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This topic has moved here: Subject: Forum Ninjas: A Psychological Discussion
  • Subject: Forum Ninjas: A Psychological Discussion
Subject: Forum Ninjas: A Psychological Discussion

Key

This is probably not going to pick up a lot of traffic but I wish, if I may, to probe the collective minds of the community here at BNet for a brief moment.

Now, as you can see from the title of this thread, it is going to be about forum ninjas (that is, until someone derails the thread arguing about the philosophical difference between black and white or something stupid like that).

Subject 1) Forum Ninja posts, and how big of a deal they are.

Subject 2) The worth of a Forum Ninja's opinion.

Subject 3) The level of legitimacy that is lent to a thread simply because it was made by Ninja.

Discussion of Subject 1

Now, the obvious and logical answer to all of those would be, of course, no. But that doesn't seem to be the norm on BNet. Especially in game forums like the Halo: Reach one where Forum Ninjas are less prevalent and don't post as often, posters seem to freak out at the mere sight of a ninja (though we all know, a good ninja isn't seen).

They'll all rush to type something coherent back to the ninja, clicking the quote button as if it was a button to give them Reconz, in an anxious fervor. The second a forum ninja posts in a thread, at least 75% of the time any legitimate posts within a 4 post radius of that ninja's post are made null and void due to the apparent difference between the dull white text of a normal user and the vibrant orange that defines their position.

Why is this? Do people think they're getting nonexistent brownie points for agreeing with a Ninja? Do they think that replying to a Ninja often enough will get you that much closer to being a Ninja yourself? Why is a Ninja's post (many times sarcastic and only consisting of one sentence of about 10 sentences, especially in the Reach forums) so important that everyone needs to quote it and show that they're now special for having seen and responded to someone as influential in the community as.... a FORUM NINJA!!! (?)

Perhaps I have become desensitized to the presence of a Forum Ninja, considering I've all but left the reach forums and almost exclusively post in the Bungie.net Community forums, a place where it seems Ninjas congregate and post more than any other (with, perhaps, the exception of The Flood). But I think this is very unlikely.

Discussion of Subject 2

I still, to this day, cannot fathom why people seem to constantly agree with forum ninjas. They have the same frequency of being incorrect as any other practiced BNet user. They can be wrong. They are many times. They're human.

It's like because Bungie trusts that they have the ability to moderate the forums effectively, they are suddenly omniscient cannot be wrong when they have an opinion.

Almost every time I see a Ninja post in the Reach forums there are at the very least 5 people who post the content equivalent of "This." within 5 minutes. The post is totally derailed with people rushing in to agree with the Ninja.

Discussion of Subject 3

I bet you 20 bucks that if Yoozel, Foman, Duardo, or any of the Master or normal Forum Ninjas made a thread in OT:TF about toast and about how good it is, it would get less attention than someone making a thread about something of much more worth in, say, the BNet: Comm. forum. I mean, I know lots of times they make legitimate threads that are sticky/hot topic but sometimes they make ones that have no business getting more than 20 replies but they get 50+ because they're Ninjas.


This is all my honest opinion. Please let me know what your opinions are on these subjects. This thread probably won't get attention anyway, though.

  • 08.14.2011 7:36 PM PDT

"We live in a special time; the only time where we can observationally verify that we live in a very special time" - Lawrence Krauss.

I was a finalist :P

I treat forums ninjas as just normal members of the community. I read their posts (like I do with other members) and comment if necessary.
I do disagree with Forums ninja's occasionally because in all honest I tend to have different opinions to them on a related issue, while other times I agree sternly.
The same goes for their threads. If I see no need to comment, I just move on, like I do with any other member

  • 08.14.2011 7:41 PM PDT

I don't always ban people but when I do I laugh uncontrollably...that's if I was a Forum Ninja.

Truth is a matter of perception.

The Button

Subject 1:
I like to mess with the Forum Ninjas, they're actually pretty laid back members of the community, unlike some of the members.


Subject 2:
Forum Ninjas are seasoned members of the community, they generally know more about some things than another member would. You should always do some research before you just up and agree with someone.


Subject 3:
Not much to say about this except to refer to my answer to subject two.

  • 08.14.2011 7:53 PM PDT

Dating Age

For those looking to vent, get proper advice, or give it to those in need.

I think you get the same affects (though to a much lesser degree) with each descending title. If a Bungie employee made a thread about something random it would attract even more attention than if a moderator did.

  • 08.14.2011 7:53 PM PDT
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Talk to the Soul | ~B.B. | Know Your Duardo |  | Hero | ISFJ | 77135 | 94371

"It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me."

I don't understand

  • 08.14.2011 7:56 PM PDT

I don't always ban people but when I do I laugh uncontrollably...that's if I was a Forum Ninja.

Truth is a matter of perception.

The Button


Posted by: Duardo
I don't understand


Of course you don't Duardo.

I had to do it.

  • 08.14.2011 7:57 PM PDT

When someone sees that fancy orange/salmon text, they automatically assume that since that person had earned that position, they are intelligent and have an opinion worth listening to. There's nothing you can really do to change that, other than getting rid of the title bar and text, which I'm sure some of the ninja's would love.

  • 08.14.2011 7:57 PM PDT

Left here a long time ago.

OP, I always thought it was more bronze than orange. :\

Posted by: Duardo
I don't understand
And so it begins.

  • 08.14.2011 7:59 PM PDT

Official Town Drunk of Sandwichia. Nation of the Flood.
MBT - Impossible Just Happened
* How is it that "Fat Chance" and "Slim Chance" mean the same thing?
* If you choke a Smurf, what color will it turn?

XBOX User Space profile

Neither do I.
Posted by: Duardo
I don't understand

  • 08.14.2011 7:59 PM PDT

Key

ZOMGITZDUARDOMUSTREPLY!!!!!!

(loljk but seriously, this post is bate to the kind of people I talk about in the OP)

  • 08.14.2011 8:00 PM PDT

Hello! You may also know me as Ijnekono. How you have made your way here I do not know, but welcome. (:


Posted by: DavidJCobb
OP, I always thought it was more bronze than orange. :\

Posted by: Duardo
I don't understand
And so it begins.

Hmm, I've always seen it as orange too, but now it does seem bronze.

  • 08.14.2011 8:02 PM PDT

',:|

1. Not worth discussing.

2. It's the same as number 1, really. However, it is worth noting that the Webteam trusts their judgement for a reason. They might just be right more often because their position on this site is of constant evaluation and decision.

3.Posted by: CrazzySnipe55
I mean, I know lots of times they make legitimate threads that are sticky/hot topic but sometimes they make ones that have no business getting more than 20 replies but they get 50+ because they're Ninjas.
That's a bold statement.

How do you know similar threads made by non-ninjas aren't regarded as highly?


I think we should do an experiment.
Three non-ninjas make three different threads.

Three weeks later, ninjas make absolutely identical threads, completely copy-pasted.

I think the difference in average posts for the two groups might show something.

  • 08.14.2011 8:05 PM PDT

I think he's talking about the facelift.
Posted by: Duardo
I don't understand

  • 08.14.2011 8:11 PM PDT

i c u thar c' ing my signiture

Yours in _Kai_

I must be really tired... What is this thread about?

  • 08.14.2011 8:11 PM PDT
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  • Fabled Mythic Member

Yo Halo53, I'm real happy for you and I'ma let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best bungie.net profiles of all time. OF ALL TIME!

Instead of responding to the OP on a point by point, I'm just gonna hit on the overarching theme of the thread.

When I come to the main forums here, I don't click every single thread. I'll click on a few if the names of the threads pique my interest, or if the creator of the thread is someone I recognize. I would be more likely to read or respond to a post or thread by Recon Number 54 or Yoozel only in the same way that I'd be more likely to respond to a post or thread by elmicker or skibur. When on facebook, I'd be more likely to click a link posted by one of my close friends than by one posted by one of my acquaintances because of how well I know them and can understand how they form their opinions and come to their conclusions.

Familiarity with a person just gives you a better basis for being able to interpret posts, and considering we communicate on a medium that makes it harder to interpret sarcasm and jokes, it is pretty vital. I can better understand where someone is coming from if I can recall prior posts they have made and understand their personality to the extent of their opinions expressed on whatever is currently the matter at hand. For the most part, anyone here who has established themselves as a "personality" to me has done so in a positive way, and therefore if I recognize who you are, I am more likely to pay attention because I know you don't say something unless it is worth saying.

So for me, it's not a matter of forum status, just a matter of familiarity.

  • 08.14.2011 8:28 PM PDT

Brainwashing, idiotic media: "hur dur, vido gaems cas vilenc n iz nt gud. dey ned 2 b baned."

Logic: Really? Then please explain how there's violence in third world countries. I guess they're all poor due to the large amount of video games they buy.

I don't see the big deal with Ninjas. Everybody goes into a worship mode when one posts and just the way they quote and respond is like a kid marveling at a super hero.

The only difference between a Ninja and an ordinary user is nothing. If everybody could follow the rules set bt Bungie and use common sense then there would be no need for Ninjas.

However, they are quite helpful at times and enter a thread using text created with neutral tones, not giving either side an argument.

  • 08.14.2011 9:05 PM PDT

When I grow up I want to be bitter and spiteful.

"i liked the reality where everything was on fire better"
-legato on remedial chaos theory

I believe arguments one and two are concerned with specific moderators more than just moderators in general.

Argument three is typically true.

  • 08.14.2011 9:09 PM PDT

Key


Posted by: Duck duck DEATH
I believe arguments one and two are concerned with specific moderators more than just moderators in general.

Argument three is typically true.


Well obviously people are going to be more familiar with Yoozel, Recon, Duardo, Foman etc... etc... but the Orange(/bronze) title bar and text combination still demands a certain amount of respect and legitimacy to anything they post to the average Bungie.net Forumgoer. If they made, say, you a Ninja tomorrow, you would get reply spams just like Yoozel and Foman, if only a few less.

  • 08.14.2011 9:31 PM PDT
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Destinypedia - The Wiki for Bungie's Destiny
Posted by: DEATHPIMP72
Anyone but Foman. He smells like cheese.

I see what you're getting at here, i.e., the Forum Ninjas receive too much attention and, perhaps, too much respect beyond what is warranted.

Can't say I completely disagree with you. But I think you forget about a couple of important things. First, Forum Ninjas are frequently disagreed with, especially in this forum. In fact, I think any person who's been around this forum for more than a few months would agree that there are some specific users here who go out of their way to belittle and disagree with the opinions of Forum Ninjas and administrators whenever they are posted. In fact, many of the Forum Ninjas know and fully expect that they will be disagreed with (sometimes vehemently) anytime they post in this forum.

I also think that -- partly because of the above antagonists -- you aren't giving enough credence to the way some of the Forum Ninjas tend to carefully craft their posts and are respected for the way they post. Indeed, users are selected to become Forum Ninjas at least partially on this basis. It's right there in our "Moderator FAQ" article in HFCS.

Well-argued points and thoughtfully reasoned opinions will receive agreement no matter who they come from, and the fact that a person who posts in this way receives agreement does not necessarily hinge on the color of that person's text.

So saying that all Forum Ninjas get a lot of agreement might be ignoring the possibility that particular Forum Ninjas may just make really good points that people tend to agree with.

Other than that, I see what you're saying and would tend to agree, but I don't really see why you're saying it. Are you trying to get people to propose solutions or ways to change this?

[Edited on 08.14.2011 9:57 PM PDT]

  • 08.14.2011 9:55 PM PDT

Foman is wrong ignore him.
...
...
>.>

  • 08.14.2011 9:56 PM PDT
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  • Fabled Mythic Member

R.I.P. DeathPimp. Never Ending Respect.

"Posted by: Kickimanjaro
I'm trying to become an '04, but it's not working too well."


Posted by: Duardo
I don't understand
I don't care

  • 08.14.2011 9:57 PM PDT

I think signatures are stupid....Oh wait...

I almost completely agree with all the op has said, and i have thought of most of this before

  • 08.14.2011 10:00 PM PDT

When I grow up I want to be bitter and spiteful.

"i liked the reality where everything was on fire better"
-legato on remedial chaos theory

Posted by: CrazzySnipe55
Posted by: Duck duck DEATH
I believe arguments one and two are concerned with specific moderators more than just moderators in general.

Argument three is typically true.

Well obviously people are going to be more familiar with Yoozel, Recon, Duardo, Foman etc... etc... but the Orange(/bronze) title bar and text combination still demands a certain amount of respect and legitimacy to anything they post to the average Bungie.net Forumgoer. If they made, say, you a Ninja tomorrow, you would get reply spams just like Yoozel and Foman, if only a few less.
Being a moderator should not warrant legitimacy, respect, or even authority on a matter. The issues you raised divert back to the point that people fundamentally draw assumptions and generalizations of others and unquestioningly adhere to authority.

  • 08.14.2011 10:02 PM PDT

Key


Posted by: x Foman123 x
Other than that, I see what you're saying and would tend to agree, but I don't really see why you're saying it. Are you trying to get people to propose solutions or ways to change this?


I honestly was attempting to see what other people in the community thought about these things. Because I honestly don't know why this happens sometimes and I thought that if I asked the community I would be able to get an idea for how they saw moderators.

Even though most of their thoughts and opinions are held subconsciously. Most people see a forum ninja and think something about them without knowing. They judge the post to an extent without even thinking about it. But disregarding that fact, I may still be able to gauge the opinions of the community without being able to probe their subconscious mind.

Also I was attempting to start a conversation about the situation that we are in with how the moderators are treated (in both positive and negative ways) as well as get a better understanding for myself of why they are treated this way by the vast majority of the community.

I hope this answered your question.

  • 08.14.2011 10:11 PM PDT

When I grow up I want to be bitter and spiteful.

"i liked the reality where everything was on fire better"
-legato on remedial chaos theory

Clearly this issue is stemming from the presence of the moderators. If we were to eliminate the source of the problem, it would surely go away.

My spelling will be the death of me.

[Edited on 08.14.2011 10:13 PM PDT]

  • 08.14.2011 10:13 PM PDT