"Statement of Intent" Topic

This is in regard to a number of incidents and allegations on TMP along with various "crisis," "kerfuffles," and "brou-ha-ha" that have come up recently. One is tempted to comment on them directly but one realizes that to do so only deepens and exacerbates the problem. I therefore comment only with this statement of intent to be more positive, patient, and pleasant in my discourse and attempt to strictly hone that discourse towards war games and its elaboration and enhancement. This does not mean one must be uncritical or supportive of wrong doing or bad ideas, but one should in the latter case be helpful as much as one can rather than cynical. Also, to be more forgiving in the hope of not perpetuating such incidents as arise.

Words hurt. The temptation is to double down and strike back. But that does not solve anything.

Also, always to remember that it is a silly, stupid hobby, but one that we are all passionate about.

I second this sentiment and statement.

I think Otto's initiative is to be applauded. And to be followed upon. Not implicitly contradicted.

Terrement, please reconsider the reflex that made you post like you did. What value does it add to TMP?

Hear, hear, Otto. I'm on board with that.

I don't harbor any illusions about it having any effect on JJ's 8+ categories of pot-stirrer, but I'm definitely not going there.

Jeff

I like pie.

Unfortunately when the boards was locked for several days, I discovered once I couldn't post I had no desire to even look very long. So I have actually cut down on my time here and concentrated on other things.

Dear Terrament

All that you say is true, however we are NOT nations nor can we apply the sanctions of nations against each other, either in the egregious person who does this things or in our response. Nor do we have to. There Is another way, a much better way.

There are common codes of conduct and behavior.

In the good old Victorian times a person who did the above would mark himself out as an unpleasant or ungentlemanly person and would receive polite silence when possible, and if not possible, bland formalities as a response. His persistence in his ways would mark him out as the most tiresome person and nothing is as anathema in polite society as to be labeled as "tiresome." The message would soon get through that the other person was not going to respond in any meaningful way. Polite discourse has a hundred such ways. For most of the things you cite the most effective is simply not to snap at the bait which we know has the hook in it. We all here are adults and know when we are being bated or gored in the hope of getting a rise out of us. Rather than replying and replying in kind, the best is simply to ignore it or simply dismiss it with a bland statement like "I hold your position to be invidious and untrue."

I'm not suggesting a wholesale adoption of Victorian Morality which would ludicrous if not impossible, but we all know when a conversation is meant to be nasty, invidious, and inflammatory.

I submit that genteel silence and polite indifference will do far more to restrain the "miscreant" in the future than wading into the fray with them. In the latter case we assume the role of "Brer Rabbit" and they the tar baby. We only get tar all over us.

I prefer not to be "Brer' rabbit."

On the other hand I wouldn't mind getting up close and snuggly with Jessica Rabbit.

Which brings me to the final point. The best way to answer people like this is humor. Why reach for the gun when you can reach for the custard pie instead?

Thank you all for your support.

Good thoughts but I dare say one person's humor often seems to be seen by a direct attack by some other person. (Not referring to any specific persons in either case but it does happen).

Best not to take anything as a personal attack without privately communicating with the hostile actor beforehand.

Oh and never, NEVER, let TMP Talk show up on your homepage…

Unfortunately when the boards was locked for several days,

The boards weren't locked for several days, it was just a few hours on each of a couple of days. There hasn't been a day that I have been entirely unable to post.

Well said, OSchmidt. Indeed, I think I will step away from the discussions and follow your suggestion.
Life's short; therefore, play more games!

Didn't the Dali Lama say "Be kind".
Well said OS!

Si dormieris cum porcis, surrexisti stercore coopertum.

Dear Thread

I don't think Terrament had any other spirit than simply to enumerate the possible attitudes and motivations of those who do not see the best. That's nothing wrong. In fact I'm glad he did.

One thing more. I am no saint myself and have been at times a "miscreant" of the type he mentions, but that was long ago. I've seen the folly of my former ways.

Terrement is right, bad actors will become good guys just because we wish them too. Others are right, the retort of humor may be dangerous if not applied right.

I just think that we all can do better and help to make TMP a better place. There's no grand vision here. I'm doing this simply because it's a lot of fun to talk to people involved in the same hobby and break up the day with pleasant conversation. Besides, we always can learn something or get new ideas.

There is another point too. No one is harmed by having a good nay-sayer around. What I mean above does not mean that we must only say nice things. We all get enthusiastic about our projects, rules and games, and it doesn't help us any to have just fan-boys around telling us how wonderful we are. If a game we are designing is a steaming pile, we need some to tell us-- nicely-- so we can save the effort and perhaps turn it the right way.

Now as far as pies…. Rhubarb pie with two scoops of vanilla is sublime, but if you want the best, Maine Blueberry pie is also scrumptious. However I also like Linzertortes, Sachertorte, Schwarzwalderkirschtorte, and Hazelnusstorte.

I like tarts of any flavor.

Otto

Otto,
I fully agree and applaud your statement.

I like apple and blackberry pie. Also steak and kidney.

"Freedom" isn't "nice". It's messy like a good cobbler with ice cream…although that is not to say that freedom is by default, delicious with milk, tea, or coffee.

People act as they will, whether or not to interact with them on a forum such as this is a choice that each must make.

Too many variable to come up with a hard and fast rule, also a bit like cobbler, ice cream, milk, tea, and/or coffee.

Bring me some cake!

Amen to that, OSchmidt!

Sometimes I allow stuff here to get my blood up. I try to stay cool, but sometimes my discipline breaks and I've said stuff here I lived to regret, even been dawghaused a couple times.

I will not only keep trying, I will redouble my efforts, as there's really no reason for all the silliness we see here, and certainly nothing gets accomplished.

And no more messing with all this fruity stuff, I need chocolate!

V/R,
Jack

Otto has expressed my sentiments exactly.

One thing more. I am no saint myself and have been at times a "miscreant" of the type he mentions, but that was long ago. I've seen the folly of my former ways.

I wish I could say the same, although the person who provoked me is no longer on the board and will not be coming back. After all, expressing support for an organisation that came close to killing one does make one rather tetchy.

Hello Terrement.

Just so. I use it to give direction to some of my solo games.

Drop me a line at raminad8 AT msn DOT com if you like.

Bob

Dear Terrement

Yes, you are correct Tarts can be taken in more ways than one. That's the fun of them. Harem girls, French Maids, Cheerleaders, … oh you meant the OTHER kind of tarts-- yes, with ice-cream, honey sauce, ala mode, mit kircschwasser, mit Schlag…..