FAILED[Citizen] Genius of the Restoration (patron: Jom)

[Legio]

Client: Genius of the Restoration

Patron: Jom

Client: Genius of the Restoration

I think I deserve to be a citizen for my contribution to the D&D part of the forum as well as maintaining a helpful and sometimes conciliatory presence on the RTW sub-fora since I joined.

In the D&D I've posted mostly in the EMM, VV and the Mudpit. I hope I've debated fairly and without attacking the people behind the arguments.
Here is a post from my first real debate on the forum from last year:

This is the first post I made in what turned out to be a conversation in the Mudpit about Islam, though it started about an isolated incident in a university, though these things get stressed a little too much sometimes.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

That thread continues with some more posts by myself about sources. In particular, I was irritated by what I saw as a posting of a source to back up a preconceived position without critically examining the source itself and then saying it was the "best survey conceivable" when it didn't actually support the argument of the poster. Sloppy use of sources is one of my pet hates, and a deliberate misconstruing of them is even worse IMO.

I am always looking for the sources behind the arguments and that's something that I place a great deal of value in. I also know that it's quite possible that I'm wrong, and I've found myself outdone on a couple of occasions while I've been on TWC and have accepted that graciously as a learning experience.

Hinduism isn't discussed much in EMM, so I hope my involvement in this thread shed some light on some of the issues involved in classifying and differentiating religious traditions from traditions that they grew out of.

On the topic of Eastern religion, I've been involved in a few discussions with hellas1 about Buddhism. I had a hard time understanding his posts and debates seem to go around in circles. Nevertheless I think I refuted his points with reference to his own sources.


RTW is what initially brought me to TWC and I've maintained an interest in the RTW General Discussion and Battle Planning sections. I've written a number of guides and campaigns, some have been more successful than others. My Rebel Campaign Strategy Guide was (still is I think) the first detailed one I could fine online and was added to the Scriptorium.
My Greek Cities Speed Run campaign that I went through turn-by-turn was reviewed by Juvenal for the Critic's Quill, though I hadn't set out with the idea of recording the campaign as an AAR in the conventional sense, but more as guide for other players.

I try to answer all the questions about RTW that I can and I also try to be positive and supportive to everyone on there seeing as the poor forum isn't as lively as it used to be. I've had positive feedback from a number of people who were previously not registered on TWC thanking me for what I've written which is nice. One person even created an account just to say thanks and ask for some tips via PM without making a post. Here for instance is a reply to a question regarding the about raising income by queueing units.


I think I've made valuable contributions to both the Total War and Common Communities since I joined TWC and look forward to more of it. I hope you'll consider me for Citizenship so I can have more to do with the site.

Patron: Jom

Genius of the Restoration first really caught my eye in one of my equally favourite and least favourite threads: debates around Islam, specifically about the followers of Islam and their supposed violence of extreme views. The thread in question is this one revolving around what a Muslim student said about Hamas. The thread was divided into two camps: those claiming that this is typical of Muslims, and those trying to point out that it was not. Genius of the Restoration was on the side of the latter, and used impressive analysis of data as can be seen here and in other posts of his. These posts are by no means atypical of Genius of the Restoration; he is capable of writing very long and informative analyses of the topic at hand, providing information for all those reading the thread and introducing new theories to the debate. That is why I think he would make excellent Citizen material and I hope you agree with me.

[Legio]

I'm looking very favorably on this applicant. Back when I would help out and moderate the Total War Eras boards, he was pretty much a beacon of intelligent and helpful posting. His guides are great and he will frequently go out of his way to help other players of Rome Total War. He also has a spotless moderation record, at least as of late April. An actual moderator will have to confirm this.


But a definite yes from me.

[Hesus de bodemloze]

I am on the breach of an Abstain or No, his guides are a nice asset to his patronization process but i would like to see a bit more of him before voting Yes.

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

I am on the breach of an Abstain or No, his guides are a nice asset to his patronization process but i would like to see a bit more of him before voting Yes.

Yes, I concur that He is on the path and headed in the right direction. Being a quality member is honorable, however that's just part of the package. If the applicant wishes to stay in the areas presented here then perhaps a visit to Fight Club, initiating & guiding debates, or even more strategy guides, "If" that is something that calls the applicant.


A No for this time though.

[Viking Prince]

A quick snapshot regarding D&D

Looking at post count
A bit over 1600 posts with 43 thread starts

Within D&D
11 thread starts -- 3 Arts, 7 EMM and one in VV

The VV thread Did Corinth cause the Peloponnesian War? was an interesting start with a bit of a controversial position, but the member did not promote discussion by responding to the other members. He also did not bring forward additional resources to support the initial essay.

In the Arts:
Favourite Beatles Album -- poll thread and nothing more of substance.
The Beatles Remastered -- a should I buy thread -- he did provide 3 followup posts, not a discussion of any substance though
Star Wars Remastered Rant -- title says it all

Now for the meat of the thread starts -- EMM:
How close have you been to converting? longest thread dominated by Pome with only two follow up posts by the applicant. Not a good thread for the applicant's resume.

Degrees of Moral Depravity longer thread with 6 follow up posts. Unfortunately this is another poll thread. Polls do not promote discussion. A wall of chouces and no extensive opening to the thread to set the discussion is not a good combination. This post sums up my feelings of the thread:

The poll is poorly structured since it does not take account of the view that two or more of the options are equally morally-neutral, e.g. the fairly common liberal position that abortion (if voluntary), euthanasia (if voluntary) and gay marriage are all not only not immoral, but that morality isn't even relevant to those issues.

The poll can only be truly voted in by someone who already considers at least 2 of those 3 things immoral, e.g. a religious type.

The Religion You're Least Familiar With longer thread with 5 follow up posts -- unfortunately this is a poll thread asking for information. Not a good basis for discussion.

Stealing in the Digital Age with some followup posts -- an area that I have posted a bit in the past myself (I did not find it interesting enough to post in though) SigniferOne had the best posts in the thread, but the applicant was at least willing to discuss the issue over a series of posts. That the applicant was wrong in my thinking is not really important. This was an acceptable thread that I would expect from a citizen.

Religious Identification with 3 ollow up posts -- a moderately interesting thread
When is culling immoral? with one folow up posts -- this could have been interesting, but it died out through lack of interest, not the fault of the op though.
What is myth? with 4 follow up posts -- meh

I have not looked into his other D&D posts yet. As far as starting a disussion and maintaining the discussion, I would give him a C+. His thread starts are more like a late night talk show host asking questions and not really taking a stand. Without taking a stand it is difficult to engage the members in a discussion.

[Belisarius]

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/tags....g=genius+guide

Positive start IMO.

[Legio]

In complete agreement.

[Belisarius]

Legio, hire him please. He writes guides.

[Legio]

Before or after the vote here concludes?

[Legio]

I'll take that as a do it now.

[Legio]

PRIVATE MESSAGE SENT

[Viking Prince]

After a further look at the D&D posts (other than his thread starts covered in an earlier post), I cannot see sufficient contributions for citizen.

His two guides (well one guide and an AAR that is also pretty much a guide) are very good. Another one or two of this quality would be nice.

He is a member with enthusiasm and clearly polite to others with his posting style -- above and beyond what are the minimal expectations of members and citizens. I am still sitting on the fence. I might also try and nab him for the ES as a writer though. Sigh. What a problem. Well I still have time to make up my opinion on this and I will probably need it all before I cast a vote. All that I can thiink of it Mega's enthusiasm and how long he waited for citizenship.

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

If it comes to rounding up or down then round up. If one's round's down then the standards automatically start declining. The criteria in question is contribution. It is not that a person is noble, or caring of others... Being a good person always counts, but it is not counted as a contribution.

[MCM]

Nope for now

[Empress Meg]

Poll is up.

Messaged these two users as well to explain the time delay was due to me and not because of them or the application.

Devoirs The Empress

[Legio]

Yes.

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

Voted No, for reasons stated.

[Legio]

Just saw this.
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...42#post7923342
Looks excellent. Look at it, everyone.

[Viking Prince]

After a further look at the D&D posts (other than his thread starts covered in an earlier post), I cannot see sufficient contributions for citizen.

His two guides (well one guide and an AAR that is also pretty much a guide) are very good. Another one or two of this quality would be nice.

He is a member with enthusiasm and clearly polite to others with his posting style -- above and beyond what are the minimal expectations of members and citizens. I am still sitting on the fence. I might also try and nab him for the ES as a writer though. Sigh. What a problem. Well I still have time to make up my opinion on this and I will probably need it all before I cast a vote. All that I can thiink of it Mega's enthusiasm and how long he waited for citizenship.

Just saw this.
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...42#post7923342
Looks excellent. Look at it, everyone.

This helps me. A good thing that I still need to cast a vote. Yes.

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

Just saw this.
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...42#post7923342
Looks excellent. Look at it, everyone.

This helps me. A good thing that I still need to cast a vote. Yes.

and Magistrate Legio saves yet another Member vote from falling to the darkside....



Only if we had seen this prior to casting a ballot.... The Early Campaign Conquest Guide is well presented...