Younger Members! Answer me this!

  • So many newbies lately! Here is a very important PSA about one of our most vital content policies! Read it even if you are an ancient member!
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Whew...Got to say, I was a little nervous about posting here after what everyone said. I'm probably guilty of everything that has been deamed annoying.

But in any case...I'll give a little input. I've only been here a couple months and I understand that I'm still a newbie. Yeah, I do portray myself as cutesy, but that's how I am in RL. (if you need verification, ask Rory) When it comes to the cbox, I try to fit in with the convo when I can. I've had some great ideas for RPs come out of random conversation. Talent-wise, I can't really speak for myself on that part, but I think I'm doing pretty well baised on who has joined my RPs.

I look at the older members as people I would be honored to get to know. I mean, some that have taken the time to know me I consider my friends. Even Jinx. XD

So that's my Newbie perspective. Hope it helped?
 
I wouldn't say that the older members are "clinging" on to each other. Maybe some are... but I try to be active in the c-box once and a while. I've made friends/acquaintances with the newer members, or at least talked to some of them. But when you make friends with people you usually go to talk to them first over others. Same thing happens in real life.

Every group will have in-jokes. Hell in my group of friends we have jokes between us that we'll have to explain to others. But that's the key, allowing others in on the joke, to explain where it came from.

I'd say that there are personalities in the c-box. One can tell one person from another, although with these damn name changes every month it can be rather difficult to sort whom is whom.

But it is a younger generation… Iwaku is old for a forum. Forums don't often last long enough to see generations upon generations of members cycling through. Each generation brings a different influence in with it.

Sorry if my post made no sense… kinda just went off the top of my head with a few of my comments and from what I read.
 
Naw, you made perfect sense, Woody.

And I should try and make more newbie friends.

..... Someone help me with that?

Just kidding, anyways, all we can do is try, right?
 
Maybe the riff between the two groups is caused by a lack of inequality between them? Older members treating newbies like they're not as relevent as the older ones? And general outward addittudes as well. I feel like there was never any banning or hatred or drama, maybe because I was delusion, maybe because of GZ or what ever. It's just I've seen some addittudes that are mean and vicious just for that sake to be mean. And that's not right.

Is this all in my head? Am I the only one who notices this?

Think positive people!!!
 
I really don't think we're that different from these newer members.

And what's with saying Japanese cliches? That is really unrelated to this.... Anime and even Japan should not be blamed for this behavior. I don't remember any anime were everyone pretended to be animals while being lazy, hugging people all the time, petting people all the time, glomping people all the time and saying ish all the time. :P It's like some other say, they either do it for attention or just because it's amusing to em. Besides, most anime is actually better than American cartoons nowadays sadly. Cartoons now are so dumbed down nowadays, at least in the 90s you had some shows with depth and compelling characters, like Dinobot from Beast Wars, Batman the Animated Series, etc. Heck, some of em had jokes only older people or adults could really see hidden in. Shows had guts then and took risks, now? Not so much...

I had to watch some cartoons with my newphew so..I know this from my own experiences. Anime is not nearly as watered down, although also on a decline but not nearly as bad as cartoons.

Lol at least these people aren't doing ACTUAL Japanese cliched things that people do in real life, like marrying virtual or fictional characters, a movement that's even made it onto the local news here. <_< That IS sad and truly detrimental and harmful. This stuff in the c-box is harmless IMO. The real reason newer members are acting this way is because it's probably fun for them. They don't take it as seriously as others might. That's the point of going on a site like this, isn't it? Creativity is all well and good but the main thing is that you have fun and enjoy the site. That's what is truly important. Not trying to show off or brag about creative posts or stories.(no offense to anyone)

While some of these habits are annoying, I really only see like 2-3 people who really go overboard with em. Not enough for me to feel as if I am disconnected from the new users though. I just don't see it as a big deal. They DO actually talk about stuff and do have personalities and creativity.

I'm an older member,yeah it's different now. It's only natural things change over time. We can't just be hostile and grumpy about it, gotta accept it and not take things so seriously or get so worked up over tiny things like this. Old Iwaku was nice but this is New Iwaku, we gotta move on and not just live in the past so much. We have to keep an open mind too. Make new good memories/in jokes and be more friendly to the newer users.
 
The gap between the "new" and the "old" has probably just gotten wider and wider since theres no rotation of fresh blood in the staff. I'VE BEEN BROUGHT/BEGGED TO COME BACK THREE TIMES, LAWDY LAWD! >=(

So the newbies just feel like they are secluded from our old ways of aristocracy? Excellent. YOU WORK FOR THE SYSTEM! THE SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK FOR YOU!

DUCE! DUCE! DUCE!


 
Asmodeus, you better not be picking on me, mister :33 I'll huggleglomp you more on purpose now just because

I honestly think it's just a matter of Iwaku evolving as well. Iwaku used to be a close-knit group where everyone had their own unique personalities only because we all had so many differences. With so many members, however, things are bound to change. We're bound to have similarities and interests that overlap ~ (that's how all all our crazy cults work). So if a majority is acting a similar way, its either because they're all like that, or its catching on and spreading because of its popularity in their opinion.

And in defense of those cutesy, cuddlebuddies, because I obviously am one myself, I say that its a representation of young people. I understand what Asmodeus is trying to say and he's right in some ways, too. If you're just going to be shallow cutesy without any substance, then it IS annoying, even to someone childish like me who would prefer the company of a hyper, energetic bouncy person :)

I feel that my own reasons for acting like a child are legitimate. In the presence of all the old Iwakuans, I still feel like the little girl of thirteen who came to Iwaku in search of a place to be herself. I practically grew up here as much as I did anywhere else. So if I'm acting like a child and prancing around, its because I appreciate the fact that I have spent so much time with you. Asmodeus, Rory, Coffee, Paorou, Orochi, Diana, Palonis, Warmaster ~ and all the others are like old friends or older brothers/sisters/cousins of mine. For me, Iwaku is like one big family where I've always felt like the little sister. :)

And maybe sometimes I overdo the childish behavior, too, but it's definitely not on purpose. When the need be, I'll be serious about things. I'll discuss important things responsibly and take care of matters as I have to. I like being a staff member for that reason, because it allows to me show that I've grown up and I can take care of things now. I can give back to Iwaku for all that its done for me.

And Asmodeus, wasn't it you that told me that I should make Iwaku my sacred place ? My sacred place, forever in my heart, kept precious to me~ so I could stay strong? Acting like a silly little girl was all just a part of my growing up. Now, its just become a part of me. I might be sixteen and on my way to college, but in my heart, I'll always be a child. The world is more beautiful, its people more innocent, and my feelings more precious if I look at them in this light~
 
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Yeah, see with you Sakura, it's genuine and reflects your attitude on life. As far as I'm concerned, you invented cuteness. I like the way you are, because it's a genuine and infectious joy.

But when other people use that behaviour to flirt / get sympathy / intentionally annoy other members, the fakeness can be irritating. It's like if we all started talking hip-hop or gangsta or whatever the hell you call it.

People should try to be themselves as much as possible and not feel like they have to fall back on an imagined cliche.

That's why some of our best members are Palonis, Xindaris, Torsty, Sakura, and Coffee - cos you can't help but pay attention to their unusual opinions.
 
My opinions are too close to Asmo's to be strange....or something.

Eh...I like the influx of new people and though sometimes they confuse me, I like to think I'm not really 'behind' the age curb in terms of social understanding...I'm only 20 after all.

I'll expand on this post later...after the pel-mel of finals end.
 
Mmm... I know I'm very guilty of acting like the cutesy.
However, I can honestly admit that I never did that to annoy anyone or to get attention. Or who knows, maybe I have tried to get attention with it, but it was more of a sub-conscious thing, so I didn't realize it?

However, I've been on Iwaku for about a year or so now. (Check that, please? I can't remember.) And honestly, I STILL feel like a newbie. Between all these RPs that I'm going to call "UBER RPs", and all these Iwaku veterans...It's kind of hard not to. I know for a fact how I type in the C-Box. Yes, I know the whole "Nya" thing was incredibly annoying, and when everyone let me know, I DID (check it) stop it. Now, as for the whole "Bouncey, sugar-hyped little kid".... Well, I just act that way, becasue (and this is going to sound like I'm trying to copy Saki-chan), I do act like I'm younger. Maybe it's because I DON'T like to look at all the horrible things going on in the world, or maybe it's because I'd like to see everyone on Iwaku as a kind of mentor... Hell, maybe I'm just too naive. However, when I need to be serious, I believe I HAVE proven myself to be able to do so. Maybe not in the Newsletter, because let's face it, when you help out with the Cults and Insanity, it's kind of hard to be serious. So yes, I do project this random personality. And it's not like I act any differently in real life, because I don't. I'm essentially the life of the party, and many people like to think of me as a little brother. As for Iwaku, well.... I really don't know how people think of me.

I know I like to think of Saki-chan as a bubbly little sister, and Piro has become something of an older brother. Kitti, who recruited me from Gaia, is and always WILL be like a sister/teacher, regardless of what happens. And, yes, I do like the idea of having a mentor- It helped quite a bit when I first arrived at this gigantic old site, though it was in the Homac stage at that point.

Regarding the whole "OMG" and "Ish" and "Glomphuggles" issue... Okay, let's face it, I'm guilty of these too. I have used them several times, but only once a while- It's not like a constant annoying stream of them, right? Please tell me if it is. And I know I use a LOT of smilies, even when I'm not in the Chatbox, but that's not a cry for attention....Except a few times when I though it was funny to make this big shape out of them, like this...
1
11
111
1111
111
11
1
And I do apologize for those times, okay? But those smilies are who I am. I use them, especially "^_^"
You can rest assured, that those are NOT a cry for attention.

Regarding the "Newbies vs Veterans" war...Honestly, I do still feel like I'm a newbie, because compared to all these long-time members, I am. I've seen quite a lot of older members, and I've seen the warm welcomes, smiles, and laughs they bring about. I feel like a lot of the newer members just want to try to get the same reception, but honestly, not many people pay attention to the newer members. (Kitti, Danana, and a few others excluded.) And because of this, the newbies do tend to cling to these few members, becuase it's like a welcome to the site. The ones who just kind of post "Yeah, hi...whatever"....Well, of course the newbies tend to avoid these guys and girls. They get seen as cranky, antisocial, elite... To be brutally honest, when I first entered the Chatbox, Asmodeus scared the crap out of me! I thought that he actually meant EVERYTHING he said, and so I tended to avoid him. Heck, if I even saw him in the Chatbox, I'd tend to avoid the C-Box.

Basically, there's this invisible barrier between the veterans and the newbies. It kind of has this... "I've been here longer, so move out of my way!!!!" feel to it. And while I'm not saying that's totally wrong, it's not totally right, either. Sure, Iwaku age does count for something...But that doesn't give the vets the right to completely ignore newbies. And on the other side, the newbies may need to spend more time on Iwaku to get used to the veterans. BTW: Asmo still kind of scares me. ^_^;
 
TORSTY WHAT ARE YOU DOING WE DON'T WANT TO GET LYNCHED BY A BUNCH OF WEEABOOS STOP IT!
 
Well, I suppose I should say something on the matter as well, since I believe that (aside from Sakura) I was one of the earliest to actually make use of (and promote) this cutesy stereotype.

To be perfectly honest, a lot of what the older members in this thread have said makes sense to me. I do crave attention more than the average person, and when I feel I get ignored, I get loud, clingy, and sometimes terribly disruptive. I also love to flirt, like most of you probably do, and because I rarely get a chance to flirt in RL, I tend to take this to the C-box. NOT because I want to start a relationship, but simply because it gives me confidence, attention, and is overall enjoyable.

Having said that I rarely take offense at people who (calmly) tell me they find my behavior irritable, and I try to limit the aforementioned behavior to those who also seem to enjoy it. Occasionally I even try to mediate out arguments caused by this "generation gap" which HAVE occurred.

I sometimes do feel there is entirely too much fawning going on in the C-box, but I'm not sure whether this is because it detracts from the attention 'I'M' getting, or because I generally feel these newbies are overdoing it.

As for the other points Asmo has made. I do RP at times, and try my best to stay active as well as put up quality posts. I hope I'm viewed as one of the creative ones instead of the lazy ones, though realistically I can see how I might be viewed as the latter.

I suppose in the end, I just want to say that: I understand what Asmo is saying, but I also understand where many of these newbies are coming from. For me personally, Iwaku is a fallback for when I need a break from the world, which has been too chaotic for me as of late to truly be part of it at all times.

Do I vie for attention with my behaviour? most certainly. Is it effetive? most of the time. Why do I do it? because it's all I know to do, and because I enjoy it.

I AM in favour of a compromise though. Though I don't think I have any problems with both older or younger generations (Of course there are exceptions, but I feel those are clashing personalities, not generation related) I feel both have something to add to this 'new' Iwaku, and I think understanding is the first step to getting the two groups together. (Bravo for Asmo, for creating this thread)
 
*munches popcorn*

This is like the MOST I've ever learned about all you guys.

Keep it coming. I'm getting all tingly with respect.



*grabs Miru*

DO NOT FEAR ME! LOOOOOOVE MEEEEEE!!!
 
Hmm...Reasons why Asmo is intimidating:
1)Oldest member
2)Been a member for really really long time
3)Username is the same as the Lord of Hell
4)Has a fairly dry sense of humor
5)"Responsible for everything"
6)British: A majority of our members aren't British
7)Author: Not many people understand how authors live/work, as authors make up a relitivley small percentage of professions
8)Absolute disdain(or dislike) of anime, which many members are interested in
9)More serious than the average CBoxer
10)Rather demanding at times


These are just reasons that I feel can make Asmo a bit scary/intimidating at times. This is not meant as a joke, or meant to be mean. These are simply observations.
 
.... Hmm.
I remember when it was adorable and unusual of Saku.
Maybe that's why she doesn't come around anymore! =O
These people all used up "Essence of Saku".

...

The horror.

(Side note: Asmo isn't all that scary once you've roleplayed with him, I think. In fact, it's a real thrill to be part of his stories and I enjoy it to no end. )
 
Yeah! Asmo's like... like... LIKE A BIG BROTHER!

I just wanna pester him and hug him all the time. He's a sweet guy and he's not really all that scary, just like to invest in snide jokes at times..... a lot...
 
I wasn't saying he wasn't those things. I was just saying that to people who haven't known him for a few years, like, oh say, new members, he can seem pretty scary.
 
It's obvious that all these new members fail to understand wit. We should post a video of some Stephen Fry or something like that.
 
Yes, you all should.

We could call it a Mass Roleplay or something like that.



I have a biography in my profile now. Read it if you wish to understand your enemy.
 
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