unforum

[krystyn]

Muahahahahahahahaha.

[Phaedra]

Darnit, Krystyn, all it would have taken would have been FOUR LITTLE POSTS on your part, and you could have had 1776 for the Fourth of July.

Where's your patriotism?

[Varin]

Man, I've got to start posting more.

[skilletaudio]

Nows as good a time as any for this baby:

[rose]

theoden

[Dorkmaster]

I agree wholeheartedly, but with one caveat or more appropriately, a metaphor:

The truth is that ARGs are in that clumsy adolescent stage currently. We have AT LEAST a couple of years in this stage. The good thing about this is that the genre is growing. It's getting more press, gaining more players, and getting a more solid fanbase. Companies are looking towards ARGs (even the bad ones) more favorably as marketing tools, and grassroots players are making many games (even the bad ones) but that means that more and more people are getting into this thing called love- er, I mean ARG.

SO, the other side of this oft-mentioned coin is this: We're in that awkward growth stage where people are still adjusting to the growth... said bad games that keep popping up, while a clear indication of more interest, are also thinning the purity of the genre as well. (no comments there, please... I'm stating my opinion.) We're getting a bit gangly. You can all see the sheer volume of posts that even a small game generates now... perhaps the forum space will have to be redefined at some point to accomadate easier retreival of information, or something... we're growing hair in new places, and starting to have a healthy interest in sex. (I can't think of really appropriate comparisons there, but use your imagination)

Anyway, the truth is that the fun also carried with it that sense of youth. That sense of something COMPLETELY NEW, that simply put, cannot exist anymore (unless you're new, and in that case, enjoy the hell outta it, please!) So, for those of us that have been here for more than one or two games, and have seen the good and the bad, the meta and the stupid, the funny and the sad... it's hard to keep it feeling fresh. It's hard to maintain that innocence. It's much more appropriate to question, to explore and to really dig deep in the ARG Metaverse... So while I think we can always take a step back and simply enjoy the games, of course, I think there is nothing wrong with getting deeply meta sometimes, even in non-fun ways...

I mean, to use a bad example, it's kind of like those people who started the internet (the scientists, not Al Gore)... and saying today, "Let's not forget, the internet should be about research, and sharing lab results... why can't we get back to the core of the internet?"

The point is, ARG is, has been, and will continue evolving. There will be some discomfort, swelling, itching, and the occasional inappropriate vulva puppet joke thread... As well as discussion by the more progressive, new blood with the older, "traditionalists" (for lack of a better term). We'll eventually work out some system that works for everyone, but in the meantime, let's not confuse growing pains with "the wrong direction". I think everyone, not just in our spheres, can stand to be nicer and more sensitive, even while expressing confrontational ideas. But beyond courtesy and reason, there is going to be some non-fun times, with good reason. I have no issue with that, and applaud our little community for being bold and taking the time and heart to discuss themes that are not always pleasing to all, and for making this a truly open community.

Anyway, that's my little rant. Later on, somewhere I'll make a poop joke or make some completely thread-jacking stupid and inane comment, so no worries there, kiddies... but yeah, I get serious once in a while too...

So yeah. I'm interested to see what y'all think...

[Dorkmaster]

Ok, in terms of that joke I was talking about...

I keep looking at the title of this thread and think to myself:

What a wonderful world (music notes)
It would be AWESOME to add a "k" at the end...

(Sorry to double post, but it's SO not the same idea, so I felt the need to "split" them in two posts...)

[Frankie]

Mad? I am not mad—
I did nothing to offend—
I but asked a riddle
They could not comprehend.

You wish to hear the riddle
That gave them such a stir?
Sit and stay awhile, my friend—
Let's see if you concur.

Thus is my simple riddle,
Which they took to be a crime:
"What has the faces of a clock
Yet hands that transcend time?"

Think you know the answer?
Venture you a guess?
It is a very simple riddle,
As I must confess.

Still not know the answer?
Need you take some time?
I have quite enough of that
Amidst this dust and grime.

"A clock," you muse, "a clock," you say,
"With hands that transcend time;
What is the hidden meaning
In this melancholy rhyme?"

I cannot give the answer;
I mustn't let it slip—
You must guess the answer;
If it is in your grip.

"Why 'faces' there, not 'face'?," you ask,
"A clock has but one face;
Unless he means some other
Means—I hate this wild goose-chase!"

Stay! Stay! Calm, my friend—
Do not give in so quickly;
Surely your will has not grown quite
So feeble and so sickly.

You try the riddle yet again,
Yet answer you find not;
Is it true? Could it be?
Your reason—is it shot?

"What has the faces of a clock
Yet hands that transcend time?"
'Tis but a simple riddle
To those yet in their prime!

"Transcend," you mutter—inclined to stutter—
"What could that statement mean?"
You look to me with pleading eyes
Yet no answer shall you glean.

Soon, you are frustrated
As you rack your brain for clues;
Such is the consternation
Of this mad-inspiring muse.

"I do not care!" you soon declare;
"Don't waste my time," you say,
Yet I know that the riddle's rhyme
Will plague you all the day.

"Then just tell me the answer!
I want to know it now!"
All in good time, my friend,
Be calm—do not yet have a cow.

This poem's rhyme is fluid;
Its structure crystal-clear.
The rhythm's regularity
Is soothing to the ear.

So why the trepidation?
Why the latent fear?
Why these strong emotions
To these phrases which you hear?

I threaten not with malice
Nor with an upturned gun:
You are so keen on answers!
And therein lies the fun.

For, you see, my friend—
An answer there is none!

"Cheat!" you cry, "It is not fair!"
"An answer there must be!"
All more the satisfaction
This game doth bring to me

For, you see, I've won.

You thought me mad—you thought me sick
You thought me quite cuckoo!
Yet your mind proved as eas'ly moved—
The madman, then, is you.

There! You see, it is done—
I am not mad, my friend.
I merely asked a riddle
Whose meaning has no end.

[krystyn]

The red text is not nearly as gothic, Frankie.

[Phaedra]

[rowan]

What's up with all the Princess Bride references lately? Not that I'm complaining, I'm just curious.

[Phaedra]

[Nightmare Tony]

Agreed. Specially after you've seen it at work over 30 times.

[Dorkmaster]

Tony, mad props for attempting to pass off "Specially" as a completely acceptable word. (Really, I mean this.)