Silly Title wanted, or not!

[CameronCat]

I have yet to see a post by someone who adamantly feels that they should not come back and have no place in the forum.

-- Oh, look! Here is one now...

I will stand for the opposition and voice a strong opinion against titles based solely on the number of posts. No matter how cute the titles chosen, having them numerically based sets up a hierarchy, e.g, "I have a higher number, so I'm a more Grander Exalted Defending type-person than you."

To which I holler: Nonsense, and no you're not. Frequency doesn't always equate to knowledge or helpfulness, and other threads have noted the abundance of "nice picture," "I agree," and similar post padding that doesn't really add much to the discussion.

Steve said it best in the FAQ: "Post Ranks and Special Titles have now become more about separating us instead of bringing us together." and I call on Steve to stand his ground here.

Now to be clear, I am NOT against titles, be they cute, honorary, bestowed, hereditary or purchased at Wal-mart. My sole objection is to basing them upon the number of posts, which is an indicator of nothing at all Scottish or kiltish.

As one compromise for those who must, I would propose that many title advocates create their own and add it to their sig at the bottom of their posts...there are already many clever ones and we could all get a smile from some more.

Additionally, I would particularly favor internal titles, bestowed ON members BY members for services rendered or information provided. (I believe the Dandelion works that way, non?) There are many here whose knowledge and experience I respect highly and would be pleased to advance them as Titled Rabble.

* * *
However, old ways die hard for some and to those that feel they must have a title by their name, I say: Let's keep it relevant to topics and Scottishness and require some (gasp!) personal involvement to advance.

For instance, and these are only examples...a point system. Use the previously cited 4 titles: Kilted Samarai, Kilted Warrior, Kilted Noble, Grand Defender of the Kilt and set the points breaks where you will.
Such a system would be surveyed on joining and updatable by the user on the honor plan. You could increase your points and gain a higher title through your own actions that advance the cause of the kilt, not the cause of the keyboard.

-- Own a kilt? 7 pts Note: Simple...you're a kilt owner, or not. NO points for more than one; that would introduce economic factors as to who could afford what.

-- Worn a kilt this calendar year? 5 pts

-- Ever worn a kilt? 2 pt

-- Provider of authoritative, researched and reliable kilt, tartan, heritage or history information, such as published books, papers, histories etc, OR holding a related position in academe or conservancy? (There are several established authorities on this forum) 5 pts

-- Established and experienced kiltmaker or outfit supplier (sporrans, etc.)? 5 pts

-- Born in Scotland or currently resident there? OR Direct lineal descent within 4 generations (you-parents-grands-great grands) only? 3 pts

-- Ever visited Scotland? 2 pts. for each visit. (English/ Welsh/ Irish members asked to only score for holidays or extended stays, not just popping in for a day or two...)

-- Actively involved in preserving celtic/Scots heritage outside your own home? (You somehow bring or support the heritage to others through playing the music, storytelling, jewellry, visual art, etc. Doesn't have to be on a perfomance level, just sharing it with others. Also membership in a clan society or other group, or even just attending a games event.
Almost anything outside your own house would count.) 1 pt



So, how would you score on this plan?

And more importantly, who would you prefer as the Grand Defender of the Kilt: a kilt owner and perhaps maker who has traveled to the homeland and is a renowned authority on tartans... or somebody with 4000 posts on a web-forum.
If they happen to be the same person, lucky us...but in many cases we know it won't come out that way.

Steve: Stand fast! Many here support your position. Vote NO titles to be based on number of posts.

Peace
JT

[ghostlight]

-- Oh, look! Here is one now...

I will stand for the opposition and voice a strong opinion against titles based solely on the number of posts. No matter how cute the titles chosen, having them numerically based sets up a hierarchy, e.g, "I have a higher number, so I'm a more Grander Exalted Defending type-person than you."

To which I holler: Nonsense, and no you're not. Frequency doesn't always equate to knowledge or helpfulness, and other threads have noted the abundance of "nice picture," "I agree," and similar post padding that doesn't really add much to the discussion.

Steve said it best in the FAQ: "Post Ranks and Special Titles have now become more about separating us instead of bringing us together." and I call on Steve to stand his ground here.

Now to be clear, I am NOT against titles, be they cute, honorary, bestowed, hereditary or purchased at Wal-mart. My sole objection is to basing them upon the number of posts, which is an indicator of nothing at all Scottish or kiltish.

And here's another. I will also stand for the opposition and voice a strong opinion against titles based solely on the number of posts. Unfortunately, the poll doesn't contain this option, so I'm voicing my opinion here knowing that my input is probably not going to make me any friends.

Frankly, I'm tired of seeing people have their opinions dismissed during the course of a lively debate not because they failed to make a logical argument, not because they misunderstood a key point in the discussion, not because they presented facts that were in error, but simply because their post count was smaller. And I'm tired of seeing some of the folks doing it going back to edit their posts later to cover their tracks.

This isn't a frequent occurrence, but it doesn't have to be frequent to be damaging to the community. It leaves a lasting impression and it happens regularly enough that I firmly agree that it divides us. It's often hostile towards new members even before we're aware of their stances, knowledge and motives for being here. Some of the people doing it are some of the people voicing support for bringing back the post count driven titles. To those people I say,

"If you've demonstrated that you were going to hold members post counts against them with or without the titles in the past, why should we believe that you would reform and behave any differently if they were brought back now?"

The fact that nudging newcomers in the ribs has revealed one or two of them to be trolls does not justify treating everyone in this manner. While nudging your friends in the ribs and questioning their motives now and then can be fun and/or encourage lively debate, nudging people you've just met in the ribs and questioning their motives the moment they walk in the door is just plain boorish and obnoxious. This is, unfortunately, one of those times when a few of us can cast a bad light on all of us.

Are we not the Ladies and Gentlemen of X Marks the Scot?