In every society there is a method of gaining respect; a rite of passage, promotional system and form of punishment. Some societies favor strong men and fertile women, while others favor educated and contemplative individuals. There are countless examples.

I have seen lately that there are a number of posters, generally newcomers, who have wondered (either directly or indirectly) what makes a player respectable on the forum? Several newcomers claim "Ladder Elitists" and "Veteran Posters" are the most popular.

But, if that's true, it makes sense doesn't it?

This is WarLight, not high school and not your job. This is a place where, presumably anonymous, players voluntarily contribute, socialize or read what other players have to say. Naturally, those who prevail at WarLight, particularly on systems that are ranked (ladders, CLOTs) would garner more respect, right?

There are exceptions of course and even those "ladder elitists" fight among each other. Have you seen PS, Dead Piggy and X go at it?

What is a society worth if it takes everyone at face value?

Not to oversell the forum, but the regulars here have balls and brains of steel for the most part and they've mostly been hardened through the hazing period of their WarLight foruming experience.

I'm not saying that veterans here are perfect, but some have earned the right to their alleged legendary status. The newcomers should be able to understand that. There's a difference between posting for the first time and posting for 2 years. As Gnuff sort of put it, experience is important.

Just sayin'

Good point. Survival of the Warlightiest!!!!

Boooooooo

Elitists suck

In most societies there is also a jester or village idiot.

Maybe. But should the strong pick on the weak with too much aggression?

I have always tried to focus my forum attacks on people I think can handle it or who would respond with more aggression (bc a little chaos can bring order sometimes): Dick Sharpe, J Russ, X, Red, Sze, Bezlebu, Gnuff, JSA, Brain...

But if these guys were to attack some dimwit or a clan of dimwits, I might prefer to attack the attacker.

People "socialize" (if you can call it that) on WL for different reasons. Maybe they do it to reach a form of balance in their lives in some small way. If a dimwit lives a shitty life and comes to WL and finds happiness, am I a better man by reminding him he is a dimwit, a social outcast, an idiot, a fool, whatever?

In light of Dr Typesomething's suicide and what J Russ told me about how WL was a source of happiness to him, I think it might be better to just live and let live.

So a bunch of people post nonsense about clans, diplomacy, roleplaying, whatever. It has nothing to do with me. If they find happiness in such things, why should I care?

Bullying the strong can be fun. Bullying the weak is just mean.

experience is important, but dont overpost to gain exp

it is more about what you say.

if you are a new comer, i would suggest you to ask for more strategy help, showing that you are humble and eager to learn, and not to flood the forum trying to show that you are funny...

@Qi, those who post nonsense here are pretty much gaining the disrespect from ppl here. Except those trolls like hidden hands who would feel happy, others would probably be unhappy/angry being disrespected by others. Thats why we see a lot of disputes here.

Too many disputes will make the quality of the forum down and make the wise leave

I think I just enjoy watching people get pissed at my own stupidity :p

Then I make a legit post, and people are like "whaaa?"

Its not us getting pissed, we are just disappointed in general. You actually take hope from society.

I said people, not righ

I agree with Righ actually. Righ has his faults but he's not stupid.

Edited 3/2/2014 04:35:14

Who called righ stupid? I called myself stupid, which I misphrased, I should have said ignorance. But I find humor in how people make my comments into a big deal like it matters at all.

I cant tell whether a human is weak or strong based on a ladder rating and a few paragraphs in the forum. I can tell whether what theyre saying is weak, and if it is it deserves all the aggression we can level at it.

I've popped in here and there on the boards over the last two and a half years and honestly I don't know how I feel about these boards recently. I've seen some great ideas/threads (ie Imp v world), and I've seen the boards just destroyed by clans (more recently).

In the few years here I will say this, there has never been as many people demanding respect, claiming they should be given respect, or people trying to destroy other's respect as there is right now. It's sad. Very few view eachother as equals enjoying a great game, instead they are gods among men who should be worshiped. I think many in the community need to get over themselves and realize they really aren't all that and a bag of potato chips.

I have seen lately that there are a number of posters, generally newcomers, who have wondered (either directly or indirectly) what makes a player respectable on the forum?

Make posts that are funny, helpful or interesting and write comprehensibly.

I think the community needs another organised event like Impaller vs the World, it thing it 'brung them together' and was really fun as well.