What is it about?

[jriley1]

Hey guys, i'm new to the whole project, and would like some information on what it is about. Do the characters have mental disabilities instead of physical disabilities?
Thanks.

[Ravenous]

Might I direct you this way.
FAQ AKA The Manual

So I don't have to post again, Zezin, might I direct you to the lyrics of this song
Insanity

I could totally understand if the questions were unclearly answered or were hidden somewhere but this section is directly underneath the FAQ and Rules section (which obviously should have been read first anyway). I could have called him an idiot and sent him on his way but I directed him to the answers to his questions and the answers to questions that would come up next. After he reads the FAQ, he will be more sufficiently educated as to what the project is about and how he can contribute to the community.

What did you do?

[Zezin]

In a nutshell, yes.
There is more to it than that though. It is inspired by KS but it will definitely "have its own credits".
Just read through the blog posts it should give you a better image than I can describe.

Edit:

Might I direct you this way.
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=299

Raven you could be a little less cold about it. That sort of attitude drives people away.

Second Edit:

What did you do?

I responded in a way that didn't sound like I was trying to imply he made some kind of dumb mistake. WHich he didn't.
When I join a forum my first thought is never "OH MAH GAWRSH I SHUD CHEK THE EFF EH CUES!"
No, my first thought is "I only have a vague idea what this is about. Maybe I will make a small thread to smooth out some information for me. I am sure the people of this forum are kind and will happily inform me and NOT just give me a blunt statement and redirect me to a wall of text."

[ILY]

Hey guys, i'm new to the whole project, and would like some information on what it is about. Do the characters have mental disabilities instead of physical disabilities?

Reading the FAQ like Ravenous suggested is a good place to start, but I urge you to read the blog posts if you want a better understanding of what the devs are doing. Blog link

If you don't have time to read all of them, I recommend checking these out at the very least.
Character previews: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 MC
Semantic Saturation
Building a Better Broken Bird
Never Stick it in Crazy

"OH MAH GAWRSH I SHUD CHEK THE EFF EH CUES!"

That honestly should be the first thing you do anywhere
FAQs exist for the sake of convenience. Imagine what GD would be like if every new member made a thread like this.

[Snuffkin]

"OH MAH GAWRSH I SHUD CHEK THE EFF EH CUES!"

That honestly should be the first thing you do anywhere
FAQs exist for the sake of convenience. Imagine what GD would be like if every new member made a thread like this.

Agreed. Plus, how did he even get here in the first place that wouldn't already have told him that much? Every time I see links to the forums or the dev blogs elsewhere, those other sources always state that this is "a mental disorder themed VN."

[kosherbacon]

Hey guys, i'm new to the whole project, and would like some information on what it is about. Do the characters have mental disabilities instead of physical disabilities?
Thanks.

Basically, but we're leaning towards mental illnesses and disorders. The word "disability" implies retardation, which doesn't describe the characters' conditions as a whole very accurately.

[Zezin]

Hey guys, i'm new to the whole project, and would like some information on what it is about. Do the characters have mental disabilities instead of physical disabilities?
Thanks.

Basically, but we're leaning towards mental illnesses and disorders. The word "disability" implies retardation, which doesn't describe the characters' conditions as a whole very accurately.

Everyone's going to argue with me on this one but I need to get my opinion out there.
Aren't you over thinking it? It's one of my pet peeves when somebody has to correct such a tiny detail. Just because people "say" disabilities doesn't mean they actually mean it literally. Disability while it may be the wrong term is the most commonly used term so a persons mind will tend to expel the less common term unless they are specifically trying to avoid using the incorrect term. Thus getting all picky like that is just trying a war you can't win.

[TheLastMelody]

I am sure the people of this forum are kind and will happily inform me and NOT just give me a blunt statement and redirect me to a wall of text."

Sorry, you must have come to the wrong forum ^_^

Hey guys, i'm new to the whole project, and would like some information on what it is about. Do the characters have mental disabilities instead of physical disabilities?
Thanks.

Basically, but we're leaning towards mental illnesses and disorders. The word "disability" implies retardation, which doesn't describe the characters' conditions as a whole very accurately.

Everyone's going to argue with me on this one but I need to get my opinion out there.
Aren't you over thinking it? It's one of my pet peeves when somebody has to correct such a tiny detail. Just because people "say" disabilities doesn't mean they actually mean it literally. Disability while it may be the wrong term is the most commonly used term so a persons mind will tend to expel the less common term unless they are specifically trying to avoid using the incorrect term. Thus getting all picky like that is just trying a war you can't win.

Kosher is just correcting the poor things choice of words, so the next time the thing says it, the thing can say it in a way that is harder misunderstood and with fever meaning, therefore expressing itself better, no need to lynch poor Koshie for it :-(

EDIT:
Why do I find myself answering to so many of your posts lately, Zezin?

EDIT2:
And why do so many have something to do with you?

[Zezin]

EDIT:
Why do I find myself answering to so many of your posts lately, Zezin?

I was born with a talent to draw people in like that.

EDIT2:
And why do so many have something to do with you?

I am trouble magnet when I'm online.

[ILY]

Aren't you over thinking it? It's one of my pet peeves when somebody has to correct such a tiny detail. Just because people "say" disabilities doesn't mean they actually mean it literally. Disability while it may be the wrong term is the most commonly used term so a persons mind will tend to expel the less common term unless they are specifically trying to avoid using the incorrect term. Thus getting all picky like that is just trying a war you can't win.

Kosher didn't correct Jriley just to get one over on him, the meanings behind those words are not a tiny detail at all.
Disorder - an irregularity
Disability - lack of adequate power, strength, or physical or mental ability; incapacity.

The devs are trying to keep this visual novel tactful and correct. Can you really say that it would be either of those if disability took the place of disorder?
Different =/= Less capable

[TheLastMelody]

Aren't you over thinking it? It's one of my pet peeves when somebody has to correct such a tiny detail. Just because people "say" disabilities doesn't mean they actually mean it literally. Disability while it may be the wrong term is the most commonly used term so a persons mind will tend to expel the less common term unless they are specifically trying to avoid using the incorrect term. Thus getting all picky like that is just trying a war you can't win.

Kosher didn't correct Jriley just to get one over on him, the meanings behind those words are not a tiny detail at all.
Disorder - an irregularity
Disability - lack of adequate power, strength, or physical or mental ability; incapacity.

The devs are trying to keep this visual novel tactful and correct. Can you really say that it would be either of those if disability took the place of disorder?
Different =/= Less capable

Thanks ILY, I am bad with words ^_^

[Zezin]

Kosher didn't correct Jriley just to get one over on him, the meanings behind those words are not a tiny detail at all.
Disorder - an irregularity
Disability - lack of adequate power, strength, or physical or mental ability; incapacity.

The devs are trying to keep this visual novel tactful and correct. Can you really say that it would be either of those if disability took the place of disorder?
Different =/= Less capable

You misunderstand. I do not mean that they are the same thing, I recognize there is a very large difference. In fact that exact difference is something that I hold as a very important fact to me.
But you can easily tell when someone does know the difference and acknowledges it and just uses the wrong term. If someone said mental disability out of habit, I feel I should understand. Think about it, if they clearly know the difference but not the difference in exact terminology it's not worth correcting.

It would be worth correcting if someone truly did believe it was a disability and not a disorder. But I really doubt our friend here thinks in that manner. If he did I don't think he would have even given this project a glance.

[Waytfm]

I think, with how easy it is to misunderstand the nature of this project, the devs should take every opportunity to try and clarify this issue. It's a big distinction. Even if the one making the slip-of-tongue realizes it, others coming along later may not. So it's someth-

Worthington?! How did you get in my room?!

No, wait! What are you doing?! Get away from me! No-

Everything is fine. Back on topic now.

[alabaster]

The devs are trying to keep this visual novel tactful and correct.

Our tactfulness is questionable.

[TheCynic]

Alabaster, i think as long as what you guys make doesn't make you question your taste and refinement, you shouldn't have to worry too much about being 'tactful'.

That could be just me though, but that's how i feel.

[TheLastMelody]

Good to know I am not the only Cynic one ^_^

[Zezin]

I think, with how easy it is to misunderstand the nature of this project, the devs should take every opportunity to try and clarify this issue. It's a big distinction. Even if the one making the slip-of-tongue realizes it, others coming along later may not. So it's someth-

Worthington?! How did you get in my room?!

No, wait! What are you doing?! Get away from me! No-

Everything is fine. Back on topic now.

I'm dying! Mostly because I can see it happening. But I see your point. I admit defeat in this argument.
(That's the difference between me and most people, I know when I've lost.)

[Ninja]

It's important to make the distinction between fine details such as "disability" and "disorder" for four primary reasons.

a) There is a difference and it is both more politically and technically correct to adjust the language. That is, using language that is more familiar but improper and/or outdated can obscure the parameters of the conversation because the words used are not/no longer referring to a shared meaning. "Arguing semantics" is one thing, making sure you're all talking about the same thing is another.

b) Technical vocabulary is separated from common vocabulary to avoid functional disagreement. They are not always at odds, but when they are, dialogues are difficult to maintain due to conversational contamination. This is especially the case in psychological terminology where much of the technical language is typographically identical to common language - feelings, emotions, motivation, etc. All people are psychologists to an extent as observers, reporters, and experimenters on the thoughts and behaviors of themselves and others. This makes talking about human thoughts and behaviors in a direct manner difficult when every individual has different conceptualizations of any given construct being discussed. When the opportunities to make a genuine technical discrimination are present, it is vital to do so.

c) Language is dynamic and changes over time and across populations. There was a time where the medical field's most esteemed academics referred to people with disorders as "idiots," before the word "idiot" made its way into common language to be used as a way to describe anyone who might be acting irregularly. Words have a powerful stigmatizing effect, especially when applied as labels, and people can become very much aware of when they are being discriminated against. It does not feel good and it does not lead to good things. The way we talk about things changes because of this - we collectively adjust the language so that we can talk about what needs to be talked about in a way that doesn't offend individuals involved and targets the relevant issue more specifically.

For example, the APA noticed how buzzworthy Autism was becoming through their own publications, but they also noticed the mounting reports from clinicians indicating that the term "autistic" was losing specificity and gaining notoriety in public discussion. Kids were being sent to principals' offices for calling each other "autistic." Doctors were filing reports to social services for their patients who said they felt their parents were mad at the for acting "autistic." News headlines were leading with stories on "autistic people" instead of "people with Autism." It was a nightmare, so they changed the technical vocabulary such that what was formerly known as Autism would be referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder. Health professionals were instructed and often trained to say "with Autism Spectrum Disorder" instead of the antiquated "autistic" so their patients would also use the phrase more appropriately. People are people first, and the APA thought it could help by changing the language in a way that made it verbally impossible to turn into a label. They figured that the problem would go away because no noun for a person with Autism Spectrum Disorder was added to complement the new language, but them some asshole started calling people "autists" and, for whatever reason, it caught on. This is one of the primary reasons people are lobbying for the dissolution of the Autism diagnosis entirely - once common language took hold of it, it got totally fucked and now no one knows what's going on.

d) Most importantly for our purposes, making the distinction is a demonstration of sensitivity, competence, and responsibility. Given how controversial the subject matter of this project already is, failing to use the relevant vocabulary correctly is essentially a declaration of the converse. Anyone can say they know the difference, but until the final product is available for public consumption, all the team can do in the meantime is talk about it. They're doing an alright job so far.

Related to the topic: any news on the main website? That'd be a good place to have all this FAQ info up instead of hidden away on a forum.

[jarek56]

It's important to make the distinction between fine details such as "disability" and "disorder" for four primary reasons.

a) There is a difference and it is both more politically and technically correct to adjust the language. That is, using language that is more familiar but improper and/or outdated can obscure the parameters of the conversation because the words used are not/no longer referring to a shared meaning. "Arguing semantics" is one thing, making sure you're all talking about the same thing is another.

b) Technical vocabulary is separated from common vocabulary to avoid functional disagreement. They are not always at odds, but when they are, dialogues are difficult to maintain due to conversational contamination. This is especially the case in psychological terminology where much of the technical language is typographically identical to common language - feelings, emotions, motivation, etc. All people are psychologists to an extent as observers, reporters, and experimenters on the thoughts and behaviors of themselves and others. This makes talking about human thoughts and behaviors in a direct manner difficult when every individual has different conceptualizations of any given construct being discussed. When the opportunities to make a genuine technical discrimination are present, it is vital to do so.

c) Language is dynamic and changes over time and across populations. There was a time where the medical field's most esteemed academics referred to people with disorders as "idiots," before the word "idiot" made its way into common language to be used as a way to describe anyone who might be acting irregularly. Words have a powerful stigmatizing effect, especially when applied as labels, and people can become very much aware of when they are being discriminated against. It does not feel good and it does not lead to good things. The way we talk about things changes because of this - we collectively adjust the language so that we can talk about what needs to be talked about in a way that doesn't offend individuals involved and targets the relevant issue more specifically.

For example, the APA noticed how buzzworthy Autism was becoming through their own publications, but they also noticed the mounting reports from clinicians indicating that the term "autistic" was losing specificity and gaining notoriety in public discussion. Kids were being sent to principals' offices for calling each other "autistic." Doctors were filing reports to social services for their patients who said they felt their parents were mad at the for acting "autistic." News headlines were leading with stories on "autistic people" instead of "people with Autism." It was a nightmare, so they changed the technical vocabulary such that what was formerly known as Autism would be referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder. Health professionals were instructed and often trained to say "with Autism Spectrum Disorder" instead of the antiquated "autistic" so their patients would also use the phrase more appropriately. People are people first, and the APA thought it could help by changing the language in a way that made it verbally impossible to turn into a label. They figured that the problem would go away because no noun for a person with Autism Spectrum Disorder was added to complement the new language, but them some asshole started calling people "autists" and, for whatever reason, it caught on. This is one of the primary reasons people are lobbying for the dissolution of the Autism diagnosis entirely - once common language took hold of it, it got totally fucked and now no one knows what's going on.

d) Most importantly for our purposes, making the distinction is a demonstration of sensitivity, competence, and responsibility. Given how controversial the subject matter of this project already is, failing to use the relevant vocabulary correctly is essentially a declaration of the converse. Anyone can say they know the difference, but until the final product is available for public consumption, all the team can do in the meantime is talk about it. They're doing an alright job so far.

Related to the topic: any news on the main website? That'd be a good place to have all this FAQ info up instead of hidden away on a forum.

That, Ninja, was one of the most eloquent and well-thought out responses to that question that I have ever seen. It speaks of your education, wisdom, experience, and excellent capabilities with the English language. You're completely correct sir, and I very much respect you for what you just posted.

[Zezin]

I'm not going to quote it but, OW that wall of text burns my eyes.
Also the I dislike the opinions embedded within the facts stated.