Community – Voice – Transparency

Last Night when i found out that there was a ban on Child Violence I had a kneejerk reaction. This reaction was perpetrated by not only the new rule but also by the fact that It seemed like a stringent unilateral decision to an issue i have been asking about for a while. In fact I started a thread to address the issue and not one admin replied to it until after the new rule was anounced. Therefore, while the issue is a big one to me and in another thread it's not what I want to discuss in this thread. For after the rection I had and many others I spoke to last night I feel that the problem is not the problem. Just like when i fight with my partner, The problem probly isnt that I left the toilet seat up, might have more to do with me banging her sister { but who knows she's all emo anyhow }. Therefore, In this thread I hope to speak to and start dialog about the following issues, Community, Voice and Transparency. All these topics were major points with the people I have spoken to and I feel a responsibility to bring it to the forefront.

Community. Over and over I have heard that CD is a community of talented artists and thats what makes it what it does. The enerygy and creativity that is put into the den is amazing. From the admin who spends hours and hours working on creating notecards for newcomers, admisions, security etc. to the photographers who are visually docementing and making movies and flickr, and the characters where people are spending hours upon hours refining who they are how they grow, the gang and bussiness leaders, the people who buy land or rent or whatever they can afford. Its staggering really to see how many people are putting so much into it. This on top of real lives where there are families, and bills, and life to deal with. Yet, in a community there will be discontent when one person, a few, or many feel marganalized. Pushed out if you will. Over the last few days I have heard a few times. Well its not your sim. If someone says you will have to wear a purple shirt it is in there right. Yes, thats absolutely true. But if thats the case where is the community. Don't get me wrong I understand that example was extreme to illistrate a point but it works well. Because really before I invest hours, days and weeks contributing to something I think has value i want to know if I am a full citizen.

This leads me directly to my next topic, Voice. I am neither admin or security, I don't think i could be just don't have the temperment to deal with griefer and newb issues. However, I do what I can in the time I have online. And since i came back to cd last year i spend 95% of my time there. I try my hardest to lead my gang, Ive become active in forums, work with other gang leaders etc to help the overall rp etc. So not being Admin or security does this mean I shouldnt have a voice in the community. Well actually, even if time only allowed me to roleplay occasionally if I'm a member or citizen of the community shouldnt I still be heard. The decision that was handed down yesterday came after I posted on forums asking for information and dialog around the issue. But i didn't see any 'official' or admin responce untill after the dictate. Talking with others since there were many expresions of lack of voice.

Finally transparency. This one is a hard one. I understand that admins will have a need to keep some things close to the chest for personal confidentiality reasons. This could be a simple case of respect for a persons anonimity.There may be a reason to keep things quiet for the sake of a good story line and an element of suprise. That makes sense So I am not speaking to that. What I am speaking about is that in my experience when issues are brought to the forefront, identifying where the issue came from, what the options might be, looking and listening for different answers then there doesnt have to be an air of secrecy. In my exerience when there is secrecy and 2 or 3 people talking about something in a little group here and 3 people talking bout it over there and so on the issue gets clouded and people grow discontent.

In conclusion, we have this great vehicle for our community members to all have a voice in this mini world. Maybe it could be more fully utilized. This of course is only from one mans perspective and I sincerely hope that you all voice your experience and thoughts with these issues and I hope that nothing I have said is taken personally by anyone. I love the den and I love playing with all of you but truly my rl is stressfull enough that I come here to enjoy myself with something I can be passionate about. Of course saying that I realize that I need to take personal responsibility for the community I belong. Therefore, I am open to not only coments for the above but also where my own responsibilies lie.

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