NationStates Jolt Archive

I think it's really sad how people sit down and then write something like splogdoth was at war with the plarkian mooch fleet of xleqswifp and then a bunch of other nerds come in and start writing a bunch of other shit. I'm talking NS RPing, I didn't know there were other kinds outside of people playing online games.

Hmm, no. I actually find it a wonderful expression of imagination, empathy and patience - and an excellent exercise in consistency.

Better than watching Dr Phil, sports or soap operas at least ;)

No I don't find RPing to be sad, the only time I think it's sad is when people start getting really into it and taking it too seriously. I don't RP on Nationstates but I do other kinds of RPing and I'm hip and down with the kids, so not every RPer is a sadcase living in their parent's basement!

I think it's really sad how people sit down and then write something like splogdoth was at war with the plarkian mooch fleet of xleqswifp and then a bunch of other nerds come in and start writing a bunch of other shit.

Roleplaying is at its best, like collaborative story-telling. Some of the better roleplays on Nationstates would, if collated, turn out to be actual novels that could easily be published. It's creative, interesting, and enjoyable.

Your example of the "splogdoth was at war with the plarkian mooch fleet" is absurd, stereotypical, and irrelevant. Sure, some roleplaying is like that. Substandard writing. But that's not "sad," at least people are trying and apparently getting enjoyment out of it.

Lastly, do you really think your attempt at insult viz a viz "nerds" is at all effective? Do I have to remind you that you're posting on an internet forum? How cool do you really expect us to believe you are?

I do some RP with my Matrix Online game, so no I don't think it's sad. It's a great way for me to express myself through my MxO character.

I think it's really sad how people sit down and then write something like splogdoth was at war with the plarkian mooch fleet of xleqswifp and then a bunch of other nerds come in and start writing a bunch of other shit.

Funny, I found it a pleasant evening in, to break the usual routine of boozing, chasing women and general rowdiness. Wow, poor nerdy me.

It's not that bad. I've never been good at it. But I think it can be pretty cool though.

What I find sad is when people take something that other people enjoy and bash it. Probably because they don't have the guts to admit that they too like that activity in fear of being dislike by their so called friends. So they try to act cool and bash things that other people do for enjoyment.

I enjoyed it a lot and am rather sad that I'm away from my group. I can't remember my GM EVER using anything close to your example, but he's always been a dreamer and a perfectionist.

Probably because they don't have the guts to admit that they too like that activity in fear of being dislike by their so called friends.


But I don't like it.

But I don't like it.

So ? No doubt you engage in plenty of activities other people do not like as well. As long as you do not force them to participate, that is fine.

So ? No doubt you engage in plenty of activities other people do not like as well. As long as you do not force them to participate, that is fine.

I meant it in a different way than that, he said I like it secretly and I said but I don't like it, not as in I hate it.

I meant it in a different way than that, he said I like it secretly and I said but I don't like it, not as in I hate it.

Ah, I see.
Still, no doubt we can find things you do that seem rather... pity inducing ;)

I meant it in a different way than that, he said I like it secretly and I said but I don't like it, not as in I hate it.

If it was secret, you'd hardly be likely to tell us, would you? ;)

I think it's really sad how people sit down and then write something like splogdoth was at war with the plarkian mooch fleet of xleqswifp and then a bunch of other nerds come in and start writing a bunch of other shit.

Surely it's just the same as sitting down and writing a novel or a script, just with other people. Are authors and playwrights sad as well?

I actually find it a wonderful expression of imagination, empathy and patience - and an excellent exercise in consistency.

Amen to that.

Anything alien is to be labeled something - if it is something very alien but seems to be accepted and practiced by live, sane and in some cases very intelligent people than it is "sad" or "lame" - when it is something not that alien but feels more so - namaz, for instance - it is "EB1LLLL!!!" - or when it is alien in every sense like green blobs riding giant tripod mechas, it is "ruuuuuun!"

I've been RP'ing for about 18 years now and I find it to be a very productive entertainment. I'll also second Nodinia (with some difference, I usually end up with a girl when I demo games at local clubs) to let you know that the "Nerds who can't get into the pants of any girl fantasize about it with other nerds sitting around a table" image is one of the best kept bs's in the world :)

I do find reading a better pass-time lately though; I find it difficult to muster up the energy to write something as entertaining and complicated as my previous campaigns at my old age of 31 :)

Oh, to preempt possible attempts to bash my other hobies, I think video games, writing, cinema, amateur 3D design and pet engineering projects are awesome too :)

Cheerio!

Ah, I see.
Still, no doubt we can find things you do that seem rather... pity inducing ;)

Such as?

Such as?

Tell us a bit about your life. Your hobbies, interests and so on. No doubt something will come up - or else you are a very shallow human being.
Which of course would also be sad ;)

Hobbies: guitar and martial arts but not forgetting 1940s vintage superman comic book collecting.

but not forgetting 1940s vintage superman comic book collecting.

Pfft... that's sad! :p

Pfft.... that's a joke moron!

Culture would be stilted and weak if everything not followed by the majority was considered 'sad'.

I don't roleplay myself but I enjoy reading some of the material I see in the NS forums. I consider storytelling one of the world's more important arts.

I think it's really sad how people sit down and then write something like splogdoth was at war with the plarkian mooch fleet of xleqswifp and then a bunch of other nerds come in and start writing a bunch of other shit.

As opposed to the General forum, which is the epitome of coolness.

Also, poll needs multi choice, I wish to vote for options 1 and 4.

Pfft.... that's a joke moron!

What, guitar playing? Everyone and his dog plays the guitar. It's usually done with the unstated (but obvious) motive of becoming a Rock Star, famous, rich, and getting lots of pussy. Invariably it never works out, and the lack of true musical skill or ambition eventually makes the would-be Guitar Hero sell it for a few extra bucks one day after wiping the layer of dust from it.

Hobbies: guitar and martial arts but... Cool, I always wanted to play the guitar and tried to, mind ya, but there always have been better guitar players in my band so I stuck with singing :) Both Martial Arts and playing the guitar require a lot of discipline and interest - which is also true for game mastering a good campaign ;)
...not forgetting 1940s vintage superman comic book collecting.yes, I find remembering things quite a bit of a hardship these days but it also was my hobby in the past :P

You are aware that there are - usually clueless - people who find comic books a very sad affair, dangerous even? If you get into it it is an art - much like RPG's ;)

Cheerio!

Edit: Oh, I see, we're morons now, those who think you were really collecting comic books. For a moment I was happy for you so I guess I am one :)

What, guitar playing? Everyone and his dog plays the guitar. It's usually done with the unstated (but obvious) motive of becoming a Rock Star, famous, rich, and getting lots of pussy. Invariably it never works out, and the lack of true musical skill or ambition eventually makes the would-be Guitar Hero sell it for a few extra bucks one day after wiping the layer of dust from it.

Indeed. Guitar playing is rather sad and pitiful :(

You are aware that there are - usually clueless - people who find comic books a very sad affair, dangerous even?


Then they are fools!

What, guitar playing? Everyone and his dog plays the guitar. It's usually done with the unstated (but obvious) motive of becoming a Rock Star, famous, rich, and getting lots of pussy. Invariably it never works out, and the lack of true musical skill or ambition eventually makes the would-be Guitar Hero sell it for a few extra bucks one day after wiping the layer of dust from it.

No I just do it for fun and as a hobby, don't wanna be a rock star. And if it's so easy why don't you try? You sound like a bitter 13 year old who got kicked out of his mate's band.

And you think you don't sound like a rich kid with "social life" who never could hit it as often as the campus geek right?

:)

Cheerio!

And you think you don't sound like a rich kid


I'm not rich.

And I reckon Clomata is not 13 :)

Cheerio!

I didn't say he was, I said he sounded like a bitter 13 year old.

Well, and I said you sound like a rich kid etcetera but this is beginning to get tiresome - you know, troll is not only the name of a monster from those RP's you seem not to understand at all ;)

Cheerio!

-------------------- EOT --------------------

I presume you are talking about RP in NS here... While I haven't read it at all myself, I can't really see any problems with it. I really doubt even 1/10th of the stuff written is anything near the crap you wrote.

As for RPing in general... I played on session with old school friends of mine, liked it a lot but haven't had the chance to play again due distance work and other issues. Not to mention now they've decided to play modern time campaign which I really don't like that much - I've always preferred fantasy more :D

The only facet of RPing I find silly is LARP, or Live Action Role Play. Even with that it can be either brilliant way to spend evening/weekend/week or horribly embarrassing waste of time.

I don't think roleplaying is sad. It's an exercise in imagination, team play and writing skills...there are worse things to do.

I strongly disagree, though, that good roleplays make good novels. Roleplays are for the participants, and thus the writers. Novels are for the readers. That gives a totally different approach to the tension arch in the plot line.

No I just do it for fun and as a hobby, don't wanna be a rock star. And if it's so easy why don't you try? You sound like a bitter 13 year old who got kicked out of his mate's band.

Sounds like he hit a nerve to me :p

I strongly disagree, though, that good roleplays make good novels. Roleplays are for the participants, and thus the writers. Novels are for the readers. That gives a totally different approach to the tension arch in the plot line.

I completely disagree, as someone who has written both novels and roleplays. It's true that not all good roleplays make good novels, but I never claimed that they all would.

And... "plot line?" What is this? Really, "plot" is a concept hammered so much but which means very little. A plot is little more than actions taking place through time. If you have characters, and they're doing things, then you have a plot.

I don't think roleplaying is sad. It's an exercise in imagination, team play and writing skills...there are worse things to do.

I strongly disagree, though, that good roleplays make good novels. Roleplays are for the participants, and thus the writers. Novels are for the readers. That gives a totally different approach to the tension arch in the plot line.I'd like to express my complete agreement with you mate, and thank you from the bottom of my heart :) I've been dissing RP based novels all my life since they are usually written not by novelists but game designers and you can hear the dice bouncing in the background (there are, of course, exceptions) and it is refreshing to see someone may (you talk about a different thing, I know, so you may or may not agree with what I'm saying but the argument I have with my close friends is twofold and the other part is what you're saying ;)) agree with me :)

Cheerio!

Edit: Clomata, sorry mate, I didn't mean to generalize - like I said, there are exceptions and you might be one of them or I may be talking total BS for all I know :)

I think it's really sad how people sit down and then write something like splogdoth was at war with the plarkian mooch fleet of xleqswifp and then a bunch of other nerds come in and start writing a bunch of other shit.

Naaa not sad at all, I used to do it myself. Nowadaws I find it boring, and the reason I stopped was because I do find it sad when after a good game you all go to the pub and sit there for hours on end talking about what your nth level Paladin got up to.

I enjoy RPing. I haven't done much for awhile, and I'm not that great at it, but I like it when I have time.

I didn't say he was, I said he sounded like a bitter 13 year old.

Heh and you don't?

Edit: Clomata, sorry mate, I didn't mean to generalize - like I said, there are exceptions and you might be one of them or I may be talking total BS for all I know :)

Oh I don't mean to say that *I* am an exception. But I can see that any roleplay of worth can be novellized - you'd have to edit quite a bit, it's not a copy-and-paste deal. But there are some RP's out there - Steel Butterfly's tend to be like this - that would require less editing and stand out as pretty damn epic, all told. :)

The only facet of RPing I find silly is LARP, or Live Action Role Play. Even with that it can be either brilliant way to spend evening/weekend/week or horribly embarrassing waste of time.

Are those options mutually exclusive? :D

I don't see why it would be sad to use your imagination to have some fun with friends. Watching a movie by yourself would be more sad; seeing as its both passive and non-social. And even that has its value as a pastime.

No I just do it for fun and as a hobby, don't wanna be a rock star. And if it's so easy why don't you try? You sound like a bitter 13 year old who got kicked out of his mate's band.

I never said it was easy, just banal and common. Everyone does it. Ho-hum, someone else who plays the guitar.

You claim you don't want to be a rock star, but you wouldn't admit it if you did. They never do, particularly if they realize they'd never get anywhere and no one likes to hear them play.

And really, you're going to tell me that you don't play in the hopes of getting pussy? You're a guy, right? Be honest.

Where do you get the idea that I sound like a 13 year old of any kind? At least I don't blurt out run-on sentences about how awesome I am in comparison to "nerds." I mean, shit - "Nerds?" Did we time travel back to a 1980s high school coming-of-age movie?

A plot is little more than actions taking place through time. If you have characters, and they're doing things, then you have a plot.Err, no. A plot is more than characters just doing "something". You could write a "book" where two characters throw a ball, over and over again; that's not a plot, even though "something" is continually happening. There needs to be some progression, development to constitute a plot.

Err, no. A plot is more than characters just doing "something". You could write a "book" where two characters throw a ball, over and over again; that's not a plot, even though "something" is continually happening. There needs to be some progression, development to constitute a plot.

Plot means "the plan or main story." So, the main story there is two people doing the same thing over and over again. You seem to want to weave "good plot that I would enjoy reading" into the definition of "plot," just as some people try to make "music" mean "music that I like" (such that rap, country or $music-i-dont-like is "not really music").

No I don't play in the hope of getting pussy, I've never played in front of a girl, or to get attention. I do it in my own house in private.

No I don't play in the hope of getting pussy, I've never played in front of a girl, or to get attention. I do it in my own house in private.

Oh? Well, that's pretty sad.

Oh? Well, that's pretty sad.

Explain?

Plot means "the plan or main story." So, the main story there is two people doing the same thing over and over again.But it has neither a plan nor a story.

You seem to want to weave "good plot that I would enjoy reading" into the definition of "plot," just as some people try to make "music" mean "music that I like" (such that rap, country or $music-i-dont-like is "not really music").Typing random notes isn't music either. It has nothing to do with whether I like it or not. Notes don't become music until they're in some way composed to work together; however badly that may be.
Similarly, a plot has to work towards some goal, using a process composed of various events. Repeating the same event over and over doesn't achieve anything, hence there's no plot. Which isn't even to say you can't have a good book without a plot; it just means it doesn't have a narrative that works towards any end.

Are those options mutually exclusive? :D

Guess not :p

Explain?I don't know why Clomata thinks it is sad but I know why I do. Music is something that surges, grows and expands when reacted with a pretty common catalyst known as an audience :) I always despised the snobby "art for art's own sake" (I am pretty sure there is a better expression in English for this but you'll have to do with a sloppy translation for now) approach and each and every - although with some our terminologies aren't compatible so, let's say most of the - successful or even decent musician I've met during my modest singing career (which of course jump-started by the love of tha pussy) of 17 years has a strong opinion regarding this case; music lives on listeners, audience is its sustenance.

Of course, your mileage may vary and it already seems so.

Cheerio!

I think it's really sad how people sit down and then write something like splogdoth was at war with the plarkian mooch fleet of xleqswifp and then a bunch of other nerds come in and start writing a bunch of other shit. I'm talking NS RPing, I didn't know there were other kinds outside of people playing online games.

I wonder why it bothers you so much. You don't have to participate you know.

And is an act of creativity so much worse (or better) than getting the highest score possible on Grand Theft Auto or playing football?

No I just do it for fun and as a hobby, don't wanna be a rock star. And if it's so easy why don't you try? You sound like a bitter 13 year old who got kicked out of his mate's band.

The irony, it burns.

This sounds like the "s**t was SO cash" copypasta.

"Hit me with everything you've got. I'm pretty much perfect."

Oh, and for the record, *I* am a bitter 13-year-old. I've just never been kicked out of a band. ;)

Lightning bolt! Lightning bolt!

Irrelevant trolling OP aside, this got me thinking...why the hell is guitar such a popular instrument? Every tool and their dog tries to learn to play guitar. At first glance you might be say that it's because it's a lead instrument, but that really just depends on what/how you're playing, now, doesn't it? And it isn't ease of learning; banjo, ukulele, mandolin, etc. are all easier to learn but experience much less popularity. And in terms of awesomeness....piano and violin will always be at the top of the ladder there. So what is it about guitar? o.O

Err, no. A plot is more than characters just doing "something". You could write a "book" where two characters throw a ball, over and over again; that's not a plot, even though "something" is continually happening. There needs to be some progression, development to constitute a plot.

Does "Waiting for Godot" have a plot? ;)

And to the original question - no, I don't find roleplaying particularly sad, any more than I would find knitting scarves or playing tennis particularly sad. It's a hobby like any other hobby, and more fun than many. Why do you care what hobbies other people enjoy, anyway?

No not at all it is terribly creative

I do tend to be a bit embarrassed for live action roll players though to be honest

LARP!
::throws a stick::
Lightning Bolt!

No, but, RPing is cool. A neat way for people to tell a story, be creative and exercise their ability to produce consistency.

I've always been a fan.

Irrelevant trolling OP aside, this got me thinking...why the hell is guitar such a popular instrument? Every tool and their dog tries to learn to play guitar. At first glance you might be say that it's because it's a lead instrument, but that really just depends on what/how you're playing, now, doesn't it? And it isn't ease of learning; banjo, ukulele, mandolin, etc. are all easier to learn but experience much less popularity. And in terms of awesomeness....piano and violin will always be at the top of the ladder there. So what is it about guitar? o.O

Certainly more portable than a piano.
And less prissy than violin. I don't see air-violin coming into fashion.

*note -- I love violins, don't paint me as a bowed instrument hater!*

I am not interested at all in the role playing aspect of NS. However I don't think it is sad and believe it serves as a entertainment source for many. So who am I to knock it. As the saying goes... What ever floats your boat.

I also want to add that there is role playing that I do enjoy. Those would be the people that dress up for the renaissance fairs, war reenactors, pirate festivals and others that I have seen.

/pianist

Hehehe, geddit? Pianiss? :p

I use it to practice writing and characterization or just be creative

Certainly more portable than a piano.
And less prissy than violin. I don't see air-violin coming into fashion.

*note -- I love violins, don't paint me as a bowed instrument hater!*

Ok, I'll concede the transportation issue, don't really see that I've much choice. But then what about other less "main-stream" instruments? Mandolin has an awesome, awesome sound, is more portable than a guitar and you can still air-mando!

And, to be honest, the day air-violin becomes common will be an awesome day, indeed. I'll also give that violins are crazy hard to learn if you haven't been training since childhood. It actually makes me jealous of my little cousins whose grandparents are teaching them to play violin and piano respectively. Li'l punks don't realize how lucky they are!

I think it's really sad how people sit down and then write something like splogdoth was at war with the plarkian mooch fleet of xleqswifp and then a bunch of other nerds come in and start writing a bunch of other shit. I'm talking NS RPing, I didn't know there were other kinds outside of people playing online games.

I got sick of answering the NS issues and my nation type changing, I dont mind the civil, economy and political rankings changing as we answer issues, thats cool.

We can even RP the issues our own way, for exsample.

Those crazy darn Cubans say and do the darnest things in the popular Que Pasa USA? tv show.

Ethnic minoritys with excellent grades must compete with one another to be admitted to the nation's best schools.

Role playing sounds great to me. I went out and bought the dungeons and dragons books to give it a go. I then couldn't find anyone to play with =(. I guess I'm too sad to roleplay.

I completely disagree, as someone who has written both novels and roleplays. It's true that not all good roleplays make good novels, but I never claimed that they all would.

And... "plot line?" What is this? Really, "plot" is a concept hammered so much but which means very little. A plot is little more than actions taking place through time. If you have characters, and they're doing things, then you have a plot.

Well, I've written both novels and roleplays, too (more novels and short stories than roleplays, I have to admit). Also, I have read some published books based on roleplays, and they were horrible. I'll give one example: imagine a fantasy setting. Some village is attacked by bad guys and a boy escapes. He runs away and the bad guys are after him. So far so good. But then, the bad guys nearly catch him a dozen of times, only the dozen+1st time they catch him for real. The story continues. I can imagine that it was a great roleplay at the time , the players always finding some clever way for the character to escape or something, but fo rme as reader, it's completely pointless and annoying. Why should I read through a dozen of escapes if they have no relevance to the rest of the book?

Further, roleplay-based stories too often are based on the writer's own character; of course the writer finds his character uber cool as she/he has written so much adventures with it, but as reader I don't know that history, and I don't care about it. If the character does not much more than brushing the teeth, it's still boring, no matter if that character is uber-cool. Check Elfwood for a plentitude of examples of these.

And yes, a plot is the main series of events. The main "conflict", if you like, with conflict in the broadest sense of the word. A book without conflict is a boring and unreadable book. The plot can be instigated by the character (character-driven) or the character can be placed in a situation or series of events (plot-driven), but a plot is there, and has a build up of tension. Without this tension, no-one will get past the first view pages of your story.

Well, I've written both novels and roleplays, too (more novels and short stories than roleplays, I have to admit).
I would like to read your works! :)

Also, I have read some published books based on roleplays, and they were horrible.
IMHO it depends on what you have read. Perhaps you might have just encountered the horrible ones... ;)

But it has neither a plan nor a story.

Of course it has a plan. Someone planned it out. It's a simple plan, but a plan nonetheless.

And too it has a story. A story is just "an account of incidents or events."

Typing random notes isn't music either.

It sure is (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleatoric_music).

Similarly, a plot has to work towards some goal

Not according to the definition of "plot."

Explain?

Sitting alone in your house, playing music for no one to hear, occasionally taking a break to insult a bunch of people on an internet forum....

It sounds heart-breaking.

Jealousy.:D

I think it's really sad how people sit down and then write something like splogdoth was at war with the plarkian mooch fleet of xleqswifp and then a bunch of other nerds come in and start writing a bunch of other shit.

If you had any idea how the people of Oreomallomar have suffered under the depredations of the plarkian mooch fleet, you'd woudn't write such drivel and you'd be backing splogdoth 100%.

I think it's really sad how people sit down and then write something like splogdoth was at war with the plarkian mooch fleet of xleqswifp and then a bunch of other nerds come in and start writing a bunch of other shit. I'm talking NS RPing, I didn't know there were other kinds outside of people playing online games.

That's funny. I think it's sad how some people just can't seem to feel whole and complete without deriding the behavior of others that they don't understand or don't engage in themselves. "Those people who have a hobby they enjoy that doesn't harm anyone and doesn't affect anyone else unless they actually take the time to look in on it? Yeah, they're weird and they should be mocked, despite the fact that I had to go out of my way to see what they were doing."

:rolleyes:

Why can't everyone just leave everyone else the hell alone?

This guitar players bashing is evil! *plays guitar*

Anywho I RP, I find it enjoyable to do something that exerts me mentally. Not all RPers are sit at home loners. The majority have active social lives.

Declaring certain things to be sad or not seems a lot more sad to me. But who am I to declare anything to be sad? I'm far too cool for that :cool:

Role playing sounds great to me. I went out and bought the dungeons and dragons books to give it a go. I then couldn't find anyone to play with =(. I guess I'm to sad to roleplay.

There are sites that will match you up, or where you can play right there. You can google for them. One I dealt with (and helped start, really) was Players of Darkness. http://playersofdarkness.yuku.com/ They don't seem to have a lot of traffic right now, but... that might be good if you want to learn the ropes.

Irrelevant trolling OP aside, this got me thinking...why the hell is guitar such a popular instrument? Every tool and their dog tries to learn to play guitar. At first glance you might be say that it's because it's a lead instrument, but that really just depends on what/how you're playing, now, doesn't it? And it isn't ease of learning; banjo, ukulele, mandolin, etc. are all easier to learn but experience much less popularity. And in terms of awesomeness....piano and violin will always be at the top of the ladder there. So what is it about guitar? o.O

Portable, attached to notions of romance since the serenade was invented, rock stars look like they're playing their cocks and get scores of women to throw themselves at them (even if they look like Steven Tyler), simple to play (though difficult to master), attached to the common folk: through it's relative ease of creation, the blues, folk songs, punk, and other common-person-without-virtuoso-skill-but-a-huge-heart/mind/soul connotations. Seems to me it's destiny was to be popular.

I don't know...

I'm a woman.

I do roleplay. Actually,in NS. Actually, I still post on it. Actually, I posted something today.

Thanks to the experience storytelling in RP, (and some actual academic formation), I was able to write and sell a movie script for several thousand dollars...Not oriented towards the roleplay content, but the skills helped, anyway.

Also, roleplaying has helped me a lot to learn to write in english, as it is a skill I need to perfection. It expands my vocabulary. It makes me practice my plot weaving skills, my character creation ability, and develops further my creativity.

Learn to compose for your guitar, and stop playing just for fun, so you can create something more than just mimicking others, and we can talk about creative hobbies.

Portable, attached to notions of romance since the serenade was invented, rock stars look like they're playing their cocks and get scores of women to throw themselves at them (even if they look like Steven Tyler), simple to play (though difficult to master), attached to the common folk: through it's relative ease of creation, the blues, folk songs, punk, and other common-person-without-virtuoso-skill-but-a-huge-heart/mind/soul connotations. Seems to me it's destiny was to be popular.

But see, all of that can be applied to any portable string instrument. I understand why such instruments would be popular, but I don't quite get why the guitar is singled out. I mean, a mandolin fits all of that spot on (except the rock star thing....you don't see much rock-mando), but doesn't anywhere near the love the guitar does.

But see, all of that can be applied to any portable string instrument. I understand why such instruments would be popular, but I don't quite get why the guitar is singled out. I mean, a mandolin fits all of that spot on (except the rock star thing....you don't see much rock-mando), but doesn't anywhere near the love the guitar does.

The mandolin doesn't have the pitch and tonal/timbral range of the guitar. It's less versatile. A guitar can walk it's own bass line and still have a weepy high range. Mandolins can't. Also, the smaller the instrument, the more the need for smaller fingers and pinpoint dexterity. The guitar is a bit more egalitarian and forgiving in that regard.

But see, all of that can be applied to any portable string instrument. I understand why such instruments would be popular, but I don't quite get why the guitar is singled out. I mean, a mandolin fits all of that spot on (except the rock star thing....you don't see much rock-mando), but doesn't anywhere near the love the guitar does.

Psaltery rocks. (Guess what I have?)
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=psaltery&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title

The mandolin doesn't have the pitch and tonal/timbral range of the guitar. It's less versatile. A guitar can walk it's own bass line and still have a weepy high range. Mandolins can't. Also, the smaller the instrument, the more the need for smaller fingers and pinpoint dexterity. The guitar is a bit more egalitarian and forgiving in that regard.

Bah to your greater knowledge of musical instruments. I demand more love for mandolin, banjo in all its forms and numbers of strings, ukulele and the rest of the under-appreciated string instruments.

And, as always, more violin. :(

Psaltery rocks. (Guess what I have?)
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=psaltery&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title

Aerosmith's psaltery album: Pluck This Way.

Declaring certain things to be sad or not seems a lot more sad to me. But who am I to declare anything to be sad? I'm far too cool for that :cool:

I think you must be really, really sad. Don't you feel a tear coming on? :(

Bah to your greater knowledge of musical instruments. I demand more love for mandolin, banjo in all its forms and numbers of strings, ukulele and the rest of the under-appreciated string instruments.

And, as always, more violin. :(

You want all that? Go to a bluegrass festival. Far more mandolin and violin per captia. Good stuff, too. It's country's version of bebop.

Aerosmith's psaltery album: Pluck This Way.

Hehehehee! (I bow, though.)

You want all that? Go to a bluegrass festival. Far more mandolin and violin per captia. Good stuff, too. It's country's version of bebop.

I like bluegrass and have a bit of Bela Fleck's bluegrass albums (and his jazz stuff, too) and Yonder Mountain String Band. But I want to see more stuff like Corporate Love Breakdown's Bluegrass Tribute to Radiohead and other more "mainstream" uses of non-mainstream instruments.

I think roleplaying relates alot to nation states since the game is here to promote a book.

Maybe that's why the banner in the upper lefthand corner says "Nationstates".

I like bluegrass and have a bit of Bela Fleck's bluegrass albums (and his jazz stuff, too) and Yonder Mountain String Band. But I want to see more stuff like Corporate Love Breakdown's Bluegrass Tribute to Radiohead and other more "mainstream" uses of non-mainstream instruments.

Uh...do you read that contradiction like I do? If not, I'll just say that, by definition, if it isn't mainstream...it isn't mainstream.

Enjoy the delightful rarity of your favorite musical permutations. If they did become mainstream, they'd get watered down and corporatized to the point of manneristic, over-promoted crap. Much as I dig Bela, I wouldn't want that to happen.

Uh...do you read that contradiction like I do? If not, I'll just say that, by definition, if it isn't mainstream...it isn't mainstream.

Enjoy the delightful rarity of your favorite musical permutations. If they did become mainstream, they'd get watered down and corporatized to the point of manneristic, over-promoted crap. Much as I dig Bela, I wouldn't want that to happen.

What I mean by mainstream use of non-mainstream instruments is I enjoy when, say, hiphop incorporates violin into its tracks, or when you have ska mixed with acoustic folk rhythms and the like. I enjoy genres converging and when you have that, you tend to get lesser known instruments played in new ways (for the instrument, at least).

What I mean by mainstream use of non-mainstream instruments is I enjoy when, say, hiphop incorporates violin into its tracks, or when you have ska mixed with acoustic folk rhythms and the like. I enjoy genres converging and when you have that, you tend to get lesser known instruments played in new ways (for the instrument, at least).

Understood.

Still, don't hold your breath. What sells is, for better or worse, what sells.

Hobbies: guitar and martial arts but not forgetting 1940s vintage superman comic book collecting.

(Points and laughs)

See, I can play that game too.

Joke! IT WAS A JOKE!!!! I do not collect vintage superman comics!

Psaltery rocks. (Guess what I have?)
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=psaltery&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title

You have a psaltery? *is super-jealous*

Joke! IT WAS A JOKE!!!! I do not collect vintage superman comics!
Wait, so it's a joke that you don't collect vintage Superman comics? ;)

Joke! IT WAS A JOKE!!!! I do not collect vintage superman comics!

Suuuuuure you don't. Then it's okay if your mom moves those fifty-odd comic archive box out of your Fortress of Solit-- I mean, the basement? :p

I think it's really sad how people sit down and then write something like splogdoth was at war with the plarkian mooch fleet of xleqswifp and then a bunch of other nerds come in and start writing a bunch of other shit. I'm talking NS RPing, I didn't know there were other kinds outside of people playing online games.

The glorious leader Rhyno has declare war on Adunabar, and Rhyno's nation proceeds to drop ten jillion nooks on joor head and joo die. As a precaution, Rhyno has activated his anti-nook force field which automatically launches a million nooks on who shot nooks at me.

Given that Nation States is largely devoted to RPing, I'm inclined to dismiss this topic as borderline trolling.

Yes, I RP, and there's nothing sad about it. I have met intelligent and articulate RPers, and some of their ideas are better than a lot of the average junk that gets published these days. I'm not at all impressed by your let's make fun of the geeks style post. Did you and your jock friends beat up the nerds every day at your school?

Where have all the RW- real world nation named nations gone? As it must have been at the beginning of NS. Thier seems to only be a few left. At least they dont RP much anymore.

Its our way to rule our nations. Its a way to rule the world.

Role playing isn't sad when it's kinky.


...and in real life.

I think it's really sad how people sit down and then write something like splogdoth was at war with the plarkian mooch fleet of xleqswifp and then a bunch of other nerds come in and start writing a bunch of other shit. I'm talking NS RPing, I didn't know there were other kinds outside of people playing online games.

:upyours:

I think it's really sad how people sit down and then write something like splogdoth was at war with the plarkian mooch fleet of xleqswifp and then a bunch of other nerds come in and start writing a bunch of other shit. I'm talking NS RPing, I didn't know there were other kinds outside of people playing online games.

I think it's sad how people sit down and bitch about some other people having fun as if that is a bad thing or harms them in any way.

Where have all the RW- real world nation named nations gone? As it must have been at the beginning of NS. Thier seems to only be a few left. At least they dont RP much anymore.

Its our way to rule our nations. Its a way to rule the world.

I never liked the real world nations. They were often boring and unoriginal.

The glorious leader Rhyno has declare war on Adunabar, and Rhyno's nation proceeds to drop ten jillion nooks on joor head and joo die. As a precaution, Rhyno has activated his anti-nook force field which automatically launches a million nooks on who shot nooks at me.


This is why roleplaying isn't good.

Joke! IT WAS A JOKE!!!! I do not collect vintage superman comics!

Obviously. If you did you wouldn't be ashamed of it and would be happy about your financial investment.

http://www.your3dsource.com/most-valuable-comic-books.html

Doesn't it feel good to sneer when you're completely ignorant of the subject?

You have a psaltery? *is super-jealous*

This one, particularly, from Unicorn Strings.

http://unicornstrings.com/images/celtic.gif
http://unicornstrings.com/store2.htm

:upyours:

Charming.
Use your words, not your hands.

I think it's really sad how people sit down and then write something like splogdoth was at war with the plarkian mooch fleet of xleqswifp and then a bunch of other nerds come in and start writing a bunch of other shit. I'm talking NS RPing, I didn't know there were other kinds outside of people playing online games.

If by "sad," you mean "incredibly fun, especially with the right crowd," then yes, I suppose I find it sad.

If of course by "sad" you just mean "Hurfy-durf I've got no idea how to do this without making a fool of myself," then I'll have to do with "no."

this Is Why Roleplaying Isn't Good.

No U!

What I mean by mainstream use of non-mainstream instruments is I enjoy when, say, hiphop incorporates violin into its tracks, or when you have ska mixed with acoustic folk rhythms and the like. I enjoy genres converging and when you have that, you tend to get lesser known instruments played in new ways (for the instrument, at least).

Maybe it's just my classical music background speaking, but the violin is "non-mainstream"? I mean, use in actual performance aside, I know about as many people who play violin as who play guitar, or piano, or certain computer programs which probably count as musical instruments at this stage in musical development.

(Again, however, from my point of view the "non-mainstream" instruments are ones like the oboe d'amore, basset horn and ondes martenot, which are rarely used in any recent music.)

Oh-kay, judging by the frequent and intelligible responses and nigh-frustrated remarks of the OP - guys, let the poor kid go, I'm sure he understands he made a mistake by pouring his very much learned wisdom to the people of NS.

Heh, I really do feel for you mate. I'd be frustrated if I'd be collecting 40's best of DC and couldn't admit it :P

*still waiting for LG to comment*

Cheerio!

I think it's really sad how people sit down and then write something like splogdoth was at war with the plarkian mooch fleet of xleqswifp and then a bunch of other nerds come in and start writing a bunch of other shit. I'm talking NS RPing, I didn't know there were other kinds outside of people playing online games.

Ok... where to start?

I'm an RPer, I have LARPed, I RP on Nationstates, and in fact I have rped at least a little bit on every website I frequent that has an RP forum. I'm the co-founder and administrator of one of the better RP sites on the web (if people want a link they can TG or IM me). And I spend at least one day a month rolling some of those funny dice. No I don't find RPing sad. I don't find poor Rp sad either, poor RP is simply a way for people to improve upon thier creative skills and I (as a semi decent Rpr) am always trying to help people improve.

My other hobbies include sports; football, baseball, volleyball. Music, no I don't play guitar and I have been kicked out of a band. I love reading comic books but have never been a collector. Outdoorsmen; Fishing, swimming, birdwatching, camping, and I am proud to say I finished a 50 mile hike in less than 3 days. Video games; who doesn't? Writing (which got me into role playing in the first place) and other forms of art. Completing jigsaw puzzles, watching movies, and trying out new restaraunts are also on the list. Last but not least comes my job, I am a radio DJ, I love almost every minute I spend doing it and it is more a hobby than a job to me, I'm good at it and people love me for it.
I also have a pretty active social life.

Do I think Role Playing is sad? No, its not sad. Its a great hobby and is no worse than knitting or collecting bugs in my point of view. Everybody has thier own opinions on things. You don't like roleplaying? Fine. But if you've never treid it than you can't honestly say its something you don't like. I mean... I tried knitting.

In closing... don't be another small minded imbecile.

whoever posted this I HATE YOU AND THE THING YOU DO I have caled the locusts on your village

Oh no, don't caled the locusts on my village! Oh wait, that's not a word and I live in a city.

Oh no, don't caled the locusts on my village! Oh wait, that's not a word and I live in a city.

City makes it worse, since now all they've have to eat is your clothing. Hope you enjoy synthetic fabrics.

And perhaps the locusts are being summoned from Cale, AR?

Oh no, don't caled the locusts on my village! Oh wait, that's not a word and I live in a city.

Which word in that sentence did you not think was a word? Or are you unable to distinguish typos from "not a word"?

Oh no, don't caled the locusts on my village! Oh wait, that's not a word and I live in a city.

You make a sweeping generalization in your OP -- so sweeping that you managed to attract the attention of and get spectacularly pwnd by even mild RP fans, and your only retort is to chastise someone for the very common typo missing the second of a double L?

Beyond lame.

Hey, this is pretty much the forum for those who are beyond lame. I'm actually somewhat surprised that Something Awful didn't feature this virtual happy funland in their Weekend Web section.

Those who roleplay to attention whore are pretty sad.

Then again Trolling is a kind of RPing as well and that's pretty sad also.

I think it's really sad how people sit down and then write something like splogdoth was at war with the plarkian mooch fleet of xleqswifp and then a bunch of other nerds come in and start writing a bunch of other shit. I'm talking NS RPing, I didn't know there were other kinds outside of people playing online games.

It is about as sad as replying to people on forums and having an argument when you both know that no matter what you say isn't going to change their opinions. It is about as sad as coming onto an Internet forum and making threads about RPing.

Hey, this is pretty much the forum for those who are beyond lame. I'm actually somewhat surprised that Something Awful didn't feature this virtual happy funland in their Weekend Web section.

Speak for yourself.

Nah, that's no fun. It's a common fact that forums usually don't attract the most advanced and intelligent specimens of the human race.

Nah, that's no fun. It's a common fact that forums usually don't attract the most advanced and intelligent specimens of the human race.

This one does. Unless you take issue with the intelligence of me, you, Neo Art, Dempublicents1, Neesika, Dakini, Brutland and Norden, The Parkus Empire, The Cat_Tribe, Lunatic Goofballs, The Pantsless Hero, Kyronea, Kryozerkia, Smunkeeville, etc., etc., and so on.

Yes, NSG has its share of buffoons (sometimes the same people!), but as far as forums go, the average level of discourse overall is far higher than I've seen elsewhere. NOTE: I have not visited every forum, but for this to apply to a fairly mainstream one is a decent accomplishment.

This one does. Unless you take issue with the intelligence of me, you, Neo Art, Dempublicents1, Neesika, Dakini, Brutland and Norden, The Parkus Empire, The Cat_Tribe, Lunatic Goofballs, The Pantsless Hero, Kyronea, Kryozerkia, Smunkeeville, etc., etc., and so on.

Yes, NSG has its share of buffoons (sometimes the same people!), but as far as forums go, the average level of discourse overall is far higher than I've seen elsewhere. NOTE: I have not visited every forum, but for this to apply to a fairly mainstream one is a decent accomplishment.

The mix of names is funny.

This one, particularly, from Unicorn Strings.

http://unicornstrings.com/images/celtic.gif
http://unicornstrings.com/store2.htm


Ooh, pretty! *covets*

If I ever become wealthy, my house is going to be so cluttered with random early music paraphernalia. :)

I don't RP here (still not sure HOW, or how many people would be interested in an RP with as small a nation as mine), but I have RP'd in Halo: Combat Evolved and Garry's Mod and had great fun. However, there is one thing that ruins it more than anything: People who hate RPing intentionally joining the server and doing their damnedest to ruin it. NOTHING makes me angrier than that.

The mix of names is funny.

Yeah, and also far from complete when it comes to posters I'd consider far more intelligent than average, yourself included. [/ass kissing]

When I mock the forum, it's mainly because it's fun to do. I'm trying to be something of a jester here, even though Lunatic Goofballs does a much better job. Hail to the king, baby!

Usually it's best not to take humble old me too seriously.

When I mock the forum, it's mainly because it's fun to do. I'm trying to be something of a jester here, even though Lunatic Goofballs does a much better job. Hail to the king, baby!

Usually it's best not to take humble old me too seriously.

Ah.

Apologies -- LG has a bit longer of a history. I shall make a note of this conversation for future post encounters. Thanks!

But I don't like it.

Then why did you join Nationstates in the first place buddy. It is a MMORPG even if you don't use the forums.

This has gone a long time for a thread which began as a blatent attempt at trolling.;)

You know what they say Skyland, those who can't RP, troll.

No I don't play in the hope of getting pussy, I've never played in front of a girl, or to get attention. I do it in my own house in private.

So your not good enough to play in an attempt at getting some poon, so you want to just be the romantic who plays for their own sake and try to get poon that way.

Does "Waiting for Godot" have a plot? ;)



They are waiting....

Waiting for Godot!

I really do not understand role-playing. And I'm an actor. My last boyfriend was into anime conventions and D&D and stuff, and I was always a little embarassed. In a loving way, of course. He's still the love of my life, even when he's wearing women's clothes, high out of his mind, and making up crap about dragons.

Nah. Sad, no. SCARY, a lot more likely.

He's still the love of my life, even when he's wearing women's clothes, high out of his mind, and making up crap about dragons.That is soooooo CUTE! :fluffle:

This one does. Unless you take issue with the intelligence of me, you, Neo Art, Dempublicents1, Neesika, Dakini, Brutland and Norden, The Parkus Empire, The Cat_Tribe, Lunatic Goofballs, The Pantsless Hero, Kyronea, Kryozerkia, Smunkeeville, etc., etc., and so on.

Yes, NSG has its share of buffoons (sometimes the same people!), but as far as forums go, the average level of discourse overall is far higher than I've seen elsewhere. NOTE: I have not visited every forum, but for this to apply to a fairly mainstream one is a decent accomplishment.

It also attracts the most modest specimens too! :p

EDIT: What the heck happened to the smilies?!

It's not sad, though it seems like it would be boring.

Irrelevant trolling OP aside, this got me thinking...why the hell is guitar such a popular instrument? Every tool and their dog tries to learn to play guitar. At first glance you might be say that it's because it's a lead instrument, but that really just depends on what/how you're playing, now, doesn't it? And it isn't ease of learning; banjo, ukulele, mandolin, etc. are all easier to learn but experience much less popularity. And in terms of awesomeness....piano and violin will always be at the top of the ladder there. So what is it about guitar? o.OIf you separate the good music from the bad, the instrument that appears most commonly in good music is the guitar.

If you separate the good music from the bad, the instrument that appears most commonly in good music is the guitar.

The guitar is a lot more portable than a piano. A violin is good for portability, but not so good for singing along to. Guitars are simply the most versatile. Plus, if you're a mediocre guitar player, you can probably get laid. You'd have to be an outstanding piano or violin player to get sex.

[/ass kissing]
.... a man can dream ....

NSG has its share of buffoons (sometimes the same people!)Brand.
*vogue*

It also attracts the most modest specimens too! :p

Aw, c'mon, I included the "you" as well as an "et al." -- two separate inclusive statements invalidate any claims of immodesty.

Don't they?

Please?

.... a man can dream ....

I'd kiss your ass, Straughn. A man of your wit and post history would deserve it.

Brand.
*vogue*

Not sure what this means, so I'm just gonna *nods* *smiles*.

Well, it depends.

There's the acting like you're really a nation part, and that's fine. I sign my telegrams with M. Stuart and speak of the High Council making decissions. I mean, that's fun.

Then there are other things, such as wars and sporting events. Less good, in my opinion. I wouldn't call it sad, because I'm not a jerk like the rest of the internet, I just find it a bit weird.

Role-playing can be very fun. But making it up as you go along? Nah, not for me.