ANST - Re: BG - Fwd: RN- Ansteorran Academy of the Courtier

[j'lynn yeates]

On 17 Nov 98, at 17:28, Mark.S Harris wrote:

> No, you were not. As an 1150's Anglo-Norman I was a bit insulted by the
> implications that the event was better without earlier personas, or
> newbies for that matter. While I agree that it is nice not to hear talk
> about computers and startrek at an event, I found have that as likely to
> issue from long the mouths of long time players such as barons, knights
> and kings as from newcomers, who are often swept up in the spirit of the
> event.

the tone of the origional, whether intended or not, points to a major problem 
within the society that drives out many existing members, turns away new 
ones, and gives the whole society a very bad reputation to insiders and 
outsiders ... factional politics.  

a bit of friendly "culture bashing" within reasonable boundaries is 
acceptable as long as all understand that it's a joke.  but when statements 
are made that a event was better without certain indiduals or groups, that 
causes and perpetaute rifts that create factions .. in time those factions 
pull into their own boundaries and start setting themselves above and apart 
from others.  the next stage is a further devolution into "we're better then 
them" and the "us vs them" process is set in stone.  if the faction grows, 
then the groups in question are forced out and the game is changed in favor 
of those more into the politics ... downside, you drive away valuable and 
creative people at a loss to the society as a whole.

next time you turn away or denegrate another person or group becuase 
they don't fit into your idea of what the game is, stop and ask yourself what 
*you* are losing by your words or actions.  unless you can tolerate other 
pathways, why should you expect anyone to tolerate your choices?  how 
will you feel when the winds change and *you* become the convenient 
scapegoat?

'wolf
... who has seen this in action for many, many years ...  
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