locked

After 4 years of being a memeber of this community I was shocked earlier in the year when It was revealed to me privately that my presence here was not wanted. I was warned that several members were trying to find a way to get me banned because they disliked my posts or felt I was not the kind of person they wanted in the community. I was encouraged to ignore these individuals and stay, but I find this difficult to do with some of the snide comments thrown my way in non P&C areas. Bottom line is I no longer enjoy posting or reading threads here.

I am not looking for sympathy nor do I really care what a few think. However I would like to encourage the community to examine for a moment how a few individuals who believe their beliefs or desires are more important than others are dominating these boards. I came here because I wanted a place to have adult conversation on gaming topics. Yet what I am finding this year is that a small few are making that impossible. In no way has this behavior been directed to me by the owners of the board or the admins. These comments and PM's were orginated by members of the group.

Its one thing to dislike me or my beliefs, I respect that. Its quite another thing to purposly try to run off those that disagree with you. I think it shows a lack of maturity and an unwillingness to respect others rights and feelings.

McDonis

Do you have examples of snide comments? Or names? I'd like to help you but this is all very vague so it's hard.

SixteenBlue wrote:

Do you have examples of snide comments? Or names? I'd like to help you but this is all very vague so it's hard.

And truth told I can't think of many posts I've seen by McDonis so it's hard to really agree or disagree with his perspective. I know I've disagreed with a number of folks around here but no one has ever tried to run me off.

I know that you were sent some IRC links that had commentary that was derogatory about your Appalachian thread, and I know that a few of us(myself included) had said some things that I wouldn't want to read about a thread I had started, but you should definitely know that IRC is a silly beast, and those transcripts should never have been sent to you. Basically IRC is where a bunch of nerds keep eachother entertained all day while dicking around at work. It was an out of context conversation that quickly moved on, and I for one am sorry for my place in it.

P&C is also a catty bunch:) I would definitely not judge GWJ based on IRC and P&C.

That said - I don't know of any conversation *ever* that has taken place with people conspiring to get someone fired or run off. I have the feeling that a movement like that would backfire on people. I daresay Certis doesn't look kindly on that.

The community is what you make of it.

I know that in P&C I've often disagreed with you, but have tried to be up-front with it and keep it to those conversations. So hopefully I haven't been among the number of individuals giving the impression that you are unwelcome, and I am sorry that you feel that way.

Hopefully this thread isn't a "parting shot", but you are instead sticking around for this particular conversation before you decide to stay or leave. While technically violating the CoC, hopefully the thread isn't locked, but rather steered towards a productive conversation.

No value judgement here, because I have no facts, so I'm just speculating and posting some thoughts.

1: Is it possible that you were, in fact, offensive or a douchebag (inadvertantly or not) to some people? That their hackles were rightfully raised?

2: "getting people banned" is high-school BS that has no place in an adult community.

3: On the other hand, did you do something that did in fact contravene the Code Of Conduct, so people had some right to be angry/annoyed at you such that a ban would have been a reasonable and appropriate response?

4: The only people who are really in any place to police the on-site behavior of members of this community are Certis and Elysium. No-one else is really in a position to "examine for a moment how a few individuals who believe their beliefs or desires are more important than others are dominating these boards."

If there's a moderation issue, you're welcome to PM me anytime. Beyond that, we don't support these kind of "I'm leaving" or "People are mean to me" threads. Sorry, but I'm going to have to lock it.

Also keep in mind the IRC channel is absolutely not an official GWJ place. If you spend time there, its only attachment to this site are the shared members.

I have nothing to contribute (everyone above has pretty much summed up my thoughts) other than a But I am really hoping this can be resolved.