Going to be taking an extended break from YC

Originally posted by TRXD
While I'm not the wisest person nor am I considered a person with sufficient weight in this community, I do have to say a few things about this.

I do understand where you are coming from with this. I can see how there are points where the community sometimes has its own layering to it. How people on the inside are more likely to be asked about projects being worked on by builders while others are left completely in the dark. While this sounds extreme and unfair, let me clarify what I mean by this and what tends to go on.
In a conversation I had with Krittercon one time, he told me that "unless a player grabs my attention early on, I usually ignore them." (This is an imperfect quote and Krittercon has the right to yell at me if it's wrong). This is a practice that, while blunt and maybe unfair, does make sense. Unless a person does something early on, people have a low chance of remembering them and ergo has greater apathy towards speaking to them. If you don't talk around or make a lasting impression, it's understandable that the chances of being included in something are lessened.

Note how I said lessened. If you do not make a first impression, it does not mean you are screwed. It is still possible to be included on something, you just have to say something. Try to get friendly with the staff. I myself have (or had, if you count the fact that I self-exiled in January/February and have barely returned) done both. I was lucky to make myself known during my first months here. I could owe the honour of getting me there to people like Katrix/Satori, Leon, and others but it's simply an unknown. It could also be the Keychain birthday build, Cards Against Humanity, or Civ 5 game nights. But it's truly unknown. I also took the time to try to get on the good side of staff. Krittercon (now questionable), Snoop (now questionable), Keychain (extremely questionable), Remi, Snow, maybe even Mamizou (still miss that Tanuki...), and maybe some others. These are the ones that I remember from November to February. I didn't list ones that had been promoted like Katrix or Alayo and I haven't listed those that I only recently have made attempts to get to know. (Sorry, Tewi. Really sorry.)
Due to my slightly unannounced self-exile and my actions, it is fair to say that some of these staff relations are now questionable. Some because I have not talked to them or I feel I may have completely vexed them. These people may know who they are. But I will not say unless they ask for it.

This brings me onto my next big point. Staff hatred. Getting the staff to hate you is a hard thing if it's unintentional. Trust me. You can make hiccups, say a bad thing or two, and they'll still be fine. Some are more easygoing than others but the general consensus is that the staff will only hate you if you want them to. You really have to be asking for it to get on their bad side. If the staff weren't the way they are today, I would be long gone. I literally would be. That or I would have been so a week or two ago. Saying that, I know a couple of staff (past or present) would want to pick a bone with me. So if you say "the staff generally doesn't like me" then you are either completely wrong or you have done things to SERIOUSLY tick off the staff. And I highly believe that the latter is untrue.

And advancements and promotions? I'm certain that it's not a dictatorship or a system based on favouritism as to how one gets promoted. Generally speaking, you just have to be a nice guy, show that you care, and show that you are interested in a possible promotion (in a way that doesn't deter people from promoting you).

Saying that, while I would LOVE to get a promotion, I am generally fine with being fixed as a Senior or Elder (if I ever do get either). The thought of being depended upon to build stuff in Gensokyo is unbearable. I would love to have it as an optional thing (like how Mediators have it) and not being tasked with building things on the spot. "Why don't you just say that you would rather be a mediator or something like that?" you may ask to which I give a major deadpan stare. Have you looked at the number of Mediators? And have you looked at the number of promotions to mediator over the last 6 months? None! There have been none! This is an obvious sign that the staff are most likely content with the number right now and do not desire any more Mediators. That or the criteria is on an impossible scale.

Ok. That is an over-exaggeration and not my true opinion but that is most likely what is rushing through your mind when you think of the criteria to become a builder. While I am not one to say, I do believe that it is not hard at all. Yeah, you do need talent and dedication but I highly doubt that there are no vacancies on the builder team and I doubt that it is "full" or highly restricted. No way in hell. Make your desires known, show you give a damn, and don't pout about the "impossibility" of a promotion.

I think that's really all I have to say. Unsure if it'll be helpful or whether it'll bring harm but those are my opinions on the matter. Your situation is HIGHLY understandable but I think you are pushing yourself down big time (and that's my job). At least you were open with your opinions but I think this could have been avoided if you had spoken sooner about your desires.

Originally posted by you
This thread is not about promotions nor am I trying to make commentary on it.

Originally posted by you
It honestly doesn't bother me if I have a rank or not. It does bother me that I've never left a lasting impact on the server or otherwise.

Originally posted by TRXD
While I'm not the wisest person nor am I considered a person with sufficient weight in this community, I do have to say a few things about this.

I do understand where you are coming from with this. I can see how there are points where the community sometimes has its own layering to it. How people on the inside are more likely to be asked about projects being worked on by builders while others are left completely in the dark. While this sounds extreme and unfair, let me clarify what I mean by this and what tends to go on.
In a conversation I had with Krittercon one time, he told me that "unless a player grabs my attention early on, I usually ignore them." (This is an imperfect quote and Krittercon has the right to yell at me if it's wrong). This is a practice that, while blunt and maybe unfair, does make sense. Unless a person does something early on, people have a low chance of remembering them and ergo has greater apathy towards speaking to them. If you don't talk around or make a lasting impression, it's understandable that the chances of being included in something are lessened.