[MUD-Dev] Declaration of the Rights of Avatars

[Raph Koster]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: mud-dev-admin at kanga.nu [mailto:mud-dev-admin at kanga.nu]On Behalf Of
> Matthew Mihaly
> Sent: Sunday, April 16, 2000 1:23 PM
> To: 'mud-dev at kanga.nu'
> Subject: Re: [MUD-Dev] Declaration of the Rights of Avatars
>
> Yes, it's food for thought, but as a practical document, I can't see this
> sort of thing ever being relevant.

I'd agree there, in one sense; and in another sense, I'd disagree entirely.
Here's the thing:

- as a document for players, it's a waste of time. They may trumpet it, but
who cares? They have zero power, and the document actually states that
several times over.

- as a document for admins, however, it's pretty much all common sense.
Whether or not you believe in ANY of the principles that lead to calling
these articles rights, or whether or not you believe in rights at all, I'd
bet that you probably subscribe to most of these. In many cases, out of
sheer, ruthless practicality and business horse sense.

So the real point of a document like this would be to see how many admins
would sign, not how many players. As an admin, yes, I'd sign, in the sense
that I'd agree that these are solid administrative principles *in terms of
practical effect.*

The question then becomes, if we subscribe in terms of practical effect, and
as long as there are sufficient loopholes present that we can exercise power
when we need to, who *cares* whether players think these are rights, laws,
doohickeys, or power fantasies?

Especially since "rights" in the real world already have zero power?

 -Raph




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