I don’t know how I missed it. TARGA has an email list. I found the link on the International Traditional Gaming Week page, when I went looking for it, after hearing that the discussions from yesterday had started a ruckus over there. The lists emails are open to the public. Some people said some things. No doubt, a drop in the ocean, compared to all the private emails flying about.
You can see one of the upshots, here.
Here’s another one.
For those who asked what a certain web show and blog, which I’ve been posting about in the TARGA news for weeks now, has to do with the OSR and why I reported it, the answer is obvious. It can be found in blogrolls all over our little community. It can be found on Zak’s blog, itself. It’s not just because I like Zak’s blog, which I’ve been following for about six months, or so.
A quite sizable and evident number of OSR folk, follow Zak as well. It’s obviously of interest to a lot of Traditional Gamers. I don’t know if Zak considers himself to be part of the “OSR” or not. I’ve always considered him to be part of whatever the hell it is, we’re all doing.
I saw a few comments, regarding whether or not I Hit It With My Axe is something TARGA should be promoting. I suppose these folks haven’t been following their own blog. Like I wrote above, I’ve been reporting on the subject for weeks.
Not that I think this is about me. The only email I’ve received is from Scottsz.
Still, there is a point here. TARGA as an organization, has to decide how to present itself, what it wants to promote, what it wants to do, etc. Maybe it’s members, feel they have to be concerned about being seen as “endorsing” something.
Like I said, I’m not privy to what’s going on in the TARGA “Inner Circles of Power,” nor do I know if there’s only a couple of people up in arms about this, or many. But the fact that the issue exists at all, is enough to give me pause.
TARGA is an organization with an agenda. One which I support. But organizations with agendas and the concept of “News,” don’t go together, very well. Especially when individuals with their own agendas, start playing politics.
So, the “power block” within TARGA shifts around, maybe I get some “editorial guidelines.” maybe I don’t. Yet.
There was nothing “pornographic” in yesterday’s news post. Sorry Bat, but you know damn good and well, what that show is about. It’s your responsibility to have enough sense to know whether or not you should let children watch it. It’s your responsibility to check out Anything on the net, before letting children watch it. If TARGA doesn’t want links to adult oriented material, like Zak’s show, or for that matter, something like Carcosa on its blog, then that’s fine. It’s TARGA’s blog.
I wouldn’t have a problem with a “Mature Audiences” head’s up, but how far do you want to go in that direction? How many gaming supplements, blogs, etc., aren’t appropriate for children? Often, I’m linking shit I haven’t had the opportunity to check out. I understand why TARGA and the individuals involved in TARGA, might want to make sure it’s sites are Family Friendly.
But I have to admit, that stumbling upon a conversation where someone floats the idea of whether or not an editorial policy is needed, to govern what I’m writing, is kinda fucking weird.
I’m moving my news column back to the Underdark Gazette.
I would like to thank Chgowiz for his support, for asking me to write the column in the first place and for being an all around swell guy.
This isn’t done in anger or anything. I really do wish TARGA and all involved, well.
I understand that the folks in charge of TARGA, might want some say in what is or isn’t reported on their blog.
Which is kinda the point. I don’t want to be confined to any one groups definition of the news, the OSR, or what is or isn’t relevant. I don’t think any column calling itself news, should be. Even if that news is mostly about keeping people informed about gaming materials, pimping stuff and supporting everyone’s creative endeavors, tying it to an organization isn’t in the communities best interest.
I don’t want to have to worry about sanitizing my content, or whether or not I’m gonna piss off some board member, who’s never even bothered to speak to me about the work I’m doing for his organization.
Or someone using what I’m doing, to push their own personal agendas.
If I think something is of interest to the community, I’ll report on it. I don’t like the idea of that decision being in the hands of a Board of Directors.
Regards,
James A. Smith
