- g english
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- Exalted Mythic Member
There's only one kind of metal, and it's black.
Posted by: King Picollo
Beer = win
Poll: Counting Posts by Hand Is So Yesterday [closed]
| Yes, visible post counts (as seen on the boards):
24%
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|
(7 Votes)
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| Yes, invisible post counts (as seen on profiles):
21%
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|
(6 Votes)
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| No post counts whatsoever:
55%
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(16 Votes)
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Total Votes: 29
The fabled post count has been something denied from Bungie.net users for quite some time, and it was only very recently that I began to ponder (and actually take seriously) the possibilities, consequences, and proponents of such a measure. I have left out some of the more obvious trinkets that tail along with a post count, as I am limited to 10,000 characters (roughly 1600 words);
i.e. karma systems, membership privileges, contests, etc.
The idea is actually quite simple, but only markedly so. Most internet forums, if not all, have displayable post counts. Displayed in such a way that each user—whether regular, sporadic, or barely existent—may know just how active their fellow users are. How much has Bulletproof posted in the past week. Oh look, Agent of Death just hit 1000!
What usually comes blistering through a seemingly benign "privilege" is the onslaught of negative consequences. Among them, one of the most prevalent involves the individual elitism and bigotry most common amongst the more regular members, including the "old school" members, how ever you may define such a label. Such an example follows:
User A employs his post count against User B as a means to consider himself "above" or aloof of User B. Basically, I'm better than you because I have more posts -blam!-
What usually follows are the typical "noob" comments, incessant and unjustified flaming; and ultimately thread bumping, trolling, and spamming. Most of the time, these stigmas are the direct result of some newer or less active member coming along, posting his business...but said business tends to be fraught with grammatical errors or maybe some nasty comments here and there, and as a result there's usually an older member that comes along and says Who are you? Go away! Shut up noob. etc. As a regular of the Flood forum, believe me, I've been around that circle quite a few times, but it's not a perfect one.
These consequences apply everywhere, however, not just Bungie.net. I'm a relatively active member of another—staunchly different both in subject and demeanor—forum of which the members display a level of maturity that even makes Bungie.net look like a child's fair. Mind you, most of these members, especially the higher-roled members (the admins and feelance helpers) are of age—on average, the age range is from about 18-50; a wide gap, but there are never problems of spamming, incorrigible behavior, or even elitism.
Now I know what's going through most of your heads. That statement I just made about three lines ago is glaring me in the face just as much as it is you. And as I write this very sentence, I'm trying almost fruitlessly to rebut it with something really idealistic and democratic. It's not working. Truth is, I can't give you a speech on why Bungie.net is, on average, more immature than most other forums on the internet. As a matter of self-inflicting thought, I can't even comprehend why the hell gaming-based forums—"gaming-based" meaning that the forums are located on a website centered on gaming in some form or fashion—are almost always the culprits when it comes to the overused maturity v. immaturity problem.
**Rhetorical question**
Why is it that forums about sex, health, politics, etc. are almost always more mature and less fraught with dissenters? Something to think about.
What's the first reason that popped into your head? Age? Gender base? Or is it just the forum's subject material after all? I'm not going to digress any further...
As I mentioned earlier, I'm not here to make a self-righteous speech on how we can somehow leech maturity and sense into the minds of those that do choose to participate on Bungie's forums. However, what I can do is give reasons why post count and maturity of participating members are not always dependent variables.
We all know that the "King of Immaturity" on Bungie's forums can be arbitrarily placed on one, maybe two, forums—heh, heavy lies the crown. I'm not giving my opinions on the matter; the two that any one of you choose is completely subjective and of no purpose here. After all, Bungie's forums are unified under one roof. Whether you're a regular of the Halo 2 forum, the Halo 3 forum, or the Flood, you're still a part of the collective community. As such, your actions indirectly influence others'.
Nonetheless, one cannot not justifiably claim that all must take the fall because of a few miscreants. Obviously, the job and duty of any policing state or body, in this case Bungie, is to do what's good for the interests of the overall community and the state itself. The question still looms. Is it really that big of a deal? Does a visible post count by the entire community really hinder the efforts of Bungie's forums as a peaceful and affable center of communication, amongst its many members? Does the spam really increase that much? Do the flames really become hotter? Is the dissent really that much different than it already is? Would you see scores, hell, hordes of new members being taunted and ridiculed for their measly ten posts as compared to Big Ben's 10,000? I think not. Sadly, I don't have the tools nor the statistical methods at my disposal to give good supportive evidence. It's a shame.
Let's assume the brighter side of a visible post count, how ever minor and trivial it may seem...First of all, seniority. "Older" or more regular members like it when others know they've been at a certain forum, discussing God knows what, for a relatively longer period or amount of time; whether this be elucidated through post count or member date, it's no matter. It seems nerdy, of course. However, think of it in a more realistic sense. Consider ranks: the armed forces, job occupancies, domestic duties and relations, political and state positions, religious positions, sports, games, old people...the list goes on. Every human being loves accomplishment. It gives a sense of being, no matter how ridiculous or geeky it seems. A common sport, such as footbal for example, is typically revered by most men. It's just a game right? Then why do the best players—among them the veterans and higher "ranks," if you will—get the most notability? are gambled on the most? get their jerseys worn all across the world?
Secondly, but less significant, we have reference. When a new member comes along, he usually has questions. Some of those questions are rather general and can easily be answered by almost anyone. Some, however, far fewer people can answer for the troubled greenhorn. Let me go ahead and lay this fact out right now: High post count does not correlate to experience or knowledge in these sorts of matters. Nonetheless, what do you think is the very first thing that a new poster—or perhaps a regular that has decided to come back into activity after living under a rock for the past half a year, for his own reasons—recognizes when it comes to Halp me i need help wit this how do i...?
As an antecedent to this minor part of the bright side, we can easily see what is possibly the most important outcome of visible post count. This outcome can be summarized in one word. If you were thinking reputation, then you're on the same page as I. Recognition need not be attained through post count alone, don't get me wrong. Merit should be the sole reason for recognition on the forums. Before you get ahead of me, let me just as easily lay out this little known fact: Recognition does not entail reputation. Notice how the "reputation" aspect easily fits in with "seniority." I debated the idea of reputation v. recognition rather glibly with a fellow friend on the forums. It is through him that I came to this understanding. It really is common sense. Of course, the aspect of recognition can easily rear its own ugly problems. One-liners or rushed posts, unvaluable pieces of trash that frequently pollute every forum, will definitely become a new problem as members race to build the highest post count. This, in fact, is one of the major symptoms of visible post count. One could argue the triviality of this problem. *whisper*more moderators*whisper*....But really, some regular or more frequent members would not as easily succumb to such an end, as they generally have a greater sense of respect for the forums and Bungie.
In conclusion, all I'm trying to get across is this: Our moderators are whining wussies (j/k). On a more serious note, they're jobs would not be that much more difficult, in the light of policing action...or would they? I think not. From the loads ass of spam I've become almost indifferent to in the Flood; the constant spam accounts; and the unjustified, immature, and sometimes intentional rule breaking, flaming, and trolling have come predominantly from those who are naturally minded in such ways. In other words, all of the crap that we all hate so much—the breaking of the rules—does not singularly come from regular or "older" members boasting their member dates as a means to an end. I don't see how a visible post count would be any different than a visible member date in this manner.
One must also not forget the time element. Users glazed with glory for higher post counts could easily be discouraged at their own accord. Creating 2,000 posts is nothing short of a daunting task. Believe me, no human being is so lifeless as to create so many posts in such little time. In other words, it takes time to bake the pie; pie is delicious, but to reap the rewards it must first be cooked. The element of time greatly discourages new users from "ascending the throne" too fast.
I know this issue has been visited time and time again, but I just had a "little bit" to say about it myself—in my own way of course—even though I was hesitant to write it all down. I'm sure that I've repeated a lot of tried discussions.