Member levels

[Monk]

Heh, Kas--as usual, you are too kind. Thank you but there are things of which you are probably not aware. And I don't really value such labels of merit anyway.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I have, in the past, complained stridently about the Member vs. Senior Member distinction being elitist. I have, in the past, requested removal of my Hall of Fame award to support this point of view, and was refused. This, along with some clan issues back in the VI days, prompted my change of account to Masamune (new account, no badge, etc.). Only recently did I request that account be merged back into my original in anticipation of S2TW, a request which was kindly granted.

There was one occasion long ago when I, as a matter of principle, refused to apologize after deliberately insulting an elite Backroom member. You might remember how rigid I can be about principle. The mod who asked me to apologize is now an admin. I think that incident had a lasting negative effect. And there were plenty of others, less poignant, but I'm sure, annoying to staff. As my old "un-clan" leader and MP wing m8, you probably remember that I can be as much a pain in the ass as I can be a help. I say it how I see it, and often don't sugar-coat. Sincerity and all that. Being "just" a member is fine. Preferred, actually. Thanks for the shout-out though, m8.

You were around in the days of the original Shogun, playing MP. You've led ambitious projects to improve and diversify the community and were good at it. You were well-known and respected in the MP community long before I even knew what GL HF and 4 max no ashi meant. I think most if not all who know you here would agree that you definitely deserve the distinction of Senior Member. It's good to have you back. Please stay for a while.

Sorry if I'm jumping in here late, allow me to give a bit from Staff perspective.

The purpose behind the Senior membership tag is not at all an attempt to divide or make distinction between favorites and undesirables. In its simplest, it is a way that we (the staff) see fit to give our thanks to those members who have done extraordinary things for both the .Org and the Total War community at large. This normally takes the form of guides or walkthroughs of consistent and amazing quality, but can also be as simple as welcoming new users to the site and answering the mundane questions that everyone has when coming to a new place.

It is the way for us to demonstrate an example to others and to honor those efforts. In the past, some have misunderstood our intentions and thought themselves above our rules simply because they were senior members, which is nothing short of dishonorable by definition. When it comes to dealing out infractions or deleting offending material, the membership status of a user is never once on my mind in regards to the severity of the punishment received. All incidents are taken on a case by case methodology. To my knowledge the staff has never turned away feedback or criticism because someone was "just a member".

As for the incident you describe, Togakure, I can't comment as I don't know the specifics. Though I can say personally since I first saw you posting (on the Masamune account) you've been nothing short of a positive influence here. If you're curious, the only thing that changes for you when you become a Senior is a bigger PM box.

Back on topic...the rank thingy not a big issue of course...was just wondering about it.

If you'd really like to be demoted, send a PM to one of our admins (Ser Clegane or TosaInu) to get the ball rolling, we have removed the senior membership tag in the past on request - i can't see why that'd be different now.