Freelancer - The Void

After some thought I would like put this point of view back up here for consideration. Yes, it's a repeat but the original got cut short when the thread was closed. However, I might benefit from the clarity of hindsight, to rethink some of what I wrote the first time:

This is my perspective. Nothing more. I don't purport to offer my way of looking at things as if it were a fact, nor to convince anyone that my way is the right way. There will surely be some who will disagree for whatever reason. And those reasons are of no concern of mine. As I learned recently from a very wise man: It's none of your business what others think of you. That's their business.

On the other hand, how you present what you think of others is very much their business.

There was a time when there was respect among the players here. There were some players who were very respected in the forums for their words and how they put them and were told those words were appreciated. People would listen... not always agree... but listen and respond with a certain respect and maturity, in kind to the words they were replying to.

What happened? Am I the only one who's concerned that a large number of these voices have been silenced because these people have left the Void server?

Although it's nothing new, now more and more often words are taken out of context, opinion are stated as if they were facts, or worse they are responded to as if they were insults. For crying out loud... an incredibly appropriate colloquialism... words are just words. Opinions are just opinions. Each person has his own way of seeing things and each has his own way of thinking and feeling about it. When people start to insist their way is the right way and everyone else should conform to that way of thinking, we are in imminent danger of emulating the real world in all its worst.

I care about the Void. If I didn't I would not have bothered to return after becoming so disenchanted and discouraged some months ago. I remember when I decided to leave, how so many players stated they were unhappy I was leaving and wished I would stay, that my insights would be missed, that if I really thought things were making the Void so unpleasant I would be a better person to stay and try to change it rather than run away.

Those last words sat like a greasy bratwurst in my belly for a long time, gnawing at me. In the end I decided I really did love the Void and if I did then I should act as if I did.

Here I am.

And I'm having a hard time reconciling my care for the Void against my growing disappointment that I'm spitting against the wind.

Players offer posts time and again either encouraging a more positive (or at least not negative) tone in the forums and in-game, or posts that are meant simply as a light-hearted change of pace. The population responds initially to say wow those are good words, or thanks, or words to that effect. But then the forums continue on under their own inertia as if it doesn't really matter what some do to try to influence it. Worse, these positive posts often evolve into negative threads fraught with bickering and flames until they become a yet another festering wound to the Void Community forums, just what the original post was meant to offset.

There's a joke, goes like this:

Q: How many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb?

A: Just one, but the light bulb has to really want to be changed.

I just have to ask... does it really matter? Is there really any need for change? We we as a community satisfied with the state of our community?

It's a game. As I have said before. We fly our little make-believe ships and shoot our little make-believe ray guns at other make-believe ships and they go boom. What's supposed to happen next is, we have a good laugh, hit respawn and do it again. Instead we take it oh-so-seriously and get angry and start fussing about it as if it was something important. In the scheme of things, here's how I see the importance of this or any other game:

1: My self-respect. Can I look at myself in the mirror and say I am a good person, do I like myself, do I live my life without hurting anyone else's self-respect?
2: My health
3: My family and my relationship with it.
4: My financial independence and my ability to tend to 1,2 and 3 above.
5: My friends
6: My house.
7: My car and my ability to get around unhindered.
.
.
.
.
.
397: A game.

Well, it least it's on the list.

Freelancer and the Void are indeed just a game. But as many of us have agreed, it's also so much more. It's a community.

There are two reasons I care enough to post this. One is number 5 above. I have made a lot of friends here.

Second, any community is worth working to maintain if not improve.

Consider the root of the word "community"... Common.

We all here are different. But more, we all have something in common. It is something we have chosen to have in common. We all have chosen the Void community to be a part of. Is it so hard to put the commonality before the difference?

Having said that I will say this... something I have said many times before, and have been told here that these are wise words:

It's all about respect. Respect for yourself and for others. I would be surprised if I were to learn that people who post some of the things they say here would say the same thing to their mothers. I seriously doubt it. And to me that's a statement about respect... including self-respect. Respect to others... in as much as if you would feel comfortable with someone else saying that to you, then go ahead and say it. And to yourself... in as much as do you really think what you are saying reflects your real self and how you would like others to see you.

All that to say this:

Can't we all just behave in a way that you want everyone else to behave?

That is respect.

Interesting words mate. I very much agree with the idea that Its just a game. Not much point of getting angry over the make believe.
And about respect, on my old server how ever many years ago it, 90% of people respected each other both in game and on the forums. Not as many people these days quite understand, as there are way to many kids..although thats pretty much inevitable with any online games. Young ones need to learn respect, and although im not exactly that old (im 18) i still come from a family who respects each other.
So i guess my final remark is that even though it just a game, your still part of a growing community of gamers, and you should respect one another.
Half of what i said doesnt make nearly as much sense as  watchwolf...But i hope my point gets across.

Nice Philosophy Watchwolf!, But it must be our concern (entire players)not only yours!
But don't worry, be happy! In crisys situation, crisys solutions:!
Organise a challenge: That player who will have the greatest karma point number(+)on 1st of December,cause Voidians will apreciate his nice and noninflamatory posts and replyes, will be the winner!
   -Reward:I will offer 200 million credits(cause i don't have that sume in Euro) if it will help 2 have a nicer dialogue mode on the forum! If somebody want 2 increase it, be my guest!
   -What do you think about it?
-Salute you!

very positive watchwolf , can i be from those whom you care for in Number 5 ? - i appreciate your words here and atleast your post show much loyalty to the void server than many others.
i want to add one thing to your words , which is : ( player's opinion about you is the reflection of your opinion about them because this is a (behind screen games) as i call it this because it don't show the true feelings and attitude from behind the screens. so having a good progressive positive post like your's above , is a very good initiation for all whom not always in the mood for posting a good post.

Wisdom indeed.  I too care deeply about this place.  Maybe too deeply.  Twice I have taken a break, yet due to some draw to this place and to a cyberlink with one or two individuals who seem to "get" where Im coming from, I return.  Its an game.  Nothing more and nothing less than that.  However it has engendered a community of variety which is a common thing in the Cyber Arena that has become a small part of most of our lives.  Not just here but on most "social" sites - Facebook Bebo etc.  This forum is not much different with the common thread of the game knitting it together - I dont want to go down the knitting analogy too much...."Void is a patchwork cardigan of multicoloured wool..." somehow doesnt quite measure up...

One of the slightly more delicate lessons is that of clarity.  I am not in the position of being able to speak or communicate in other languages  - at least not properly - my French is very basic and my German consists of asking for a restuarant check and ordering beer - its very important in life that you learn to order beer in as many languages as possible - nothing worse than being abroad and thirsty!  As in all of these things it is very easy to be misunderstood as there are a variety of ways of saying things - some a little too colourful than others.  When speaking French in Paris I told some friends that "I was hungry" .... However - In my haste I misused my verbs - Instead of saying "J'ai fame" - I said - "Je suis fame" - which sounded more like "Je suis femme"...! So instead of telling them I was hungry I announced to the assembled masses that I was in fact a WOMAN....much hilarity and a great deal of embarrasment.  

It is sometimes far too easy to overlook the fact that whilst many here put me to shame with their extensive usage of English as a second language there is still the risk of being misunderstood.  On other occasions this has also been used as an excuse for "not understanding" particularly when disagreements over certain things occur.

If I am guilty of anything here it is being overly protective and defensive of certain ideas and "ways of doing things".  This defensiveness has arisen out of a need to present a robust defence of the VOID and because I quickly discovered that others were more than happy to abuse my good nature.  I know full well that not everyone is like it, but in a community of this size thats whats going to happen - just as in life - trouble caused by a few people while the majority either get on with what they were doing and ignore it or get sucked into the deal only to realise that afterwards it was a pointless and effortless quarrel that could have been avoided if they had stopped and actualy listened to what was said in the first place.

Whatever disagreements I have had here most have been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties.  As in life however this does not always happen but I am pleased to say that any failures with succesful conclusions on my part have been few.  This is why I still come here.  I dont like arguing or quarreling however, I will stand up for myself and for what I believe to be right.  There are very few things that I find difficult to get round one way or another.  Those few things that I have difficulty with tend to lead to me taking some time out in the hope that "words spoken" here will not take hold to tightly and I can regard it as "water off a ducks back".  Ive got pretty thick skin (some might argue that I have a pretty thick skull too...) and can take most of what people throw at me.  Just be aware that I can chuck it right back at you.  At some point however someone has to be able to say "STOP".  If there is no amenable or succesful conclusion then whats the point in continuing with the "discussion"..? Having the Last Word is sometimes not always the way to win an argument.

Im with you on this Wolf.  In the reality of life this game comes pretty much near to the bottom of priorities.  (You try explaining that to Mrs Zeb though!)  I have chosen to give up command of two clans in my time here.  I learned it the hard way - its very difficult to be a leader of a clan and a person in authority, it leaves far to many openings for those who wish to disagree on many points.  My real life does not give me the amount of free time that I would need to run a clan.  Doesnt mean I cant be part of one - but running it is another whole "can of worms".   I have chosen to remain a VOID Guardian for as long as the A-Team and Strail decide to keep me.  

I also need to "take my foot off the gas" for a bit.  My nature is such that I wont let things lie - it goes against my professional ethic and unfortunately here Art tends to imitate Life a bit too much.  A wise person said to me - "If its not fun and its affecting your time with family - ditch it for a bit and come back to it refreshed - might only take a couple of days - but well worth it just to re-experience the fun..."  Its ADDICTIVE.....My name is Zeb and I am an addict.. there - I said it...!

From now on, if any topic here gets out of hand and its one Im involved in I will be handing the problem over to others as me dealing with it directly seems just to add fuel to the fire (and you know what reaction came of my smart comment about trees...!)  I intend to ignore my more acerbic critics in the hope that they will just get fed up with trying to stir things up.  I will also refrain from having a dig at my critics as they seem to be unable to handle criticism themselves - so best to leave well alone.  I intend to "chill" from now on.  The Stick will definately still be "in effect"  - so break the rules, prepare to be swatted - that is never going to go away.

To end this view I will say this.  Take responsibility for what you say about others.  I have, and have apologised for it.  It has not always been accepted and sadly that is life.  I have also been corrected and taken responsibilty for it also.  Doesnt make me any better than any other player here.  THATS why I like to come here - other than my VOID tag I am no better or worse than any other player here.  

Wont be on as much - but Im not going away.......!  ;) There will be a slight "shift" in my stance regarding many things here - I will leave the "technical" stuff to "technical" people and will take my cue from those who's wisdom in authority has been proven here.  Dont think your getting off the hook.....
Scream On...
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YARBhnOlBuc
This features several Zeb Sticks...... Rock on!

as there are way to many kids

Kids play games, there is no way around it.






Agreed WatchWolf. There was abit more respect few years ago. And most of those players have left this server.

But that doesnt mean we all should go flame on eachother, get mad cause i saw some red/yellow pixels and then a respaw screen. C'mon its a game. whats the difference before you got killed? 1 frag less? You have to put the effort to undock again?? If something goes the wrong way, make it go the right way. And keep in mind its a game. Flaming wont give any solutions, Some people flame on purpose to gain some attention. Some people do it cause they ''dont like eachother''.

Why putting efford in typing words that hurt another? Why put efford in a post that insults/annoys someone else? you could also push on the cross in the upper right corner, power up FL, and take your revenge. And if you cant handle him. still try! you get your practise and you can release some anger.

 =D>  :)>-

I agree with all of you  :D

I personally cant speak much of the Void's history and how it use to run, but from what i have heard,it was a great,friendly community,which respected one another.
  And i agree with the current issue you are bringing up, and unfortunately, this isnt just a issue here, but in many games and community sites, why? I honestly couldnt tell you why. I know alot of people my age(adolescence) are causers for issues in all senses,spams etc, i aint blaming them completly,as being one,i know not all are like that and i hope to inclue myself as one of those more respectful adolescence.
 Maturity, something we all should have, unfortunately not all do and that is there decision, Context of a idea/suggestion or a opinion on some matter,aspect should be understood before commented about, and if i read and understand correctly,sorry if i havnt(i am tired and could make mistakes) that people are commenting or agreeing without understanding the context or message which the original poster wished to get across, which is definately a problem due to what it can lead to.
 People just need to take a step back,look,think and then write, dont jump to conclusions, dont just reply to the words, read it and understand the original posters true meaning of the words they have typed. Wont save the entire problem of course, but it can reduce the scale of this.
thanks
tyrael

So Impressive words at yr age m8!  =D>  :)>-

i just hope they follow on from what watchwolf was meaning