Ah. I was wondering whether I'd ruffle feathers among RPGers for observations of both a small/new group and a larger/older group. None of it's meant as criticism so much as just an observation of group dynamics. I know the word 'clique' has negative connotations, but in this context I view it as somewhat neutral. There's just not another good word for the dynamic, that I could think of when writing.
Our first tier *does* take some of the pressure off in terms of player/new reader interaction, and believe me, we're grateful for it.
But the same thing happens with writers. I meander through enough blogs and forums by published writers, and on the days when the writer is absent, the first tier - those who've established themselves as long-term voices on the blog or forum - will answer on the writer's behalf. Not necessarily putting words in the author's mouth so much as being a guide. "Here's another post on the same topic" -- I see that one often. And I've seen people do the same in areas where I've become an established voice; by dint of long association many of them have a good handle on how I'd respond, and if I don't speak up they'll do so on my behalf. It's not presumptuous, I think, because the association does give them some credibility in terms of joining the dialogue. And it's not like anyone is posting as me, any more than your first tier would post as your personal Metatron.
I don't think it's necessarily favoritism in a negative sense, but in a protective sense. I do the same thing, myself, with an extremely tight filter for when I'm writing the very first draft. There are perhaps a handful of people that I'll ask outright to pander, when I need it. Write more, I tell them to tell me. Say it's good, I demand. I would not do that with everyone, but there are days when the story just doesn't want to behave and the characters would rather shoot pool and get drunk than show up for their scene. Is this favoritism that I select a certain few individuals out of a crowd and grant them the chance at first viewing? Maybe it is, if it's publicly known; I'm sure there are those on the outer reaches--like me, with the RPGs--who would say, oh, that's the inner inner tier!
...
Some days I ponder putting a big huge disclaimer on my journal, that says: all observations are invariably going to end up back on ME, damn it, because it's all about ME, damn it. So don't take this personally or see it as criticism. You're just fodder for me finding out more about ME.
With tongue firmly in cheek.
I had much more to say, and I composed it quite a bit better in my head on the drive to work, but I lost most of it once I started typing it out.
It happens. Just come back around again when you remember, because I'd like to hear what else the essay had triggered.
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Date: 22 Feb 2005 04:22 pm (UTC)Our first tier *does* take some of the pressure off in terms of player/new reader interaction, and believe me, we're grateful for it.
But the same thing happens with writers. I meander through enough blogs and forums by published writers, and on the days when the writer is absent, the first tier - those who've established themselves as long-term voices on the blog or forum - will answer on the writer's behalf. Not necessarily putting words in the author's mouth so much as being a guide. "Here's another post on the same topic" -- I see that one often. And I've seen people do the same in areas where I've become an established voice; by dint of long association many of them have a good handle on how I'd respond, and if I don't speak up they'll do so on my behalf. It's not presumptuous, I think, because the association does give them some credibility in terms of joining the dialogue. And it's not like anyone is posting as me, any more than your first tier would post as your personal Metatron.
I don't think it's necessarily favoritism in a negative sense, but in a protective sense. I do the same thing, myself, with an extremely tight filter for when I'm writing the very first draft. There are perhaps a handful of people that I'll ask outright to pander, when I need it. Write more, I tell them to tell me. Say it's good, I demand. I would not do that with everyone, but there are days when the story just doesn't want to behave and the characters would rather shoot pool and get drunk than show up for their scene. Is this favoritism that I select a certain few individuals out of a crowd and grant them the chance at first viewing? Maybe it is, if it's publicly known; I'm sure there are those on the outer reaches--like me, with the RPGs--who would say, oh, that's the inner inner tier!
...
Some days I ponder putting a big huge disclaimer on my journal, that says: all observations are invariably going to end up back on ME, damn it, because it's all about ME, damn it. So don't take this personally or see it as criticism. You're just fodder for me finding out more about ME.
With tongue firmly in cheek.
I had much more to say, and I composed it quite a bit better in my head on the drive to work, but I lost most of it once I started typing it out.
It happens. Just come back around again when you remember, because I'd like to hear what else the essay had triggered.