Some Concerns

[bigbaldben]

Honestly, my big problem with what I've seen and observed from afar over the last couple of months is just the over all divisive and hostile atmosphere I've noticed. Systems of government and the minutia of each won't matter for shit if people keep going at each other like this.

You remember how this region used to be years ago. Yes there were disagreements and we had the occasional asshat here and there but for the most part everyone was respectful, civil, and didn't demean the ideas or contributions of others. That's honestly what bothers me the most. Everything else at this point in my eyes is secondary.

1)  I don't know where you're coming from with the "divisive and hostile atmosphere."  We have, I believe three instances that could really be called divisiveness (here and here and here).  And then this most recent epic disaster.

Most of the time this has been a pretty laid back place over the last nine months or so since I've been here.

2)  I am very interested in helping the region in any way that I can.  My most recent ideas/efforts can be found in the links below.  I would very much like to know which everyone thinks are viable, and which ones I shouldn't waste my time on - or rather, more than I already have.

Writing Contest:  http://forum.taijitu.org/college-of-the-creative-arts/boisaire-ar-2-(november-2015)/

Greater War:  http://forum.taijitu.org/pre-modern/protectors-of-the-common-people-(1940-)/

Forum Makeover: http://forum.taijitu.org/general-discussion/forum-makeover/

Micro RPs:  http://forum.taijitu.org/planning-room/idea-micro-rps/

Daily Polls:  http://forum.taijitu.org/taijitu-polls/

3) I want to move forward as well, but there is one thing that is going to bother me if I don't ask. Prydania, Sovereign Dixie, OfTheUs, Funkadelia and to some extent Dyr Nasad and Eluvatar have rarely posted for quite some time:

What was the catalyst that got you all to come back, all at the same time, with all the same enthusiasm to work on helping the region? 

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad for sure!  And I love some of the new ideas and am ready to assist.  But, wow, everyone jumping back in at the same time?  I'm just wondering what brought it on.

[Sovereign Dixie]

1)  I don't know where you're coming from with the "divisive and hostile atmosphere."  We have, I believe three instances that could really be called divisiveness (here and here and here).  And then this most recent epic disaster.

Most of the time this has been a pretty laid back place over the last nine months or so since I've been here.

*Nods* I get you. I wasn't trying to imply that its been a constant and perpetually ongoing thing.  At least this most recent outbreak though seems like... well, there's more to it than what's on the surface. I could be wrong though. Either way, a little more civility never killed anyone. Except for that one time. When it did.

2)  I am very interested in helping the region in any way that I can.  My most recent ideas/efforts can be found in the links below.  I would very much like to know which everyone thinks are viable, and which ones I shouldn't waste my time on - or rather, more than I already have.

Writing Contest:  http://forum.taijitu.org/college-of-the-creative-arts/boisaire-ar-2-(november-2015)/

Greater War:  http://forum.taijitu.org/pre-modern/protectors-of-the-common-people-(1940-)/

Forum Makeover: http://forum.taijitu.org/general-discussion/forum-makeover/

Micro RPs:  http://forum.taijitu.org/planning-room/idea-micro-rps/

Daily Polls:  http://forum.taijitu.org/taijitu-polls/

These are all ideas that I think are beneficial. The Greater War idea (or something similar) is something that I've kicked around in my head for a few years now.

And yes, a forum Makeover would be a good thing, to make it more intuitive and better organised so that newbies aren't "OHHH MAIIII GAWWWWD WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK IS THIS SHIT"

Micro RP's... that's an interesting idea and something I'd never really thought about. I've done a couple of sessions over chat before and then me and whomever would make a "joint post" of the content. But this is something that could be quite interesting.

I could be wrong, but I think the daily polls are something we used to actually have. I think Wast used to do them? Not sure. But either way, I approve.

The writing contest is quite interesting as well. I admit I blinked a bit when I seen the prize section. *laughs*

They're all good ideas worthy of effort! Just don't push yourself too hard or burn yourself out.

3) I want to move forward as well, but there is one thing that is going to bother me if I don't ask. Prydania, Sovereign Dixie, OfTheUs, Funkadelia and to some extent Dyr Nasad and Eluvatar have rarely posted for quite some time:

What was the catalyst that got you all to come back, all at the same time, with all the same enthusiasm to work on helping the region? 

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad for sure!  And I love some of the new ideas and am ready to assist.  But, wow, everyone jumping back in at the same time?  I'm just wondering what brought it on.

Well, I can't speak for OT, Funk, Dyr, or Elu. Only myself and to a degree Prydania 'cause him and I are best buds. Oz and OT had asked me about 3 or 4 months ago if I could come back, but I had to decline due to time constraints. I tried to make sure my nation stayed alive though, and also kept the founder from going CTE a few times and would poke my head onto the forums now and then to see what was going on.

Prydania and I had been talking amongst ourselves over the last couple of weeks of ressurecting our old RP that we'd been working on. Similar in idea to your Greater War thread, it was meant to be something that anyone could jump into as the threat within the story arc would potentially be a global menace. We figured if nothing else, fuck it, we could have some fun with it even if no one else was available.

So then it came to pass that OT and Ozzy called me up on skype and Oz told me he had become Delegate. Since I'd planned on coming back soon any way I decided to offer my services and then asked Prydania if he would like to come back as well.  And while yes I am enthusiastic about trying to help, my time is still rather limited. So my involvement will be more frequent (at least every two or three days) but possibly shorter in duration. As in, a couple of hours every two or three days. I'll just have to see where it goes. 

At the very least I want to be a voice of Alternative Opinion in the Ecclesia, and get my RP groove on.

[Khem]

2)  I am very interested in helping the region in any way that I can.  My most recent ideas/efforts can be found in the links below.  I would very much like to know which everyone thinks are viable, and which ones I shouldn't waste my time on - or rather, more than I already have.

Writing Contest:  http://forum.taijitu.org/college-of-the-creative-arts/boisaire-ar-2-(november-2015)/

Greater War:  http://forum.taijitu.org/pre-modern/protectors-of-the-common-people-(1940-)/

Forum Makeover: http://forum.taijitu.org/general-discussion/forum-makeover/

Micro RPs:  http://forum.taijitu.org/planning-room/idea-micro-rps/

Daily Polls:  http://forum.taijitu.org/taijitu-polls/

I love all of these things and want to see them all continue. I apologize for my own lack of time for the Greater War.

[Of The US]

BBB as for me coming back I'm usually on IRC but given whats been going on I've started to pay more attention to the forum as well now, its not so much coming back as just paying more attention.

I think all your ideas are also very good, and if I was a half decent writer I'd actually try to win the writing contest >.>

[bigbaldben]

*Nods* I get you. I wasn't trying to imply that its been a constant and perpetually ongoing thing.  At least this most recent outbreak though seems like... well, there's more to it than what's on the surface. I could be wrong though. Either way, a little more civility never killed anyone. Except for that one time. When it did.

Thanks for getting me.  I am certainly not here for the drama, and I think this place does relatively well.  Hopefully even better in the future.

And yes, a forum Makeover would be a good thing, to make it more intuitive and better organised so that newbies aren't "OHHH MAIIII GAWWWWD WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK IS THIS SHIT"

That is exactly what I said!  And it's also what I said when I came here.  I don't mean it as a slight to anyone the way that it is.  Stuff gets added in, thrown on and modified with the time available on a daily basis, and this is the result - always!  I have a new outline I think would help and would like to implement it.  But I don't even know who I need to badger to get that kind of access.  I know I'm a mod in one or two forums, but can't rejigger the whole thing.

Micro RP's... that's an interesting idea and something I'd never really thought about. I've done a couple of sessions over chat before and then me and whomever would make a "joint post" of the content. But this is something that could be quite interesting.

We've got one started that you can join in anytime and another I think that Oz and Khem are putting together.  I think it might have potential!  Especially when someone came up with the realization that they don't have to be adversarial - joint research or humanitarian efforts would be a nice change of pace.

I could be wrong, but I think the daily polls are something we used to actually have. I think Wast used to do them? Not sure. But either way, I approve.

You are NOT wrong.  I was trolling the archives to find stuff for the regional newsletter than I ran a few months and came across the daily polls.  I asked Wast and everyone else if they wouldn't mind me reviving them, they said go, and so I did.

The writing contest is quite interesting as well. I admit I blinked a bit when I seen the prize section. *laughs*

Well, the prize section is based on # of entries, which is so far ZERO.  We'll see, but I would love to be surprised by hitting some of the higher amounts! You should know I always put my money where my heart is, and right now, that's here. 

They're all good ideas worthy of effort! Just don't push yourself too hard or burn yourself out.

No doubt about it, you're exactly right.  I walk the line sometimes, but I love being creative and productive and helpful - all of which work well here I think. 

Well, I can't speak for OT, Funk, Dyr, or Elu. Only myself and to a degree Prydania 'cause him and I are best buds. Oz and OT had asked me about 3 or 4 months ago if I could come back, but I had to decline due to time constraints. I tried to make sure my nation stayed alive though, and also kept the founder from going CTE a few times and would poke my head onto the forums now and then to see what was going on.

Prydania and I had been talking amongst ourselves over the last couple of weeks of ressurecting our old RP that we'd been working on. Similar in idea to your Greater War thread, it was meant to be something that anyone could jump into as the threat within the story arc would potentially be a global menace. We figured if nothing else, fuck it, we could have some fun with it even if no one else was available.

So then it came to pass that OT and Ozzy called me up on skype and Oz told me he had become Delegate. Since I'd planned on coming back soon any way I decided to offer my services and then asked Prydania if he would like to come back as well.  And while yes I am enthusiastic about trying to help, my time is still rather limited. So my involvement will be more frequent (at least every two or three days) but possibly shorter in duration. As in, a couple of hours every two or three days. I'll just have to see where it goes. 

At the very least I want to be a voice of Alternative Opinion in the Ecclesia, and get my RP groove on.

I doubt you knew it but this is exactly what I had hoped.  I am looking forward to working with and getting to know all you guys/gals I don't know very well!

[bigbaldben]

BBB as for me coming back I'm usually on IRC but given whats been going on I've started to pay more attention to the forum as well now, its not so much coming back as just paying more attention.

I think all your ideas are also very good, and if I was a half decent writer I'd actually try to win the writing contest >.>

lol.  Yeah, but don't forget even a regulation size entry helps EVERYONE by having a bigger pot of dough from which to be prized.  Though if that last sentence was any indication, I might not be a very good judge, lol.

Now that you mention it, I have seen you sporadically.  I'm just glad you guys came back because you wanted to, not because of some measure of guilt or concern that we "have to save the community."  I don't believe it needs saved as much as it does reformed.  And I'm glad you guys are here to help. 

[bigbaldben]

2)  I am very interested in helping the region in any way that I can.  My most recent ideas/efforts can be found in the links below.  I would very much like to know which everyone thinks are viable, and which ones I shouldn't waste my time on - or rather, more than I already have.

Writing Contest:  http://forum.taijitu.org/college-of-the-creative-arts/boisaire-ar-2-(november-2015)/

Greater War:  http://forum.taijitu.org/pre-modern/protectors-of-the-common-people-(1940-)/

Forum Makeover: http://forum.taijitu.org/general-discussion/forum-makeover/

Micro RPs:  http://forum.taijitu.org/planning-room/idea-micro-rps/

Daily Polls:  http://forum.taijitu.org/taijitu-polls/

I love all of these things and want to see them all continue. I apologize for my own lack of time for the Greater War.

Dude, no apologies necessary in RP.  We do what we can because we like it, right?  It's not a job.  Oh God, please tell me it's not a job?   

[Dyr Nasad]

3) I want to move forward as well, but there is one thing that is going to bother me if I don't ask. Prydania, Sovereign Dixie, OfTheUs, Funkadelia and to some extent Dyr Nasad and Eluvatar have rarely posted for quite some time:

What was the catalyst that got you all to come back, all at the same time, with all the same enthusiasm to work on helping the region? 

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad for sure!  And I love some of the new ideas and am ready to assist.  But, wow, everyone jumping back in at the same time?  I'm just wondering what brought it on.

I have been back, continuously (other than the odd day or two) since I got back on NS in early 2014. The polls have been active, so I vote in polls. I do not spam when I have nothing to add. I also do not RP.

I suggest examining log-in patterns, PM response time, IRC presence, etc, before drawing the inaccurate conclusion that lack of posting = lack of activity/concern.

Otherwise, your ideas sound good. I have always enjoyed the polls, and people seem to like the RP ideas.

[Prydania]

I doubt you knew it but this is exactly what I had hoped.  I am looking forward to working with and getting to know all you guys/gals I don't know very well!

The feeling is mutual

Just to expand on my own reasons for returning...Taijitu has been a part of my life on and off for eight years now. Going on nine. Regional politics, RP, and the friends I've met. All reasons I came back now, and will always come back
Between the Centre Party getting going and RP? I hope to stick around a while longer this time.

[Dyr Nasad]

Also for the forum makeover - I will take another look around the acp to see if you can get the tools you need for that makeover. Otherwise some of us may end up taking on some of the implementation work for that idea.

[Sovereign Dixie]

2)  I am very interested in helping the region in any way that I can.  My most recent ideas/efforts can be found in the links below.  I would very much like to know which everyone thinks are viable, and which ones I shouldn't waste my time on - or rather, more than I already have.

Writing Contest:  http://forum.taijitu.org/college-of-the-creative-arts/boisaire-ar-2-(november-2015)/

Greater War:  http://forum.taijitu.org/pre-modern/protectors-of-the-common-people-(1940-)/

Forum Makeover: http://forum.taijitu.org/general-discussion/forum-makeover/

Micro RPs:  http://forum.taijitu.org/planning-room/idea-micro-rps/

Daily Polls:  http://forum.taijitu.org/taijitu-polls/

I love all of these things and want to see them all continue. I apologize for my own lack of time for the Greater War.

Dude, no apologies necessary in RP.  We do what we can because we like it, right?  It's not a job.  Oh God, please tell me it's not a job?   

LOL There have been a few times over my history with Taijitu that it felt like one Albeit a fun one.

[Khem]

2)  I am very interested in helping the region in any way that I can.  My most recent ideas/efforts can be found in the links below.  I would very much like to know which everyone thinks are viable, and which ones I shouldn't waste my time on - or rather, more than I already have.

Writing Contest:  http://forum.taijitu.org/college-of-the-creative-arts/boisaire-ar-2-(november-2015)/

Greater War:  http://forum.taijitu.org/pre-modern/protectors-of-the-common-people-(1940-)/

Forum Makeover: http://forum.taijitu.org/general-discussion/forum-makeover/

Micro RPs:  http://forum.taijitu.org/planning-room/idea-micro-rps/

Daily Polls:  http://forum.taijitu.org/taijitu-polls/

I love all of these things and want to see them all continue. I apologize for my own lack of time for the Greater War.

Dude, no apologies necessary in RP.  We do what we can because we like it, right?  It's not a job.  Oh God, please tell me it's not a job?   

LOL There have been a few times over my history with Taijitu that it felt like one Albeit a fun one.

Likewise I wish I could get paid to contribute to our collective...

* Khem remembers the writing contest.

[bigbaldben]

3) I want to move forward as well, but there is one thing that is going to bother me if I don't ask. Prydania, Sovereign Dixie, OfTheUs, Funkadelia and to some extent Dyr Nasad and Eluvatar have rarely posted for quite some time:

What was the catalyst that got you all to come back, all at the same time, with all the same enthusiasm to work on helping the region? 

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad for sure!  And I love some of the new ideas and am ready to assist.  But, wow, everyone jumping back in at the same time?  I'm just wondering what brought it on.

I have been back, continuously (other than the odd day or two) since I got back on NS in early 2014. The polls have been active, so I vote in polls. I do not spam when I have nothing to add. I also do not RP.

I suggest examining log-in patterns, PM response time, IRC presence, etc, before drawing the inaccurate conclusion that lack of posting = lack of activity/concern.

Otherwise, your ideas sound good. I have always enjoyed the polls, and people seem to like the RP ideas.

Open mouth, insert foot. My bad. You are right - you've been active in the polls and in on some of the discussions about a way ahead.  And in general, lack of posts do not mean lack of activity. I apologize, Dyr, and humbly request your forgiveness. 

[bigbaldben]

Also for the forum makeover - I will take another look around the acp to see if you can get the tools you need for that makeover. Otherwise some of us may end up taking on some of the implementation work for that idea.

Works for me!  Let me know either way!

[Sovereign Dixie]

3) I want to move forward as well, but there is one thing that is going to bother me if I don't ask. Prydania, Sovereign Dixie, OfTheUs, Funkadelia and to some extent Dyr Nasad and Eluvatar have rarely posted for quite some time:

What was the catalyst that got you all to come back, all at the same time, with all the same enthusiasm to work on helping the region? 

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad for sure!  And I love some of the new ideas and am ready to assist.  But, wow, everyone jumping back in at the same time?  I'm just wondering what brought it on.

I have been back, continuously (other than the odd day or two) since I got back on NS in early 2014. The polls have been active, so I vote in polls. I do not spam when I have nothing to add. I also do not RP.

I suggest examining log-in patterns, PM response time, IRC presence, etc, before drawing the inaccurate conclusion that lack of posting = lack of activity/concern.

Otherwise, your ideas sound good. I have always enjoyed the polls, and people seem to like the RP ideas.

Open mouth, insert foot. My bad. You are right - you've been active in the polls and in on some of the discussions about a way ahead.  And in general, lack of posts do not mean lack of activity. I apologize, Dyr, and humbly request your forgiveness. 

It happens lol. Even in my case, while I was pretty much silent I did peek in every month or two to make sure that no one had burned the place down