My 2000th Post: Musings on EN World

William Ronald · 11th August 2003, 04:45 AM

This marks me 2,000th post on this version of EN World. It has been a pleasure being part of this online community. I intend to remain a part of this community and look forward to seeing it change and grow.

For my part, I will try to contribute to our online community a bit more often. I tend to mostly comment on issues, but I will try to be a bit more proactive. I like to think that I contribute a few things to the boards: some knowledge on different topics, humor, and my own perspectives as a gamer and a human being.

I would like to thank all the people I have meet through these boards. I have gained several friends, and been impressed by the quality and the character of many in our community. We have laughed together and grieved together; counseled each other and consoled each other. I think that is a key part of any community, a sense of an individual as part of something larger and nobler than himself.

So, any thoughts on how I can help make EN World a better place than it is right now? For that matter, what are some things that we, the EN World community, can do to make our online home even more enjoyable than it is right now? One thing that I think we can do to improve EN world is to remember that others have the right to their opinions and to be treated with the same respect that we would ask for ourselves.

Too often, people have attacked each other rather than debating positions. We should remember that each of us is unique, with our own experiences and perspectives. Indeed, without diversity of opinion and experience, a community can become stagnant, insular, and dull. I like to think there is room for gamers of all sorts in this community – from role players to power gamers, to those who like low level games to those who are happiest in epic level games where the fate of worlds are at stake. I like to think that as opposed to thinking of one group as right or wrong, that perhaps we would be better off discovering what we can learn from one another.

Sometimes, I have seen debates become personal where feelings are bruised, and the moderators have to step in. I think sometimes it is best to wait to hit the post button, and reflect on the fact that someone you are responding to is just as human as yourself. I like to think that this is one of the few places on line where everyone can be treated with respect. Let us remember that each of us is unique and of great value.

As I write this, I remember some of the people on these boards, such as Chairman Kaga, who are no longer with us. It is perhaps wise and humbling to speculate that for each person whom we meet, there has never been nor will be another person exactly like them again. For that reason among many others, I am grateful for and respect those whom I have meet on EN World.

Thanks to Morrus, Eric Noah, Piratecat, Darkness, Henry, Dinkeldog, creamsteak and all the moderators and administrators who work hard to keep this a friendly place to gather. Thanks to everyone who has become a friend, or taken the time to reply to my posts. Thank you for letting me be part of this wonderful online community.

garyh · 11th August 2003, 06:48 AM

Welcome to the EN2k club! Your 2k post was MUCH more profound than mine.

In the end, it's the members of this message board that make it worthwile to be here. I think a thoughtful and well-considered post like this is exactly the sort of thing that keeps so many people coming back here.

Well, that and Play by Post gaming.

alsih2o · 11th August 2003, 02:49 PM

wow, i think my 2k post was a fart joke.

Knight Otu · 11th August 2003, 07:04 PM

Congrats, WR!

William Ronald · 12th August 2003, 03:21 AM

Well, it is good to be in the club.

Part of what spurred my post was talking to someone who thinks the boards, particularly General RPG Discussion, has become a bit too combative of late. Ironically, I wrote my post before I saw one of the threads that was shut down in General RPG.

Life can be a series of experience where we can learn more about others and ourselves. I think this is perhaps one of the attractions of gaming to me: the ability to try to see life and situations through different perspectives.

Unfortunately, it seems some people wish to condemn others based on the way they game, their opinions, or their personal lives. I think that I gain more in trying to understand a person before reaching conclusions about them. Indeed, in trying to understand others, I often learn more about myself.

I like to think that everyone here at EN World has something to contribute to each other. Many here are knowledgeable, many have great imaginations. Many people here also have different gaming styles. Perhaps if we look past our first initial impressions of people or their opinions, we might find something of value in them.