I know this isn't a magick topic, but it is in the non-magick misc section so hopefully it fits. At first the post may not even seem to relate to the site, but bare with me, it makes sense after you read the whole thing.
A Story: On a game called World of Warcraft I normally play as a warrior. Decked out in plate armor and holding a shield, I am what is called a "tank." My job is to keep all the monsters focusing on me so my team doesn't get killed. My sister plays a healing class and as such it's her job to make sure I have health so I can continue keeping the monsters off the rest of the team and everyone stays living.
As is typical of a tank and healer relationship, we sometimes criticized each others tactics. She would say I need to do better at holding aggro (I'd like to point out I have it working perfectly now) and I would say she needs to heal more without stealing aggro. Obviously neither of us really understood the complications of each other's roles so we decided to switch places.
As a healing class I learned the downsides of her position. The issue of keeping mana, not catching a monster's attention, and still managing to keep the party alive. She learned the complications of a tank; paying attention to an entire mob and juggling taunt skills to keep their attention while also having to keep an eye on how much damage the party is doing to ensure nobody gets noticed and attacked.
A great experience for us, we now work better as a team and understand more about the game. So it is with all things though. I noticed another thread in which mods were being criticized for what they do, but have you ever been in their position? What about as a priest or priestess, have you ever had to do their job? Even council, if you haven't been in the position you may not fully understand what it's like to be there.
This lesson extends beyond the immediate website as well. Being a parent, a teacher, a leader of any kind, except politicians. I don't mean to bring up politics, but we all know whenever something goes wrong it's got to be their fault. (joking)
I just thought I'd share my story and hope to spread a little patience and tolerance amongst the masses. Thank you for reading.
My husband plays WoW, he has a warrior (among many other characters) and he's a guild leader too, so I hear about the game all the time and understand exactly what you mean.
Intresting how a game of entertainment can teach humanbeings how to understand one another.
Although I do not believe in mutual understanding even if you experience the same experiences, but it still have a better result than not knowing at all.
Thanks, Raven. Guild leadership is another good example, allot of members expect the leader to be a best friend more than an admin. They don't consider the downsides of having the leader play friendly as opposed to enforcing rules. I'm not going to go into to much depth on that since I think the first post made my point, but it is bad.
Nobody understood why I was strict in my first guild, so before the guild disbanded I pointed out the reason. One time, for just three days, I wasn't around to enforce rules and half the players left because the other half was acting like a bunch of noobs. I returned to find the less well behaved half remained and they didn't like not being able to run rampant. The guild disbanded a couple weeks later because I got fed up with their immaturity. The reason for the strictness is simple, I only had three rules.
1: No begging. Other players don't like beggars and I had a habit of dueling and/or killing beggars myself. I also mock them; "plz gld? I haz gld?" Seriously. That's how they type.
2: No ninja-looting. Any WoW player knows why this is bad, but for those of you who don't play WoW it basically means taking an item that you don't need before the players that do need it can get it. For example, a priest taking a warrior weapon because it's worth some gold before the warrior has a chance to get it.
3: No being a noob. This I describe as being rude, disrespectful, etc. Basically just treat others nicely and be polite. It's not hard, but a surprising number of arrogant and immature people have trouble with it.
It was a group of such noobs that were left after a mere three days of not being online. I had college work, I couldn't help it, but this is why I'm strict with rules.
Anyways... Sorry for another long post. Thank you anyone that read all this or even enough to get the point.
Yes, Suberbus, I found the experience of literally putting myself in my sister's place revolutionary. There is a tremendous difference between the roles and it is amazing how a computer game can give that example. It is a type of game that really makes the players depend on each other though.
We have switched back to our original roles now. I can play the part of a healer, but I just don't "feel" it the way my sister does. I'm the tanking type. I like to be on the front line maintaining the safety of my party. I don't like being in the back making sure the front line holds. That's her part.
Thank you for such a nice, understandable analogy and a clear post! The mods need support dealing with us nutjobs all day... just kidding. It is a good message though,in a time with so much hate!
