I finally understand what Giggler means in her article "Restriction, Confinement, and Conformity". It is early afternoon on Whyville and it is not very busy. Yet, as soon as I get into the Pool Party, I discover total and utter chaos.
I have been asked out three times and I am not even out of the pile yet. I notice one girl wearing an extremely provocative shirt labeled 'sexy' in bright red (and I am still wondering why Akbar accepted it -- no doubt a mistake!). Someone has already approached me about being in a gang and another asked me to make fun of a friend of hers. I notice someone exclaiming that all gay guys are hot, while another group is fighting about which person has more style. I try my hardest to not complain, and yet, this is a problem that has been happening for a long time now.
And I conjecture I am supposed to have fun, right?!
I mean, where is the fun in that? I hardly come on to chat anymore, and when I do -- it seems like a battle zone all around me. I am either too perplexed to talk to someone, constantly rejecting people who are asking if I am in a relationship, or upset at the constant bickering and contemptuous comments people throw at each other. I cannot remember the last time I had a civil conversation with someone without interruptions, dodging comments, or being disgusted by how the fashion has gone from respectful and sophisticated??? to a Britney Spears concert.
Sure we have Y-Helpers and the Safety Patrol Team, but as Giggler explains, it does not do much good. The power for them only lies in people who seem threatening or dangerous, and in all fairness, fights on Whyville do not normally pose a threat to an individual's safety. It is true that Y-Helpers are citizens who share much knowledge about what to do around Whyville; however, their power only lies in answering y-mails from flustered and abashed citizens.
Do you think that this inappropriate behavior on Whyville has been around for too long? Is it time for Whyville to institute another group of individuals to monitor the chat-rooms, to bring down the arguments and calm the fights? Would they be citizens or actual workers of Whyville? Although it does seem like a cure for our emerging problems, there are several disadvantages to this solution. How would Whyville come up with the money in order to afford new workers who would monitor the conduct of citizens, making sure that it is up to par?
If citizens were to be appointed for such a position, what tools would they have? Would we add on more privileges to the Safety Patrol workers -- or compose a new team all together? Is it time that the report tool has a new section, one for minor problems that you believe need to be handled? On the other hand, would this take away from the time that City Workers spend on examining other more serious 911 reports? So many questions need to be asked!
Yes, hiring someone would cost money, something that Whyville does not have a vast supply of. Citizens *could* try to change the problem themselves, and the same rules would apply as with those individuals who are members of the Safety Patrol. If you make a frivolous report, you are kicked off the team.
Giggler has talked about sponsors, and I agree with her when she explains that companies won't be interested in us unless the fights, inappropriate behavior, and scandalous-looking clothes come to and end. Besides, who would want to sponsor a site where everyone is fighting and covered in clothes that reveal over half of your body? Would companies see Whyville as having a Safety Patrol Team and *perhaps* another assembly of citizens who help monitor the chat rooms as a good thing?
You might not think so, but I do. If I were a company looking to sponsor Whyville, I would most likely be impressed to see what the workers of Whyville have thought of. They have managed to keep the town safe as well as fun and free of useless swindles. Not to mention that they have given citizens the opportunity to engross themselves in helping their own town. However, this is just an opinion. I don't intend on speaking for the majority when I say that.
This may not only affect Whyville's capacity to be involved in sponsorships, but bad behavior also makes citizens not want to come back! I know several people who are not renewing their Y-Pass purchases because they cannot handle the fights, comments, and the inglorious clothes people wear nowadays. I am sure that is not what Whyville wants -- for citizens who do enjoy Whyville to leave because they are upset about the conduct of others.
As I stand here and watch what is going on, I know something has to be done. What could it be? Is there anything that we actually *can* do? Here is to hoping that the bad behavior stops so we can all enjoy Whyville the right way.
Come on Kids,
TIKE
