The benefits of revealing OD's existence

[worMatty]

This is a thought that has been spawned by the recent events.

The idea that revealing OD's existence to the public will benefit us and the rest of the forum is quite promising. If you think about it, we wouldn't have to cover it up, and other forum users might want to clean up their act a bit to be in with a chance of getting in to OD.

On the downside, for OD to be worthwhile at all we'd need to spend a lot more time outside. The idea that OD is secret and hidden, for us, is quite cosey and probably gives us a sense of security that we don't realise we wouldn't have if it were common knowledge and the public were right outside the door. This brings us back to the plan I suggested where we all take an extended vacation, go outside and see what magic we can work.

What are your thoughts?

[SomePerson]

I don't think we should. I think people would try to make themselves seem like better members than they are, or would post more to try and get noticed, even if they aren't "OD-worthy". I mean, nobody sits down and thinks "I'm a lousy member of this forum", right? They all think they're awesome and should get in, no?

We'd end up with a lot of kiss-asses...

[MrBunsy]

If you were going to reveal it, I think only dropping (more) hints would be the best way to reveal it, because I'd imagine even now the majority of the forum don't know it exists. If it wasn't explicitly quite so "There's a secret forum!" then there wouldn't, shouldn't, be problems with some of the spammier people demanding to be let in. Only those with at least half a gramme of brains would be able to cotton on to what's here.

I'm still up for waiting for the dust to settle and see what the state of things are before doing anything though.

[Star Worms]

We can't cover it up forever - it's been leaked several times in the past, and will be again in the future. I think we're forced to admit that OD does exist, but I feel whoever posted those sex stories should be banned - this forum has a lot of children on, and is certainly against the forum rules. Secondly, as we had already decided in the past, Iguana will never be invited to OD, and neither should anyone else who took part as they cannot be trusted. Thirdly, whoever in OD leaked the screenshots should be kicked out.

Also I think we need a decision quickly or else we'll look like headless chicken - trying to half cover it up, and half confirm to them that exists.

[Squirminator2k]

Let everyone know it's here, and let everyone know why they can't see it. Maybe they're buck their ideas up.

[thomasp]

We could always say "If you've ever had an infraction/Being Watched status* then you've instantly stopped yourself from ever being invited into OD" - that'd keep out all of the likes of tal05, etc.


Probably the best thing to do is wait a day or two (for everything to "cool down") and do a poll in OD of whether or not we should reveal it.


* Delete as appropriate - it might be a bit harsh to block everyone whose ever had an infraction, as that would be most of the forum ;)

[Zero72]

Indeed, it doesn't look like a lot of outsiders have noticed yet... Somehow or another. We know pretty well that Plasma did, which is definitely bad news, but even so, I'm surprised at the relative lack of chaos occurring so far. It'd be a good idea to wait a couple of days before making any actions.

[worMatty]

I was thinking of more than a couple of days. The decision to reveal OD's existence is a huge one to make and should not be made so close to the recent events whilst our heads aren't straight.

Downright refusing people with bad records isn't going to improve their behaviour. I like Bunsy's subtle approach and agree we need to let the dust settle. This was just an idea for the long-term and I wanted to get it in quick before any rash decisions were made. Obviously we don't all think the same thing, see?

[thomasp]

A poll would be a good thing to do, but only when this has well and truly blown over. And, if there's anything but a significant majority in favour of revealing OD, then nothing is done.

[bonz]

Never!

Do it like Israel does with its nuclear weapons:
Don't admit or deny that they exist or don't exist.

Even when one of their ministers spilled the beans by accidentally saying something wrong.

[Xinos]

Yes, Bonz is right. Israel is the perfect role model.