I discussed this at length with a couple of staff members last night, and I agree that what you are saying is very true, and looking at it from a different light, I feel that I misunderstood what was attempting to be said. For me, the only way the staff have ever listened is if I went guns blazing 24/7 against them, because then they actually couldn't ignore me. (Or anyone else for that matter.) However, I understand that it isn't necessarily the right (or smart) thing to do when it comes to leaving and then instantly make a drama-fest. It's a brash move that really only accomplishes temporary results, but in this case, it seems to have worked. I do agree with your statements though. Also, what you heard the one I posted in site discussion was definitely criticism; it was just criticism worded in my way because I assumed (falsely) that the staff had finally learned not to take things personally when people were saying negative things about them... which offended the people who were being criticized, until a few realized that the criticisms were true. I don't know what you've been told, but I'm sure it was nonsense. So yes, I do agree that you shouldn't be able to cause instant drama-fest wtfbbq posts after you leave staff; criticism on the other hand, should stay, as it is integral. Mike the Mayor #Kappa
No, once you left logic at the front door there was never any reason to listen to a word you said after that. People are more likely to be more interest in the train-wreck, than what caused it, which is why nothing ever got done. You literally forgot everything in philosophy 101 every time you got angry.
Let me rephrase: The only way staff have ever listened is if people went guns blazing and caused a train-wreck, which in this case caused at least 3 staff members to admit 'Yeah, s/he's kinda right'. Which is a huge step up from none. Some train-wrecks are necessary, most are not.
The most beneficial advice and criticism I've had in the last few days has been from Berry. And he hasn't had to resort to firing a single cannon, gun or even wave a slightly threatening stick.
And for good reason, too. I'm not contesting the fact that advice and criticism in a friendly manner is good and hearty. It just wasn't for me, for a full year.
And see where that's got you. Your point doesn't stand very well like that and I think that's the kind of thing that needs to stop.
I believe that negativity spreads negativity and poisons Everypony's moral because of jumping to a final resolution as a first action. I would have to be living in a candyland to believe that performing a 'salting of the Earth' to a section of Everypony to deal with even small issues is in the best interests of this site and it's members.
If I wanted to be guilt tripped about this, guys, I'd be making a farewell thread right now. I'm agreeing with you both, and I'm just going to leave it at that. @Tyro: You have basically proven to me that you're trying your best, so I've got no problems any more with you. The other staff on the other hand can use some work, but, again, stuff is being worked on behind the scenes. @Foxy: Yup.
Want it or not, you brought the guilt trip on yourself, considering your extreme actions have more often than not caused nothing but trouble for both users and staff. There's a reason many have come to associate the term "****storm" with you.
Why didn't I stay on staff? Because of some MAJOR personal issues. I still wholeheartedly care about this sight, but after some events that happened to me in the last few months of my life, I have to take care of ME first and foremost. That doesn't mean I don't care about this site any less, but another reason is WE TRIED TO STOP THE BIAS. BUT NO ONE FREAKING LISTENED. WE TRIED TO WORK ON THINGS FROM THE INSIDE AND IT DIDN'T FREAKING WORK. And NO. Want to know something better? SAIKYO WAS ALWAYS IGNORED UNLESS HE CAUSED TROUBLE. Or if he brought something up kindly, he'd get beaten down or ignored so he did the one thing that has always worked: caused problems. I'm not saying ALL his 'trainwrecks' had a good reason behind it, but a few of them did and a few of them I backed up. And I wasn't the only one to back him up every now and again. People listen to Berry, always have. No one listened to Saikyo, ESPECIALLY WHEN MOST OF THE WORLD HAS A BIAS AGAINST HIM. Saikyo brings something up calmly. Bias causes staff to be jerks. I've witnessed this a few times. SO BEFORE TRYING TO BLAME IT ALL ON HIM, KNOW HIS SIDE OF THE STORY AND WHAT STAFF DID. I helped him a lot with how to be calm, how to word things and even STILL he got ignored. I GOT IGNORED AFTER A WHILE. And I didn't even have a reason TO BE IGNORED. I brought up a few subjects a few different times and GUESS WHO IGNORED THEM THE MOST? The admins. Good ****ing day.
Ladies and gentlemen, even as I type this, it appears some staff members are going to try to gank up on me in this thread. This will be my final stand. If you all want to try me, do it. You will fail. And I will not look back.
If that's the case, I'm highly disappointed in staff. This went from Rarit bringing up some good points, as well as Saikyo, to 'LET'S BASH SAIKYO' party. Way to deflect the actual problem.
Let's look at this from another perspective here. Why was Saikyo ignored? Because he started one ****storm after another. People got sick of it to a point where they would ignore him because they EXPECTED a train wreck as the result. Whether or not that's okay is a different story but it is understandable. Yes, people listened to Berry. Why? Because he has the ability to explain his points calmly. He never had to start a train wreck simply because his way of explaining an issue and attempting to fix it would generally cause less drama than that of a certain someone else. And why do people have a bias against Saikyo? Staff generally doesn't listen to you if you're the guy starting trouble all the time. But if that causes you to start more trouble...you see where this is going. As for the staff in general. I remember a time where the staff worked perfectly fine a time before staff was hired just for the sake of hiring someone. There is a reason why we had trial times for new staff at some point. I wonder who got rid of that practice. There used to be a time where the staff had an idea of what direction the site should go, sadly none of them are around anymore.
And let's look at it from another perspective. Why did Saikyo start one ****storm after another? Because he was sick of being ignored. And when he tried to do things the right way, he was ignored then. Then people have the audacity to blame him for not trying. I don't know who is more to blame, but it certainly isn't just me. Come now, Flash (Or, at least I'm fairly sure.). You know better than that.
The point is, you were ignored because of the ****storms and you went to try and make yourself heard with more of them. The first impression is ususally the one that sticks. At least around here. And so far, most of the time it was pretty damn accurate.