New Rant

[Drawmack]

This Week's Weekly Rant has been posted to rpoes located at http://www.suryvial.com/articles.php

 

[Darrin Drader]

This rant is broken.

 

[Tiefling]

Wow, quoting from the dictionary to demonstrate that an esoteric use of the word "broken" is incorrect.

He should have stuck to how the use of the word "broken" eliminates the requirement to explain one's feelings.

 

[Drawmack]

But I had to examine the definition of broken in order to assert that something was broken, otherwise I would have been acting in a broken maner myself.

 

[MarauderX]

Good topic. Do I need to take more critical writing classes before commenting?

While I tend to agree that 'broken' is used too much to describe whatever a player/DM doesn't agree with, I do prefer the overall umbrella that 'broken' covers as far as opinions on game mechanics. I would liken it to the definitions 'wrong' or 'bad', and similiarly using 'broken' is a general term, and without degrees of magnitude it looses definition within discussion. Basically, calling something, anything, 'broken' usually has an explanation as to why. Just declaring that it is solves nothing IMO; give it some thought and justify in your house rules, between sessions, anywhere but at the table IMC.

Sometimes I write up some limitations on rules and find myself stating, insomanywords, that certain things are overpowered. Again, this doesn't really solve the problem of why, but it does start to define the subject a little more, and with more iteration and discussion you can follow a path until narrowing all the way through to find out why you think something is 'broken'.

Should we split 'broken' up into separate terms to better communicate exactly what we mean? Don't we already? I haven't seen any posts that matter-of-factly state a rule is 'broken' without some follow up debate. IMO, we just need to say more clearly, well, why.

 

[Drawmack]

Nah, I don't think you need more critical writting classes, remember I spent a week typing those words. They are much more articulate then my posts too.

Good response. I had seen someone say rule x is broken here are my house rules to fix it, about 6 times in one week.

That's what birthed the rant. If I don't know what you're trying to fix I don't know if you've done a good job or not.

 

[Umbran]

But I had to examine the definition of broken in order to assert that something was broken

I think that in a case such as this, the dictionary reference weakens your case, rather than strengthens it. In general, it is unwise to refer to a standard dictionary to deal with a jargon useage.

Your readers are well aware that the term is being used in a metaphorical sense, and that you will not find the exact meaning they are using in a dictionary. Referring to the dictionary, then becomes an appeal to an authority the reader knows isn't valid.

 

[Drawmack]

Umbran, you may have a point - however it was the best reference I could find.

Sides it's supposed to be humorous.

 

[Psion]

There is a very insightful thread to this end on RPGnet:

http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?threadid=50958