Does any else find the public Asterisk/hypen Rpers cringey?

[sakigamis]

@twixt Ah, but in my experience that's not really how script-style RP goes? It's sorta similar to the way it works on Twitter, I guess. Maybe something like...





...is more what you meant?


I mean, I've never seen script-style written out like your example.

 

[ApfelSeine]

Yes, to some extent, asterisk and incoherent grammar are rather different. But, the asterisk themselves imply the user's inability to create a steady flow of words; their intent, nor their excuses, not coming into the subject. All of which points towards a more in-depth, amateurish root.


But, all I may talk of my hatred, it's quite true in the end, that there's a minority that do prefer to use asterisks, however amateurish they may actually seem.


And unlike the piece by Saki, most asterisk players tend to limit their sentences to one sentence, or more.


Example:


[SIZE= 12px]Hello, samuel.[/SIZE]


[SIZE= 12px]*Allison spoke in a grim, whispered tone, as if to induce terror [/SIZE][SIZE= 12px]in the already frightened Samuel's mind.*[/SIZE]


[SIZE= 12px]Actually, I don't even know how to properly emulate the massive majority of asterisk users.[/SIZE]


[SIZE= 12px]Blame the elitism.[/SIZE]

It only implies inability because you're jumping to conclusions based upon your own limited experiences. I don't think any form or roleplaying can be deemed the "proper" way to do things, and thus asterisk roleplays should be considered just legitimate, even if they don't match personal preference. And towards that ends, it shouldn't be generalized as being entirely comprised by people who don't know how to construct sentences.


I think a case can be made that most amateurs will be drawn to a script style roleplay, but I don't think that the only people who enjoy the style are amateurs. I feel that it's a disservice to skilled script style roleplayers to say that there's no possible way to pull off a good script style roleplay. It might not be possible to format a script style format in a way you personally enjoy, but from an objective perspective, it can't be said that it's impossible.


While to some asterisks may always seem amateurish, I don't think that this opinion is universal. So it's less that some people can ignore the amateurish appearance, and more that it isn't really amateurish. It's really just a style. Saying that it's an amateurish style is like saying certain styles of poetry or writing are amateurish. Take the usage of first person for instance. It's often preferred by amateurs, but it can be really impactful in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing.


I don't think that it can be said that "most asterisk players do X" because it's such a broad population. Even if it is the case that most do something (which is difficult to say if you aren't part of the camp which uses that particular style and have limited experience with it), there's still a significant portion of the population who will defy the stereotype. Thus, it's important not to jump to assuming that one's initial impression accurately reflects an entire group. It comes off as elitist because it the generalization. As Nerdyfangirl said, you can avoid being percieved as elitist by avoiding generalizations and phrasing your opinion in a respectful way.


The perception that the usage of asterisks is cringeworthy is a valid one. The perception that it is not cringeworthy is also valid. What is typically seen as amateurish may be a style with hidden depth. If I've learned anything through trying out various styles of prose and poetry, it's that everything can be done well, and every style can convey some things better than other styles can.

 

[simj26]

Darn, I was too late to meme with the 'nothing personnel kid' post.

 

[Count Gensokyo]

Darn, I was too late to meme with the 'nothing personnel kid' post.

 

[Elephantom]

It only implies inability because you're jumping to conclusions based upon your own limited experiences. I don't think any form or roleplaying can be deemed the "proper" way to do things, and thus asterisk roleplays should be considered just legitimate, even if they don't match personal preference. And towards that ends, it shouldn't be generalized as being entirely comprised by people who don't know how to construct sentences.


I think a case can be made that most amateurs will be drawn to a script style roleplay, but I don't think that the only people who enjoy the style are amateurs. I feel that it's a disservice to skilled script style roleplayers to say that there's no possible way to pull off a good script style roleplay. It might not be possible to format a script style format in a way you personally enjoy, but from an objective perspective, it can't be said that it's impossible.


While to some asterisks may always seem amateurish, I don't think that this opinion is universal. So it's less that some people can ignore the amateurish appearance, and more that it isn't really amateurish. It's really just a style. Saying that it's an amateurish style is like saying certain styles of poetry or writing are amateurish. Take the usage of first person for instance. It's often preferred by amateurs, but it can be really impactful in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing.


I don't think that it can be said that "most asterisk players do X" because it's such a broad population. Even if it is the case that most do something (which is difficult to say if you aren't part of the camp which uses that particular style and have limited experience with it), there's still a significant portion of the population who will defy the stereotype. Thus, it's important not to jump to assuming that one's initial impression accurately reflects an entire group. It comes off as elitist because it the generalization. As Nerdyfangirl said, you can avoid being percieved as elitist by avoiding generalizations and phrasing your opinion in a respectful way.


The perception that the usage of asterisks is cringeworthy is a valid one. The perception that it is not cringeworthy is also valid. What is typically seen as amateurish may be a style with hidden depth. If I've learned anything through trying out various styles of prose and poetry, it's that everything can be done well, and every style can convey some things better than other styles can.

[SIZE= 12px]Should asterisk-writing be considered a proper way to RP?[/SIZE]


[SIZE= 12px]Yes, each to their own. I may hate it, but there are a lot of people who play using this method. But, it shouldn't be considered a form of pedagogical grammar, nor a proper way to write, as of now. I mean, it abandons a great chunk of correct grammar, and is used extensively by people new to RPing, based on the experiences of myself, others, and net scouring in general. Asterisk writing can be utilized masterfully, but that's not the case most of the time. It's not a personal perspective, for it's, indeed, shared by many.[/SIZE]


[SIZE= 12px]And that's why it's cringe-inducing in the first place. [/SIZE]


[SIZE= 12px]There are amateurish writing. One-liners, for example. TXTLK. And abandonment of grammar altogether.[/SIZE][SIZE= 12px] It's either a painful ignorance, lack of ability, or the both of them.[/SIZE]


[SIZE= 12px]Shame on you, Ele. You're an elitist! A generalizing mad genius![/SIZE]


[SIZE= 12px]If you think of me as such, than that's what I am. I've been extremely jaded, and when you've PTSD regarding such matters, it's really hard to accept the very grammar that damaged you, left you with mental scars, eye problems. You think I'm joking, don't you? Well, as a matter of fact, I ain't, kid. I ain't.[/SIZE]


[SIZE= 12px]You should consider the fact if I were to find asterisk writing with hidden depth before I got jaded, than I really wouldn't even be writing these.[/SIZE]


[SIZE= 12px]Pardon me, for the short length, and the long delay. But, y'know, real life came in the way, faster than the eye can blink, man.[/SIZE]

 

[ApfelSeine]

[SIZE= 12px]Should asterisk-writing be considered a proper way to RP?[/SIZE]


[SIZE= 12px]Yes, each to their own. I may hate it, but there are a lot of people who play using this method. But, it shouldn't be considered a form of pedagogical grammar, nor a proper way to write, as of now. I mean, it abandons a great chunk of correct grammar, and is used extensively by people new to RPing, based on the experiences of myself, others, and net scouring in general. Asterisk writing can be utilized masterfully, but that's not the case most of the time. It's not a personal perspective, for it's, indeed, shared by many.[/SIZE]


[SIZE= 12px]And that's why it's cringe-inducing in the first place. [/SIZE]


[SIZE= 12px]There are amateurish writing. One-liners, for example. TXTLK. And abandonment of grammar altogether.[/SIZE][SIZE= 12px] It's either a painful ignorance, lack of ability, or the both of them.[/SIZE]


[SIZE= 12px]Shame on you, Ele. You're an elitist! A generalizing mad genius![/SIZE]


[SIZE= 12px]If you think of me as such, than that's what I am. I've been extremely jaded, and when you've PTSD regarding such matters, it's really hard to accept the very grammar that damaged you, left you with mental scars, eye problems. You think I'm joking, don't you? Well, as a matter of fact, I ain't, kid. I ain't.[/SIZE]


[SIZE= 12px]You should consider the fact if I were to find asterisk writing with hidden depth before I got jaded, than I really wouldn't even be writing these.[/SIZE]


[SIZE= 12px]Pardon me, for the short length, and the long delay. But, y'know, real life came in the way, faster than the eye can blink, man.[/SIZE]

I appreciate the very clear way in which you have worded your response I understand your perspective and fact that you and many others share a dislike of the style, particularly since there are many examples of it being used in an amateurish way.


However, I'd like to respectfully disagree with you on your statement that the usage of asterisk roleplaying is automatically an example of poor grammar. School might not teach students to use asterisks, but asterisks have nothing do with how grammatically correct a sentence is. Take script writing. In both television and plays, actions and dialogue are formatted in a particular way that is much different than the linear narrative of a novel. It is not said that either of those are grammatically incorrect. Rather, they are simply alternative ways of formatting. The issuer of asterisks is very similar. While the narrative structure may be nonlinear, or might be broken up in another non traditional way, that does not mean that it is inherently wrong.


Language is a tricky thing. It's perfectly fine to dislike certain styles of usage. If you want to restrict your world entirely to people who adhere strictly to styles of prose that match the traditional one, that's your prerogative. The internet can be very useful towards that end. Still, my perspective is that we can't control language, and we should adapt to it and accept non traditional styles as legitimate. Many published novels are famous for not following the usual conventions like a three act structure or sticking to first/third person. As such, I think that a particular style cannot be delegitimized simply because many dislike it. If that were the case, we wouldn't have free form poetry.


I would not consider Hemingway's one line story to be amateurish. I have found novels and writing projects which are able to very effectively use text speak to form their narrative. Poetry often throws grammar straight out the window. Given all of this, I think it's more accurate to say that amateurish skill is trying to do something and failing. If one is doing something intentionally, it is not amateurish. That is how I see it.

 

[Saccharine Cyanide]

Y'know, initially I agreed with the OP, but then I started thinking more, and I was like, if I had to choose between one decent post every three to five days, or a one-liner once a day or more, I'd choose the one-liner every time, even if they're the shittiest writer in the world. If it seems like the other person is enthusiastic, enjoying themselves, and actually gives a shit? Hell, you could type "U" instead of "you", "there" when you mean "their", "its" instead of "it's", use "would" before every verb, and make only seraphim sparkledog characters. I would not care.





 

I'm going to write a seraphim sparkledog who follows his father's advice to make something of his life in the only way he knows how: by becoming a well-respected author. He blows his entire inheritance, left behind by his father's passing, on professional writing classes and weekend writing retreats. He begins to second-guess himself.  He recalls his father coming home with dirt stains in his fur, smelling to high heaven but with a smile on his face. Yet, here he is, sitting in a comfortable chair with manicured nails and not a speck of dust in his fur, and yet...and yet, he hasn't smiled for a long time.  Not in a genuine way, at least.


Did he choose the wrong profession?  What would his father think?  If only he was still around to ask. With regret in his heart, the seraphim sparkledog realizes that he had never really talked to his father, at least not in a real, personal way, sparkledog to sparkledog. He had never shown any interest in his father's life, being so selfishly absorbed in his own reality.  Was it simply because he had been a puppy, and selfishness was part and parcel with youth?  Or was it because he was truly selfish at heart, and he simply never thought of anyone but himself?  It didn't matter. It was too late now.  His father was gone, and he would have to carve his own path in life. He would have to make his own mistakes.


He then spirals into alcoholism and self-loathing when he realizes that becoming a writer is going to be near impossible because he does not, in fact, have any fingers.

 

[CupAndCough]

Why put the effort in making this? If you wanna make a point in it. RP'ing itself is cringy af and you should be ashamed 'cause we're degenerates with serious escapism issues. But wanna know something even MORE amazing? 


I finally can post this on RPnation. WOW CRINGE












Now do I have some constructive to say in a non-constructive point of discussion? Sure. Anyone who rps shouldn't judge much on how other people rp. We are one step away from the spiral of no-lifers on Second Life. Enjoy the ride here. Could be worse, but don't look down on part of the herd. We are all part of a cringey and weird fringe bit of people that society and functional humans would look at us and despise us with the same principle that yer doing with "asterisks". The key is not caring much. 

WOW CRINGE
​

 

[Doc]

Every community has a hierarchy or hierarchies, but I'm not gonna get too far off topic with that. Your point of "don't judge" is really impossible to achieve. Everyone judges others. This is a collection of humans from all over the world. Someone is going to be seen as less and someone is going to be seen as  greater. 


The only difference from any other community is the thing we're judging on. We judge for the way people roleplay. As a roleplayer you'll do it, whether you like it or not. Subconsciously or consciously. It happens because that's what our community is based on. @CupAndCough


This thread has left my control. lol At least no one is coming at my neck anymore though. 

 

[Bacon is fluffy]

Every community has a hierarchy or hierarchies, but I'm not gonna get too far off topic with that. Your point of "don't judge" is really impossible to achieve. Everyone judges others. This is a collection of humans from all over the world. Someone is going to be seen as less and someone is going to be seen as  greater. 


The only difference from any other community is the thing we're judging on. We judge for the way people roleplay. As a roleplayer you'll do it, whether you like it or not. Subconsciously or consciously. It happens because that's what our community is based on. @CupAndCough


This thread has left my control. lol At least no one is coming at my neck anymore though. 

While judging people does come off as bad, you're right we all do this when deciding if an rp is worth the time or not. What others had contention with was the way you were going about it. Grey said it perfectly when he said that if you actually had advice for people not to roleplay like this, it would have been a different story. Rather than simply making fun of people who don't have much experience with roleplaying.

 

[TripTripleTimes]

In my experience, i used to do asterisk rp back in the days in chatrooms. I had to be quick and clear with my actions or I would be left in the dust trying to catch up. I did had fun and I think it'll be fun to go back to for a very quick rp session. 


I grew out of the script rp though and perfer paragraph style with details and proper grammar. It's funny how I changed in my 7 years rping online. However, when i am in ooc and i like my group and know that i won't be judged, i sometimes slip asterisk just for fun.


But oh man, this brings memories of crack rps and how ridiculous they were xD

 

[Obsessed]

/stares blankly


i use / instead of asterisks. Or bold it when i could be bothered. But I do those rarely, especially when I'm in the mood and very huped up. 


And yes, they feel cringey and I often silently move away from those people unless they stop doing it.

 

[Sara Sidereal]

But what if, the person, with the grief-inducing grammar choices, makes the seraphim sparkledog? One should really consider all possible paths to the semi-eternal purgatory of hellish lameness.


And might I also inform you, that asterisk/hyphen users, including one-liner attackers, are made up mainly of amateurs, a big chunk of whom, are proficient in the art of creating 'seraphim sparkledog' characters, whatever the hell that term even means.


I mean, you can't really disrespect my opinion upon the very grammar which damages my eyes, for everyone has the right to speak his opinions, and receive feedback in the form of a civil manner. And if one considers me an elitist for hatin' on bad grammar, than an elitist I am!


Also, please do pardon me, if I sound aggravating at the slightest. Excitement's a feeling that comes quite more quickly than it actually should.

Your first two paragraphs are the assumptions I was starting from; no one's disrespecting your opinion; and there's nothing wrong with being elitist.