Just so we are clear on this----this is not a sexist statement, as it can apply to both male and female muns. The real question is, how do you know what gender a mun is unless you have some personal contact with them?
It is illegal for a man to stalk a woman. It is considered a form of assault. That having been said, is the converse true? Is it illegal for a woman to stalk a man? Well many celebrities have experienced this and the answer holds true---yes it is! Although there are probably some men and women who actually enjoy being stalked. What does this have to do with why AOL Star Trek Simming Sucks? Let me tell you. But I will get back to this later.
Personal Storylines.
For those who choose to Sim (and with varying degrees of success) inevitably the question of taking on a writing partner comes to mind. The same can be said of roleplayers. In the arena of Roleplaying this is often characterized through the use of the “personal” storyline.
Now there are all types of “personal” storylines. Two officers may decide to cavort around the holodeck. A group may decide to play out 24th Century sports scenario. But invariably the “personal” storyline involves romantic relationships. A man and a woman (or close approximation) are in love and want to write about their feelings and love life. This is a storyline between two muns and two characters and is generally restricted to those two writing on it together. It is played out according to the rules of the listserver/bulletin board guidelines as far as how much “adult” content is allowed.
These can be quite controversial both within the Sim and outside of it, depending on the relationship and interest of the other players in the Sim. Landing a popular character or mun (or both) in a personal can be quite a coup. In fact some see this as a sign of prestige.
The two can form a powerful bond, depending on how they choose to explore the storyline or develop the characters. It can be rather consuming.
This generally leads to interpersonal relationships on one level or another. Muns are generally opposite sex as are characters. Not that same sex romantic “personal” never happens. But generally they are of opposite sex. This has as much to do with real life as with Sim Life.
From a Sim etiquette standpoint there are a number of problems inherent to this. Some players wish to retain their anonymity. However, this is often sacrificed for the sake of the “storyline” with the other person. Invariably this knowledge makes its way to other members of the group. Some individuals are more discreet than others. Some are very loose with other people’s personal business. The best things to do if you don’t want everyone in your business is to not tell anyone. However, many individuals feel that these people are “friends.” Many time they just turn out to be fiends.
In truth mun gender should have no bearing on the willingness of individuals to enter into a personal storyline or not. What should matter is the interaction between the player characters. Some good Simmers considers this. Others totally miss the boat that this is fantasy, not reality. It is a shame that some are "limited" by something they should have no knowledge of to begin with.
Nevertheless, in many cases however, these personal storylines are highly sought out. They provide partners the opportunity to act out and collaborate on fantasies they may not be able to live out in real life. In the case of AOL Simming, as with AOL in general, often these storylines are RPed out in public and private chatrooms. Depending on whether the Sim or group has a recruit room, “couples” may frequent these rooms publicly or privately in character.
More to come on this topic.
It is illegal for a man to stalk a woman. It is considered a form of assault. That having been said, is the converse true? Is it illegal for a woman to stalk a man? Well many celebrities have experienced this and the answer holds true---yes it is! Although there are probably some men and women who actually enjoy being stalked. What does this have to do with why AOL Star Trek Simming Sucks? Let me tell you. But I will get back to this later.
Personal Storylines.
For those who choose to Sim (and with varying degrees of success) inevitably the question of taking on a writing partner comes to mind. The same can be said of roleplayers. In the arena of Roleplaying this is often characterized through the use of the “personal” storyline.
Now there are all types of “personal” storylines. Two officers may decide to cavort around the holodeck. A group may decide to play out 24th Century sports scenario. But invariably the “personal” storyline involves romantic relationships. A man and a woman (or close approximation) are in love and want to write about their feelings and love life. This is a storyline between two muns and two characters and is generally restricted to those two writing on it together. It is played out according to the rules of the listserver/bulletin board guidelines as far as how much “adult” content is allowed.
These can be quite controversial both within the Sim and outside of it, depending on the relationship and interest of the other players in the Sim. Landing a popular character or mun (or both) in a personal can be quite a coup. In fact some see this as a sign of prestige.
The two can form a powerful bond, depending on how they choose to explore the storyline or develop the characters. It can be rather consuming.
This generally leads to interpersonal relationships on one level or another. Muns are generally opposite sex as are characters. Not that same sex romantic “personal” never happens. But generally they are of opposite sex. This has as much to do with real life as with Sim Life.
From a Sim etiquette standpoint there are a number of problems inherent to this. Some players wish to retain their anonymity. However, this is often sacrificed for the sake of the “storyline” with the other person. Invariably this knowledge makes its way to other members of the group. Some individuals are more discreet than others. Some are very loose with other people’s personal business. The best things to do if you don’t want everyone in your business is to not tell anyone. However, many individuals feel that these people are “friends.” Many time they just turn out to be fiends.
In truth mun gender should have no bearing on the willingness of individuals to enter into a personal storyline or not. What should matter is the interaction between the player characters. Some good Simmers considers this. Others totally miss the boat that this is fantasy, not reality. It is a shame that some are "limited" by something they should have no knowledge of to begin with.
Nevertheless, in many cases however, these personal storylines are highly sought out. They provide partners the opportunity to act out and collaborate on fantasies they may not be able to live out in real life. In the case of AOL Simming, as with AOL in general, often these storylines are RPed out in public and private chatrooms. Depending on whether the Sim or group has a recruit room, “couples” may frequent these rooms publicly or privately in character.
More to come on this topic.
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