I fully agree that the fluffinesss will never be entirely gone no matter how hard we try to work on the problem. I understand that it takes a lot of effort and time to sort through all the non sense and fluffy posts and spells. But one thing that I don't understand is that while Pet is the owner and admin of this site and he is the only one with the capability to delete spells and manage other functions of this site; perhaps and I say this only in the most non intrusive way, maybe there should be a group of members that have the privileges and ability to delete spells and sort through the fluffier aspects of the site.
I mean if we as serious and devoted members to our paths, traditions, and studies want to really take a stand and get things done then we should speak up about it and do something about it. Of course it will take time, effort, and patience but if we really want to clean up the site then those willing and interested should come together and talk to Pet and see if we can find a way to get things done.
There is no harm in trying to help, and I personally am tired of reading all the complaints that come in about the site, especially when most of it is just talk and not action. I know the moderators work hard at enforcing the rules live when they are logged in to chat and keep an eye on the forums, but the others areas of the site can be worked on especially the spells section, and I have also looked at the FAQ section and it could seriously use a lot of work and organization.
This site is amazing despite is flaws but I seriously believe if you want it to become better, then instead of complaining about it all the time, take the time and effort to speak with the admin, come up with plans and ideas to improve and change things for the better. I know the way things are now, if you see a fluffy spell rate it down as low as possible and mark it as spam. If you read a fluffy or misinformed post then take the time to respond by saying so and adding the correct information. We can either complain about things and be lazy about it, or we can recognize the problems and deal with it in an appropriate manner.
I complained initially only because of the incessant ridicule that came of the "fluffie" spells (I mean, the guy was looking for the most ridiculous things possible.) However I would be entirely willing to help weed-out some of the more "Harry Potter" spells, while leaving spells that actually have some integrity.
I think it is a little ridiculous to accuse this site of causing the fluff in the one you mentioned. Yes, it probably does have an influence, but it isn't the only influence out there- movies, books, computer games, etc. As White said, you can't blame children (and perhaps some adults!) for believing in fairy tales.
We cannot stop fluff. There is such a large amount, and as one gets removed from the site, another one comes. One step forward and two steps back. Although as Othala suggested, perhaps members who have permission to delete any fluffy spells would help, even if a small bit, especially as the admin and many of the moderators are quite busy. I also do believe a comment feature has been suggested, however whether Petrarca has chosen to implement that feature to spells on the site is not confirmed.
As Othala also suggested, if you see a fluffy spell, rate it low as possible and mark it as spam. If you see a misinformed person, it's up to you to take the time out to correct them rather than complaining about them, although I understand many are stubborn.
And if you don't like the site? Feel free to click the X button in the top right of your screen. You're here entirely of your own will.
I must agree with every word that was said by Othala and Aphoristic!
people who have the authority to take care of these false and fluffy spells are very busy and hundreds of spells are being reported every day. I am sorry that you never saw a result after trying to report something or do something , time may solve such things out at the end of everything. Lets not forget that other website and site script developments are always done to help us enjoy the site and to make our magic community larger, and all of this development requires a lot of time dedication.
Now, what i think we can currently do is to help each other to let the newbies and the beginner members is to use the spell rating system. By rating a spell down, we can prove that the spell does not worth serious treatment and a try of any member of the site.
We can also help each other by sharing our knowledge and let the newbies and the beginner members, to know that the fantasy spells are not real and they are just fantasy and no serious treatment can make them to come true. As all of us know, plenty of members are exposed and introduced to the magic community because they are looking for those spells, with the opinion that they will actually manage to let such spells to come true.At the end of all, we show to these members that what they have been looking for cannot come true, and by doing that we actually expose them to real magic and introduce them to practices that can be really done by magic practitioners. So what we can do is to say to all of the members who are seeking for the fluffs spells directly "what you have been looking for is a lie and cannot come true. Here are some practices that magic can actually offer you...". We can also help such members by making a lot of forum posts about real magic, and also by showing them by articles and informative posts well known misconceptions to avoid. I
was also thinking about making a dictionary of fantasy spells which can be seen on here, telling the newcomers to avoid them, also explaining them why their desires cannot come true by using magic.
We have experienced members after all, who can lead the newbies and the beginners to the proper directions. About improving the spam reporting system, there might by a development of this any time, we can just wait and see how our community is developed. As you know, the people who develop the site make a really good job and they work really hard for it. We can always help each other until this feature will be developed...
You are not tied to this site and nobody here forces you to stay here or be a member of this site. Do what you will. If you wish to handle the fluffs, role players and trolls - do it, it will be even helpful and respectful to the serious and experienced members of this site. You will also help beginners and newbies to learn and gain more knowledge. You will also help this site to develop itself and become better. If you will choose to stay and to handle all of the fluffs and trolls you might help us make the situation better so the site would match your interests and ambitions which are the reason you have made this forum thread for all of us.
You can also choose to give up, leave the site, delete yourself or just not take it seriously and stop being as active s you have always been. I can understand that it might be extremely frustrating to see members who do not take your loved website seriously, harm it and its members. Also the misguidance and the wrong information here can make a serious magic practitioner to be offended because we all take our practices and path seriously. Lets not forget the innocent beginners and newbie members who came here to study but get wrong information and misguidance instead of gaining knowledge and getting informed. It also leads them to wrong directions as well. So your statement and concerns are totally understandable and nobody really blames you for being concerned, frustrated and angry with the people who come here out of bad intentions.
But as people told you, if you wish not to handle with it and get over it - you are free to will and follow your heart and feelings.
But the things is that i do not really like to see people complaining in the public about subjects which are already well known although the best thing they can do to actually help is not to complain and just to be calm and to try to help and fix the wrong information and misguidance.
Complaining makes the situation only worse. As you know, the role players and fluff bunnies' intentions are to harm the site and to make it less qualified. By complaining about it and saying that this site is not qualified anymore you just tell them that they have achieved what the wanted and managed to harm the site and make it less qualified. By talking you just make a bigger noise and also cause worse things and troubles. Being silent and not complaining is actually a good thing to do to help our community. As you know, if people do not feel that they have achieved what the wanted and managed to make their ambitions to come true - they just give up and move on.
Perhaps if we would not complain so much the situation would be much better, don't you think?
You can help us with not complaining too much, as I have said.
As you know, all of the bad things have a good side. Please try to be positive and see the better side of the current situation, because it is very hard to miss it:
We have knowledgeable and experienced members who can help.
We are a big community of magic practitioners.
We still have hope!
Misguidance, wrong information and fluffs can always be corrected if you do your best, be positive and look at the better side of all of the things here.
I hope the update of this site includes getting rid of the fluffiness. The reputation of this site depends on it, I believe.I hate that idea! People who come here to learn are deterred when they come across such nonsense. This site is too important for that to happen anymore. Blessed Be...
Not to mention that, but every "average joe" and zealous Christians use such "fluffy" spells to cast a very poor light on the Pagan community as a whole, and we're taken less seriously because of it.
Now, I'm not one to snub fortune spells or spells to encourage love and certain weather conditions. However I think there's a point where it becomes too much - turning into a dragon and making a flying carpet, for instance.
"Not to mention that, but every 'average joe' and zealous Christians use such 'fluffy' spells to cast a very poor light on the Pagan community as a whole, and we're taken less seriously because of it."
Totally. When we bring up the issue of fluffiness I see a lot of people saying we don't need to worry to much about it because anyone serious about it will eventually grow up on their own. The people who a serious about magick are totally not the ones we need to worry about though. It's the people who have only a passing interest but who will tell about their experiences, it's the outsider looking in, it's the antagonist looking for something to spin on its ear and present as evil.
