Tank girl stinks!

We get complaints all the time, actually. People join the site and get hazed so bad because they don't know something and they leave. I hate it that people get made fun of because they joined the site because they read some Chuck books are excited to chat with other fans. And they get shot down by older members who are too cool to like Chuck any more.

This place was so much more welcoming when I joined. I asked some stupid questions and people not only answered my questions, they welcomed me! Whoa.

Thank you. That's very good of you.

Rape isn't funny in the first place, and the fact that she couldn't reply to any of this only made it worse.

Good on you, Mirka

Now that it's the norm not to like Chuck, I'm gonna bring back the Chuck-loving and make it cool again!

On a more serious note, though, I'm not even sure how many mods there are on these boards. I know the admin, but as far as forum mods, I only know of Frank...

And can anything be done about the hazing/snide remarks/general rudeness?

I'm all for sarcasm and good-natured teasing, but the tone often crosses over to something more malicious and that's when flame wars and bans start getting handed out.

I'm very sorry about that, Nate. Thank you for sticking around. /Sass

I still like Chuck. I plan on working my way through some more of his books. Maybe not all of them, but he's always going to hold a special place for reintroducing me to my love of reading via Rant.

I'm very glad that you brought that up. This is a change I'd like to see very much. We may lose members that won't like us being more strict. I love (not really) the argument that since that Chuck writes transgressive fiction we shouldn't have any rules or require people to behave decently towards each other.

As much as I love the forums and the friends I've met here, I am more interested in creating a vital Workshop community. That's my focus because I want to create something and be a part of something larger than a discussion board. I'm not even a writer. I'm simply more interested in building something. I want there to be a vibrant community in the forums, yes, but I also don't care if we have to lose members that don't respect that we are striving to create something more than that.

can I ask if this is like forum new members complaining or the nit-wits that join to post their poetry and dreams in the blogs? Because it's going to be very hard for me to stop making fun of poetry and dreams and blogs.

The Holocaust isn't funny, neither is pain, suffering, homelessness, pedophilia, addiction, necrophilia, bestiality, violence, murder etc. But they can all make for a decent joke. Comedy, like all other arts, is highly subjective. And though I can't think of an immediate example, I'm certain I've heard a funny rape joke because I know I've heard funny jokes on all of the above topics.

It's the equivalent of saying Tarantino makes incredibly violent films, and therefore it's okay to act like a thug outside of the cinema when you're just shooting the shit with some friends online. Doesn't hold water, and makes you look silly.

Many members who post regularly here, myself included until recently, get sucked into the abyss of GD and stop noticing everything else that's happening on the Cult: interviews, reviews, workshops, shotgun intensives, competitions... This is a huge site by the standards of most writer's official websites, and it's become far more than just a fan site. Not only are friendships forged (and torn asunder) in the forums, but people are becoming real writers here, unknown authors are getting exposure... with this new Review venture that I'm partking in, people are getting book reviews from Culties who have similar tastes, meaning they can probably trust the reviews more than they would the review of a highbrow lit crit magazine that despises Chuck's books.

The anger around here is incredible lately. I'm pissed off about the sexydeathsoda vs Six thing, but the way some people have been acting since then is unbelievable. There's so much backstabbing and bitching and general hostile behaviour that it's hard to feel comfortable here unless you're a well established Cultie. If I were I newb, I'd freak the fuck out right now.

was it Carlin that said to think of Elmer Fudd raping Porky Pig as example of rape being funny?
One of them said that, in any event.

might have been Voltaire.

I hope I haven't been one of these people, because I'll be ashamed if I have. I'm one of the people that needs to refocus and move forward.

The Chuck argument isn't an argument at all so much as it is a cop-out. I write transgressive about some rather detestable things...other workshoppers can vouch for that, but just because my work is no-holds-barred and lawless doesn't entitle me to act that way and be unprofessional with no amount of courtesy. It's not uncool to be a decent human being.

The workshop is what's important. It's why I came along with many others, I'm sure. We're getting something done there and great things are going to come out of it. There's too much talent in there not to.

The forum, although entertaining at times, has been breeding a lot of bad mojo fueled by this vapid sense of elitism/unwillingness to accept anybody new. If it were just forum members getting scared off, it wouldn't bother me too much, but writers are being turned away, too. It's hard enough being a writer with no support system but yourself. You don't need some asshole making you feel less than just because you're new.

So yes, maybe some rules should be implemented, although, it's pretty sad that it's come down to FORCING people to be civilized.

PHIL FOR MODERATOR STAFF.

Everyone shut the fuck up. I'm trying to watch Sunny.

Maturity and tact is what this place needs more of. By no means am I saying I'm more mature or tactful (am I using it right still?) than anyone, because thats far from the truth, but when it comes to how we deal with other's needs to change. How is it that we all get so bent out of shape with each other for such mundane things?

Is it really such a horrible thing for us to give new people a chance? I'm guilty of shunning new people just like the next person, so I don't think I'm above it, because I'm not. How shitty are our lives that we get so irritated by a noob... a new member for making a welcome thread and is excited to be in a place that is dedicated to an author that they really like. I know how shitty mine is, some you even know my issues, but it doesn't mean because my real life problems are so bad that I can come here and take it out on new members. Like Phil said, I'd be freaked out with what new members have to deal with. So what if they pick Pygmy or Snuff as their favorite Chuck book. We all have the right to like something that might not be what the majority likes.

I always dismissed the notion that there were cliques here. I have since realized there are. Wether good or bad, we have a couple groups who stick to themselves and view new members as outsiders. I have sort of detached myself from any one group of people because I find myself to be between a rock and a hard place. I still feel like I am a cultie first and a moderator second, but then I have to realize I have to be impartial to many things and many people because I am a site moderator. I am not going to lie, I really like being a moderator because I felt honored to be chosen out of all the people that come here. If its an ego boost, so be it, but I think I've managed to do my job as good as possible for the past few years. I've assisted hundred's of people and have dealt with a ton of problems. I've had to act as a babysitter and have to be a referee. What's funny is that my real life job is very similar to this so often times when people have "Cult crisiseseseses" I treat them maybe not as serious as those involved treat them. I guess I do that in order to detach myself from the situation... be impartial. Lately, there's been several issues that have made it harder for me to do so. I value the friendships that I have made through this place and will continue to do so. I look forward to the potential of meeting even more cool people, whether here or in real life because of this place. I constantly think about just leaving this place because more so lately, it's been more of a headache to come here than it is for entertainment. The reason I stay is because I do like a lot of you and thats even that some of you are the ones who create my headaches. Despite that, I feel like if I left I would be letting people down. Wether thats my ego or what have you, its the way I feel. I know anyone can do what I do, but I guess because I care about this place, is the true difference. Do I care more than most? Probably. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so.

What we have to realize is that we don't own this place and we can't say (for the most part) when people can join and who is allowed to do so. What we can decide to do is either accept them or ignore them altogether. The ill will we very often express for new people who we don't agree with is unnecessary and this is when we have to be adults and deal with others in a mature manner. Obviously, it's harder to do than say, because it's easier to bitch and complain than try to fix things.

I have ranted for several paragraph's and haven't really gotten my point across. I think the best way to sum all this up is to listen to what a couple cliches preach, one is about not having anything good to say about people then not to say it at all and the second one is to just be the better person. If you've read this, you're a good... better person and I hope that you can give a new person the same time and effort you have given me by reading this.

Edit: To stay on the subject, I have never read anything Tank Girl related nor did I see the movie. What I know about Tank Girl I LEARNED FROM YOU! I LEARNED IT FROM WATCHING YOU!!!

you know the one good thing to come from all this?
it should all be out of our systems and we shouldn't have the yearly state of the cult meltdown towards the end of november.

dont worry the holidays are approaching where everyone will be getting fat, wanting to keep warm and snuggle with one another, smiles all around!

tis' the season to be a cultie!

I call dibs on Nate!

You're mine, Frank!

You had me at Alexeiavogadovolockodov.

i just came here for jamie hewlett art, doods...

I can hear you guys, you know.

I meant that as compliment because most sober chicks want nothing to do with me. Please don't report me. I don't wanna be banned!

okay. wow. this got real heavy and intense didn't it?

on a plus note: it's the most successful thread i have created.

i would like to extend a sincere apology, specifically to Alecia and Six but also to anyone else that my comment offended. i honestly didn't know it was six, and it was an off-hand comment that was in poor taste i admit. saying that, i am not condoning my comment. it was un-called for.

i did have a whole spiel here planned. i was going to comment on the cliques and the behaviour and the way it drives writers away from here etc. but all of the comments i have made in PM or email to mods and admin have been brought up by them. and i'd like to thank them for not just ignoring me and my opinions and bringing them up.

i'd also like to say that from here on. i think i will be particiapting only in WS related discussions (on the closed forum) and in the WS. this isn't because i don't have thick enough skin or anything like that. because i can handle it. and i very well could have come back on here defending myself and attacking everyone that said horrible things to me.

the main reason why i will not be participating in the general forums anymore is time. i guess all this was a blessing in disguise. it has made me realise why i came here. i came here to learn. to write. to meet writers and network with equals. the general discussion becomes extremly time consuming and distracting. so this is why i won't be involved any longer.

i'll be keeping an eye on this thread until it dies, just in case i have to post back again.

again, sorry and thanks.

sincerely, Matt

Oh, whatever Frank, uurrbody knows you're a catch.

Matt, thanks for the apology, I appreciate that you took the time to make it and that it's sincere. I can't and won't speak for anyone else, but I accept it, so again, thanks.

Congrats on having a thread with many posts, though!

This just got gross and offensive.

That's nice of you to do Matt.

Thanks for posting that, Matt, I appreciate it. You made me a little queasy on some other thread when you called all women cunts and bitches. No wait, you said "girls" not "women". Yeah. I took offense and kind of wrote you off at that point.

I think you started this thread to talk about a comic and other people derailed it for their own agenda. Too bad. It wasn't a bad thread; it just spun out of control really fast. It did however open up a very good dialogue about THE STATE OF THE FORUMS.

(Oooh, that thread should be coming up again any day now. That's when an admin posts a thread telling everyone to chill the fuck out and be nice.)

Diplomat Rathke here for the populace.

oh, fuck.

can i take this chance to apologise for that too. girls can be silly but that was probably a bit too strong too. i must have been having a horrible day in humour that day. or something.

i hope you haven't completely written me off mirka, because you seem to really dig Dylan - and he is my all time favourite artist by so so so so far. no one will ever beat him.

I think I was pretty lucky as a n00b. Either I missed out on people making fun of me, or I just didn't understand I was being made fun of.

If I had been treated the way some newbies are treated now, not sure I would've stuck around.

I had a hard time when I started here but a few people were so, so nice it made me want to stay. I was lucky I think! Especially recalling what a massive cry baby I was about it. Shudder. If newb me walked in here right now, I'd hate me too. So, luck!

Imke wrote:

I think I was pretty lucky as a n00b. Either I missed out on people making fun of me, or I just didn't understand I was being made fun of.

If I had been treated the way some newbies are treated now, not sure I would've stuck around.

It's the same for me. The only one I had a problem with was Ritt, but that was because I didn't understand his way of being.

Now, he's one of my favorites!

And if I caused any noobs any problems... my bad.

Do you see the arrogance of your signature? That's in almost every one of your posts. I wrote you off when you made that dumb post about women and when you made the rape joke it just put the nail in the coffin. Especially because the joke wasn't funny, rape aside. There was no joke. If the joke were a sandwich, it would be empty inside, with offensive bread holding it together. You just yelled out rape like a seven year old that just learned the word. You're a complete shithead.

Can I say that? Do I have to wait until he's not new anymore to call this guy out on being a shithead?

Dammit I missed out on all the drama AND THE HUGGING!

Imke wrote:

I think I was pretty lucky as a n00b. Either I missed out on people making fun of me, or I just didn't understand I was being made fun of.

If I had been treated the way some newbies are treated now, not sure I would've stuck around.

Though, Frank did scare me one time because i fucked up a quote. People were neither nice or mean to me, really.

There are new people who i've been rude to, but i think they all deserved it. And some of them i grew to like, such as McDrake.

Hehe, I'm sure I did it in jest. I hardly try to scare people anymore.