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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

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Posted by: CrazzySnipe55
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!!! (?)
You might actually be right in all those hypotheticals. There's more to it than that in some cases though. Figure most of the ninjas(or former ninjas) are older, well known members of the community. Often times an inside joke, or just camaraderie will allow sometimes silly threads to grow on their own, like a good ol' boys club.

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.

I too have seen that. Valid point, IMHO


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.



This kind of rewords point one, and so I redirect you to my response to that.

I think it's a good post. When I was a member, I treated the forum mods like anyone else, when I was a moderator, the only difference in my actions was that I could edit or ban the people ruining the forums for the rest of us. But I did notice the brown-nosing type of behavior you speak of here. I also noticed a lot more threats, harassment, and the like from people, so it's a trade off. You don't see the bad the moderator has to deal with nearly as often as you see the butt kissing.

Just don't mistake it all as butt kissing. Some of it is just genuine kinship from a long relationship. I've been registered on Bungie.net's main forums since 2004, lurked since 2003, and was on HBO before that. You get to know people.

[Edited on 08.14.2011 10:16 PM PDT]

  • 08.14.2011 10:16 PM PDT
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  • Exalted Legendary Member

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平和と愛

Short and simple: users kiss up to moderators too much.

  • 08.14.2011 10:19 PM PDT

Key


Posted by: Duck duck DEATH
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.


That is not the problem. I know you're probably joking but sometimes moderators are treated fairly.

Not criticized nor idolized because of their position. And at these times they are in a position they should be in.

Normal members of the community who have been here for a while who's opinions matter just as much as anyone else's who happen to have the ability to moderate the Bungie.net forum community, as well.

They are not the problem. The large mass of sheep that make up a large section of the BNet community is.

  • 08.14.2011 10:19 PM PDT

yoo•zel- ('yoo-zhul): slang: vb.

Officium quod Fidelitas.

Sadly something that will never change. Why do celebrity magazines sell so well, better yet why do we care?


Posted by: CrazzySnipe55
They are not the problem. The large mass of sheep that make up a large section of the BNet community is.

  • 08.14.2011 10:24 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

If you want moderators to be treated as regular members by the majority of the community then you would have to make them aesthetically indistinguishable from everyone else. This would mean instead of dressing them up in the colors that help people not hit bicyclers on the road, you give them the same colors and titles as everyone else. Then they would be treated fairly.

[Edited on 08.14.2011 10:24 PM PDT]

  • 08.14.2011 10:24 PM PDT

Key


Posted by: Duck duck DEATH
If you want moderators to be treated as regular members by the majority of the community then you would have to make them aesthetically indistinguishable from everyone else. This would mean instead of dressing them up in the colors that help people not hit bicyclers on the road, you give them the same colors and titles as everyone else. Then they would be treated fairly.


Once again, I have no problem with the way they are "dressed up" in a bronze suit. I have a problem with the way that people idolize said bronze suit.

  • 08.14.2011 10:27 PM PDT
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  • Fabled Legendary Member

Now someone needs to make a thread about how much they like toast in the Flood.

  • 08.14.2011 10:29 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
If you want moderators to be treated as regular members by the majority of the community then you would have to make them aesthetically indistinguishable from everyone else. This would mean instead of dressing them up in the colors that help people not hit bicyclers on the road, you give them the same colors and titles as everyone else. Then they would be treated fairly.

Once again, I have no problem with the way they are "dressed up" in a bronze suit. I have a problem with the way that people idolize said bronze suit.
They treat it that way because it's a bronze suit. If you're given something special, it will be treated accordingly.

  • 08.14.2011 10:29 PM PDT

In a time long past, the armies of the dark came again to the lands of men. Their leaders became known as the fallen lords, and their terrible sorcery was without equal in the west.
In 30 years they reduced the civilized nations into carrion and ash. Until the free city of Madrigal alone defined them. An army gathered there, and a desperate battle was joined against the fallen
Heros were born in the fire and bloodshed of the wars which followed and their names and deeds will never be forgotten

Ninjas are normal members that are trusted with the tools of moderating the forum.

But yeah, becuase ninjas are higher up the chain of command people will give them more attention, but this is more prevalent when a Bungie employee posts.

  • 08.14.2011 10:32 PM PDT
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Posted by: spartain ken 15
Ninjas are normal members that are trusted with the tools of moderating the forum.

But yeah, becuase ninjas are higher up the chain of command people will give them more attention, but this is more prevalent when a Bungie employee posts.

Or when you post. Because everyone wants lulz.

No offense.

  • 08.14.2011 10:42 PM PDT
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  • Fabled Mythic Member
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You want my honest opinion?

Wood is a hard, fibrous tissue found in many plants. It has been used for centuries for both fuel and as a construction material. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers (which are strong in tension) embedded in a matrix of lignin which resists compression. In the strict sense wood is produced as secondary xylem in the stems of trees (and other woody plants). In a living tree it functions as a support function, enabling woody plants to reach large sizes or to stand up for themselves. It also mediates transfer of water and nutrients to the leaves and other growing tissues. Wood may also refer to other plant materials with comparable properties, and to material engineered from wood, or wood chips or fiber.

The earth contains about 1 trillion ton of wood, which grows at a rate of 10 billion tons/y. As an abundant, carbon-neutral renewable resource, woody materials have been of intense interest as a source of renewable energy. In 1991, approximately 3.5 billion cubic meters of wood were harvested. Dominant uses were for furniture and construction.

  • 08.14.2011 10:49 PM PDT

Key


Posted by: Skibur
You want my honest opinion?

Wood is a hard, fibrous tissue found in many plants. It has been used for centuries for both fuel and as a construction material. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers (which are strong in tension) embedded in a matrix of lignin which resists compression. In the strict sense wood is produced as secondary xylem in the stems of trees (and other woody plants). In a living tree it functions as a support function, enabling woody plants to reach large sizes or to stand up for themselves. It also mediates transfer of water and nutrients to the leaves and other growing tissues. Wood may also refer to other plant materials with comparable properties, and to material engineered from wood, or wood chips or fiber.

The earth contains about 1 trillion ton of wood, which grows at a rate of 10 billion tons/y. As an abundant, carbon-neutral renewable resource, woody materials have been of intense interest as a source of renewable energy. In 1991, approximately 3.5 billion cubic meters of wood were harvested. Dominant uses were for furniture and construction.


Good to know you could legitimately respond to the post without being troll-like and irrelevant.

  • 08.14.2011 10:50 PM PDT
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  • Fabled Mythic Member
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Yeah, silly me... That was fact, not opinion.

Disregard.

  • 08.14.2011 10:53 PM PDT

Posted by: Dustin 6047
Troll confirmed. I never even insulted you

Posted by: Dustin 6047
OP - You're a dumbass with the reading comprehension skills of a second grader.


Can someone tell me what's wrong with these two, this made me LOL hard.


Posted by: Duardo
understand I don't
Okay, now we have a good quote I fix'd to be Yoda-ish.

  • 08.14.2011 10:56 PM PDT

"There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe."
Gospel of John, 1:1-7

Posted by: Duardo
I don't understand

Can't stop myself from agreeing... Augh...

Do I get brownie points now?



Anyway, on topic, the OP has a point. I'd say it's based on how the system is set up. People do the same thing with mythic members (on a lesser scale, of course, but people always seem to hold them in a higher retrospect.) B.net's "society" is that anyone who's stayed here for 4 or more years, let alone get a moderation invite from Bungie, is "more worthy" (I guess) than someone with a lesser rank. I'd blame it on how people in general think. How we could listen to old politicians and believe they must be right because they've had years of experience and act like they know everything.

  • 08.14.2011 11:05 PM PDT
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  • Fabled Legendary Member

They're just people. It doesn't matter to me. They can be just as idiotic or as insightful as the next guy.

  • 08.14.2011 11:26 PM PDT

This is worse with Bungie Employees, they are flat-out worshipped.

  • 08.14.2011 11:34 PM PDT

Key


Posted by: hi there
This is worse with Bungie Employees, they are flat-out worshipped.


Agreed but they have a reason to be worshiped, the vast majority of them had a big role in some our favorite video games.

  • 08.14.2011 11:35 PM PDT


Posted by: CrazzySnipe55

Posted by: hi there
This is worse with Bungie Employees, they are flat-out worshipped.


Agreed but they have a reason to be worshiped, the vast majority of them had a big role in some our favorite video games.
I don't think they deserve to be treated like God's for making Halo.

  • 08.14.2011 11:37 PM PDT

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I guess this happens because people think that ninjas are members that have received some sort of recognition and so normal members think that what a ninja says has more weight because they are more "right".

Either that or people just suck up because they think that being on a ninja's side will make them mods themselves.

[Edited on 08.14.2011 11:42 PM PDT]

  • 08.14.2011 11:40 PM PDT

Key


Posted by: hi there

Posted by: CrazzySnipe55

Posted by: hi there
This is worse with Bungie Employees, they are flat-out worshipped.


Agreed but they have a reason to be worshiped, the vast majority of them had a big role in some our favorite video games.
I don't think they deserve to be treated like God's for making Halo.


They deserve a bit of special treatment considering they made the games we all know and love. Though that treatment does not include worship.

  • 08.14.2011 11:42 PM PDT


Posted by: CrazzySnipe55

Posted by: hi there

Posted by: CrazzySnipe55

Posted by: hi there
This is worse with Bungie Employees, they are flat-out worshipped.


Agreed but they have a reason to be worshiped, the vast majority of them had a big role in some our favorite video games.
I don't think they deserve to be treated like God's for making Halo.


They deserve a bit of special treatment considering they made the games we all know and love. Though that treatment does not include worship.
Agreed, whenever an employee posts in a thread he becomes the new topic.

  • 08.14.2011 11:45 PM PDT

yoo•zel- ('yoo-zhul): slang: vb.

Officium quod Fidelitas.

So you're saying I should stop collecting Urk's used chewing gum and building a scale shrine of his likeness?

Posted by: CrazzySnipe55
They deserve a bit of special treatment considering they made the games we all know and love. Though that treatment does not include worship.

  • 08.14.2011 11:45 PM PDT

Key


Posted by: Yoozel
So you're saying I should stop collecting Urk's used chewing gum and building a scale shrine of his likeness?

Posted by: CrazzySnipe55
They deserve a bit of special treatment considering they made the games we all know and love. Though that treatment does not include worship.


No. That's cool. If its cool its okay. If its creepy then its not.

  • 08.14.2011 11:47 PM PDT


Posted by: Yoozel
So you're saying I should stop collecting Urk's used chewing gum and building a scale shrine of his likeness?

Posted by: CrazzySnipe55
They deserve a bit of special treatment considering they made the games we all know and love. Though that treatment does not include worship.
Umm yeah you should stop now.

  • 08.14.2011 11:50 PM PDT