My fellow Escapees,
It is no secret that this site is in a decline. In the past, the forums were so active that you had to be careful when to make a thread, lest it would be pushed off page 1 by the sheer volume of new topics being created. Visiting Page 20 of Off-Topic used bring you back 16-18 days. Today, topics 7 months old still linger. Many others have discussed this decline, on a refuge location [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.875069-The-Escapist-is-dying-but-not-because-of-Gamergate-Statistics].
However, I propose a solution: mass unbanning
Hear me out:
Huge amounts of users have been banned over the years. Many of these users are still recognized today (such as: MaxtheReaper, Furburt, Wanderfreak, and many other countless, notable users). In some circumstances, these bans were necessary, and in other cases, the bans were considered controversal (e.g., Vault101). But the premise isn't to determine what was right or what was wrong, but simply to forgive. If the Escapist unbanned everyone who was once banned, then these users would come flocking back to the site, and old communities would be restored!
And it is not just the banned who will return - but those who have disappeared from the forums. Jack and Calumon. DaystarClarion. Neonbob. And so many other, great posters. With more activity on the site, and many of their friends resurected, these people would have an incentive to return, thereby bolstering our numbers even further!
As for spammers: just don't unban them in the first place, or if that is not possible, just reban them if they start posting again. The same goes to those banned; if they haven't cleaned up their behaviour, then they can always be banned again if they build up enough infractions.
The mods/gods may not enjoy the concept of going back on previous judgements, but the thing is: we don't really have a choice. This site is dying, and amnesty is a clear path to rejuvinating and resustaining it for years to come.
Lament for the Fallen: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.404382-Lament-For-The-Fallen-Banned
So, what do you think should be done? Is unbanning apropiate?
It is no secret that this site is in a decline. In the past, the forums were so active that you had to be careful when to make a thread, lest it would be pushed off page 1 by the sheer volume of new topics being created. Visiting Page 20 of Off-Topic used bring you back 16-18 days. Today, topics 7 months old still linger. Many others have discussed this decline, on a refuge location [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.875069-The-Escapist-is-dying-but-not-because-of-Gamergate-Statistics].
However, I propose a solution: mass unbanning
Hear me out:
Huge amounts of users have been banned over the years. Many of these users are still recognized today (such as: MaxtheReaper, Furburt, Wanderfreak, and many other countless, notable users). In some circumstances, these bans were necessary, and in other cases, the bans were considered controversal (e.g., Vault101). But the premise isn't to determine what was right or what was wrong, but simply to forgive. If the Escapist unbanned everyone who was once banned, then these users would come flocking back to the site, and old communities would be restored!
And it is not just the banned who will return - but those who have disappeared from the forums. Jack and Calumon. DaystarClarion. Neonbob. And so many other, great posters. With more activity on the site, and many of their friends resurected, these people would have an incentive to return, thereby bolstering our numbers even further!
As for spammers: just don't unban them in the first place, or if that is not possible, just reban them if they start posting again. The same goes to those banned; if they haven't cleaned up their behaviour, then they can always be banned again if they build up enough infractions.
The mods/gods may not enjoy the concept of going back on previous judgements, but the thing is: we don't really have a choice. This site is dying, and amnesty is a clear path to rejuvinating and resustaining it for years to come.
Lament for the Fallen: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.404382-Lament-For-The-Fallen-Banned
So, what do you think should be done? Is unbanning apropiate?