To all of those reading/taking part on this thread.
I'll be sincere with you all.
Based on what I have seen of this discussion until now, I don't think that it's going to achieve any objective other than a revision of the bans of the people mentioned multiple times on this thread.
The majority staff isn't just eneough transparent, mature, and open to criticism enough to come here and discuss this with the community. Of the ones that posted here until now,
@Ruby and
@NuttsnBolts, seen like they just came to try to save face and looking like they are open to discussion, when they trully aren't. In fact, Nutt's first post on this discussion was an open attempt to shut down all dialogue and shift the blame on the community and, especially
@Cyndyr, this thread's OP.
*On the question of why we do not allow other members to create an appeal for a ban member, the last two cases show the various extremes of someone who has obeyed the rules of their ban, and someone who intends to continue with their immaturity. We need to evaluate the user on an individual level.
(Nyt: Your Discord ban is currently being reviewed)
This is probably one of the worst issues of the moderation so far, this no discussion policy and no thrid party appeal. It just doesn't make sense, especially when the mods can just use their function's prerogative to ignore whatever they want... until the situation explodes, like this.
The next point I would like to address is Cyndyr's decision for quoting my Private discussion with her. You by no means were obligated to display the additional portion of that discussion that I held with you, but you chose to do so. The reason why I directed you to Ruby was because I had no part in that discussion and if you would like to remedy any views on your persona then it would probably be a wiser decision to talk to the Staff Member in question rather than someone who was at the time heading second hand news.
As pointed out you and Ruby had some sort of dispute that branches back to before the creation of RPG Official and you should be the one to take responsibility for those actions. The mention of accountability has been bought up in this thread, but by creating this thread you have also involved multiple members of the community who have nothing to do with the events being discussed. Do you take ownership for that in the same way that I have taken ownership for the bans, and mistakes, that I have made within my short time as a moderator?
Your actions here, combined with Grim's actions, and even the actions of the staff, have affected many members in a negitive way. Friendships have been lost, trust shattered throughout the community, and the screenshots of who is the worse person needs to stop if we have any desire to move forward. Continuing to fight, rather than discuss; aggravated rants, rather than reports; and even quick reactions rather than a step back and reflection, have all stopped people from roleplaying and forced them into a battle of site politics. In future, raise your concerns through the correct channels so we can deal with them more efficiently.
Declarations such as this are dangerous in so many ways that it's even hard to name them. If publicly denouncing potential power abuse and asking for explanations by relying on the power of the community is so wrong, explain to me why is it that the democratic government model (flawed as it's), is still the system most people in the world perfer to live under?
Conformism and behind the doors discussion aren't ways to improve, just push this further and further towards a dictatorship-like status.
Throughout all of the history of mankind, there were always people willing to sacrifice themselves for change and those willing to crush the voice of the opposition. Which group are you in?
To conclude I will not be discussing this post any more and if someone wishes to see additional evidence on the bans, to discuss the accountability of the staff, or to question the meaning of my message, they are to PM me directly. Keep in mind that you will be talking to a site moderator and if I deem the topic not to a satisfactory, mature level I will declare the topic annul.
This one is hardly worthy commenting. It was just a plain and not even veiled at all attempt to kill the debate. Nevertheless, it failed and Nutts came back anyway. The intent is clear but it couldn't hold up against the pressure of the masses. I would like to believe that it signals change, but that's not so evident up to now.
Will it be someday? Who knows?
@KangarooYou are the only one that still has my unconditional respect up to now, based on your declarations. Nevertheless, if the mods are discussing among themselves, like you said, whys is it that they can't come over here and be open with us? Just as pointed by others in this thread? The only impression that their secrecy gives off is that the moderation is either plotting a way to quell the discussion or... taking the coward's route and waiting for the "fire to die out" befre they can come crawling out of the Discord bunker.
This is seriously one of the most disgusting demonstrations of behavior form public figures that I have seen in quite a while. It's just insane how none of you can see it. Shocking, is the only word I have to say.
I was about to ignore my guests for a long time to write a post to address everything in this thread and then I realized that's very inappropriate, so you'll have to wait until next week. Apologies.
You have greatly disappointed me by promissing to address the needs of the community over the course of the week and not popping back even once.
When you do come back it's to post a snide comment such as the one above. I mean, if don't have time and or interest for this thread, at least don't post this kind of obviously vitriolic comment.
Please, don't make this look like it's a non-issue. It's not.
Finally, to address the elephant in the room that no one else is willing to poke:
Where is
@Mahz at a time like this? Please, don't come to me and say that he's having problems with RL business. Unless he's stuck in a hospital bed, or is taking care of someone who's, it's impossible that he can't spare even an hour of his time to come and take care of the community he created.
It's just blatant irresponsibility. He wants to reap the laurels of being the creator and director of this site, of having his work praised, but doesn't want to be open and discuss stuff with us when it matters? When we bring valid and important questions to him? That's just not how a leader behaves, simple as that.
To conclude my statement, just beware that this kind of situation (lack of leadership qualities from those in command) can be easily addressed by applying the principles of basic leadership presented by people like Sun Tzu in the past. A quick read of the Art of War, is probably enough to have you reflect on your actions and try to come back here for a proper discussion and with a positive attitude towards this community.
A leader that doesn't act as a leader doesn't deserve to lead. There are only three routes that you can go from there: Either he changes, he steps down, or he's deposed... or you be like the Brazilian government, that's your choice as well.
Cordially,
— RS
