There have been more than a couple of threads on the vault and the DDO forums where a person makes a point, and then ppl jump down that person's throat. Or, there is a post about how this or that person sucks. Or, the top X amount of people on X server suck... etc..


It got me thinking (ouch) about internet "power".

In RL, power comes from things like being able to destroy/beat up other ppl. Or, having the money/influence to have other people destory/beat up ppl.



But, what about on forums like this? What is "power" here?

Wit? Enough people agreeing with you? A "I don't give an ef what anyone else thinks" attitude?



Serious question for those who are interested. Thoughts?

Eladiun wrote on Jun 13^th, 2012 at 5:01pm:



That was.... powerful. And predictable.

I rely on my nuts to lead me to victory.

Meat-Head wrote on Jun 13^th, 2012 at 5:00pm:


Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions.

Meat-Head wrote on Jun 13^th, 2012 at 5:00pm:


Either being able to change someone's perspective to close match yours or being able to produce from them the reaction you want.

How? I will break it down for you twilight.  We don't make the claim that we are the big bad forumites and everyone should fear us.  You guys do.  You vote us into office from the fear and hate you have for us. 

Meat-Head wrote on Jun 13^th, 2012 at 5:00pm:


Power comes from control, not from the ability to destroy.  Having the ability to destroy is just one source of control.

You won't understand power since you can't even control yourself.

Meat-Head wrote on Jun 13^th, 2012 at 7:26pm:


First, you are babbling.

Second, who are the "leet" forum-goers?  Who even wants to be a "leet" forum-goer?

From what I can tell, the people who are treated with a slight amount of respect around here are those who have been around for a while and still haven't exposed themselves as colossal douchebags all the time.

first you have to decide what kind of power is it. inherent power or granted power.  Then you have to debate which is more powerful, and which this would be and why.

Three types of power:

Rolepower - Power provided by a title.  Turbine employees, forum mods, guild leaders, etc. Use it sparingly, because it's fleeting.  If your argument always rests on your title, no one will ever take you seriously.

Expertise - Power provided by the community based on your knowledge base. Uber gamers, number crunchers -- backed up by analysis, guides or deeds.  If no one besides you considers you an expert, then you aren't one.

Relationship - Power provided by trust with other individuals. Someone on these forums you know because you've played with them and/or had ongoing discussions with them.

Gunga wrote on Jun 13^th, 2012 at 5:12pm:


God damnit, they got me again!   

Schmoe wrote on Jun 13^th, 2012 at 10:34pm:


Agreed.  True power is not being exposed as a colossal douchebag.