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| Articles: The Velvet Rope |
Posted by
ComteStGermain on Tuesday, April 03, 2007 - 12:23 PM PST
Not to step upon the delightful toes of Janet Jackson, but there is an effect that I like to call the Velvet Rope, a tendency of normal people to constrain themselves to what they perceive to be their own predestined level of prestige, or achievement, or access.
Where in this scale do you consider yourself to be? Are you on the A-list? The B-list? Are you Chris Kattan and Will Ferrell trying desperately and unsuccessfully to get into the Roxbury?
Gather round chillens. Listen to the words of Sanctus Germanus.
There are a number of members on this site, let's call this number x. There are a number of elite members on this site, let's call this number y. Now, x/y is a number which approaches 1, which indicates that the elite are statistically insignificant compared to the rest of the non-elite. One or more of the elites are administrators, so by their very function they are more functionally significant, so the formula improves to be x/(y-admins). Still statistically zero.
So what is the point of all of this? The Count will tell you. Have you ever been to an amusement park, or a theatre, that had a velvet rope? Did you obey the implicit command of that velvet rope? Did you walk like cattle through a switchback seven rows deep just to get to a line in which you were first anyway? Did you ever obey the orders of the Wal-Mart security guard simply because he wore a blue shirt and had a plastic badge? If so, you limited yourself within your own mind, you didn't explore all that was possible in your own real life.
Back to the original point...the elites. When I say the names of Meranda or Rogue or Feral or Schizo or Bettie_x or Kira or pAris or Devin or MRD or Callei or Shade, what comes to mind? Do you shiver as would a serf in the presence of their land-lord?
If so, why?
What is it about you that makes you less significant than other people who joined a site the same as you, but perhaps earlier than you? Is their opinion more important than yours? Are their contributions more important than yours? Why does an article that you submit end up getting posted to the main page after weeks, when you are sure that others are getting their things posted immediately?
Why do you tolerate this? Why do you want to be less significant than others that you do not know but *seem* to have some advantage over you?
If you care at all about the site, it is your responsibility, your duty, to post as often as you find time to do so. Submitting articles, or simply posting on articles or forums, all of these things Count.
In short, ignore what you may think about your worth, implicit or explicit, and contribute to the site. Only this will make you and your opinions valued.
I leave you with the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said: "We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate." It is the same here on this site.
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Average Rating : 4.8
Total ratings : 4
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| The Velvet Rope | Login/Create an account | 19 Comments |
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Re: The Velvet Rope
by Schizo (Aranea@Spidersdance.com)
on Apr 03, 2007 - 01:11 PM
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I always knew you had a mind... thank you for using it for something other than bashing a certain member.
Of the list of "elites" you mentioned... except for Devin, who built the place, and maybe Callei, who is just as significant as far as the sheer existence of the place is concerned, there is not a one of us who did not at some point or other set aside our feelings of nervousness and just decide to contribute. How do you think I ended up here? I honestly felt about as inadequate as a girl could be when I started (yeah, it was right at the beginning of the site, but what the hell does that matter?). And now I'm an "elite"?
Anyone who shivers in my presence has really got some issues. I'm about as ordinary as they get. Two rules - if you don't put yourself out there, no one will know or care that you exist, and if disrespect the site, you're not likely to be respected back. Also, this is not kindergarten, and this site is not your parents... we're not going to ooh and ah over random scribbles... but if you can form a complete sentence or hold a camera straight, and have something to say or show... by all means, go ahead. I know I'm not the only one who's willing and eager to see what the newbis have to offer.
And sometimes even my articles take a while to get posted. It's just part of the process.
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Re: The Velvet Rope
by magari (chill550@gmail.com)
on Apr 03, 2007 - 03:49 PM
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Speaking as an owner of a website and admin of a few different forums over the years I know for a fact it is in the best interest of the site to treat all members as equally contributing entities. Every hit on the webserver is a contribution in my opinion and even if all you are is a number in the massive member list, you are still a number and the forum wouldn't have as many members without you.
I understand the human desire to be important, respected, and needed. This will cause some to eagerly jump in line to try and get close to those considered "elite". There is nothing wrong with this as long as you stay honest to yourself and don't take actions based solely on a desired result. Doing this in any respect could lead to suffering do to the chaotic nature of the universe in which we exist.
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Re: The Velvet Rope
by Starlight on Apr 03, 2007 - 06:09 PM
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Seems reasonable enough to me. Post and contribute as though you count and it ends up counting even if it may not be obvious. You make a good point.
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Re: The Velvet Rope
by Sardonic-Pain (SarieOwnsGod@hotmail.com)
on Apr 04, 2007 - 12:27 PM
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That is one way to look at it I do suppose. However that is not how I see it around here. I simply see the people that you mentioned above as like the seniors...not as in old people. Think of it as work levels...like where I work you start out as entry, make your way up to experienced, skilled, advanced and senior.
Things are going to be classified reguardless but as far as elite...or a-list I don't see it that way. I've been around for a good little while...I'm more of an observer putting in my two cents when I see fit to do so and I try not to make a complete ass out of myself. I respect the people that have been around longer more so than anyone else around her cause the have EARNED their right to be the "elite" or whatever the hell you want to call it.
Its not easy starting out to come into a place that already has its little cliche set up..with people well set in their ways. Those who are new are not disreguarded...but they are jaded...and well just plan new. They don't know the ropes and if they get roughed up a bit- oh well. You have to take the fall and learn to get back up from it. In that way you EARN respect and your place where ever it might be on the totum pole. And if people what to argue and complain about who's been here longer and who posts the most...well I can tell you where you can stick it. This place isn't about who knows who and who is at the top. Its an open place for you to post your opinions.
If you say something ridiculous, or just plain stupid and expect for someone not to say something about it in this place...Well you shoulda done a bit of snooping around before trying to brave the waters.
Elite- non elite whatever....I've been here for just as long as some of the other people...I'm not on the elite list or what ever cause I don't care. I don't come here for that. I come here to socialize with like minded people...reguardless of whatever "rank" they hold. We are just people conversing with people...and thats the end of it.
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Re: The Velvet Rope
by Kira on Apr 05, 2007 - 12:19 PM
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Unless you're trying to say this site is like a big 'ol improper fraction, I think it would be y/x and your metaphor is kinda off anyway.
Either way, I agree with the heart of what you're saying. In fact, if you go back in post history long enough you'd find I gave a similar position at the very first big "split" or whatever. Although both are present here, I do think you are sometimes confusing elitism with long standing friendship.
In fact, I chuckled at being lumped in as one of the elite. All I've ever done is be myself and when I'm interested contribute what and when I can. The only quivering before me I give a damn about is mutually consensual and involves a safeword.
One of the best teachers I ever had always said it's not about who you know, it's about who knows you. The only way to get to be known is to put yourself out there.
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Re: The Velvet Rope
by Nie (simim23@gmail.com)
on Apr 08, 2007 - 07:52 PM
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I remember "Iamsquid" or something to that effect.
Whatever came about of him?
I always loved the way he said "yoo."
I suppose if I had ever posted enough, I'd have been elite too?
5 years. I used to be Simim23, I think... then lost the password or got deleted or something and came back with Nie. Much more fitting anyways.
I may have been silvyrcrowe. I can't remember. >.<
But yea, I've been on here since I was 13, and now I'm 18... this place brings flashbacks of 8th grade. O.o Normally that'd deter me from visiting, but today I just sat down and asked myself "where haven't I gone to in ages?"
Voila, Shmeng.
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