[PASSED 06/22/09] [Civitate] magickyleo101 (Patron: PowerWizard)

**Astaroth** · June 13, 2009, 12:48 PM

Client: magickyleo101
I'd like to become a citizen for two reasons:

First, one of my favorite things about TWC is the (geographically/politically/philosophically) diverse community that the forum brings together, especially in the discussion/debate subforum, and I'd like to be a part of that. I think the way that the forum self-selects for a certain level of intelligence and interest in things like history is really great and it means that you can have conversations here that would be really hard to have anywhere else.

Second, I realize it's really nerdy, but I think the institutional structure of TWC is just exceedingly cool. I spent a while when I first came to TWC reading through sections of the forum like the tribunal and the curia and I think it's really amazing that a community of people related to each other only through the internet can govern itself so well. I think it's really great that members make, take seriously, and discuss decisions regarding the forum, and I'd love to be even a small part of that.

As for what I think I would bring to TWC as a citizen:

First, I'd like to think that my posts so far have been well thought out and constructed. I'd give as examples of this my posts about the 4th Amendment, the retributive theory of punishment, attempted murder vs. thought crime, the "cost" justification for the death penalty, and the illegal immigration debate.

Second, as I mentioned above, a lot of what's great about TWC is the really diverse set of encompassed by the community, and I think I could add to that. I have a strong background and interest in philosophy (a degree and some graduate work) as well as a growing background in the Anglo-American legal tradition.

I think this is important because web forum debate frequently reverts to the same repetitive debates about god, abortion, or the death penalty. With my background and experience I like to think that I could introduce at least some new topics. Although it wasn't quite as successful as I had hoped, I would point to my thread on the debate over patriotism as an example of that.

**Viking Prince** · June 13, 2009, 03:49 PM

The applicant has been active for March to the current which would be the same as membership starting then. So the applicant meets both the spirit as well as the letter of the rules regarding time. The post count is a bit low for a D&D basis for application though. The quality of the posts are quite good. I was already impressed with the posts prior to PW bringing the application on citizenship.

My interchange with him on the assault weapons is quite good. His most extensive post was:
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...22#post5358522

My only concern is the thin post count. I shall await other comments.

**~~Pontifex Maximus~~** · June 14, 2009, 08:29 AM

I'm also concerned about the light post count. Most of the civies we pass now are usually in or close to the thousands, but all of his posts seem spot on and there is nothing in the rules or constitution that would bar him from eligibility, and despite this one minor setback, I am otherwise leaning to vote yes, so I think I will vote yes.

**Squid** · June 14, 2009, 02:44 PM

Despite the lack of posts I'm very impressed with his posting. I will vote yes.

**Xavier Dragnesi** · June 15, 2009, 12:23 AM

Disregarding only having some 102 posts, I must say that his posts show great intellect and thought. Moreover, from the threads listed above, I can see that his attitude and communication with fellow members is greatly commendable. Based on this, and the belief that he will continue to make such quality contributions to the D & D forums, I think I shall vote a yes.

**Astaroth** · June 15, 2009, 07:19 AM

Poll added.

**Captain Blackadder** · June 16, 2009, 03:19 AM

Whilst there a very few posts and normally I would say no. But these posts are of such excellent quality that I will say yes. If he does fail I am sure that it will not be long before we see him again and he will be passed.

**y2day** · June 16, 2009, 07:58 AM

Great poster but the time spent inactive does him no favor. I vote no for now. If he makes a commitment with content staff or continues doing what he is doing for a longer period of time it will be a yes.

**the Black Prince** · June 17, 2009, 06:56 AM

hmmm

this is borderline, but I will say Yes. Post count is irrelevant, time served is irrelevant, so long as the min criteria are met. The bottom line is this guy makes some very decent posts of very high quality on a range of issues in the D&D. Who cares that he only has 100 or so posts. Quality over quantity is what citizenship is about.

**y2day** · June 17, 2009, 07:17 AM

I agree but a civitate should have quality and quantity imo.

**Justinian** · June 19, 2009, 02:41 PM

I say yes despite the low post count -- quality, not quantity, as they say.

**Augustus Lucifer** · June 21, 2009, 12:03 AM

I think in this case quality outweighs the need for quantity. But that is why we have 12 Councilors, because we all have our thresholds. Would any of us say quality > quantity if he only had 5 posts(assuming there was no statute against it)? I don't think we would even if they were essays, simply because there's no element of consistency until you have a properly sized test sample(you don't conclude drug trials on 5 patients even if they represent every demographic).

But I'd say that the quantity we look for before dismissing it is satisfied by the statute in place for minimum posts required to apply. And the quality of his 100 posts I would take any day over 1,000 posts of mediocrity. He is very adept at formatting his responses to present his case in a very legible manner on top of being cordial and at times eloquent. Certainly the site would be a much better place if everyone who had 1,000 posts of spam were instead to post 100 times of high quality, and it is the standard we wish to purvey to the site that we ask our citizens to embody.