fun! *huggles Sabi* Love you! Oh, and there's now an official ice cream for flut: A scoop of orange on top of a scoop of lemon in a waffle cone. I'll let you figure out why.
Fourth: Apple cobbler for dessert. Perv squad members, remember!
Fifth: People are responding maturely to my rant on HoP. Yes, I didn't expect less from you, but still thank you much for living up to those expectations.
This is wangst, but it's important wangst for me. And this should probably help you understand what I'm so upset and concerned about HoP.
HoP isn't the only place where things are fallling apart right now. I'm on a tight-wired schedule for one thing. And two, Newman is getting fegging oppressive. First, this has nothing to do with my roomie. She's great, and so are most of her friends. This has to do with the environment and the person that is Dagas.
The person that is Dagas is liberal, albeit moderately so. She believes in tolerance of others more than anything. She's also non-religious for the most part. She's also somewhat of a pervert who enjoys written smut.
The place that is Newman is Catholic, to the point that the dorm is smacked up against the chapel. Priests and nuns eat with us. Sunday brunches are special because they cater not only to the students but the parishoners as well. Last year, they were conservative, but they weren't extreme. It was enough that I could respect them for who they are, and they could respect me, and we could go on our merry ways, as long as I gave them my check.
This year, they've concreted their 'inappropriate materials' policy. Last year, it was discouraged but not forbidden. This year they can warn, and I assume take more actions. This year, there are extremist pro-life magazines as bathroom reading material. Last year, the shirts for our floor were neutral if mistyped. This year, Faith is going to be one of the themes we're going to put in.
Add to this that Dagas is different from the lot of them in secular ways, and it's just this big feeling of not belonging. Actually, it's this feeling of being invisible. But it's one that I kind of expected, though not so extreme as it is.
So cut to HoP. I expect to belong at HoP. I think I have the right to feel at home there and not feel like I'm being cut out. Because there are people there whom I consider friends, and who probably consider me friends. And yet, I feel like I'm almost as invisible there. HoP and the people there are my escape. That's where I go to be with others and be me at the same time. And the fact that the support net that used to be there isn't anymore is pushing me over the edge. Also, HoP is the part of this equation that I can change most easily. I can help push it because I know that there are others who feel the same way, and that the vast majority of the people involved are willing to make it better for everyone.
So, in sum, Newman and RL is what's really getting me down. HoP is minor in comparison, but it's something that I'm more optimistic about, and therefore can change. And knowing that there are people who care can help make the RL situation better.
Over and out.
I'm glad that I'm not the only one who sees and senses a problem with how HoP is behaving as a community. I mean, yeah, being paranoid would probably have been more pleasant for the lot of you, but it's nice to get a problem out in the open before it explodes.
I'm going to be realistic here. We're growing. We're growing because we're wonderful and because people bring in people. Back in the day, HoP was small and intimate. We had maybe 10 regular posters, RP threads that never really split, and big interacting parties. Most of us also knew of each other through outside sources, and those who didn't were personally connected through at least one link. And we got to know each other well. And we were such a good community that we grew and drew in members.
However, when something starts getting large, groups form. The oldbies stick with the oldbies, and if the newbies are less skilled, they stick with the newbies. And if someone knows someone from somewhere else, they tend to stick with them. There's little crossover, because unlike the old days, we don't have to leave our groups and know people to have fun.
What dissatisfies me personally, and what I think needs to get worked on is this sense that the RP is all that matters. Yes, it's fun and it's escapism, but it's only that way as long as everyone is having fun. When someone leaves for the summer or something, I don't expect the RP to end. But when someone tries to go along with a real life or spend a bit of time away from HoP and pages upon pages get updated, it's impossible to catch up with and get back into the flow.
Away from the RP, we are people, not characters, not players. And 'back in the day,' that's how we treated each other. Like we mattered outside of the RP. Our chats were random and omakeish and a heckalot of fun. Those who were around, I'm sure remember it as fondly as I do, and those who don't, well, you missed out.
It's no one person's fault, but I don't think anyone is blameless. Not you, not me, not the third or the fourth person. That rant was a plea for common courtesy, and to remind HoPer's that appreciating people for who they are goes a long way to keeping things fun.
First, thanks to
nekoshonen, I managed to teach my computer how to write Japanese. Good stupid computer, good. This means that I can now annoy those of you with out JLS! Go me!Second, Norse Myths have become my new best friend. *hearts the Elder Edda* Some of the passages are so quotable. Particularly 'Sayings of the High One'
A bad friend lives far away
though his house lies on your road,
but it's no distance to one who is dear
though you travel many miles
For human beings, the best things are fire,
and the sight of the sun
and to be granted good health
and to live a blameless life
I know spells no king's wife can say
and no man has mastered;
one is called "Help" because it can comfort
the sick and the careworn, relieve all sorrows.
Third: Sabi gave me a beautiful motorcyle ride tonight! We went to Custard Cup for some icecream and had much fun! *huggles Sabi* Love you! Oh, and there's now an official ice cream for flut: A scoop of orange on top of a scoop of lemon in a waffle cone. I'll let you figure out why.
Fourth: Apple cobbler for dessert. Perv squad members, remember!
Fifth: People are responding maturely to my rant on HoP. Yes, I didn't expect less from you, but still thank you much for living up to those expectations.
This is wangst, but it's important wangst for me. And this should probably help you understand what I'm so upset and concerned about HoP.
HoP isn't the only place where things are fallling apart right now. I'm on a tight-wired schedule for one thing. And two, Newman is getting fegging oppressive. First, this has nothing to do with my roomie. She's great, and so are most of her friends. This has to do with the environment and the person that is Dagas.
The person that is Dagas is liberal, albeit moderately so. She believes in tolerance of others more than anything. She's also non-religious for the most part. She's also somewhat of a pervert who enjoys written smut.
The place that is Newman is Catholic, to the point that the dorm is smacked up against the chapel. Priests and nuns eat with us. Sunday brunches are special because they cater not only to the students but the parishoners as well. Last year, they were conservative, but they weren't extreme. It was enough that I could respect them for who they are, and they could respect me, and we could go on our merry ways, as long as I gave them my check.
This year, they've concreted their 'inappropriate materials' policy. Last year, it was discouraged but not forbidden. This year they can warn, and I assume take more actions. This year, there are extremist pro-life magazines as bathroom reading material. Last year, the shirts for our floor were neutral if mistyped. This year, Faith is going to be one of the themes we're going to put in.
Add to this that Dagas is different from the lot of them in secular ways, and it's just this big feeling of not belonging. Actually, it's this feeling of being invisible. But it's one that I kind of expected, though not so extreme as it is.
So cut to HoP. I expect to belong at HoP. I think I have the right to feel at home there and not feel like I'm being cut out. Because there are people there whom I consider friends, and who probably consider me friends. And yet, I feel like I'm almost as invisible there. HoP and the people there are my escape. That's where I go to be with others and be me at the same time. And the fact that the support net that used to be there isn't anymore is pushing me over the edge. Also, HoP is the part of this equation that I can change most easily. I can help push it because I know that there are others who feel the same way, and that the vast majority of the people involved are willing to make it better for everyone.
So, in sum, Newman and RL is what's really getting me down. HoP is minor in comparison, but it's something that I'm more optimistic about, and therefore can change. And knowing that there are people who care can help make the RL situation better.
Over and out.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-09-10 09:25 pm (UTC)Anyway, sorry. Couldn't help but comment on the whole Newman thing =P
no subject
Date: 2004-09-10 11:32 pm (UTC)I think Newman was an important figure to them. I know there's a bio of him in our lobby.
And I'm glad I'm not alone.
no subject
Date: 2004-09-11 06:24 pm (UTC)Yeah, Cardinal Newman...was original Church of England but deferred...I actually learnt more about him in history than I did in my religious ed class =P
no subject
Date: 2004-09-10 10:22 pm (UTC)Oh well. I'll try to not get all depressed over this again. Now that we all know there's a problem, it'll get fixed, right? =D