Chaos Engineers

[Whiskers]

Dear friends,

Chris Handy and Berry Sizemore have had their titles changed to Chaos Engineer from the more obvious titles. I’ve been thinking about this for a while and I hope you find this agreeable. Our titles remain in the Credits page: for the Forum It really seems unnecessary. To further reduce the perception of some kind of authority structure or exclusion list. I’m afraid some people are put off by it, and so I’d like the site to reflect a crew of people making active contributions. I’m considering creating a rank called “Contributor� for some who have made a contribution, but no longer actively participates. I’d like your opinions on that one. Back to the Chaos Engineers, I’ve stripped us of our stars.

[PsychicWarVeteran]

Sounds fine to me, Berry.

As far as losing the stars go, I'm reminded of Bruce Lee's attitude regarding 'belts' is Kung Fu. He told a student belts were simply to hold your pants up.

The stars mean nothing, nor do the number of posts. Nomad the Troll commented that he didn't care 'how many posts I had', as if that mattered for anything. :? Sure, it controls the different titles (Citizen of Tanelorn, Guardian of the Grail, etc.), which I think is really cool, so it has its purpose. But the idea I'm someone special because I shoot my mouth off a lot in the forums is absurd.

So, anyway, way to go. Sounds like a plan. Thanks for the explanation.

[Kitsune]

I rember hearing that the color belts were based on the fact that students would wash their uniforms but not their belts.... so eventually grass stains would turn them yellow, then green, and eventually they would become black.

I have to agree with PWV, the amount of posts shouldn't matter, it's the quality of what the person is saying at the time that should be important.

[PsychicWarVeteran]

I rember hearing that the color belts were based on the fact that students would wash their uniforms but not their belts.... so eventually grass stains would turn them yellow, then green, and eventually they would become black.

Quite right, Kitsune. The colors do in fact represent the transition the belt takes as it ages. In fact, in certain styles, the grandmaster's belt is, once again, white, representing the belt at the condition of being threadbare.

white: new
yellow: stained from sweat
green: stained from grass
blue/purple: representing bruises, as best I can figure. :?
red: stained from new blood
brown: stained with old blood
black: completely soiled from years of use

Also true is that idea that the belt is not washed. My Tae Kwon Do master made it quite clear that washing the belt was a no-no. The uniform, however, was to be crisp and clean at all times.

[Grey Mouser]

That sounds cool to me Berry. I think you should follow your instincts on this as you tend to have a really good feel for what will work here, and you can always change things back or try something different if it doesn't work out. You and Chris have always been the real Chaos Engineers anyway, as you're the only ones with the technical skills to fully live up to the title.

Re the stars, I didn't even notice they were missing 'till I checked this thread. :roll: