The PPC Posting Board - Latest posts

Quincy Jones-Yesterday at 11:11 PM
That is not the full story, but it's not my place to tell it.

I saw that comment as being irked at the fact that however the drama was being referred to in chat wasn't accurate.

Quincy Jones-Yesterday at 11:13 PM
sighs Honestly I feel like we're just whitewashing over the issue, but since the relevant people have left, I'll let it lie.

To me, this comment makes me think the same thing - just going over a couple points of the incident does not cover it in its entirety, and that can be, frustrating.

Quincy Jones-Yesterday at 11:16 PM
sighs again
gets angry
This may be over for y'all, but it'll haunt me for the rest of my life.

I see this at anger aimed at Quincy, herself. I thought it was anger at herself, because saying that it would haunt her means that she feels regret about the situation. I'll check in a bit, but I am overwhelmingly certain that there are logs to confirm that this anger is directed at herself.

- Maxewell's take on things

Thoth's last message was in response to an image (https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/177121066823450624/405060401294868483/image.jpg) that was apparently cut out by the copy&paste.

But as the Constitution makes very clear, the health of the PPC Community depends on people speaking up when they see a problem. I was shown a potential problem; I sought out the rest of the information; I agreed that there was a problem; and I spoke up.

The 'massively warped view' you speak of is my own, so thanks for that.

hS

As the entirety of the log has been posted already- I can confirm, at least from memory that's how it went down- can someone please point out the Horrible No-Good Drama?

During the conversation on (I believe) the 21st, you made five separate comments to remind everyone present that you were angry at Iximaz. The way you present them makes it clear that you want people to come around to your viewpoint:

Quincy Jones-Yesterday at 11:11 PM
That is not the full story, but it's not my place to tell it.

Quincy Jones-Yesterday at 11:13 PM
sighs Honestly I feel like we're just whitewashing over the issue, but since the relevant people have left, I'll let it lie.

Quincy Jones-Yesterday at 11:16 PM
sighs again
gets angry
This may be over for y'all, but it'll haunt me for the rest of my life.

You repeatedly raised and re-raised the point that you are angry at Iximaz. You didn't do this to try and resolve things with Iximaz, because Iximaz wasn't there. You didn't do it in a way that suggested you were looking for people to help you work through that anger. You did it in a way that suggested you were trying to make sure everyone remembered that (in your view) Iximaz Done Wrong.

As I said, I have no problem with you not liking Iximaz. What I have a problem with is you repeatedly bringing up the fact that you don't like Iximaz, in a way which can only result in either you getting told to stop - or people coming round to your point of view.

hS

Here is what I was given. The editorial comments are not mine.

hS

I support the first two amendments, but not the third, for basically the same reasons hS did.

As for the Discord thing... as someone who went and read the logs, that is a massively warped view of what happened, and I don't find it accurate at all. Nobody in any way had any intention of turning Discord against Ix. In fact, here's the tail of a response to Ix from the person who doesn't like Ix (sadly, Ix was already gone and didn't see it):

stop with the "I'm not welcome". That's my line. You are more welcome here than I ever was, and the only thing about that I begrudge you of is that you can't see it.

In fact, the individual said repeatedly that they would be glad to see Ix return, even if that meant they would no longer feel comfortable staying.

As for the "direct attack on Iximaz," I once again find this to be blown far out of proportion of what was actually said, unless I miss my mark on what you're referring to.

I have nothing further to say in this conversation, and no further remarks to make. My blood pressure does not need more of this drama.

Thoth out.

Alright. I'm not gonna say anything on the amendments, or even the event on Discord. I do not have enough caffeine in my system for that. However, I would propose that the relevant text from the 21st of January, or any other day being referenced, be screenshotted and copied so everyone knows exactly what's going on.

So based on the rule I noted, whoever owned the shotgun gauntlets is the next to go.

I pretty much copypasted the rules from when I tried to set up a gift exchange last year, and didn't read them fully when setting up this one. I forgot about the "the one who bought the currently received gift is the next to go" rule, sorry. ^^;

While eatpraylove and I went by the usual numerical order, the numbers coincidentally matched up so that Backslash took Chris' gift and Chris was the next to go. So I'll enforce the rule mentioned above for this iteration of the event and have all players disregard the numerical order. As soon as I get home from work, I'll wipe all the numbers except for the ones who've already participated and update each number based on the order in which the player has gone.

If so, it was never my intent to turn anybody against Iximaz. I know you guys love them; I'd never want to do that. Never. I personally do not like them very much, but... they're your friend, and you're their friends. I would never intentionally try to defame anybody within this community. If you'll see my messages on the chat, I never said anything bad about them- and I never wanted to.

Harassment Amendment: I think this is generally good. It may be a bit long, and I feel that the language used in article 4 (on Harassment itself) is probably too specific, accidentally excluding types of harassment that aren't listed.

I would also like to find somewhere to include language along the lines of: You do not have the right to someone's time or attention. Everyone has the right to prioritise their own mental wellbeing, including cutting off communication with others if that communication is damaging to them. Not sure where it would go, though.

Discussion Amendment: We hashed this out fairly recently. I would ratify this.

Chitchat Amendment: This was pulled out from the Harassment Amendment (since it addresses something entirely separate). I don't think this is a problem we actually face, and I think I have to disapprove of its inclusion; the Board is quiet enough that a 'private' chat can actually be invigorating, and can draw in other people.

hS

Dear Discord,

It has been brought to my attention that following recent events, a particular member of the PPC doesn't like, and is angry at, Iximaz. And that's fine - I mean, it's always sad when people don't get on, but we're not the Emotion Police here.

What's not fine is when they repeatedly use the Discord channel to attempt to influence other people against Iximaz, who was not present (and had made it clear they would not be present). That crosses a line, is beyond the boundaries of acceptable behaviour, and goes against the spirit of Article 9 of the Constitution. I accept that they did this for emotional, not malevolent reasons, but that doesn't make it okay.

It is to the Discord's credit that, as a whole, you did not engage with the attempt, and that at least one person made the effort to shut it down. Thank you.

Unfortunately, a third member of the PPC took the opportunity to make a direct attack on Iximaz, again in their absence. They said something that they absolutely would not have said to Iximaz's face, and which attacks them for a repeatedly-stated mental health issue. That is not acceptable, and it is dismaying to me that nobody on the Discord spoke up to point this out.

I think that apologies are appropriate from the two PPC members referenced here: the one for attempting to sway the Discord channel against Iximaz, and the other for the direct attack. I was always taught that part of apologising is admitting what you've done wrong, so I will give them the opportunity to do the right thing without being named; but I do have the chat transcript if it is needed.

I also think that the Discord regulars need to think very hard about how they react to this sort of activity. Letting attacks and bad behaviour slide should never be acceptable, regardless of who is on either side, and it's dismaying that this was pretty much brushed under the rug.

---

Related to the above: there are multiple Constitutional Amendments which have been proposed and discussed, but not adopted (nor have they been explicitly rejected). This seems like a good place to consider them further.

Please make as many suggestions as you like to improve the Amendments. At any time you can say that you ratify (approve, think it's good, accept, etc etc) the amendment; this will be assumed to hold until you specifically retract it or the amendment is substantially changed. When the thread dies down, I will count up the ratifications and see if they meet the threshold for each amendment.

(You can also specifically disapprove; this counts as minus two ratifications for the counting. But if you disapprove of it, it's better to try and fix it than just say 'nah, doesn't work for me'. Get involved!)

---

The Harassment Amendment

A full reworking of Sections One and Two of the PPC Constitution, aiming to: provide a clearer framework for resolving issues; specifically call out harassment as intolerable behaviour; create a more encouraging feel in certain places; improve the structure of the early Constitution.

As a large Amendment, this is given as a commentable link: The Harassment Amendment

Current ratifications: I believe 5 (from people who are still around).
Threshold for approval: 10-12.

---

The Discussion Amendment

To encourage discussion on the PPC Board, and to define how it should be carried out. Reworks Section Four in its entirety.

~~~
Section Four: On Thy Topics Of Discussion

16. If you feel something (e.g. a story, some news, a website, a salmon cannon) might be of interest to the PPC, please go ahead and bring it up. Don't worry about your interests being too eclectic, either — someone's likely to be interested.

17. The PPC community thrives on discussion, and wastes away in its absence. When you post a thread on the Board, try to do so in a way that encourages discussion and interaction. If you're posting links, you're encouraged to expand on them somewhat.

18. That doesn't mean the PPC is Serious Business! Silliness and insanity are welcome here — even encouraged. Feel free to leave your sanity at the door. Most PPCers do.

19. There is no Article 19.

20. The PPC has always been about having a good laugh at badfic, so feel free to talk about it, and post links if you find something you think is worth sharing. If there's a thread about badfic on the top half of the front page already, go ahead and add to that - otherwise, feel free to create your own! (And when replying to a thread about badfic, or reviewing a badfic, please remember Article 2!)
~

Current ratifications: 5.
Threshold for approval: 8.

---

The Chitchat Amendment

To prevent private chats from taking over the Board.

~
(As Article 17.5 in the Discussion Amendment, or 23 in the current Constitution)

17.5. Sometimes, a discussion between just a few people takes on epic proportions. If this happens, it might be best to take it to the Lounge, or to private emails, rather than consume the Board with your enthusiasm.
~~~

Current ratifications: 0.
Threshold for approval: 8.

hS

PS: I am aware that just changing the rules doesn't actually improve the culture. However, having a clear view of what the culture should be can only be a good thing. ~hS

Librarians are the best. I might be biased, because I am a librarian, but you can take my word for it: Librarians are the best. Aside from Jocasta's awesomeness, it made me think of another Library, which does contain some quite amazing people in it.

The book (and T.V. show) "The Magicians" has a library (titled "The Library", what a name) of quite epic proportions, and the contents are quite special. Feel free to check it out, but fair spoiler warning for The Magicians!
http://themagicians.wikia.com/wiki/The_Library


- Maxewell, Librarian who has a spot in a niche now

I am personally terrible at telling people what they mean to me. This is partly because I'm also terrible at receiving personal praise, partly because there's a not-that-small part of me that lives in certainty of eventual disappointment if I commit too hard, so I tend not to.

None of that is a good excuse. I'm working on it.

There's one person here without whom I would almost certainly not be part of the PPC anymore. We've been through just about everything together, and even though we've disagreed, argued, and occasionally hurt each other's feelings, we always seem to pull together and support each other when it matters the most—and though I say "we," I'm sure you're better at it than I am.

You're one of my best friends. Maybe even the longest-standing one, too. I admire your idealism, your energy, and your continual efforts to make the Board a better place. For the times you've supported me, and for the times you've challenged me, thank you. You really are a hero.

Everyone probably knows who I'm talking about. And if they don't, they should.

I'm not letting nerves scare me out of posting this.

~Neshomeh

I was going to respond to this sooner, but real life had other ideas, and apparently everyone else has said what I wanted to say already. I know that the circumstances behind July's departure were unbelievably disgusting, and I was very worried that her leaving would mean that this mission would never be completed, but I'm glad that it wasn't the case after all and that her closure has been on a very high note, especially given the slaying of such a notorious badfic as this one.

Farewell, July, wherever you are. May you live long and prosper no matter where the four winds take you in the future and beyond. *salutes*

How did I miss that one? ... And now I'm not sure about who of me or you is next anymore. Sorry about that.

Hardric, now feeling confused too.

But the rules post does say this:

The starting player will then be selected at random. Then when that player opens a gift, the agent who submitted it must speak up and confirm that they were the one who did so. Then that agent is the next to play! Thus, in general, the person who will play during each turn is the one who volunteered the gift revealed during the previous turn.

Hence my confusion.

~Neshomeh

That was awesome! XD I loved the way the characters interacted with each other, especially Finch and Bingle. And that part with Anne about World One agents legitimately gave me the feels. I feel kind of bad for making my agents so environmentally destructive now.

This story contains spoilers for the ongoing(?) Marvel comic Star Wars: Darth Vader - Dark Lord of the Sith, particularly issues 8-10 (ie, the most recent). If you both read them and somehow haven't gotten round to it in the last two weeks, be warned.

There are also spoilers in this post, going back to issue 8; it's 2 months old now, so hopefully you've gotten that far, but just in case, here's that amazing picture of Mark Hamill and Daisy Ridley to give you time to click 'back' and get away.



Right. Now, who is the best Jedi?

No, your answer is wrong. The real answer is...



Jocasta Nu, the galaxy's most awesome librarian.

In light of this fact, and in light of the events of the aforementioned comic, the staff of the Musée des Univers Perdus have recently paid a visit to Jocasta's collection, in a short piece I like to call...

A Library Far, Far Away

hS, apparently carving out a librarian-shaped niche in the PPC

I almost wasn't going to post. But then AC posted, and his formatting gave me some idea of how to pull this off. So... Uh. Thanks, AC. I haven't talked to you much, but you seem like a cool guy.

The thing is, through some strange twist of fate, I know a lot of awesome people. All of whom frequent the board, and will thus read this. So, like AC, I'm not going to name people. But I think everyone will know who they are. It's one paragraph per person, so... yeah:

You were the first person here who really seemed willing to be friends with me here. You introduced me to so many people who, like yourself, I'm proud to call friends. You're an amazing person, even though you doubt it. Without you, it's doubtful I'd even still be here.

On a dark day, you told me one of the best things anyone's ever said to me. You said, "welcome home, kid." That phrase has stuck with me ever since.

And you... you're a big part of why I almost didn't write this: Because I couldn't figure out how to say what I think of you without sounding like an idiot. You are astonishingly kind, incredibly caring, and you helped me when nobody else could, and when I needed it the most. You are nothing short of an inspiration, and I still am amazed you could forgive me. Thank you.

Thank you, brother. To you, I need not say more.

That's only some of the amazing people I've seen. Thanks everyone, for being awesome.

... the Doktor's expression.

That is a Nicheling that is ready to play the Sousaphone bombastically and with vigour.

hS

I can so much relate to "clothes shopping – bah", although I understand the advantages of possessing more than one set of clothes.

The clock in the corner of the room ticking off the seconds while Emma thinks about what to say next is a nice image (promptly turning into the absurdity that is PPC HQ), but there may be a small inconsistency when The clocks kept ticking. Is there more than one or is this a typo?

I’m looking forward to see more of these agents.

HG

The gang!

I am particularly fond of how spiky the Notary looks. It fits her character very well. =]