Allow me a rant, if you will. Mishkin, who will inevitably read this, will no doubt be lost as I don't intend to chop down on length. So lets begin.
It is my opinion that the problem of the Curia cannot be approached in adjustments to its constitution, nor in a short-lived spree of ambitious proposals such as Order 66's attempt to reforge the place or the well meant smaller initiatives recently approaching bits of this and that across the site. To be bold, I would say those efforts are ultimately frivolous, and that's speaking for the best of what I've seen as of late in thoughts, never mind the telling, but not especially productive conversation in the CCT or the entire VonC business. If that's the best we can do, well, that's indeed a sorry state. But I don't think everyone, many at least, want to see it that way. I believe the Curia lacks a vision unto itself. Distinct standards are a mystery; what is standard citizen behavior? It would appear to me that, in the need of everyone we can get, the standard is now 'you're active and not completely controversial, welcome aboard'. We have an apparatus that was built to be an ear to the administration, yet it would seem the administration finds this place an irritation at most, if not a source of semi-regular amusement for its occasional flails. Its powers and influence have waned with the entire site's power and influence waning in the wider series. It is on the brink of clarifying itself as no more than an awards committee; I've seen talks to push for distinctive Curial office to be eliminated and merged into Staff proper, with the rest of its functions largely being taken over in that same way, with its practicality merged in large part with the Q&S. And at this point, there isn't a terribly strong argument against that. I think, of all times, the Curia could certainly have that discussion now, and erode itself into nothingness - because there is no vision, passion, initiative. I don't want to be that individual. I'm a background player at best, better served with either the long game or an actual situation of panic.
Yet, to me, the panic is here, we just don't want to see it. We're appeased by the little things that show up, while still wandering about in the bigger picture as we're desensitized to the tempting option of consolidating everything and eliminating something that right now, is largely a redundant entity and samey routines and procedures, since again, its strongest argument can be placed in being an award committee, and by no means is its control on that field an exclusive one. Gone are the days of particularly interesting elections, certainly; you almost have to beg someone to do something if you don't have good sports like King Athelstan or Cope to fill the holes. People not caring is a stacking equation, and as we settle in that state, I would tell you that it's only going to worsen as time goes on. I'm willing to bet in the real possibility this thread devolves to nowhere, at most gets a few 'I agree' sprinkled with 'you're dumb and here's why' and that's the end of people's concern, we're just going to go further down, and with the opportunity to change passed away, nothing short of a miraculous Ged revival would stop it. Even then I don't think it would be enough. One user will not fix the site.
Although, considering the one who theoretically can above all is absent, it just makes this problem several times harder. But not impossible. Allow me to stray from the doom and gloom.
The Curia has a legacy for representing a higher standard of contribution; if you've truly done something content wise to promote TWC and you have an agreeable outlook, as subjective as that may be individually, you'll get in. Lets be more concerned not just about finding that, but promoting it. Promoting it for ourselves. Discussing things like this very topic, lending additional view to the problem; if you see it, if you don't, clarification or ways to improve things here that aren't disjointed individual initiatives, but are efforts to build up a wider vision - build up the legacy for the curia itself in a better era, omitting things that said era didn't do terribly well. Consider and contribute to the whole, the experience, the things that drive people away for their problems rather than a more middling crisis with ambiguously helpful mid-solutions. I'd say our strength is in community, not routine. If anything, salvation may come through streamlining the routine to an extent in other areas, so the efforts may be used in a direction closer to the path of progress.
I call on Hex members still active and reading to reverse the trend and promote the Curia discussing things that would otherwise be in the purview of staff. Be open. Say things for what they are, clearly, in places easily found. In transparency we can more collectively attempt to propose solutions. When everything is kept in-house regarding plans, the current situations, what specifically is needed, ambition and initiative, and all is locked up with SND, nobody has a bloody clue what's going on, and a large part of the Curia's potential function is sabotaged. I would say the best suggestions are defined by understanding, and you get that from actual information, not in crapshoots where people hope to hit one of many invisible cards that aren't a red herring. As much as the Curia is responsible for defining itself, those involved with it, who can derive use from it, are responsible in helping as well when a revival in the Curia can lead to revival across the site. It's been a mutual stonewall. Why not end it here, while - I think - we still have the numbers to do it?
I ask for anyone who agrees to express their will to pursue such things, to discuss a modern 'goal' of the Curia so it is doing things for its own sake in a meaningful direction, rather than simply spiraling out into its many branches of thought as it does now even as other communities sap at the bottom line. I'd like to know who can avail themselves to doing what may be possible now, even with a concerning absence of technical staff in activity and numbers. Given the complete circle Modding Staff followed, clearly some things are possible. For this effort I'd like us to look at two things; where we want to go, and only once that's established, the first priorities in how to get there.
First, I guess I wonder who cares and just want to make sure I'm not settling this in a very small echo chamber. If so, well, that's answer enough I guess.