unforum

[Alzheimers]

Alternity

[Dorkmaster]

I like it. I see it as such a cool meta-reference for ARG-heads... It's use to the general public would be weak (but then again, see my submission for "The Phil" and you'll quickly realize I have no legs on which to stand myself...) But I really like it, and it's concise enough to catch on. I digs it.

[SpaceBass]

I like The Phil better; at least it's blatantly ambiguous. Looking at this word cold, you'll have no idea what it means. Alternative Serenity? Alternating Eternity? Meh.

[vpisteve]

When did this section turn from a Glossary into a place where people are seemingly just trying to invent new terms???

I've got an idea! How's about we wait for a (serious) term to get established before listing it here, instead of listing it here to try to get it established?



Now excuse me while I go be alterimmervasive somewhere.

[Simulacra]

In narratology, the story world (which may or may not bland with the so called real world) usually is called diegesis.

[Phaedra]

Hmm. I kind of feel like this thread is missing the point.

Diegesis is a perfectly good literary term, but why use it if we don't have to?

ARGs are confusing enough for the newcomer without intentionally creating jargon. Sometimes the jargon is necessary (I can't think of a non-jargony one-word name for puppetmasters, and it takes a while to explain TINAG, so those terms are necessary).

The fact that there is unavoidably going to be jargon means that we need a glossary so that people don't get completely lost.

But intentionally creating jargon smacks of elitism and exclusivity. There's already enough that's confusing about ARGs that there is the potential for alienation of newcomers -- the purpose of sections like this are to work in tandem with members of the community in painlessly and approachably inducting newcomers and disseminating the information that needs to be disseminated for them to navigate the genre -- without creating more terms for them to learn.

We're trying to make it less confusing, not more. [/i]

[Simulacra]

[Phaedra]

[Simulacra]

Ganerally speaking, I agree with you. There is no need to confuse people with jargon you need higher education to understand. But in some discussions, I find these sort of terms very useful. So, it all depends on the situation and the discussion at hand, I guess.