Post by Kyler on Jan 9, 2007 10:53:57 GMT -5
The other night I initiated a discussion about the use of thoughts in posts and hiding behind them. It was inappropriate and disruptive to hold that conversation within the room. I am relocating that discussion to the boards.
For those that missed it, I took exception to the use of thoughts instead of words or actions to communicate negative sentiments. Spoken words and actions afford a character the chance to respond, thoughts are a cheap way to get ones point across without having to defend them or stand behind them.
When we role-play we are limited to what we can type into that little white box. What we can type falls into a few categories. While we can argue the exact mix these are the basic choices and they will suffice for this discussion. Spoken words and actions are the meat and potatoes of many posts. Emotions and thoughts are the glue that binds it all together and gives it meaning and substance. I would not want to role-play in a room devoid of thoughts and emotions. But like many things they can be abused.
This is not unique to our home. I have seen this before in other rooms and realms. Most often I have seen slave characters hide behind thoughts because they may feel they have no other safe mechanism to express themselves. I am now starting to see this behavior in free characters. I do not allow slave characters to get away with this. I will often call them on it. I am not about to let those role-playing a free person to get away with it either.
These types of posts can also border on out-of-character. Ultimately every post is intended for a typist. But in-character posts are directed to a character and should be taken and responded to within the context of that character. Out-of-character posts bypass the character and are intended directly for the typist. If a post contains little or no spoken words, little or no physical actions, little or no discernable emotions, then who is it directed to? If there is nothing in the post for a character to react to then it must be directed to the typist.
Do not read too much into this. Do not apply what I have said to every post that contains a thought. Most posts that are mainly thoughts are benign. If anyone is unclear as to what type of posts I refer to ask for clarification. Do not take my words as license to extend this beyond the negative and vengeful posts that have cropped up as late.
Those that know me, know that I disdain rules. Not because I am an anarchist, but because I believe in giving people the freedoms to choose the right path. This quote says it better than I can, “Simple clear purpose and principles give rise to complex and intelligent behavior. Complex rules and regulations give rise to simple and stupid behavior”. I still believe that, but I am going to propose a simple rule to help nudge us back on the right path.
I can not claim rights to this rule. I have seen it in several other rooms. I have kept this rule floating around in the flotsam of my mind waiting for the right time to propose it. That time is now.
It is a simple rule. Anything you type in that little white box is fair game. Said another way, Anything you type in, spoken or unspoken, can be acted upon by another character. If you don’t want another character to respond to your thoughts, then keep them to yourself and do not type them out for all to see.
We actually do some of this today. Often times a spoken word or action is followed by a thought to clarify the intent. The other character “reads” that thought by a combination of context, expressed emotions and body language whether expressly typed out or not. This rule expands that. In the case where there are no other clues as to what is being thought, the other character is free to act upon those thoughts as if they were spoken aloud.
Thank you for your attention.
For those that missed it, I took exception to the use of thoughts instead of words or actions to communicate negative sentiments. Spoken words and actions afford a character the chance to respond, thoughts are a cheap way to get ones point across without having to defend them or stand behind them.
When we role-play we are limited to what we can type into that little white box. What we can type falls into a few categories. While we can argue the exact mix these are the basic choices and they will suffice for this discussion. Spoken words and actions are the meat and potatoes of many posts. Emotions and thoughts are the glue that binds it all together and gives it meaning and substance. I would not want to role-play in a room devoid of thoughts and emotions. But like many things they can be abused.
This is not unique to our home. I have seen this before in other rooms and realms. Most often I have seen slave characters hide behind thoughts because they may feel they have no other safe mechanism to express themselves. I am now starting to see this behavior in free characters. I do not allow slave characters to get away with this. I will often call them on it. I am not about to let those role-playing a free person to get away with it either.
These types of posts can also border on out-of-character. Ultimately every post is intended for a typist. But in-character posts are directed to a character and should be taken and responded to within the context of that character. Out-of-character posts bypass the character and are intended directly for the typist. If a post contains little or no spoken words, little or no physical actions, little or no discernable emotions, then who is it directed to? If there is nothing in the post for a character to react to then it must be directed to the typist.
Do not read too much into this. Do not apply what I have said to every post that contains a thought. Most posts that are mainly thoughts are benign. If anyone is unclear as to what type of posts I refer to ask for clarification. Do not take my words as license to extend this beyond the negative and vengeful posts that have cropped up as late.
Those that know me, know that I disdain rules. Not because I am an anarchist, but because I believe in giving people the freedoms to choose the right path. This quote says it better than I can, “Simple clear purpose and principles give rise to complex and intelligent behavior. Complex rules and regulations give rise to simple and stupid behavior”. I still believe that, but I am going to propose a simple rule to help nudge us back on the right path.
I can not claim rights to this rule. I have seen it in several other rooms. I have kept this rule floating around in the flotsam of my mind waiting for the right time to propose it. That time is now.
It is a simple rule. Anything you type in that little white box is fair game. Said another way, Anything you type in, spoken or unspoken, can be acted upon by another character. If you don’t want another character to respond to your thoughts, then keep them to yourself and do not type them out for all to see.
We actually do some of this today. Often times a spoken word or action is followed by a thought to clarify the intent. The other character “reads” that thought by a combination of context, expressed emotions and body language whether expressly typed out or not. This rule expands that. In the case where there are no other clues as to what is being thought, the other character is free to act upon those thoughts as if they were spoken aloud.
Thank you for your attention.
