SS GEN changed to GEN MANSTEIN

[djensen]

@AndrewAAGamer said in SS GEN changed to GEN MANSTEIN:

This is a wargaming site. Picking a username that evokes fear in your Opponent as a merciless Commander seems to be appropriate. Especially when it is just a title and not a specific person. It is not like he is calling himself Hitler or Himmler.

You understand that context. Maybe a few others will understand that context. Now that you’ve explained the reasoning, I see what you’re going for but it cuts both ways.

“Fear me because I’ll crush you at gaming.”

But it can also mean “Fear me because …” well, really bad things. We don’t want to alienate any newcomers or existing members.

Ahh, missed the humor there.

I think this hits the point exactly. Somebody could be trying to be humorous but instead deeply offends somebody. @Gargantua does a good job of being humorous at times but sometimes it crossed the line and people got upset. Thus his humor evolved over time because the last thing he wants is fewer players in this community.

[Gargantua]

This post is deleted!

[AndrewAAGamer]

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[Karl7]

Wait… was someone really offended or was this just the moderator(s) bringing down the hammer?

[djensen]

@Gargantua said in SS GEN changed to GEN MANSTEIN:

So what’s next though and when are the lines crossed. This will get stupid and out of control quickly.

@Panther and I won’t let it get out of hand. People just need to ask, “is this okay?” And if it’s not we can work to find something that does work.

However, it’s also at my personal discretion and can be arbitrary. I prefer not to be arbitrary but sometimes I might be, especially when something is happening that I don’t like. Like when we had to get rid of the politics forums. Thar produced so much traffic to the site but I just didn’t want the BS around it, it’s not why I created this site.

Or Djensen for doing NOTHING about these kinds of offensive names for 20 years on his website?

We’ve always had some implicit or, later, explicit rules to handle this. I was lacking empathy by thinking that everybody would understand that using something like SS was with military/gaming context and not the hateful evil that it also encompassed. For some folks, it can be impossible to separate the two and we should be thoughtful of that. We don’t have to walk on eggshells, just think about how words and symbols affect people who have different experiences than you or me.

I think how this case was INITIALLY handled was the right method.

That’s basically what happened and that’s how we’ll continue to handle it. Now we just have clarifications on the existing rules so that we don’t forget what we decided. It’s also a signal to 4chan racists, stay the f*** away from this forum; because we’re about Axis & Allies first and foremost. Secondarily, WWII history as it relates to the game (sometimes).

Rebel General

… is okay with the right context. :rolling_on_the_floor_laughing: (It’s a Star Wars reference, oh man, I hope you all got that)

[djensen]

@Karl7 said in SS GEN changed to GEN MANSTEIN:

Wait… was someone really offended or was this just the moderator(s) bringing down the hammer?

Offended might be strong. Concerned is more accurate. But it’s also “the [admin] bringing down the hammer.” ;-)

[Karl7]

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[AndrewAAGamer]

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[AndrewAAGamer]

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[djensen]

I wrote out a big long post; I replaced it with this.

• I should’ve locked the thread after my last post.
• I don’t have time to keep addressing each nuance or what the rules will or will not cover; including the last comments which I should address but it’ll just drag everything on and on and on. And it’s not a terrible conversation but it’s a looong one – I’d rather be playing board games!! :game_die: :game_die:
• Some of these comments almost crossing the line so it’s best to just stop it.

@AndrewAAGamer @Karl7 I"m going to delete all the posts up until my last one and lock the thread.

The main takeaway I want everybody to have is just be empathetic and kind to your fellow humans.

If you have more questions on the subject, please feel free to DM me or @Panther.

[djensen]

Unlocked for @GEN-MANSTEIN only please. (Then I’ll lock it again).

[Gargantua]

Gen-manstien gen-Manstien Gen MANSTIEEEEEN!!!

(Muffled censorship)

[General 6 Stars]

I agree. My intent was just to let a few guys know here and my group that I changed my name.