I feel like there's something seriously wrong with the interactions with site members and the administrators. It's just so much concentrated toxic here, and that's exactly what I've been trying to escape rl by just messing around with cute little pet sites like this and distracting myself. It's supposed to be a fun place to unwind, ya know? Not get all riled up and pissed off or feel shoved aside.
I think the #1 problem is respect. Now, again, notice the use of 'think'. This is just how I see things, so apologies if it comes off rude.
Respect.
It appears like there's little to no respect going either way, between seasoned veterans of the site and the admins.
1) The players disrespect all the time and effort that the admins put into this site, all the coding, saying it's not good enough and getting pissed off about it like we're entitled to a perfectly working system right away. This doesn't apply to all players, of course, and this is also just the appearance. There's probably some of you who really do respect the admins, but the messages just have a hard time coming across as such.
2) In turn, the admins are insulted or pissed that the work is so easily discarded or ignored, and become even more set in their opinions.
3) This causes the players to feel even more pissed, because they're not being listened to, so they get louder, and more demanding because there are problems here that appear to be swept under the rug, and it appears that they keep loosing respect.
It seems like a really bad cycle to be in, and it seems to be a common human affliction of 'us vs them', where you stop seeing them as people and just opposing forces to be dealt with. Instead of someone who has a life, a family, a job, a personality with dreams and aspirations and real life issues to deal with, some of us just see 'the admins'. Again, not all of us, or it comes across that way even if it's not true.
Or instead of players who honestly want to have fun and enjoy this wonderful site, we're seen as numbers or annoyances or spoiled children. Again, that's the feeling/appearance. If this is not how things really are, then maybe think about why they appear to be this way, and perhaps take steps to help fix this appearance to fit reality. Which brings us to the next topic -
Communication.
There is not enough communication between the admins and the players. I believe that the players are advocating for changes that they think will achieve the Admin's goal, but that's not actually what the admin's goal for the site is. That's my #1 theroy here - there's dozens of scenarios of what really could be going on, but because of the lack of proper communication that I can see, I honestly can't tell. There is something wrong with communication here, whatever it is.
I don't know what the solution to the communication problem is, so I hope that there'll be some people who pitch in their ideas and opinions (respectfully, please) on how we can improve communication.
I believe the first step though, is for the Admins to post their exact plans and hopes for this site, that way suggestions can be orientated more towards achieving that. If the goals aren't your cup of tea, then there are many other sites to play on. One I might suggest if FelisFire, which is the closest that I can think of to a site like this. There's also FlightRising, which has permanent open registration now so you don't have to worry about waiting for Welcome Week anymore.
If you agree with those goals, then I believe that there should be more discussion between the admins and the players about achieving them properly. The goals should also be ranked in order of importance.
Ie:
1) Enhance coding knowledge
2) Fun of creating something new just to do it, (even if others may perceive it as pointless. A hobby.)
3) Business
4) Fun for players
(Or put in any order, include other goals, exclude some of the ones above. Perhaps add a small explanation as to why your goals are the way they are.)
I think the common opinion is that the #1 goal for the Admins is the fun for players option, but that just might not be the case. If, say, the goals are as ordered above, then the admins have very very little to no problem running thing they way they are now. Sure, it might be rather aggravating at times for players. You can talk to them about perhaps changing their goals, but you can't spam them or be pissed off at them for not changing their goals. We still need to respect the admin's choices and decisions and let them do their thing. There's always alternatives, as I've mentioned before.
If, say, the #1 goal is fun for players on the other hand, give us a place that nearly everyone really seriously enjoys, then there's a lot of problems. Like. A lot. Of problems. And there needs to be a serious discussion where people can express their opinions and how they currently feel about the site and its features without having their heads chomped off - going both ways. No biting admin heads, no biting player's heads. Keep all heads level please. Blood leaves such ugly stains and it really is a pain to clean up ya know.
There's two main ways you can go about this, I believe.
1) Have a big, general discussion in the forums. Both admins and players.
---upside: It goes a ways to helping fix the problem
---Downside: it's a lot of clamoring voices at once, and it can be hard to keep track of, hard to keep a level head, and hard to properly understand.
2) Admins message one or two of the most vocal veterans privately - again keeping respect and level heads in mind, in an open honest discussion. Talk to them about their opinions until you reach and understanding, and then move onto the next person. Rinse and repeat, until you have a sizable number of opinions to draw upon, probably at least 20, and propose a compromise based off of that. Take heed of the feedback given, talk about it a bit more in the forum itself - both parties - and then once it seems to have reached a reasonable conclusion, implement it.
---Upside: It seems like one of the best solutions with the goal of proper real communication in mind
---Downside: it seems like it will take a loooong time, and a lot of effort from all points of view.
Again, if anything I say here seems inaccurate, perhaps think about why it appears to be this way. I don't mean disrespect to anyway - I'm just stating the way I see things, and offering possible solutions to help. Feel free to ask about/add onto what I've said, just please keep respectful. This should be more how you're personally feeling than specific features of the site as well. It's like a big family therapy session. |
