Sunday, May 13th, 2007
Issue: 23   Editor: MsNyxxie


Chaos on Bootleggers? OohLaLa
Chaos can be rather inspiring. I, for one, always encourage an organized rebellion of an oppressive or foolish force. After watching Star Wars and reading 1984, nothing excites me more than an underdog in a valiant attempt to rebel – whether successful or not. This is not, however, my topic of discussion. I believe that every oppressive force needs a bit of bedlam and every oppressed individual can experience refreshment in this chaos.

A tyrannical force operates in one of two ways: first, it can dominate the oppressed completely, or, alternatively, it can be placed in a position of authority that cannot be revoked by the oppressed. Although option one has many exciting facets, allow me to focus on the latter. In this focus, allow me to provide an example of a boss.

Crew members – having no viable way to “impeach” their leader – are placed in a powerless position. Often unorganized and individualized, the majority of Bootleggers' players have never been reputable for devising clever, infallible plots. Habitually fueled by rage and lacking vision, even the most inadequate of Crew bosses can hold their ground against hordes of subversive players. However, through their rather unrefined form, one civilized constant stands true: respect is always earned, never given. This is where the chaos comes alive.

The most prepared and exceptional of bosses hold a certain presence in a crew. Without yelling, fussing, or threatening, a powerful boss demands respect with the mere influence of their knowledge of subject matter and educational ability. Some educators do not demand – nor deserve – such respect. In their classes, chaos transpires. These teachers often blame the teenagers, visibly ignore the organized rebellion, or dismiss the chaos as a “sign of the times.” The chaos is, however, the result of a lack of respect. This deficiency directly results from poor didactic aptitude and lacking knowledge.

Universal and unavoidable chaos appears in place of leadership. Chaos fills the cracks, crevices, seams, and, God forbid, holes that a lacking oppressor leaves unattended. This is the refreshing solace of the browbeaten: chaos not only fills these fissures, but it expands as it collects. Inevitably, the concrete subjugation will break apart. The oppressed may sit back – quietly and obediently – and observe as the system breaks around them.

Written by Matt Zeller

After coming across this article on one of my favourite websites, I realized how much it can reflect the actions within the game...I changed a few words and it fit perfectly.

In light of this week's activities - I thought it was a good time to reflect thought on it. Every word in the above articles expresses exactly how I feel about it and I'm fairly sure majority feels the same way.

The line: one civilized constant stands true: respect is always earned, never given shows what most say on a day-to-day basis in the Game Forum. We cannot forget LukkyB's respect meter. Respect influences how we play, who we know, what we do and what we say. Without that - how are we going to play properly?
Also, if someone wrote this about chaos reflected in real life - does that mean Bootleggers reflects how people are in real life? Does it prove that majority do not just put up a chaotic front? Does it show that that's what they would do generally? Are they just doing what they have done to rebel against any oppressive feeling they seem to have over them?

Or are they just doing it for means of entertainment?
You decide.