Just looking for a reason
The discussion in it was unusually civil, so.... I don't know why it was closed. Is something being slightly off topic reason enough to close a post?We don't need another edition war and politics isn't a valid topic for these boards. Thanks.
And the thread was closed by VCL request.
VCL is like a moderator?
VCL = vunenteer cummunity leader/lead.
basically it is poster here who has WotC confused with a nonprofit organisation and does work for them, for free, that most poeple get paid for for.
As for what they do specifically, I'm not really sure. they are supposed to be a laison between us and the powers that be at WotC, except they don't work for WotC, and WotC ignores us, and them, most of the time anyways. They do however start the odd ask WoTc Blank thread when their is a hot issue, witht he intention of forwarding the questions to WotC brass throught heir contacts. But these don't really go anywere as Enworld gets answer first, and WotC ignores us and it's VCLs.
They also can request threads be closed/reopened. As Salla said you thread had a hint of politics - something WoTC frowns on, unless the Rouse is *****ing about McKay characterising D7D players as nerds, and was not gushingly positive about 4e. It was mostly the latter that got it closed.
Ok, maybe I'm still alittle ****** about your thread being closed too...it was interesting, and I wanted to contribute to the discussion as well. The infantising of adults is something that i have beens half-assed studing, and relating it to my hobby seemed cool.
Hanez sometimes the truth hurts and people can't handle it. Just like old Jack said once "You can't handle the truth!!"
That doesn't even start making sense in this context.
The thread was locked preemptively at Webster's request 'cus we were ramblin' on about the flaws of the education system. Civil or not, it's a politicized topic.
Hanez sometimes the truth hurts and people can't handle it. Just like old Jack said once "You can't handle the truth!!"
The thread was about whether or not 4E used a "Failure is not an option" system. It doesn't. It is very clearly in the rules that you can fail. You can die, you can be stoned, you can fail your mission.
I do find it slightly puzzling that the thread was locked. It seemed an alright topic, at least. Perhaps it got too heated? I didn't read all the way through.
That doesn't even start making sense in this context.
The thread was locked preemptively at Webster's request 'cus we were ramblin' on about the flaws of the education system. Civil or not, it's a politicized topic.
You might like to re-start the thread as, "Do D&D game mechanics trivialise failure?" or "D&D: A Culture of Success Without Effort?" and leave off the schooling-related preamble. That should be contraversial yet on-topic. You don't really need to have the preface about the education system in order to discuss your point.
And - although I disagree with you - I thought it was an interesting discussion worth having and encourage you to pursue it.
The thread was about whether or not 4E used a "Failure is not an option" system. It doesn't. It is very clearly in the rules that you can fail. You can die, you can be stoned, you can fail your mission.
I do find it slightly puzzling that the thread was locked. It seemed an alright topic, at least. Perhaps it got too heated? I didn't read all the way through.
It stopped being about D&D and started being about real-world education systems aka politics.
The thread was about whether or not 4E used a "Failure is not an option" system. It doesn't. It is very clearly in the rules that you can fail. You can die, you can be stoned, you can fail your mission.
Rust, what I was going to say in that thread, is that failure is not an option is just a motto. Obviously it still exists. I just wanted to discuss the idea that there are more things to protect against it for example
- static hitpoints
- at will powers
- healing surges
- noncombat skills being narrated not rolled
- stats not being rolled
- random d100 style effects being toned down or eliminated
- save or dies being removed
Anyway, after reveiwing your thread, I really find it odd that it got locked. It seemed to be going quite well, much better than most threads we get. There was reasoned debate, no real flaming, no edition bashing, and when politics was discussed, it was only for short times as a tangent, but was usually followed by a discussion on the topic at hand.
I would suggest, as Greg said, that you remake the thread under a different header, and leave out references to real world politics such as the school system. If you can get the level of civility of the old thread back up, I think it can reach many pages of good debate.