Ask the Editors
by,
The Editors
Episode 10
Welcome back and thank you for joining us for a big milestone, our first double digit episode! Thank you for all your questions and for listening!
This week's questions comes to us via email once again, and it's a good one.
“What's your opinion on bullying in the Realms, IG and OOG?”
~Anonymous
Anonymous always has such great questions!
Let's hear from Diana 'Kiira' LaPierre:
“My thoughts on In-Game bullying are definitely skewed. My groups and compatriots have been accused of In-character bullying. Oftentimes, they may have been bullying, but it was for In-character reasons. It's difficult because we are a role-playing game. Roles aren't always "good-natured". People can play an in-character bully. I don't take any issue with that.
Out-of-game bullying, however, is fairly common and not much is ever done to prevent or stop it. People, usually specific ones, cry over the internet about it and people make a big to-do, but ultimately it never gets really resolved and the bullies just keep on keeping on. People would have been kicked out of the game, temporarily or permanently, by now if these issues were actually addressed. On the other hand, people now-a-days are more often to "Cry Wolf" then previous generations were, and ofttimes folks overreact to things. So, do I think bullying is a terrible problem for us Out-of-Game? No. It does exist, though, and will continue to do so unless more people stand up to that behavior.”
Thanks Diana!
Now, let's see what Sara 'Zarine' Jessop has to say:
“In order to address this question we must first define was 'bullying' is. It's a word to me that has lost a lot of meaning because of it's overuse. People use it to mean all sorts of things, from simply being laughed at when they didn't want to be, to actually being beaten up for their lunch money. I am in a group that often gets called bullies simply for being physically better at fighting. Just because someone beats you over and over on the field, and/or takes competition more seriously than you does not make them bullies. Bullying to me means 'harassing someone, either verbally or physically, over an extended period of time who does not deserve it to a point of oppression.'.
IC bullying to me is fine as long as both parties are okay with it OOC. This is a game, and we do not all need to play good guys. But it's also a game in the sense that people should be having fun a majority of the time. If you are making their OOC lives miserable, or their overall game experience miserable, then perhaps you should reevaluate your play style. On the other hand the person/group being bullied needs to understand that it's a game and not to take it OOC personally as well. If it's really bothering them, they should find a way to communicate that to the other person in a respectful and productive manner. You cannot control how other people treat you, only how you react to it.
OOC bullying is a different story. Sometimes I believe that it is deserved. Not everyone is a victim, and oftentimes the person being 'victimized' started or at least was complicit in the beginning of the whole situation. If someone is completely undeserving of it, I would hope that people would stand up and put a stop to it. Whining and complaining doesn't stop bullying, action does. If you see someone being treated poorly, help them. If we as a community show folks that bullying will not be tolerated, then the bullies will go away.”
Thank you, Sara!
Now let's hear from Jen 'Areni' DeNardis-Rosa
“Long story short, my opinion on in-game and out-of-game bullying is that it is unacceptable and should not be tolerated on any level. Personally, I have always felt that the game as a whole welcomes all players with an overall culture of tolerance. While I don't feel that bullying is a major issue in the game, I would be concerned if people felt they were being subjected to it and would hope that those affected would be able to talk about it with nation leaders or someone they trust so that issues could be addressed. The Realms in general is a good mix of players from many different backgrounds and experiences and it is the players that make the game so unique. We are all responsible for setting the tone of the game and the dynamics of the events, and that is a very important task. I think that we are fortunate to be part of a community that is generally open and accepting, where people can be themselves without shame or fear. One only has to look at the margin by which the "update pronouns" proposal passed the EHC this year for proof (by the way, it was 30 - 0). It should be one of our top priorities, as a group, to strive to maintain and nurture this type of atmosphere.”
Thank you, Jen!
Seems that a common theme here is stepping up and preventing bullying. We are a diverse group of people with varied interests and we all want to be free to be ourselves and most of us seem to want the best for each other. Sometimes the best thing is being truthful and letting others know that what they are doing is unacceptable.
Thank you for reading! Next week we will be taking a little break,but join us in two weeks when we answer the question "What's the one Realms "thing" you've always wondered about, but have personally never tried(and why haven't you)?"
Questions can be sent to Sara “Zarine” Jessop via email (Sarajjesop@gmail.com), facebook messenger, or in person. The question box will also be making the rounds at various events. Please note if you'd like your question to remain anonymous and/or if you would like to address specific editors