RolStoppable said:
Don't you think it's unfair to blame ganoncrotch for TalonMan's departure? If everyone is honest here, the objective conclusion is that TalonMan left because he can't live up to his own words.
http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/post.php?id=8818409
TalonMan said:
...why does it seem like everyone is so damn sensitive these days? It's like when I used to play baseball as a kid - you'd slide into second base, maybe jam your finger or something, and the coach would invariably say, "You're good, kid! Just rub a little dirt in it and let's play ball!!!". Hell, even parents would swear that a little dirt and bacteria was good for their kids as it helps build up a solid immune system.
Now??? Good grief - people aren't even worried about just their own "feelings" getting hurt, they're fixated on the "feelings" of OTHER people, too!! Come on, guys! Can't we just rub a little dirt in it and talk about video games and sales numbers? The world is a tough place - I promise you, you won't die if somebody says a bad word to you!! It might even toughen you up a bit!!! ;)
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The above was posted shortly before his departure.
ganoncrotch posted his issues with the site and backed them up with images. Sure, he wasn't polite about it, but his frustration is understandable because the site he has come to regularly for years began to work worse than it did before. If TalonMan is granted the benefit of understanding for his actions, the same standard should be applied to ganoncrotch. In the end all that ganoncrotch did is speak up about issues that really exist, be it the broken website functionality or TalonMan's occasional problem to keep his cool when people bring up problems with the site. ganoncrotch's question if different rules for flaming apply to TalonMan is just as valid, because the initial denial in The Moderator Thread that different rules apply has moved to open admission that TalonMan should have the privilege to treat community members however he sees fit.
Also of great importance: If TalonMan's departure were ganoncrotch's fault, surely ganoncrotch would have been moderated for poor conduct.
The staff is doing a voluntary job and at times it really is a thankless job, but let's not act like the positive comments regarding TalonMan's work didn't comfortably outnumber negative ones. This specific case isn't one of "nobody shows gratitude for my work", rather it's one of "not everybody praises my work". TalonMan has got to follow his own advice quoted above and toughen up. You can try to excuse TalonMan putting a stop to his work, but how do you excuse that he cut all ties with staff and friends? That's when everyone has to realize that this is much more about TalonMan himself than it could ever be about another person.
This website should not cement a reputation that people who provide valid criticism get shamed, shut down and/or even moderated. Nor should it move towards a hive mind and echo chamber where sycophants thrive. It has already gotten to the point that everyone who dares to criticize TalonMan gets openly shamed, it has reached a point where TalonMan has been excused by the mod team for threatening a longtime member with nuking his account (something more severe than a permaban) despite not having the slightest bit of tangible evidence. This community has survived years of neglect by its owner, so it's quite safe to say that it would survive neglect again. The alternative that it's all getting rotten on the inside is much worse than a life without TalonMan, so this break/departure provides an opportunity for everyone to think about where we have been, where we are, where we could have been going and where we actually want to go.
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That being said, I like TalonMan. He has considered me an enemy, but that feeling was never mutual. However, I expect everyone to live up to their own words - especially if they are staff members - so when he makes it a point to tell people to toughen up, he should lead by example instead of doing the exact opposite.
What I've been saying here isn't done for the sake of controversy. It's actually a point of view that is shared by more people than it seems, but those people won't speak readily up about it because they are aware of the consequences of getting shamed and branded as an outcast.
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