[MUD-Dev] Declaration of the Rights of Avatars

[Matthew Mihaly]

On Mon, 17 Apr 2000, Raph Koster wrote:

> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: mud-dev-admin at kanga.nu [mailto:mud-dev-admin at kanga.nu]On Behalf Of
> > Matthew Mihaly
> > Sent: Sunday, April 16, 2000 1:23 PM
> > To: 'mud-dev at kanga.nu'
> > Subject: Re: [MUD-Dev] Declaration of the Rights of Avatars
> >
> > Yes, it's food for thought, but as a practical document, I can't see this
> > sort of thing ever being relevant.
> 
> I'd agree there, in one sense; and in another sense, I'd disagree entirely.
> Here's the thing:
> 
> - as a document for players, it's a waste of time. They may trumpet it, but
> who cares? They have zero power, and the document actually states that
> several times over.
> 
> - as a document for admins, however, it's pretty much all common sense.
> Whether or not you believe in ANY of the principles that lead to calling
> these articles rights, or whether or not you believe in rights at all, I'd
> bet that you probably subscribe to most of these. In many cases, out of
> sheer, ruthless practicality and business horse sense.

Oh yes, I definitely agree with with them (with some reasonably minor
exceptions) in terms of the best way to act to produce a game that will be
successful. 

 
> So the real point of a document like this would be to see how many admins
> would sign, not how many players. As an admin, yes, I'd sign, in the sense
> that I'd agree that these are solid administrative principles *in terms of
> practical effect.*

Hmm. As a PR document it'd be great. Ra Ra for the proles and all that. 
 
> The question then becomes, if we subscribe in terms of practical effect, and
> as long as there are sufficient loopholes present that we can exercise power
> when we need to, who *cares* whether players think these are rights, laws,
> doohickeys, or power fantasies?

Yes, I suppose I would probably sign, provided I was sure no player could
ever come to me and say "Look here, I have X right." I just don't want to
deal with that. I also don't want to have to deal with wasting time
finding loopholes. I'm also the sort of person who refuses to vote (I
broke my vow never to go into a 'Gap' store, but still haven't broken my
vow never to vote) and who throws away his Census form on principle
though, and the PR is really the only reason I'd do it.

Are you actually intending to get people to sign it, or is this just a
hypothetical exercise?

--matt




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