Other [Issue 27] Golden Rule or Leaden Fool?

[MadDog21 230]

Golden Rule or Leaden Fool?

 

There’s the game. There’s ranking, earning crystals, purchasing and upgrading equipment, micro-upgrading, clanning and more. And, there’s chat. Chat in the server lobbies, chat in the game and chat, after a fashion, in private messages via the Forum. Chat exists with conditions called rules. Accidental violators get severe surprises though rarely so. Usually they experience a little patty-whack on their nasty, li’l hands. Chronics spend more time violating rules, making mults (Additional accounts for the newer Tankers) so they may violate more while other of their accounts do their ban time. Then there exist those special Tankers who blend a rare cocktail of stupidity, ignorance, contempt, wit (Or what they believe to be wit.) and petulant incorrigibility. Their “corrections” are a tad more severe. Perhaps it’s genetic.

So let us postulate, consider, the business of communication and play with unmet persons. A notable quote unable to be attributed is, “Manners are the lubricant that keep the "society machine" running smoothly and make interactions between strangers tolerable. Take them away and, like any unlubricated engine, the machine will self-destruct.” Manners enable interaction among strangers and friends alike to provide a touch of grace in exchanges between those. “Please” and “thank you” are mere scratches on the scratch of the surface of that shine which replaces crudity and thuggishness with a touch of grace. Even these can be prostituted. This can be seen any time some beggar comes to chat pleading for freebies, crystals, boosting solicitations, account trade solicitations or whatever the pleader covets. Applying childlike tactics learned from constantly haranguing parents, the add feigned courtesy, cloying begging and tireless, relentless nagging in hopes of wearing down any random, potential benefactor, they rarely tire or cease. Instead, they keep on and on, repeating “please” in the presumed certainty that will endear whomever they nag enough to relent to their begging. Usually, it won’t, but it disrupts chat every bit as much as flooding.

Profanity in any guise marks rude crudity. Oh, I know some fools think it demonstrates manliness, toughness and focused aggression. It doesn’t. It reveals the genuine cowardliness that accompanies those feeling secure in the distant separation provided by the Internet, the distance apart for players or communicators and the “protection” from identity by the use of nicknames, “nicks.” A critical failure in that thinking overlooks the fact that Tankers who play with any regularity and success have sharp memories. They’ll remember. Tanki through Moderators and Administrators tracks violator records specifically. They like to label those one’s “karma.” Players track by memory, and good players don’t forget. They recall more than profanity. They recall attempts to scam, deceive, play traitorously and assorted unmannerly conduct.

Such miscreants can attempt dodging their responsibility for nastiness. Creating “mults,” multiple accounts that enable dodging bans, deceiving tankers and generally shining others provide one way. However consider this. If one nurtures “mults,” they divide their attention essentially assuring they’ll not build any genuinely worthy accounts. Using myself as an example, it’s taken substantial play time for me to make MadDog21 into a substantial Generalissimo account. I know some have more than one such well developed account, but can you imagine the time that demands? If one “has a life,” tending more than one account to worthwhile development and strength suggests doing little more than playing Tanki. I enjoy Tanki as much as anyone, but, realistically, I couldn’t or wouldn’t invest that amount of time.

Another option for the dodgers is available, but you’d best have a fat bank to accomplish it. One can pay for a nickname change. The cost to change a nick is 100,000 crystals. It matters not what your bank account looks like. That’s a hefty chunk o’ change. Peruse the garage. Take note of what can be purchased for that amount. Why would anyone care to spend that to change a nick? One reason might be that one’s nick carries with it an abysmal reputation, lousy karma. Although such a payment would not remove one's karma, a nick change might provide a dodge from a shameful reputation. That won’t matter one whit if one’s conduct continues unchanged. Perhaps a Tanker started with a nick they didn’t think over well at all. Then a change won’t be so much a dodge as it would be a correction. That suggests another consideration. Think. Think as you register an account. Choose a nick with which you can live, one that, if you excel, you can carry with a degree of pride and self-respect.

Manners in game play offer another consideration. There manners entwine with tactics, too. I smile when I see a competent flag runner drop a flag to capture in front of a Mate keeping watch with an MU’d fat Mammy and Freeze. There’s an example of mannerly deportment. Many exist. A Tanker backing off a needed pickup for a Mate on the attack is another. I might sit here generating many examples. I invite you who read this and comment to add some that you see and appreciate. Again, the point is demonstrated courtesy and parity opposed to self-centered aggrandizement. It’s the manifestation of the ol’ saw, “There’s no “I” in team. Teams that show that tend to succeed gloriously . . ., and profitably!

So! Consider The Golden Rule. For those unaware, it is essentially this. “Treat others as you wish to be treated.” More archaically, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” As is the case with much profound wisdom, stating it is simple in it’s clarity and conciseness. Actually doing it is another matter, especially when we are, essentially, strangers a world apart. Rhetorically, why should we be mannerly, kind, respectful to someone we’ll never meet. In face time, it’s wise. After all there exist some capable, rough persons who just might move one’s nose from center face to ear left. This would surely bleed and hurt, but scoundrels and sluggards can rest easy in cyberspace. After all, it don’ matter how hard someone can bring it. They CAN’T bring it through a monitor.

We do have words. We even have curses, profanities and swearing despite the inability of many to correctly spell ‘em. That can bring the pain. “I’ll hurt ‘em wit’ words!” Well, yes, you may if they’re so weak in experience and self-esteem that they’ll let your words outrank their own self-esteem. If you do that regularly, make lots of mults, for you’ll be banned more than not. Moderators are sharp eyed, relentless and competent, God bless ‘em. But for the wise, the Rule apply. What we give, we receive in general. Extend respect, courtesy, politeness and these will return. Extend the dark side, and that will return to you.

Face it. If one receives frequent punishment, correction if you prefer, that one consistently proves their immaturity and incorrigibility. Some appear to make a game of testing tolerances of the game Mods, Admin and fellow Tankers. There are no crystal rewards, rank gains or added equipment for any of that. But! If it floats your boat, have a nice cruise. Just don’t whine and rail about what comes your way because of your insolence, lack of character and unmannerliness. You’ll grow what you sow..

Many love to rant, rail and rage about Mods. Foolish. Rules are clearly stated. Mods enforce those. If bans and censure bother you, don’t offend. Consider, however, what an individual can do. I may be known as the king of blockers. Anyone can block. I use a pasted phrase to accomplish two things. It alerts whomever I block that I have done that, so, hopefully, they’ll not spam the chat addressing me further. It also alerts any Moderator present of the foul essentially lending a hand to Moderators to clean the commode. Anyone caring to help the game improve its civility can and should do likewise. Blocking provides a true gift from Tanki. I block ALL profaners, beggars, cheaters, rules scofflaws and unmannerly twerps. When I do, it's permanent. Why? I don't care to see those persons' drivel. It's each Tanker's option and privilege, and it makes for far more pleasant gaming. The how to can be found here. http://en.tankiforum.com/index.php?showtopic=121640

Some folks can’t stand blocking. They want to see it all. It’s cool. We have choices. For me, I don’t care to see the drivel of those afore mentioned. Others apparently find pleasure in jousting verbally with whomever plagues them or the chat. I find that a complete waste of time, and I contend that gives the twerps exactly what they seek. Will debating with them change them? No. Will it waste your time and energy? Yes. Also, one’s mind is a sacred place. It’s wise not to allow in those who don’t understand or respect that sacred place. Once blocked, you’ll see “This player is on your black (Should read block.) list. The message is hidden” when they write. That’s unfortunate, since one who blocks generally knows they blocked. It seems Tanki decided to flood chat with that alert, but it, at least, keeps one from having to read the flotsam and jetsam some offer. The main point remains, Tanki, bless their li’l, pea pickin’ hearts, provided a way to apply control by individual players who wish to control what’s seen. I’m one who’s grateful.

In sum, karma offered a suitable descriptor. We Tankers can control our own mouths in type, and we can control what’s seen in our chat windows. Clearly, as Tanki continues and Developers modify their little bag of tricks, they’re honoring the Tankers with options to bend Tanki chat to one’s will. This generous gesture of respect for individual player preferences merits praise. I praise and apply it. You may do as your Golden Rule motivates you. Good hunting!

Edited July 31, 2017 by Hexed

[Gangham_Style 213]

Why is it that all of your topics have something to do how the young tankers act? I believe you are just fed up with the immaturity in Tanki and these articles are your way of venting out your... annoyance. A lot of kids really do not know how to act when they get angry, ok? I know you expect them all to be perfect, just like you, but it won't happen. All in all, I found this article to be very un-enjoyable. This is a game, bro. Get over the fact that Tanki will never be the way you want it.

 

"despite the inability of many to correctly spell ‘em"

"Then there exist those special Tankers who blend a rare cocktail of stupidity, ignorance, contempt, wit (Or what they believe to be wit.) and petulant incorrigibility."

"Applying childlike tactics learned from constantly haranguing parents, the add feigned courtesy, cloying begging and tireless, relentless nagging in hopes of wearing down any random, potential benefactor, they rarely tire or cease."

"some fools think it demonstrates manliness, toughness and focused aggression."

 

You make it seem as if little kids are really bad. I know you probably spent a very long time on this article and I give it to you for that but think about the words you speak and how they may affect people >_>

Edited October 3, 2014 by Gangham_Style

[Gangham_Style 213]

Ok, well, my original post may have been a bit harsh so apologies if I have hurt your feelings. but you are very demeaning to the little kids and by saying that you blocked them just encourages them to message you more. Think the way they think

[LaserShark 2,095]

I think it shows a lack of manners to announce to people that you are blocking them before you do so, blocking is so you don't have to see someones chat messages, but you seem to see blocking as a punishment, like it's the closest thing you can do to banning someone, which wouldn't do any good if they didn't know about it, so you make sure to announce to the person before doing so.

 

I remember having a conversation with my brother once over chat, and you came right into the middle of it and announced that your great, mighty and perfect chat screen bar was being filled with my worthless conversation you regarded as "spam", and I believe you announced I was being reported as well. (Which I am happy to report, nothing came of it.  ) And now here you are preaching manners and peace to all! :huh:

[abdullahtss 5]

phew thats alot, i will read it in spare time

[GoldRock 6,165]

I thought this was very nicely written and I was particularly impressed by the writing style utilised, even though I didn't agree with all of the points MD raised here. As a result, I think I'll point out that I'm particularly impressed with the feedback this article has received, surely amongst the most detailed feedback a newspaper article has been given by readers. Just goes to show there are some discerning readers out there, and I'm waiting to read MD's response :P

[canadarules 1,938]

Why is it that all of your topics have something to do how the young tankers act?

 

 

[Gangham_Style 213]

Wow, MadDog hasn't responded yet o_O :wacko:

[One-Foot 17]

Do unto others as others do unto you...

If they are acting with contempt , they want someone to act with contempt back.... jk! :D

[myfeetaretired 27]

You never have been a very pleasant person in the chat. If someone says something to you that you even remotely disagree with, you shut them down, but you so it in "intelligent talk" and it always comes off disrespectful and arrogant. I get you don't like some of the idiots in the chat but to be honest you are one of the ones that fuels them, they feed off you raving on about them, and by doing so you are no better than them. You are just bothering everyone else with your opinion just the way the people you talk about are. Look at yourself and what you say before judging others.

[myfeetaretired 27]

To add another point. Your "Golden Rule" is treat other people as you want to be treated, but you treat most the people in the game like trash and like they aren't allowed to have an opinion. Don't get on other peoples case about being nice to people if you don't do it yourself. I know these things about you from seeing you in the game. I know I'm right about this and I know there is about a 0% chance you will admit I am, because thats the arrogant type of person you are.

[trombone_ftw 734]

Next time, could you please not write it in a small white font? It's hard on my eyes. Thanks! :)

[Cook.My.Sock 269]

Totally agree with both of the posts made by lasershark and gangham. Even I have experienced the same with mad dog. Once i was angrily making some statements on xp ruiners( I'm sure most of you understand the feelings felt after a lost battle against a xp ruiner) and right out of nowhere and kept asking me to flood the chat ( which I'm sure i wasn't doing since i was expressing my opinions on those noobs in the main chat) after seeing his message i replied to him saying that i enjoyed the newspaper article reviewing him and the only reply i got was "welcome to my ban list "or something like that). As of now i am feeling happy for myself for being in his ban list ( since i won't have to listen any of his replies regarding my messages). I am even considering adding him to my block list as well cause I don't see any point at all talking with these kind of arrogant reporters when you have so many friendly, supportive ones like hog goldie and hamster whom i have never seen not a single player arguing with.

Edited October 8, 2014 by Cook.My.Sock

[Gangham_Style 213]

Oh, well... It appears this has turned into a "Let's hate on MadDog" topic. This is about his article, not how he acts, so please kindly stop giving examples of times when he has been a butt to you.

[MadDog21 230]

Golden Rule or Leaden Fool response.

 

I’ll strive for brevity or my version of that. I don’t engage in Press work for debate. We write what we write, run it by colleagues and, if deemed worthy by the Press staff, we publish. Thirteen comments show. All but three are from Tankers I blocked. I’ll leave it to readers to speculate who’s who.

 

My articles address manners and conduct. Any five minutes in chat reveals the need for that discourse. When signing in to Tanki, a set of Rules are noted. It’s to every player to read those, and, by signing in Tanki, each makes a contract to abide by them. “Little kids” aren’t inherently bad, and it's those whom the Rules are largely intended to insulate, protect. Why should they have to learn profanity in a game pledge to protect them and all from it?  Immature, profane, rude, stupid persons aren’t either. They just behave badly, and they violate their contract to play by Tanki’s rules. I don’t block to “punish.” I block to increase my own peace, since I find rules scofflaws objectionable. My privilege; my choice. Seeing Tanki flood, “This player is on your black [block] list. The message is hidden.” while annoying in itself , annoys far less than the drivel of those who violate chat rules.

 

Of respect, that’s laughable. I block those who deport themselves disrespectfully and apart from those rules. My pleasure in chat is reserved for the Tankers who abide by the rules and deport themselves with grace, manners and respect. This paste, “Welcome to my block list. You are vanished. Buh-bye.” as I said merely advises that I blocked. My ulterior motive is to alert Mods to the transgression. Mods have much to do, and it’s easy for them to miss occasionally.

This is as much as I care to clarify or, if you prefer, debate. I won’t answer further comments, since I was pretty clear on my thoughts in the article. However I ardently encourage others to have their say whether it be to lambaste me, my thoughts or whatever floats your boat. Dialogue is good, even if it reveals the inabilities of some to read and understand what was written. Blessings.

Edited October 8, 2014 by MadDog21

[trombone_ftw 734]

:/ Only 3? That must mean I'm blocked. I think it was for saying something like, "Omg, Maddog21, your famous!"

._. Meant as a compliment..

[Cook.My.Sock 269]

Oh, well... It appears this has turned into a "Let's hate on MadDog" topic. This is about his article, not how he acts, so please kindly stop giving examples of times when he has been a butt to you.

I posted it because some of the stuff mentioned in the article go hand in hand with my experience with him and the way he reacted.

 

anyway just leaving those stuff on maddog apart, this is a very well written article that will surely have a certain impact on the readers of the newspaper including me. Hope to see more like this from you in the future!

[fufususumumu2 1]

I agree from the blockees against maddog but two things: the part that the kids think they are manly is actually true for some as I experienced that age. It used to be cool at that time but now I realised it was plain foolish.

And second: i feel that when u block someone a message should be sent to the blocked person thAt he is blocked so he gets a taste of his own medicine. Even if the person has no good reason to block it serves As a loss for himself and not the blocked person as the person won't know any valid points u make ur self and he will lose out in the end.

[muncher2 60]

This topic was well written and I understand why the author is peeved. Over the past 3 years (I savor each and every rank) I have found that the most swearing "flooding" and even cheating takes place during the early stages of the game. Why? because the beginning tankers (myself included) become disheartened very quickly. We want to move higher yet get no where. Lets face it this game is is built for people who have already reached Generalissimo or at least a higher rank.

 

Is there a clan for lower ranks that promises crystal prizes? No. they can't even buy xp in the garage any more. I could not imagine trying to bring a tank from the beginning to where I am now, it would be a nightmare.

 

 

A lot of these kids are between 12  and 14 years old, it only natural that they are going to act up and look for ways to have "fun." So while I agree with you Mad dog, the fact is a lot of the kids playing this game are One not retired and have all the time in the world, and two not as patient. Patients is taught over time by parents, not by a game over night!

 

 

so before you condemn the people who break the "law" ascertain their reasoning and then see if there is a remedy, most of them are not hardened criminals. they look up to people (again I speak from experience) who have reached that awe inspiring rank of Generalissimo.

Edited October 10, 2014 by muncher2

[muncher2 60]

Do unto others as others do unto you...

If they are acting with contempt , they want someone to act with contempt back.... jk! :D

Two wrongs don't make a right!

[Meliora 1,652]

 

Profanity in any guise marks rude crudity. Oh, I know some fools think it demonstrates manliness, toughness and focused aggression. It doesn’t. It reveals the genuine cowardliness that accompanies those feeling secure in the distant separation provided by the Internet, the distance apart for players or communicators and the “protection” from identity by the use of nicknames, “nicks.” A critical failure in that thinking overlooks the fact that Tankers who play with any regularity and success have sharp memories. They’ll remember. Tanki through Moderators and Administrators tracks violator records specifically. They like to label those one’s “karma.” Players track by memory, and good players don’t forget. They recall more than profanity. They recall attempts to scam, deceive, play traitorously and assorted unmannerly conduct.

 

. Using myself as an example, it’s taken substantial play time for me to make MadDog21 into a substantial Generalissimo account. I know some have more than one such well developed account, but can you imagine the time that demands? If one “has a life,” tending more than one account to worthwhile development and strength suggests doing little more than playing Tanki. I enjoy Tanki as much as anyone, but, realistically, I couldn’t or wouldn’t invest that amount of time.

 

Another option for the dodgers is available, but you’d best have a fat bank to accomplish it. One can pay for a nickname change. The cost to change a nick is 100,000 crystals. It matters not what your bank account looks like. That’s a hefty chunk o’ change. Peruse the garage. Take note of what can be purchased for that amount. Why would anyone care to spend that to change a nick? One reason might be that one’s nick carries with it an abysmal reputation, lousy karma. Although such a payment would not remove one's karma, a nick change might provide a dodge from a shameful reputation. That won’t matter one whit if one’s conduct continues unchanged. Perhaps a Tanker started with a nick they didn’t think over well at all. Then a change won’t be so much a dodge as it would be a correction. That suggests another consideration. Think. Think as you register an account. Choose a nick with which you can live, one that, if you excel, you can carry with a degree of pride and self-respect.

 

 

So! Consider The Golden Rule. For those unaware, it is essentially this. “Treat others as you wish to be treated.” More archaically, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” As is the case with much profound wisdom, stating it is simple in its clarity and conciseness. Actually doing it is another matter, especially when we are, essentially, strangers a world apart. Rhetorically, why should we be mannerly, kind, respectful to someone we’ll never meet. In face time, it’s wise. After all there exist some capable, rough persons who just might move one’s nose from center face to ear left. This would surely bleed and hurt, but scoundrels and sluggards can rest easy in cyberspace. After all, it don’ matter how hard someone can bring it. They CAN’T bring it through a monitor.

 

 

Many love to rant, rail and rage about Mods. Foolish. Rules are clearly stated. Mods enforce those. If bans and censure bother you, don’t offend. 

 

 

It does look like you're having a rant here. Is this meant to be something about your opinion on how people spend their lives? If so, I'm not sure it's worthy of being here. Yellow - this is a game, and people can invest as much or as little time they want into it. You don't know the situation of every single player who has more than one high-ranked account (they could be someone who is retired and perhaps not as able to do some outside activities, or a family who like to play together, etc.), so it's rather unfair to judge those people as not having a life. That phrase is badly used here (I don't think it should be used at all in any case), and it's not up to you to decide who does and doesn't have a life. If you won't spend so much time on an account, that's your life. Don't judge others based on your schedule.

 

Green - you're assuming a lot here. You're trying out a new game, would you really, honestly, spend hours thinking of the perfect nickname? Most of the people who change their nicknames have been on the game for a good while and were probably quite young when they created their account, so didn't pay much attention to it. It's not all about erasing karma, as you seem to think. People to like to change their nicknames to one-word "qualities", such as "Bravery", or something to represent their own country. Do you think it's wrong that people change their name to include where they're from? I don't think you should take every little thing on the game and blame it on players trying to cover up their karma - that's not the only thing people care about, if at all.

 

Blue - would be great if you knew that it is possible that moderators make mistakes, and for this reason players do not have every reason to like them. They're not perfect as you seem to portray.

 

Also, the colour is really, really bright... 

 

Note: You've called people fools and other words quite a lot. Is that really going to encourage them to listen to you? These words from Gangham_Style, "I know you expect them all to be perfect, just like you, but it won't happen. All in all, I found this article to be very un-enjoyable. This is a game, bro. Get over the fact that Tanki will never be the way you want it." also sum up your attitude to Tanki quite well.

Edited October 20, 2014 by Meliora

[r_davinson46463a0 147]

Damn.....