Replacement Protest Avatar

[lawrence]

Censorship NEVER goes down well on the internet, even in private forums where you have every right its still a massive clanger.

The ribbon had many meanings and was not directly offensive.

@grimjim
Seriously, we did not mean to simply censor something uncomfortable here. We'd not be encouraging you to choose a new symbol in that case.

As previously stated: That symbol really is a sensitive subject for some people. Please always keep in mind that, while something may not seem or be offensive for you, it can still be considered offensive for other fellow users. We highly respect your feedback and your feelings, but we also have to respect the feelings of those who feel offended by the symbol, due to past experience and some of the horrifying real-life events Xavier pointed out in his posting. You can still replace the icon by a less offensive, neutral symbol if you like and I hope you can understand our reasons here.

I myself can fully understand that you guys are a bit upset, but do we really have to get so mad at each other over an icon, folks?

[totnkopf]

Wouldn't worry about it Lawrence. They've got their undies in a twist and are more than willing to get unusually angry over something that would normally seem quite minor. Something about the FvF zone set them off ("my god... CHANGE! well, it doesn't suit me, so it must be bad! no one could possibly like this... Everyone thinks like I do!"... if you don't like the FvF, then show your power and go else where.... simply taking part in AD "reluctantly" sends the wrong message)
rabble... rabble rabble rabble!!

[roninpvp]

*trys to get into the 733+ mode that they seem to want*

tsk tsk Scar its PWNED!!11!! not Owned

[mrshad]

I myself can fully understand that you guys are a bit upset, but do we really have to get so mad at each other over an icon, folks?

IF IT WERE ONLY ICONS!

Get a clue! It is the demonstrated lack of ability on the part of Nevrax to get thier playerbase.

I can't belive someone had to explain this to you!

We are worse off than I thought.

[thosholm]

Lawrence,

everyone and his dog (literally) uses the black ribbon. Two examples beyond yours:

-The Anarchists for Free Speech on the Internet
- a dog breeders union to protest the possible ban of pitfighting dog breeds.


By forbidding it, you have done infinitely more harm than by allowing it. People are very much against being restricted in their choices, even if it were a choice they would not have made.

[grimjim]

No - as expected, the new images are less polemical and do not relate to events such as the London bombing or the Hurricane Katrina anymore, but are more aggressive toward us. That's hardly something we could have wished.

That already shows that ribbons are used to commemorate various different events, not just one with any one particular meaning.

And it splits up and breaks down the effectiveness of the imagry and protest.

Since you're here, how about addressing some of the community's concerns? If an avatar protest is this important, what about the questions?

[scarazi]

tsk tsk Scar its PWNED!!11!! not Owned

thanks still only in my first few days studying leet speak

[grimjim]

I myself can fully understand that you guys are a bit upset, but do we really have to get so mad at each other over an icon, folks?

When the entire issue is over the denial of choice it isn't exactly rocket science to anticipate that people choosing a form of self expression to register that protest will get their back up when their forum setting are forcibly invaded and changed without their consent. Its bleedin' obvious they'll get upset.

You have every right of course, private forum, EULA, CoC etc. However that doesn't necessarily mean it was a good idea!

You should be trying to placate, not enflame the situation.

The time spent conflabbing over this, sending messages to all the people involved and resetting their avatars would have been FAR better spent answering a few questions, putting out fires and soothing people's damaged trust, rather than damaging it further.

In other words - this was not a good idea.

[genod]

Not that anyone here is likely to care, but I just thought I'd let you know that I've switched off my avatar displays for the duration of this crassness.

But I guess I ought to unsubscribe from the forum life altogether, huh

[dazoo]

*sighs*

I'll go with Grim's avatar. It is simple, and should be non-offensive. The grave, while very well done, reminded me of a long ago neighbors 3rd cousin's bother-in-laws sisters deceased cat. The censorship one is also nice, but *censored* it *censored* of worms. The "pwned!!!" one... also very well nice, but unfortunatly I feel it may be found offensive to any employee of Nevrax.

Goofy