blogs_blog_1497

remember when having a banner of two same gender fictional characters kissing was a spark that incited people into a rage where they'd toss around slurs and "Why I Hate You but vaguely" statements.

Yeah, but it wasn't all bad! We had bubble wrap for when the server was busy!

In all seriousness, I'm pretty dang happy about how far BZP has come in terms of fairness and social justice. Here's hoping it will serve as an example for other online Lego communities to follow.

Unfortunately, that would be difficult, considering BZPower wouldn't be where it is if it weren't for the administration being mostly knowledgeable on social issues. Meanwhile, over on Brickset, we have Huw encouraging the idea of highly sexist "toppless reviews from British Call girls". If corruption is all the way to the head, change is going to be harder than if it's just the little people and a few lesser staff.

I still wouldn't say the site is perfect , but it has certainly improved. 

 

I do remember those banners. That was a nightmare, but also probably a catalyst that started pushing BZP to be a more accepting place, which in the end is always very good. That said, I don't remember any specific blog posts outside of knowing that they did exist, because I tend to miss most of the drama in the blogs, sometimes avoiding it and sometimes just missing it for a variety of reasons.

Well, yeah, we still have a ways to go; any time someone mentions gender issues in Bionicle, a whole new argument pops up about misogyny that gets out of control. It's nowhere near as explosve as the Great Gay Quarrel, however. That was terrible. I was often in the thick of it in those arguments.

In terms of awareness of social issues and the political aspects of forum management (e.g listening to members, no unjustified insta-bans, no 'SHUT UP I'M NOT LISTENING' approach to forum management), BZP is way ahead of any Lego forum out there.

 

Which is really awkward for me to say.

In a way, I'm thankful for all the discussions BZPower has had about that because I've learnt more about that subject on BZPower than anywhere else. This community has taught me a lot about respect and tolerance.

 

-Gata

In terms of awareness of social issues and the political aspects of forum management (e.g listening to members, no unjustified insta-bans, no 'SHUT UP I'M NOT LISTENING' approach to forum management), BZP is way ahead of any Lego forum out there.

 

Which is really awkward for me to say.

I know, right? Remember back when people complained about the BZP staff being tyrannical?

 

Unfortunately, that would be difficult, considering BZPower wouldn't be where it is if it weren't for the administration being mostly knowledgeable on social issues. Meanwhile, over on Brickset, we have Huw encouraging the idea of highly sexist "toppless reviews from British Call girls". If corruption is all the way to the head, change is going to be harder than if it's just the little people and a few lesser staff.

Yeah, that's really the problem, isn't it? Brickset can be even worse than Eurobricks (especially when Huw starts editorializing), which is the reason I still don't have an account there. And really, I'd abandon Eurobricks as well if not for the fact that getting consistent and productive discussion of non-constraction themes to happen here on BZPower can be like trying to put out a forest fire with a spray bottle.

 

But you're right. The big sites are fat and happy and unless their controversial stances start losing them support (or better competition arises), you're not going to see much improvement there.

As we all know, BZP was taken over in 2011 by a contingent of colluding staff members to take down BIONICLE because they were bored of moderating. When the forums DID return, they mangled a once-noble site by turning it into the domain of social justice warriors that liked LEGO.
 
True story guys! I read it on the Internet!

I think the staff have become less tyrannical over time. 

 

A diminished audience for your Radical Campaign of Terror tends to make you feel like you have to be nicer, or nobody will listen to you at all. 

 

classic BZP was awesome. Except we couldn't link to YouTube. 

I think the staff have become less tyrannical over time. 

 

A diminished audience for your Radical Campaign of Terror tends to make you feel like you have to be nicer, or nobody will listen to you at all. 

 

classic BZP was awesome. Except we couldn't link to YouTube. 

 

Well, and people thought they could openly hate people for how they were born. That was also kind of a bummer about classic BZP.

 

Honestly, I always felt people overplayed the "tyrannical staff" thing. Yes, staff like B6 can be short and frank, but it's not like people just disappeared overnight for no reason, or because staff disliked them. i pretty much always just saw staff enforcing the rules, like keeping people from spamming or flaming or posting comics with nazi emblems in them. 

I do like Gen II BZP much more.

 

Overall there is much less hate being thrown around and that is just about always a good thing in my book. 

 

It is just much more enjoyable. *thumbs up*

As we all know, BZP was taken over in 2011 by a contingent of colluding staff members to take down BIONICLE because they were bored of moderating. When the forums DID return, they mangled a once-noble site by turning it into the domain of social justice warriors that liked LEGO.

 

True story guys! I read it on the Internet!

>once noble site

>BZP

Pick one dude.

 

I think the staff have become less tyrannical over time. 

 

A diminished audience for your Radical Campaign of Terror tends to make you feel like you have to be nicer, or nobody will listen to you at all. 

 

classic BZP was awesome. Except we couldn't link to YouTube. 

 

Well, and people thought they could openly hate people for how they were born. That was also kind of a bummer about classic BZP.

 

Honestly, I always felt people overplayed the "tyrannical staff" thing. Yes, staff like B6 can be short and frank, but it's not like people just disappeared overnight for no reason, or because staff disliked them. i pretty much always just saw staff enforcing the rules, like keeping people from spamming or flaming or posting comics with nazi emblems in them. 

 

Oh, I totes agree about the staff never having been that tyrannical. But it's become a meme, especially on other sites where banned members from BZP are free to congregate. Such is the way of the internet, I suppose.

Just like you guys, the BZPower staff has grown and learned over time. Sometimes it takes making some mistakes to figure out how to do things right.

Yes, staff like B6 can be short and frank

That's because he's a professional, and he behaves like one (kudos to whoever gets the reference ).

 

-Gata

 

Yes, staff like B6 can be short and frank

That's because he's a professional, and he behaves like one (kudos to whoever gets the reference ).

 

-Gata

 

Too bad his translator gloves are so inconsistent....

 

 

Yes, staff like B6 can be short and frank

That's because he's a professional, and he behaves like one (kudos to whoever gets the reference ).

 

-Gata

 

Too bad his translator gloves are so inconsistent....

 

You're the most rad. Have some kudos.

 

-Gata