When we think punishment, we think about the kind parents utilize to teach a lesson to their kids or the kind that is cruel & unusual (Mr. T’s “Treat Your Mother Right” video comes to mind). We rarely look at punishment in a positive light. Instead of seeing the negative about punishment, we should also look at punishment as a method of teaching as well.

Think about it, folks. How do you know what slides in an online community and what does not? Usually, we learn from the example or when we are the example ourselves. You see, punishment isn’t solely there for one’s suffering. The just moderator utilizes it in order to teach established social sanctions.

For example, I can recall a recent incident in Icon Ultima. There was this player that lost his building verbs because he used them to spam block another user. After a few minutes, this player decided to beg relentlessly for the return of his verbs. Despite many refusals, the player wouldn’t stop mentioning his verbs. Eventually, due to his persistence, one of the staff had to rob this user of his ability to speak.

These methods of punishment weren’t done for the sake of owning the user alone. These methods were used to teach two established sanctions. First, Icon Ultima isn’t going to tolerate spam blocking. Second, Icon Ultima isn’t going to tolerate bitching and moaning when you’re supposed to be paying for your crime. You find yourself breaking these rules, you lose the privilege. There are no buts about it.

If the user wasn’t punished for those two actions, how would he have learned what’s allowed and what’s not allowed? You see, punishment isn’t only about putting a damper on somebody else’s day. Punishment is also used as a form of stern teaching. If you decide to curse out a moderator and find yourself unable to speak, what’s the lesson? Don’t curse out security, fool!

Now, don’t get me wrong, fellow BYOND members. I’m well aware that some people utilize punishment without a crime to punish. I’m merely proposing another angle to this method of discipline. Sure, some use punishment because they’re power hungry and need fresh meat to pulverize. However, there are those out there that utilize this form of discipline to engrave, teach, and guide players like you and I.

Blog o' mine, it has been a while. Sorry for the lack of posting; sometimes, inspiration's a bitch. Thanks to the sporadic nature of inspiration, I am lucky because I have something to share. It all occurred a few hours ago. I had a dentist appointment.

My mother and I went out of the front entrance of my apartment. Immediately, I was met by a few sounds. In a nearby court, the dribble of the ball paused then resumed. I could hear the occassional car leaving my view faster than it entered. Meanwhile, the sun was out in all of its resplendent glory. Immediately, my crown began to feel the heat.

At that moment, I felt like I was driven out of my real home. I felt like a complete stranger to the world that lied outside of the confines of my humbly abode. All I could think to myself was, "What the fuck am I doing here?" If it weren't for the teeth cleaning, I probably would've been glued to the screen, doing something *cough*productive*cough*.

I dunno why this feeling feels new; this isn't exactly a new frontier. I guess it never dawned on me until now- I'm not a huge fan of the outside. Aside from school and church, the outside world and I don't mesh well together. Hopefully, over this gift of a recess, we could start building the framework of a relationship. Until then, this is J-San, reporting to you from the city that was built over a wasteland. I am alive, oh yes, I am alive!

First and foremost, I would like to relegate this paragraph to some kick-ass chums of mine. I would like to thank Uub for hooking me up with a membership; your charity is much appreciated. I would also like to thank Tiberath, Kica, Snowfox, and KD, since you guys were willing to go to some lengths to help me out. My words here can't do much justice for you guys. Translation- you guys kick ass.

Since this is a "preliminary post", a mini-introduction is in order! On March 26, 1988, I was christened Jean-Pierre by my mother. Here, in BYOND, I go by the alias-- you guessed it -- J-San. I am currently 18 years of age, harboring a blend of Puerto Rican and Dominican blood within my veins. During the bulk of my adolescence, I was raised with a PC (Chip's Challenge <3) and a few consoles here and there.

As of now, I am a novice to the vast sea of programming. Thanks to some suggestions made by Mobius Evalon, I am currently active in my endeavor to familiarize myself with DM. Next year, I'm off to Binghamton, with the hopes of burgeoning and majoring within Computer Science.

And that is pretty much J-San in a very compact nutshell. I look forward to taking advantage of this membership through the blog as well as BYONDSCAPE. I am also looking forward to connecting with my Icon Ultima comrades as well as other BYOND members. Until next time, people.