I had initially put together a rather massive rant on this subject. But in the end I felt it would have been a wasted effort to leave it as it was.
Instead, I'll leave only a few questions and some personal thoughts for everyone to consider.
Questions
(Kindly think about the first two on your own, and try to actually answer #3 and #4)
If you honestly have an answer for #3 and #4 which could benefit the site and community, kindly send me a PM with your suggestions so I can bring it up to the rest of the RpN Staff. We want this site to be as safe and welcoming to everyone on both sides of this issue as possible.
Thoughts
The last time I allowed someone much younger than me into my life, I learned around 80-85% of everything you can read about in the "Role-Player's Guide" tutorial series I've shared with the community on this website.
The last time I allowed someone much older than me into my life, I earned a lifelong friend and mentor in music which is a passion of mine.
Remember that this is RpNation. It's a place for community, interaction, involvement, unity, and fun. It's a place for people of all age groups, gender identities, ethnic and racial backgrounds, social standings, etc., to come and forget the ugliness of the world outside the web and just relax and have a good time together with a hobby and passion we all share.
This talk of age preferences is not harmless. When you talk too strongly about "I won't RP with this group, period!" that's basically an open letter of hostility and contempt for anyone in that group. You might not have intended it that way. But the saying goes "if it can be misinterpreted, it will be." And seeing those words can be mentally and emotionally detrimental to those in that group who read your posts, which is not what this site is about.
Words are powerful. They can be harmful. And if used the wrong way they can even be dangerous.
In an online environment like this the text we type onto the screen is all we have to communicate.
Use your words responsibly, please.
Thank you,
- GojiBean
Instead, I'll leave only a few questions and some personal thoughts for everyone to consider.
Questions
(Kindly think about the first two on your own, and try to actually answer #3 and #4)
- How does exclusionary behavior benefit the community of RpNation?
- What are some of the potential mental and emotional consequences this behavior forces those who are on the receiving end to endure?
----
- Do you have an alternative solution or suggestion that would benefit those who are being excluded?
- How should the RpNation Staff look at this issue moving forward? (Because this is clearly an issue which is adversely affecting our user base)
If you honestly have an answer for #3 and #4 which could benefit the site and community, kindly send me a PM with your suggestions so I can bring it up to the rest of the RpN Staff. We want this site to be as safe and welcoming to everyone on both sides of this issue as possible.
Thoughts
The last time I allowed someone much younger than me into my life, I learned around 80-85% of everything you can read about in the "Role-Player's Guide" tutorial series I've shared with the community on this website.
The last time I allowed someone much older than me into my life, I earned a lifelong friend and mentor in music which is a passion of mine.
Remember that this is RpNation. It's a place for community, interaction, involvement, unity, and fun. It's a place for people of all age groups, gender identities, ethnic and racial backgrounds, social standings, etc., to come and forget the ugliness of the world outside the web and just relax and have a good time together with a hobby and passion we all share.
This talk of age preferences is not harmless. When you talk too strongly about "I won't RP with this group, period!" that's basically an open letter of hostility and contempt for anyone in that group. You might not have intended it that way. But the saying goes "if it can be misinterpreted, it will be." And seeing those words can be mentally and emotionally detrimental to those in that group who read your posts, which is not what this site is about.
Words are powerful. They can be harmful. And if used the wrong way they can even be dangerous.
In an online environment like this the text we type onto the screen is all we have to communicate.
Use your words responsibly, please.
Thank you,
- GojiBean