OK, here we go.
Those of you who think you know where I am going with this thread, should keep reading past the second paragraph. It will take quite a few unexpected turns, I assure you. Those of you who don't know what the fuck I am talking about, should probably skip this thread entirely.
Time to explain my recent actions to the Staff, and anybody else who has been following the months (years... eternity) of drama, concerning Bias and unjust bans. Swami has been the poster child of this discussion, however the discussion has traveled WAY beyond one person's treatment.
Those of you unfamiliar with the events surrounding what I plan to discuss in this thread may familiarize themselves with the situation by reading these threads:
Ythan's declaration of intention http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=Forum7&Number=4864857&page=1&fpart=all
My thread about Staff bias (Locked) http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=Forum7&Number=4864857&page=1&fpart=all
My public plea to Thor (Locked) http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/5032239/an/0/page/0
My Public Thank you to geo for punishing me. (Locked) http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/5034037/an/0/page/0
Again, if you have no clue what I am talking about, and you don't want to have a clue, save your time, stop reading now, simply post, "Fuck you, Cervantes." and be done with it.
If you have ever sent a PM about the issue, or made a recent Moderation decision based on this debacle, I'd like you to keep reading... and, in lew of posting "Fuck you, Cervantes." please contribute constructively to this discussion.
I wanted to get MYSELF treated with bias, so this community could REALLY look at the issue.
Why the hell did I have a stick up my ass for SO LONG?
Good question... I saw an opportunity to make a point... but I could only make my point with ACTIONS, rather than words.
However, since 2/3 of the threads I have posted in, in MR&P this week, have been locked by a Mod, who apparently fears the very thought of me, he suggested any further questions be asked here ( http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/5071508/Main/4855151#Post5071508 http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/5071461/Main/5034523#Post5071461 ) it seems words will, also, be required.
I'm Not a Witch
Let me make this clear, the bias cycle has been a problem here, at The Shroomery for a LONG time.
Veterans like 3DShrooms, Sykobish, Mr. Mushrooms... Christ! I could go on forever. The list reads like Shroomery's greatest hits! Almost ANY long term member, who has left in a huff, SINCE I BECAME A MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY, left because they got caught in the SAME TYPE OF DRAMA CYCLE as Swami, or I have.
Having this discussion about Swami was going nowhere. I had to discuss DRAMA in a NEUTRAL Forum... Swami was FAR TOO HOT... obviously (ie: 2/3 of the posts I have made in MR&P this week have been locked [see previous parenthetical ]) and the ONLY WAY I COULD THINK TO DO THAT, was to speak truths in public, until I was treated with bias... until I could make The Staff BELIEVE I was going to leave this community because I was SO OFFENDED.
In my bias thread (linked above) I make it clear from the start, that I waited until there was LITTLE DRAMA GOING ON. Then I said what needed to be said. Soon after, I got a warning for giving FEEDBACK in this, the FEEDBACK Forum. On a side note, perhaps the word Feedback should be stricken from the title of this forum. As it is rather confusing to be punished for OBEYING THE VERY TITLE OF THE FORUM YOU ARE POSTING WITHIN. Meh... mull it over...
Anyway, Thor, thank you for the productive discussion, also, thank you Trendal... you guys represented everything this community should stand for, while arguing against me in my bias thread. I can not say the same for the rest of the Staff members who posted in that thread. It was only after I had been compared to a suicide bomber, and a Mod said EVERYBODY accusing The Staff of BIAS was "Ignoring the facts". did I change my tone, and start to work towards my plan "B"... getting myself punished by a Staff, by telling the truth.
I had to prove to EVERYBODY that it could be easily done. You CAN be banned for honesty under the current Shroomery protocol.
So I got myself in trouble, by doing just that.
How'd I do it?
I know the Staff. Personally. THEY ARE CONSISTENT. In this case, I primarily picked on geo, because I know his behavior patterns when he is challenged COMPETENTLY, in heated debate.
Listen well kids, if geokills is mad at you, it doesn't matter what you say, how logical you are, how smart, nor does it matter how many people agree with you... if geokills is mad at you, he will let you, and EVERYBODY ELSE, know it. He, more than any other admin, bans to keep people quite.
Hell, geo warned me, back when I was a Mod, for TOWING THE PARTY LINE, and SUPPORTING The Staff's FIRST BANS OF SWAMI (only in public, kids ). The warning was only made in the Mod forum, so only The Staff can see it. But HEY STAFFERS, go and look. He REALLY DID IT! He WARNED me for SUPPORTING SWAMI'S BANS. Why? Cause I made him mad, by making a LOGICAL, SOUND and THOROUGH debate.
Seems geo doesn't like to debate me, because... uh... I have no clue why...
My point, as stated above, if geo is mad, it DON'T MATTER WHAT YOU DO. He'll find a way to punish you.
Like I said, consistent.
Unlike some Mods, I don't need to know what someone is thinking, to predict what they will eventually do. Mull THAT over...
It was only a matter of time, all I had to do was ignore geo's advice to send a support ticket. Eventually, he'd go back to his consistent behavior.
Of course, he had to be provoked. Geo does not ban on a whim, but if you challenge his ability to administrate (ESPECIALLY IN PUBLIC) he, like clockwork, will go apeshit.
Another thing that is consistent in geo's behavior: He likes to look GOOD in public. This IMO, is his Achillie's heel, and I've given him shit about it in the Mod Forum for the last year.
Finally, geo is able to look past his bias and THINK ABOUT THE ISSUES, if given time. He can take months to come around, BUT ON EVERY IMPORTANT ISSUE, geo eventually makes the right decision. AND, even if it takes MONTHS or a YEAR, he will say he changed his mind.
For example: I don't imagine geo will be very pleased about what I just said about him here, nor the other Admins for that matter... but in time, and after watching me PUT AN END TO THE DRAMA I CAUSED, and CONTRIBUTE as I always have, to this community... he will learn to appreciate what I have done, and the hardball tactics I have used. I trust this to be true.
I debated weather to post this thread.
I just had to lift the curtain a bit... and show you all that I know how to end the drama, and I know how to cause the drama... and when I say The Staff is AT LEAST 50% responsible for the drama that happens here, to VETERAN MEMBERS. I am NOT ATTACKING THIS COMMUNITY.
I am simply echoing Thor, and Ythan, in my own odd way:
Quote:
Thor said: The new banning system implemented by Ythan, which we call the banning tracker was created with the whole idea of it stopping or minimizing improper bans.
The system works in such a way that a user is given a points system based on the severity of infractions, the mods have to choose the infraction, and depending on points accumulated the severity of the mod action is determined.
So if say user Joebloe has 0 points, has an infraction, the mod can then only give a PM (automated) warning, after then earning 3 points Joebloe on 2nd infraction is given 24hr ban.
The nice thing is all warnings/bans are tracked, in fact if I click on a user I can see the threads in question, the notes, the reasons, etc..
This whole concept is there for one reason, to remove as much 'personal, biased, unreasonable' bans.. Now of course we still have issues of long time members who have 'reputations' who might not get the benefit of the doubt, but the system is such that a mod can't just outright ban someone cause of the past, the must follow the steps built into the system.
Quote:
Ythan said: I write this post as the founding member of the Shroomery and its most senior administrator, to proclaim my intention upon starting the site, and to help guide future decisions affecting its members. This should not be read as an official policy, rather it simply represents my personal goals and wishes when it comes to running the site. It is my greatest desire that the Shroomery remain a haven for free speech and differing ideologies, including those generally deemed offensive and detestable, as long as such speech is not illegal, expresses a genuine belief or opinion, and is not an obvious attempt to generate discord or disrupt the community (aka 'trolling'). I contend that it is the duty of the administration to extend equal rights and privileges to all members (including disliked and controversial ones), and to ensure that site guidelines are enforced fairly and without prejudice due to an individual's beliefs. The administration should make reasonable accommodations for those with controversial viewpoints, including equal access to the site's resources and a public forum to express their opinions. Under no circumstances should disciplinary or punitive action be based on what could be considered moral judgment, only on specific infractions spelled out in advance. These principles should take priority over all others, especially offering a 'friendly', 'non-threatening' or 'non-controversial' atmosphere. I propose that the freedom we provide is the site's most unique and valuable aspect, and it should be a top priority of the administration to safeguard said freedom. Finally, it is not my intention for people to over-analyze this statement, 'read between the lines' or twist my quotes to support any position beyond the one specifically outlined within: questions of free speech on the Shroomery should not be decided on moral grounds.
-Ythan 10/28/05
This is a fucking AMAZING website!
I am not offering suggestions as to how to Stop Bias entirely, I have simply spent the last several months making a mockery of your CURRENT system because it simply does not live up to the high standards you have set for yourself.
With a better system, 3DShrooms may not have (allegedly) gone apeshit... Sykobish wouldn't have (allegedly) turned SO Syko SO soon... and Mr. Mushrooms posts would still be here, for ALL TO SEE.
This discussion isn't about Swami, and even though his name had come up often in past discussions, it was always about something LARGER...
Swami is the only person I listed (including ME in my self induced plan "B" drama) who HAS NOT GONE APESHIT OVER THE BIAS HE HAS ENDURED. He's taken his lumps, patiently posted about it, while The Staff privately made him into a witch.
Do you see now why I am saying The Staff is at least 50% responsible here?
They don't mean to (usually) but they do provoke as much drama, at least with upset VETERANS as they stop. Think about how Syko and 3D were treated with BIAS, BY THE STAFF, BEFORE THEY TRIED (allegedly) to HARM THIS WEBSITE.
You know I ain't lying, eh staff? In Fact, quite a few of you probably fear(ed) such tactics from me, if I kept talking like I was.
Trust me. I'm just your friendly neighborhood Cervantes.
I am not smug about what I have done... I will take my lumps, like Swami, and wait for The Staff to FIX THE PROBLEM. I have no doubt YOU WILL. YOU ARE CONSISTENT. You EVENTUALLY will do the right thing. May take several months, but it will happen.
This post has not met my expectations, and it has not lived up to some of the promises I have made to others, about what would be contained herein, however, I hope the discussion which follows will be productive.
I hope everybody I have hurt, to make my point, Shroomism, Wiccan, Maia, geo, Trendal, and anybody else on The Staff who wish to vent their grievances, will do so here... for it is my intent to end ALL DRAMA and bad blood, that I have had a part in causing.
Don't prejudge my words, this post has been a long time in the making, I have all the best intent.
Look at my actions, and ask yourself if what I have said here is true.
I have lied during this drama, I told someone I wasn't coming back. That clearly is not true. Just a FINAL button on my previous bout of intentional drama creation. I needed The Staff to feel the WEIGHT of such heavy handed techniques. I trust that by simply needing to treat ME with bias, rather than Swami, they would understand the consequences of their actions. I never intended to leave, but obviously I could not remain a Mod and make the points I had to make. Hell, I could barely be allowed to post!
I hope this post makes sense. I have ALWAYS intended to put an end to such DRAMA since the day I became a Mod. I believe my past posts will set me free.
I hope this is received as I intended: A painful and ugly Christmas gift.
Merry Christmas (War is Over), Cerv
p.s. Why is Ripple's name in the title of this thread?
2 reasons:
1. I wanted him to read it.
2. Even though he may not think himself eloquent enough to explain my actions to the Staff, I trust Ripple, despite how he has doubted my previous actions, to make sure EVERYBODY on The Staff knows I mean no further harm. I trust Ripple to understand what I mean, and what I have done, without needing to read my signature.
p.p.s. Maia, you can stop locking the threads I post in now. Come on, call me an, "Asshole" then give me a virtual hug. It is what I want for Christmas.
p.p.s.s. I have not edited this LONG post very much... sorry if it was hard to read... if I edited it, I would've chickened out before I posted it.
p.p.p.s.s. Thank you geo, for not banning me last week, I WAS asking for it.
The End
Sorry
-------------------- Fiddlesticks.
Edited by Rose (12/17/05 12:30 AM)
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