Dark, have you bothered reading the article "SoM Survival Guide?" http://www.spellsofmagic.com/coven_ritual.html?ritual=1944&coven=1
It clearly states everything that you claim the site does not discuss, and it discusses the topics in great detail.
As for the original topic of this post, I think the ranking system is a wonderful idea. It lets us know who actually knows what they're talking about and it gives people something to look forward too. The ranking system doesn't really matter to me, but when you actually get a rank it's nice to know that people have noticed your efforts and contributions in trying to help others and better the site.
This is a difficult topic for me to discuss because I have read and understand so many valid but conflicting arguments here. There are so many factors and variables to consider, especially when we are all speaking from our own perspectives and experiences. Let me start out by saying that I believe in something called radical honesty, a concept in which a person speaks their mind without inhibiting their subconscious. I have struggled with this concept on this site because it is hard to be honest without offending someone, or being rude and disrespectful in some manner.
With that said, let me say this, while I agree with many people here about the inner workings of this website and it's political drama, I also agree with the fact that we are all human, and whether we like it or not, this is just how this site is regardless of it's flaws, it's perks, and it's benefits. Personally speaking I don't come to this website because I like it or dislike it, I come to this website because of the fact that it is the most visited and used websites for the pagan, magic, and occult community. I have had many experiences on this website that I can say I have disagreed with, more so even detested, but the simple fact remains that no matter the inherent flaws and disagreements of this website the benefits far outweigh the negative aspects we might encounter.
Instead of focusing on aspects that are deeply engrossed within the website, consider focusing on yourself as individuals. I come here to learn and share, to help where I can, and to experience friendship and laughter, and at occasional times peaceful insanity. So no matter how many times I come into disagreement or conflict with certain aspects of this website, I choose to come back knowing that the drama and seemingly endless groveling don't matter as much as getting back on the horse you rode in on and continuing your journey.
If you need a survival guide your laws are flawed. There should be no need for a guide it makes the rules to check to chat utterly worthless. Replace the rules with the guide and problem is solved eh? You want proof? Here's your proof. https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/163556_294396093988828_1676293809_n.jpg
Willow got gagged because she didn't do a topic change however if you notice the timing are very close to each other this could be seen as willow hitting enter after kts said about the topic change thus willow was not given enough time to change the topic and gagged outright. Its junk like this that happens over and over. Plus we have boom saying he'll gag people multiple times i sent acomplant to perosnified and she was removed tempoary and boom made pernament mod you don't think thats just a bit fishy? What about LdyGry leaving after goddess was removed from modship without any explanation and then compltly given the cold shoulder from kts. When the inner circle is so corrupted its only natural the social structure falls apart.
It's merely called a "survival guide," it's just a simple guide/rulebook. Rules needing to be listed because people can't just telepathically know them upon signing up in no way indicates that they are "utterly worthless."
Though you're right, that stuff with kts and boom sounds pretty bad. Keeping in mind that this is Petrarca's site, not ours, and we come here of our own free will, what do you propose we do about it?
The guide is not mentioned at all when you go to chat and that causes confusion people won't automatically know about the guide. Like i said its Pet site but it's the members that make it what it is. I never like sites giving out such bad information and ruining the image of magick which ego trips and power hunger. This site is dangerously close to being mediocre and how popular it is, it can cause a huge dent in the image of Magick. We don't need any more sites making magick look like a joke and make fun of people for merely inquiring about "fluff" topics. It's like people forget what it's like to be new to magick.
"The guide is not mentioned at all when you go to chat and that causes confusion people won't automatically know about the guide."
No, and I agree that a link to the guide should be much more predominantly advertised.
"I never like sites giving out such bad information and ruining the image of magick which ego trips and power hunger."
... if this place is so messed up, why don't you and all the competent people leave and establish a new, non-sucky site elsewhere? Why campaign like this is some democracy?
"We don't need any more sites making magick look like a joke"
That's not a good argument for being nicer to the people who make the biggest mockery of magick.
"and make fun of people for merely inquiring about "fluff" topics."
Again, people don't seem to be made fun of for merely inquiring, only putting things forward as fact.
"It's like people forget what it's like to be new to magick."
Not in the slightest. I openly admit here and now that I was once a huge fluffy moron. I was a werewolf and I was completely freaking retarded. I progressed through it thanks to people not putting up with it. Without them I wouldn't have stayed with the fantasy into adulthood, but I also would have limited my "study" to that foolish realm, stagnated for obvious reasons, and then I would have left it all together.
By being examples of what magicians really are and by not allowing me to be comfortable in my foolishness they gave me motive, direction, and inspiration to become the magician I am today and the one I hope someday to become.
With your speech about not being able to allow it you sound like you have some sort of authority here. You don't. This is Pet's site, and while we may voice our opinions, this site will be run at Pet's discretion. I certainly know I don't agree with his every decision, but I acknowledge that this is his site to run.
When I tell you to go make your own site I'm not being dismissive, I'm suggesting the only option in which you will actually have the power and freedom to act as you deem fit.
All i'm trying to do is to make it better and to stop it being run as crazy circus of madness that only makes magick worse. The site is his magick is not i had enough with the stigma and problem magick has already. We don't need a popular site ruining the image any further.
I keep asking you what you plan to actually do and you keep giving me vague reasons why it must be done. That is so totally not an answer, please try again;
Keeping in mind that changing this forum does NOT seem to be a viable option what do you suggest we do?
I love magick, I teach, I'm obviously willing to try to help people out, and I have experience in real life and virtual magical communities. Whatever plan of action you come up with I would likely be able and willing to aid you in, but you first need to come up with something other than "Complain in vague terms until someone else runs their site to my satisfaction."
I say again, I find problems with this site, but this ain't my site to fix! Though your profile says you are specifically a spiritual Satanist, surely you can find the wisdom in the first and third Rules of the Earth; "Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked," and "When in another’s lair, show him respect or else do not go there."
It's not like I'm some Petrarca-worshipper or anything; I've had posts deleted, I think we need a warning system for gags, and I think that it's a poor choice to leave up mermaid spells an the like. When relevant I will support my side and explain precisely why it is that I feel these things need to change, but just chanting the mantra of "I demand you change _____" all over the forum produces nothing and suggests that people on your side of the fence may be unreasonable - not an all together great message to send when seeking change.
I know it would be great if you or I could just some how mystically become in charge of one of the website's most popular magick sites, but this is a place of magick, not prayer and hopes, and so we should know better than to expect the perfect situation to just fall into our laps. Actually go do something.
If you can run a magick site better than Petrarca and his mods, go make your own site (and if you do, I sincerely hope it allows for prolific swearing). If you can create a better one it would only make sense that it would succeed and eventually draw the good members from here, letting this place die. It's not like we're all trapped here with blinders, ignoring the rest of the internet. If you create a wonderful site for magick, we will come.
If you and you friends can't run a better magick site then Petrarca, shut up. Even for all the fluffiness, we have some very good spells and rituals, amazing videos and articles, and a small legion of dedicated forum members with 10+, 15+, and 20+ years of magical study and practice, so why not be thankful that Petrarca has given you access to all of that?
All in all, just remember that you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. Maybe you are unbelievably, impeccably correct - maybe this site is being run by a bunch of dunces and the affect the site is having on the magical community is horrible and needs to be stopped like some sort of intellectual plague. Have you yet realized that you have no power and no authority here? Even if all that is the case, what do you plan to accomplish by complaining, keeping in mind that this seems to have never gone well in SoM's past?
