D&D General Jaquaying the dungeon - a term to avoid

[Charlaquin]

It says that she objected to the lack of an "S" - so I'd think that it would be better simply changed to "Jaquaysing" a dungeon. But I assume that she said something along the lines of "I don't like the missing S, but better yet, please take my name off of it". (Plus the legal advice will have made a difference, I assume).

Err… Yes, it does say she objected to the lack of an s, and that is a true statement. But, the bigger issue is clearly the harassment that was resulting from the use of her name in association with the technique. Jason Alexander is (wisely, I think) being careful not to be too explicit about it, but… Well, if you’re familiar with Jennel, you can probably guess why she might have become the target of a harassment campaign.

This whole situation sucks, but changing the term is probably for the best. And while choosing to name it after himself might come across as a tad conceited, it makes some sense given that the inventor of the technique is being targeted this way, Jason popularized the use of a verb to describe the technique, and he wants to avoid associating a different person’s name with the technique, for fear of them possibly becoming secondary harassment targets. So, I’m good with it.

 

[LordEntrails]

Stuff gets renamed all the time. The largest ornithological organization in the United States is in the process of changing the name of all native birds named after people, because those people keep turning out to be terrible. This follows the US military finally going around and changing the names of bases that were named after people who went to war with the United States and killed US citizens. Everyone will be fine.

I get it. And I admit my emotions on the subject are cloudy. Hence why said I recognize and appreciate that language changes.

I propose we here at ENWorld have a dedicated thread with voting have everything that develops a new term that encapsulates the design ethos, without referencing Justin Alexander.

Wow. Maybe that's not indulgent, but it certainly is something.

 

[Reynard]

Err… Yes, it does say she objected to the lack of an s, and that is a true statement. But, the bigger issue is clearly the harassment that was resulting from the use of her name in association with the technique. Jason Alexander is (wisely, I think) being careful not to be too explicit about it, but… Well, if you’re familiar with Jennel, you can probably guess why there might have become the target of a harassment campaign.

I know this is cynical but I am curious if there is any independent confirmation of that harassments. because the blog post is very vague and does not explain the potential harassments very well.

I mean, I just don't trust Jason Alexander to be presenting an unbiased report here and wouldn't mind some confirmation.

 

[darjr]

Good dungeon design?

 

[J.Quondam]

Sure, but it is kind of nice to have easily understood concise terminology (even when it is not perect). "Megadungeon" is a ubiquitous term that has meaning but took a little time to get absorbed itno the broader community conversation.

So, assuming Jaquays actually does not want her name attached to the term, I propose we here at ENWorld have a dedicated thread with voting have everything that develops a new term that encapsulates the design ethos, without referencing Justin Alexander.

If i'm understanding the post in the OP correctly, the term "xandering" was mutually agreed upon by Justin and Jennell. Isn't it presumptuous to try to supercede that?
I mean, one always has the option simply not to use the term.

 

[bedir than]

OSHA style dungeon, as there's always an escape route

 

[Reynard]

If i'm understanding the post in the OP correctly, the term "xandering" was mutually agreed upon by Justin and Jennell.

It reads to me that he says that she wanted the term changed (I don't know if we have any independent conformation of that assertion) and HE decided to go with his own name, because he wrote the original article.

Is there really any need to try to co-opt that?

Naming stuff after yourself that you did not actually create just gives me giant ego trip vibes and I prefer not to reward that sort of thing. I know, it is very preference based, but here we are.

And of course, one always has the option simply not to use the term.

But it is valuable to have a term for it, because it is unique and good and valuable.

 

[Charlaquin]

I know this is cynical but I am curious if there is any independent confirmation of that harassments. because the blog post is very vague and does not explain the potential harassments very well.

I mean… You do have to read between the lines a bit, sure, but… If the reason for the harassment is the obvious one, explaining that on a large platform would be liable to make it worse. It looks very much to me - a person who would be vulnerable to harassment of the same sort in Jennel’s position FWIW, like he’s being so indirect to protect Jennel from further harassment.

I mean, I just don't trust Jason Alexander to be presenting an unbiased report here and wouldn't mind some confirmation.

Sure. I’ll probably do some follow-up myself. But, again, if this is what it looks like, not providing the receipts is exactly how Jason should be handling it.

 

[J.Quondam]

It reads to me that he says that she wanted the term changed (I don't know if we have any independent conformation of that assertion) and HE decided to go with his own name, because he wrote the original article.

Justin's post says "I spoke with Jennell earlier this year. We both agreed that the name should be changed, and I said it would be a large project to do it, but I’d make sure it happened by the end of the year."
That's followed a few paras later by "After a bunch of back-and-forth, we finally settled on the term “xandering.”"
TO me that reads as a mutual decision.

 

[Reynard]

I mean… You do have to read between the lines a bit, sure, but… If the reason for the harassment is the obvious one, explaining that on a large platform would be liable to make it worse. It looks very much to me - a person who would be vulnerable to harassment of the same sort in Jennel’s position FWIW, like he’s being so indirect to protect Jennel from further harassment.

Sure. I’ll probably do some follow-up myself. But, again, if this is what it looks like, not providing the receipts is exactly how Jason should be handling it.

It is totally possible that it is all accurate. But it is the first I am hearing about it and the tone of the blog post send my spidey sense all akimbo. Ultimately, it isn't a huge deal, except that I would like to honor Jaquays' wishes while also honoring her contribution. And -- and I know this is a personal issue I have -- I don't actually think much of YouTube personalities that essentially package ideas that are common knowledge, so Justin Alexander does not get some sort of inherent pass from me. "I made up the word Jaquaysing" is not a terribly convincing argument to me.

But I won't belabor the point. If Jaquays prefers her name not be attached to the style, that's what we should do. But I would prefer we find a term -- because a term is useful for this thing -- that doesn't exalt Alexander, because I don't think he deserves it.