How to Get Along

Day 1,806, 06:23 • Published in United Kingdom United Kingdom • by Lord Lewis Cromwell


Hi everyone!

I've been thinking a bit about the national media, how corrupt some people's words are, the intelligence some people have shown and some interesting debates (or flat-out arguments for those who don't know how to debate) and came to one conclusion: What the hell is some people's problem?

"I hate forums!"
Fine then, but why do people play a political game if they hate discussion?
Surely, if someone has said they hate fora, discussion, exchanging ideas and otherwise, they cannot expect to do well in a game where winning over people with ideas is much more important than flexing your muscles (unless you have a webcam and a youtube partnership, but still a bit ineffective). Why do they bother, then? What's their problem?

"I hate the most successful party in the country and some of the forum staff are members of that party"
Now we're getting somewhere.

Why are you filled with hatred? Why do you fight for the sake of fighting? What have I done differently to you that has led us down separate paths, because I am neither a member of this "monopolist" party you are screaming about, do not talk to them and have no great friends there but I am not filled with rage. Perhaps because I am not screaming with rage and have a sense of humour I have been accepted into a wider community than my own party and am happier for it? Yes, something like that.

"But they edited a post and gave me an infraction point!"
Ok, you must've said something that crossed a line somewhere. No biggy, it's happened to me too! I got curious about this "elitist" group of world-dominating madmen and did a little reading, did you know they're actually real people who just seem to want to get along? How would you react if people were setting up parties and rallying people against you just for existing? If you feel truly persecuted perhaps you need to consider that you were actually going too far as well, nobody is perfect.

I found in one of our CP's recent articles that they welcome all applicants to join the moderator team, and so me, an independent, a nobody, a foul-mouthed wretch with a bad sense of humour can join this elitist sub-culture. Wow, I've finally made it. Perhaps by opening yourself and your mind you can make it, too.

"But they're EXCLUSIVE and like to hide things!"
How so? Have you been declined membership when asked? Were you fobbed off when you asked a question? Perhaps your PM was ignored completely? I know that some of my PM's have been ignored lately and they weren't sent to anyone "elitist". Perhaps you're only reading what you want to read. Question yourself before you question others, the answers to what is angering you is often in you.

"I prefer to use IRC!"
That's cool, but that doesn't mean they're wrong for using a very widespread and well-honed method of online communication. They probably use IRC too and if you accepted that they are just people too, using what they like using and what has proven useful then you'd be less angry in yourself and more productive. For example, I can be reached on the forums, in-game mail and on IRC, my friend can be reached on IRC and so when I want to contact him I use IRC, when I want to contact my other friend I use the forums and thus I am utilising every tool and accepting their opinions of usage to the greater benefit of my friendships and am happier for it.

"Well I don't like them forums so I'll make my own!"
Why? Isn't that defeating your own point? You feel that one widespread and established forums who a lot of people have put a lot of time, money and effort into to make as good as they can be isn't inclusive enough and so make your own where you and your band of brothers can do exactly the same somewhere else, excluding everyone else? Do you not see the logical fallacy your anger has brought about?

"But in one of their articles they said 'Join the forums!'"
How else are new people going to know there is such a useful method of communication for them to have their voice heard so easily? Rebelling against every miniscule thing will see you struggling against your duvet for the rest of your life while those around you get out of bed and enjoy themselves.

"I just want to use in-game communication!"
That's fine, too. But don't expect the world to revolve around you when there are better options. Accepting that fact will make you a better person since life will treat you the same way. As mentioned before, it's ok to choose which methods you like, dislike and use, but don't expect everyone to be the same. In-game functions are unwieldy for large groups in private and impossible for open debate.

"The government should use in-game articles to tell the people everything!"
I think you'll find that they already do and have always done.

"The public should be included in all discussion!"
The very people who were touting this before the congress elections stopped touting it as soon as they got into congress. You'll find all congressional discussion except very rare sensitive issues on the forums, not (as these people have been lobbying for since they took their congress votes and gold) in private messages where people can't have their say. Come to your own conclusions on those "people". Perhaps more of the public would be having their say on these discussions if lies hadn't been spread about their usage.

"We're CLEANING the eUK!"
I'm disgusted to see this kind of comment from some people. Terrible, terrible things have been done with this kind of mentality. Question yourself for your own good.

Forums are perfect for open debate, IRC is perfect for instant debate, in-game articles are perfect for well-presented and lasting ideas to be put forward and private messages either on the forums or in-game are pretty much the same. Everything has it's merit, every single one is useful, that is why the community (not TUP, not Keers, not our current CP, not me or Romper) has adopted all methods to collectively function for all citizens to participate in some form or other.

Calling for the sole usage of one method has only been called out by one portion of one party which has recently surfaced. Nobody has ever claimed "ONLY USE THE FORUMS OR YOU'RE A BAD PERSON!" nor "IRC IS THE ONLY METHOD YOUR SHOULD USE!" but these people have been campaigning as if the people who use the forums for discussion do so as some power play rather than it's utility, who will use IRC for secret chat rooms and call for all discussion and communication to be done in the public eye "for the people".

What they haven't realised is that if you've chosen which methods of communication you like and are willing to utilise, and take the stick out of your backside to actually just get along with the wider community than your own party and make our NATION get along you will be accepted from every angle. Balance everything!

Now be cool, stay cool or learn what cool is!

LLC
Proud member of the coolest party