07-02-2025, 05:26 PM
Preface
I have made countless friends through this community, but I can't say I "belong" to any specific "clique". I hang out with a lot of you outside of this server, and that includes caribou. Honestly though, I think the last time I played a game with him regularly was 6-7 months ago, but we do still stay in touch. Like some of you, Caribou and I had beef in the past which has included months of no contact, but we always end up having a private conversation and talk things out.
If you think I'm biased, so be it, but you can view my post history to see that I'm always advocating to get regulars unbanned for reasons outside of hacking if they've shown interest in coming back and improving. I'm always in favor of giving people a chance, and like in this case, sometimes multiple.
"Sweats" vs "I'm here to be social" problem on TTT
I've been playing TTT on and off for like, 10+ years, and this has always been somewhat of an issue no matter what server you're on. There are players that want to get headshots and win, and there are players that want to sit in a circle holstered talking about random shit. Neither of these are a problem until players start developing a mindset that the other side is playing wrong or ruining the server.
More so, it becomes problematic when the "I'm here to be social" players have this unrealistic expectation that every player should be low skill or take their time playing the game so people can play at their own pace. Whether it's malice directed at stoked, frost, caribou, fridge, caddy, fanta, etc., I've noticed an excessive amount of complaining in game that comes from regulars towards these high-skill players when they're simply playing the game. After a while, of course they're going to retaliate, and I think staff reaction to this is a bit biased as I've witnessed this "anti-sweat" sentiment among trusted, mods, and admins. Admittedly, I get dumpstered on by these mentioned players all the time, and while I might have temporary gripes, I don't hold long-term grudges against them, nor do I provoke them in DMs. Accepting fair defeat is a life skill that not many of the "anti-sweats" seem to have.
It's also problematic when this "I'm here to be social" group presumes everyone to be responsive and friendly towards them in game. It's kind of an unfair precedent to set if you're also shitting on players for being skilled. I've noticed players hold a grudge against caribou simply for him not acknowledging them. Nobody owes you their attention or validation in game, and if you use any online space with strangers for that, you're setting yourself up for failure. Most of the time, I'm all for being social and positive towards people in game, but this saccrine positivity aka everyone has to be wholesome all the time mindset is awful and never gives people space to air their grievances with each other.
I know this seems potentially off-topic, but I think it's important as it's often the root of conflict between caribou and other players.
Harassment is bad, but punishment was served
I've seen some of the examples, I agree that some of the comments were uncalled for. However, I think the lengthy time already served is appropriate.
I know from past conversations that caribou has been through a lot the past two years (losing a life-long pet, moving across the world, other things too private to share) and has certainly taken his stress out on the wrong people, but I don't believe he's done anything so severe he should be prevented from playing indefinitely. As previously mentioned, I participate in a few communities he's in and I've noticed big improvements with how he interacts with others.
Additionally, while a couple of the grudges are understandable, some of them are more along the lines of "you had it coming". Not naming anyone specifically, but you can't be upset at someone calling you fat if you're body shaming people a week later over voice chat. You can control being fat, but you can't control the features you were shaming people for. This is disgusting, perma-victim behavior, and I've seen a lot of that on the forums and on discord regarding this appeal.
Side advice
This advice applies to everyone in this community, including Caribou. If someone is bothering you in game over chat, voicechat, discord, etc, remember, muting and blocking exists. Keep in mind that everyone you are interacting with in-game is human, all with their own life experiences, stress, and problems. You don't know if someone is really struggling or dealing with a mental crisis, so if you're truly going at it with someone in a combative manner, just drop the conversation and mute. It isn't worth it.
I have made countless friends through this community, but I can't say I "belong" to any specific "clique". I hang out with a lot of you outside of this server, and that includes caribou. Honestly though, I think the last time I played a game with him regularly was 6-7 months ago, but we do still stay in touch. Like some of you, Caribou and I had beef in the past which has included months of no contact, but we always end up having a private conversation and talk things out.
If you think I'm biased, so be it, but you can view my post history to see that I'm always advocating to get regulars unbanned for reasons outside of hacking if they've shown interest in coming back and improving. I'm always in favor of giving people a chance, and like in this case, sometimes multiple.
"Sweats" vs "I'm here to be social" problem on TTT
I've been playing TTT on and off for like, 10+ years, and this has always been somewhat of an issue no matter what server you're on. There are players that want to get headshots and win, and there are players that want to sit in a circle holstered talking about random shit. Neither of these are a problem until players start developing a mindset that the other side is playing wrong or ruining the server.
More so, it becomes problematic when the "I'm here to be social" players have this unrealistic expectation that every player should be low skill or take their time playing the game so people can play at their own pace. Whether it's malice directed at stoked, frost, caribou, fridge, caddy, fanta, etc., I've noticed an excessive amount of complaining in game that comes from regulars towards these high-skill players when they're simply playing the game. After a while, of course they're going to retaliate, and I think staff reaction to this is a bit biased as I've witnessed this "anti-sweat" sentiment among trusted, mods, and admins. Admittedly, I get dumpstered on by these mentioned players all the time, and while I might have temporary gripes, I don't hold long-term grudges against them, nor do I provoke them in DMs. Accepting fair defeat is a life skill that not many of the "anti-sweats" seem to have.
It's also problematic when this "I'm here to be social" group presumes everyone to be responsive and friendly towards them in game. It's kind of an unfair precedent to set if you're also shitting on players for being skilled. I've noticed players hold a grudge against caribou simply for him not acknowledging them. Nobody owes you their attention or validation in game, and if you use any online space with strangers for that, you're setting yourself up for failure. Most of the time, I'm all for being social and positive towards people in game, but this saccrine positivity aka everyone has to be wholesome all the time mindset is awful and never gives people space to air their grievances with each other.
I know this seems potentially off-topic, but I think it's important as it's often the root of conflict between caribou and other players.
Harassment is bad, but punishment was served
I've seen some of the examples, I agree that some of the comments were uncalled for. However, I think the lengthy time already served is appropriate.
I know from past conversations that caribou has been through a lot the past two years (losing a life-long pet, moving across the world, other things too private to share) and has certainly taken his stress out on the wrong people, but I don't believe he's done anything so severe he should be prevented from playing indefinitely. As previously mentioned, I participate in a few communities he's in and I've noticed big improvements with how he interacts with others.
Additionally, while a couple of the grudges are understandable, some of them are more along the lines of "you had it coming". Not naming anyone specifically, but you can't be upset at someone calling you fat if you're body shaming people a week later over voice chat. You can control being fat, but you can't control the features you were shaming people for. This is disgusting, perma-victim behavior, and I've seen a lot of that on the forums and on discord regarding this appeal.
Side advice
This advice applies to everyone in this community, including Caribou. If someone is bothering you in game over chat, voicechat, discord, etc, remember, muting and blocking exists. Keep in mind that everyone you are interacting with in-game is human, all with their own life experiences, stress, and problems. You don't know if someone is really struggling or dealing with a mental crisis, so if you're truly going at it with someone in a combative manner, just drop the conversation and mute. It isn't worth it.