My avatar

I do not Zenchi. I believe the reasoning to behind the original protest to be one of the egregious things needing to be addressed. I simply wish to eliminate the unneeded distraction form those principles that should be addressed first. Not that this is not bothersome, but something that is lower on what I see should be our priority list.

Much Love and Respect,
Kobos

Arisaig wrote: I'm still here waiting for an answer as to why this affected only people that have were active in the last week before this policy was rushed through. There are still people around that have whiteout avatars, and if this was a program or whatever going through and changing avatars, this would not be the case.

That mystery will probably be resolved in Episode XLII. What was that sophomoric protest about? Somebody didn't get their way?

Br. John wrote:

Arisaig wrote: I'm still here waiting for an answer as to why this affected only people that have were active in the last week before this policy was rushed through. There are still people around that have whiteout avatars, and if this was a program or whatever going through and changing avatars, this would not be the case.

That mystery will probably be resolved in Episode XLII. What was that sophomoric protest about? Somebody didn't get their way?

can't wait for that episode to come out then and we get the answers to the questions we asked.

Br. John wrote: That mystery will probably be resolved in Episode XLII. What was that sophomoric protest about? Somebody didn't get their way?

I believe it was a misunderstanding/miscommunication of what a certain role was going to involve and what would come of that; and then I think more people joined as by error or coincidence a certain level of respect was cast aside (nothing was said but sarcastic remarks, when people asked for answers) and people began to notice that this level of respect a basic concept of human dignity was being ignored on all levels and it spiraled from there on both sides.(something I would really like to avoid seeing again in my time here). That was just my view and why it had my support.

What is sophomoric about that situation Brother John?

Brother John, what has happened friend? I have seen you be so kind, and a great Jedi to follow in my time here; but most recently I have seen so much anger. It is okay to feel that anger Brother John, some stuff got thrown directly at you and Ren when you did not deserve it, but is it still okay to act on that now? I am again, respectfully asking you to cast aside emotion and remember what you have founded, the peace you have helped many of us cultivate within ourselves, and return to the Jedi I used to see on the general boards saying kind things of wisdom or ask for help with whatever burden you have as we are here for you as the site is here for us. I urge you to please consider what I have said. If it is not something you want to share here please feel free to PM me.

Much Love and Respect,
Kobos

Not to stoke the flames, but would not a solid black avatar serve the same (if not, a better) purpose? You know? Like when someone redacts information from a document for public view? Whiteout serves to rewrite something, whereas blacking out serves to show something is to remain unknown (or something like that). Protest, from what I gather, isn't against any policy here. It sucks when you're the one being protested, but censoring it shouldn't even be used (unless a policy or rule is being abused or ignored). Like others here, I don't know what exactly happened, nor do I know the reasons for protest, but why not get to even ground and talk to each other without personal attacks or character assassinations. I mean, censoring protest is yet another tool of fascism, is it not? Isn't it rather un-Jedi to support fascistic activity? Just curious. Maybe I'm way off.

Luthien wrote: Not to stoke the flames, but would not a solid black avatar serve the same (if not, a better) purpose? You know? Like when someone redacts information from a document for public view? Whiteout serves to rewrite something, whereas blacking out serves to show something is to remain unknown (or something like that). Protest, from what I gather, isn't against any policy here. It sucks when you're the one being protested, but censoring it shouldn't even be used (unless a policy or rule is being abused or ignored). Like others here, I don't know what exactly happened, nor do I know the reasons for protest, but why not get to even ground and talk to each other without personal attacks or character assassinations. I mean, censoring protest is yet another tool of fascism, is it not? Isn't it rather un-Jedi to support fascistic activity? Just curious. Maybe I'm way off.

The overuse of the term "fascism" here makes me roll my eyes. This is a website. If the person in charge doesn't like what you say and decides to censor it, then he has the right to.

Accusations do nothing but stoke the fire.

Now, the actual question is what are the long term consequences of a community leader not compling with the same policy he set up, and modifying circumstances at his whim?

It might come across as a bit harsh, but that question pertains only the administration. They have to decide what kind of leaders they want to be. The rest of us decide whether we follow or leave. But crying "foul" to someone who might or might not care about your opinion does not get results.

Manu wrote: The overuse of the term "fascism" here makes me roll my eyes. This is a website. If the person in charge doesn't like what you say and decides to censor it, then he has the right to.

Accusations do nothing but stoke the fire.

Now, the actual question is what are the long term consequences of a community leader not compling with the same policy he set up, and modifying circumstances at his whim?

It might come across as a bit harsh, but that question pertains only the administration. They have to decide what kind of leaders they want to be. The rest of us decide whether we follow or leave. But crying "foul" to someone who might or might not care about your opinion does not get results.

Manu, thank you that is well put! To further your point, I want to present this thought. WE, all of us from New Members to The most senior in the council make this place what it is. Do we deserve some answers? Certainly. Do we want change? for sure this place will always evolve with us as we grow. But, If we lose sight of the very reason this exists and the personal growth it has brought us; how are we to help others just starting their journey or stuck at a hard moment in theirs. I will always be here because of that, If I disagree, get agitated so be it, I will not show that on a public board. I will however call out anyone who decides it needed to be disrespectful, it solves nothing.

Yes a black square is OK and even this is just fine.

On a computer an invisible graphic in that place looks stupid or like there's an error with the site.
Use the space for protest text.
It's just not gonna' be something that looks like nothing.

What exactly is/are the question(s)? I don't remember how it got started.

Brother John,

I believe these were the two questions that many were just waiting for an awnser on.

Then can we please get an explanation why this only affected members that have been recently active?-Ari and myself.

Why is this a new policy and when did it get put into place?

I submit these respectfully and would love to just know otherwise, I'm dropping it at that my friend. We have a place of learning to maintain after all.

Much Love and Respect,
Kobos

Manu wrote: The overuse of the term "fascism" here makes me roll my eyes.

Well, it is a rather broad term that has many applications and varies depending on how it's used. So, I get why it's "overused".

I couldn't care one way or the other. If I don't like how a site is being ran, I simply don't use the site. If I've invested a lot of time and energy into it and still don't like it, then why not cut my losses? There are plenty of other places that serve the same purpose. Or, like Louis CK said, "Then make your own. You go make one. [...] See how close yours to perfect."

I did not go back far enough in the uploaded graphics list so I did not catch all of them (the blank white graphics). I checked back again to August 1, 2017 (before all this happened) and caught 2 or 3 more. That's why recent ones got deleted but older ones did not.

Once again, an invisible graphic in that space looks stupid and, to me, like there's something wrong with the program. I made up the rule. Protest away with a white square as long as there is a visible border around it.

I still have no idea what the protest is/was about. I can probably narrow it down to several things but I don't remember.

If there are still questions I'm happy to answer them.

Thank you Brother John,

I believe these answers suffice. Thank you for your willingness to address them. I appreciate it very much.

Much love and respect,
Kobos

Br. John wrote: I did not go back far enough in the uploaded graphics list so I did not catch all of them (the blank white graphics). I checked back again to August 1, 2017 (before all this happened) and caught 2 or 3 more. That's why recent ones got deleted but older ones did not.

Once again, an invisible graphic in that space looks stupid and, to me, like there's something wrong with the program. I made up the rule. Protest away with a white square as long as there is a visible border around it.

I still have no idea what the protest is/was about. I can probably narrow it down to several things but I don't remember.

If there are still questions I'm happy to answer them.

Ah, the episode finally came out? Perhaps going forward policy changes should be made known before they're carried out? Also, is there not more important things to do than change avatars without permission through rules no one was notified about because the look, quote, "stupid" ?

Br. John wrote: Once again, an invisible graphic in that space looks stupid and, to me, like there's something wrong with the program.

Personally, as a website designer myself....I agree. It's very glitchy in appearance when the space is empty, I know it's made me pause and think something went wrong a couple times before I was informed of the "Protest."

Perhaps going forward policy changes should be made known before they're carried out?

Again....As a website designer myself I can understand why this was not publicly announced or made into a big public to do deal. In the grand scheme of this temple's purpose....Your avatar is (should) be extremely low on your list. Takes you what.....3 minuets to upload a new one?

Yea...I get it...It was for a protest. Again....takes you 3 minuets to upload a new one

Usually when I make Administrative adjustments it is in the line of 40 or so other minor changes in accompany to everything else. Recording every single minor step is a bit.....Nit Picky. Seriously.....go work on your IP or Meditations or Picking up cans or....whatever it is we all try and do as actual Jedi

On that same foot.....

I have seen plenty of members in the Jedi Community overall who very very much fixates on the nit picky attitude....So, I got myself into an administrative habit of logging my action's in a note pad and posting the action log in a thread. It's tough to develop that habit and even then I often missed things....no one's perfect

But might be something Administrators here could consider *shrugs*