The CK competition and the staff

[Raistlin]

You people talk a lot.

Breine, as has been said, was an anomaly. Sometimes a person doesn't get modded because one current staffer said no.

The part that doesn't make sense is why this decision was made before the competition. And if people that "not wanting to make someone jump through hoops who won't become staff anyway" was the only purpose in eliminating him... why wasn't everyone else who doesn't have a real shot eliminated? You can't tell me that everyone else in the competition after the first round had a better shot than Breine. So why was only Breine told this? It doesn't make any sense, except that Breine was a particular favorite by the staff (minus one).

Why would I bother addressing anything you said, really? It's just you bitching because "oh noes, the staff came up with a plan that makes the forum more active and people are voluntarily participating; it r a travesty."

I don't get why you're harping on this. Are you not enjoying the boost in activity? Do you really honestly suspect that we've already decided who will win and no one else has a chance? Is the game just so awful to participate in that it isn't worth it unless you're going to win the grand prize? Because there's only going to be one winner. If it isn't you are you going to pull a "See! I told you! They probably decided on _____ from the start! Mean ol' staff, making me actually post on a message board..."? Because if you're going to go all conspiracy theory on us you can just stfu already; it's not cute.

None of that I actually said. Those are some nice strawmen, though.

What disturbs me is this isn't even looking like a competition anymore, but simply an excuse, with the staff manipulating people into boosting activity. There's no discussions, no groups, no real end goal. It's just posting lots. It's actually depressing that so many members are so willing to jump through these ridiculous hoops without any sort of questioning.

The last competition was fun, and I have no regrets about taking part and putting in full effort. This is different, as the staff seem to have abandoned respect for most of the members content to let staff pull their strings.

Here's a question: if this particular CK competition is so much fun and worthwhile to participate in regardless of your chances, WHY WAS BREINE ELIMINATED? Why was participating seen as such a grueling thing in his case? Why was it just considered, in Del's own words, "jumping through hoops" for no reason? When put all together, it doesn't make sense -- except that the staff is playing favorites and just toying with the other competitors.