Gustav

I do know what's right and wrong to say. I've read the code of conduct and I've always followed it. And I agree. What I'm saying is that a higher standard of moderation also involves being more accessible to the average member. Asking a legitimate question and basically being told to fuck off isn't constructive, and it doesn't help anybody. I'm not saying that I need to know exactly what happened in every case--I don't know, I don't need to know, and I'm not trying to find out. In the specific case I'm referring to, something like linking a good, legitimate definition of harassment (i.e. "any unwelcome offensive action") or even just putting it in super general terms (i.e. "let's say you're saying certain things to someone and they ask you not to do that, don't keep doing it") is a much more clear and professional response than a copypasta and "I don't know what else to tell you".

Yes and no. I'm not going to mention any names or make any official reports because it's over and it wasn't my problem to begin with, but the other day someone asked what specifically led to one of the recent punishments and was just hit with a copy-paste of the ban thread post--and not only a refusal to explain further, but an insistence that said copy-paste was a full and complete explanation of exactly what happened. I completely understand why we aren't being given all the details--keeping it vague in those specific cases is the right thing to do to respect the privacy of those affected. But the league deserves to know what's OK and what isn't, and asking for examples of what's OK and what isn't shouldn't be met condescendingly. I've honestly seen this type of thing happen a few times since recent punishments went down--you know my general perspective on modding and free speech and all that, so maybe I'm biased, but we should keep in mind that a "higher standard" goes beyond (and isn't necessarily equal to) tighter control. So yes, I agree that things need to be handled on a case-by-case basis, but please, if you have the authority to hand out punishments, be willing to educate those without it on what is and isn't cool to do when asked. Because I'd like to acknowledge some of the efforts made recently as positive (as I do see some of them as positive, regardless of how hard that may be to believe): the new posting/improved accessibility of the code of conduct is a good thing, and an example of some guidelines being specifically delineated.

It's amazing that so many of us think of these wars as a thing of the distant past when there are people alive today who fought on D-Day, or otherwise joined their military to fight off Hitler, Mussolini, and Hirohito. Could you imagine what the world would look like if any of those guys had won? It's breathtaking to listen to interviews knowing that we're less than a lifetime away from all that. And that's not even mentioning WWI, which was pure hell in a trench. Go watch 1917 for a movie made in recent years that tells a great story and absolutely does not shy away from the fact that the war was a terrible experience. So much respect for anyone who went through all that for the rest of us.

My local library started this like...10 years ago maybe, but it was through their own website and it took forever to figure out. I think I used it once and thought it was cool, but just not worth the time. I'd imagine that's a lot better these days what with the app and everything. Something that really impresses me--and it sounds like your network does the same thing--is that I can put a book on hold at my own library even if they don't have it. If it's at any library in the entire system, they'll have it shipped here. Also not something I've done a lot because it just makes me feel selfish but it's a nice thing to have.

I'm just glad to see that your local library is being used.

For the week ending 11/14: 1. It has been a HOT minute since a Gustav press conference. What's something interesting you've done over the last couple weeks? 2. How has your player been enjoying the offseason? 3. Going off of that, what's the best vacation spot in Europe? 4. You're on Shark Tank. What product are you selling, and why should I give you money for it? 5. What's your favorite song lyric? 6. What's something about the VHL that's fake, but sounds real enough that you could convince a new member that it's true? @Berocka@Ricer13@efiug @KC15 @TheCHEESE @Ahma @PatrikLaine @FrostBeard @JardyB10 @tcookie @Banackock @GustavMattias

Taro Tsujimoto - DF

Of course it is smh

What the hell is it in kangaroo land

There will be only PRO-AMERICAN SENTIMENT in this league

Hi. Can manage if you want. Will complain about the rules if I don't win but sign me up.

Excited to lead TEAM WORLD in this tournament! It's been a long time since I did one of these and I've always kind of wanted to try again. My first time in the World Cup too; my first and only appearance was in juniors.

...or, alternatively, why GMing would be right up my alley and Davos might be a perennial favorite if everyone acted like a robot. There's this concept in my field of study called steady state. If you've taken your share of chemistry, you may know what it is. Let's say you've got a bucket with a hole in the bottom of it. You've got a hose and you're pouring it straight into the bucket--but there's also the same amount of water coming out of the bottom of the bucket. That bucket is a system at steady state, where the input equals the output and the amount of water in the bucket at any given time is constant. And let's further assume that everyone drafted in the first round earns at one rate, everyone in the second earns at another, and so on. Further, it would be possible to know ahead of time how long each player will stay with their team. IF people weren't people, it would be possible to perfectly mathematically model a VHL team, and once a team gets into good territory, keep them at that steady state forever. That said, people are people. People go inactive, people leave after their rookie contracts, people earn and exist as they please. And so, while there are examples of exceptionally managed teams in recent memory that have been able to escape rebuilding for prolonged periods of time, it's impossible to accurately model the performance of a team. And, consequently, I remain a shit GM. Have a nice week!

It's officially Sunday in Gustav land! Week 4 and the last time you'll see this thread before everyone forgets I brought up any ideas in the first place. I'm not salty

Maybe, but it would definitely be smaller and I can't say with confidence that it would even exist. Also, good luck with the goaler. A lot of teams either need one now or will need one soon so you'll definitely be able to find a good place.

FONZI WE THOUGHT YOU DIED Welcome back!

So, uh...is this happening here or not? I'm confused.

Yeah I feel like there should be a cap on that before picks start getting yeeted. What happens if Cologne has one goaler next season--does that player, who had nothing to do with this, get screwed over for a team punishment? I think that wouldn't be an intended consequence.

My sincere apologies to the team. Truth is, I've been busy like you wouldn't believe this week. Just finished a 30-some page group paper and a lab report, both due tonight. So I'm ready to not do much of anything and catch up with the team next week! Simon hates us. I'm pretty sure I can't give an honest answer to this one, because that would be tampering. NICE TRY I don't even know who's at the top of this class, because I don't have any picks until later on...but the big thing with super top picks is team loyalty. I don't want to spend a 1OA pick on someone who's just going to walk after three seasons. Well GIVEN HOW THE PLAYOFFS WENT I think we know the answer to that one. I'm a fan of sweet stuff like muffins and donuts (combined with a lot of juice). I never do that, though, because I know it's awful for me. The once in a while I do is great.

@Dil

HOWEVER, the Witch thing seems legit, which would kinda confirm Barzal/Hatty. So I guess I'm undecided. @Domino what did you mean when you said you were "playing it neutral" yesterday?

VOTE JERICHO ...though Hatty claiming to be blackmailed isn't doing much to help his case imo. I get that there's no real suspicion but the circumstantial stuff is kind of adding up for me.

Well excuse you

Yeah, I feel like cleaning on N1 is way more valuable. And even then, forging someone to Mayor is both unhelpful and easily disproved. I've got my eye on Barzal, but I've also kind of got my eye on Hatty. Needing to know where I, the only confirmed person, was on N1 (as well as needing to know about purported TI and potential LO/Tracker Barzal's claim) when it doesn't contribute anything to the Doc claim kinda feels like making sure it wasn't going to be tripped up with a counterclaim.