My time on internet forums is not as long as other community members, and has existed solely within the hypercondensed, corporate internet era, but I can still appreciate the Refuge for its determination to provide a haven for all, weathered forumgoers or greenhorns like myself.
NationStates was the first place that I'd find my own internet forum. I was 12 or so, interested in geopolitics and countryballs and avoiding the outside world. I had wanted to join other social groups before on places like Amino, Discord, or Reddit to a lesser extent. My parents restricted my internet access, however, as I was a child and this was not the same free, unrestricted, but unregulated internet. I was an easily manipulated child and part of me has to thank that my potential slips into alt-right rabbit holes were prevented not by small circumstances, but by rational adults. But NationStates was the big break for me from Vine compilations on YouTube. I discovered it from a Drew Durnil geopolitics video right around the beginning of the COVID pandemic, and I spent most of my time on the website interacting with other internet people on the forums. Around the fall, my parents were accepting that I had to be online, so I was eventually given access to Discord. Not quite an internet forum, but it's close enough and it's what I've got.
Flash forward a few months, I've been existing as a 12-turned-13-year-old on the internet and enjoying interacting with others without having to pretend to be someone I wasn't. I speak and have fun with various NSers, mostly from TRR, make small childish social mistakes, persist. Until I decided to join CalRef slightly over two years ago. I wasn't aiming to cause trouble, but as 13-year-old boys are, I was inevitably troublesome. I clashed with others unintentionally, made yet more childish social mistakes, until a few months into my joining, I spoke with at least Luca about my community presence. There/then, they acted in one of the kindest ways I have known, and believed that I could become better.
And, I hope, better I became. I turned 14, meaning I was no longer in CalRef on unofficial, doubtful grounds. I did my best to improve how I interacted with others, seeing to it that I shelved any lacerating or unwelcoming aspects of my still-forming personality. I did all I could to put my best foot forward and be on good terms with other community members which I hadn't been the kindest child to. I'm relieved to say that I believe that I am in good standing as a community member and good friends with many wonderful and inspiring hearts here. I must thank at least Luca, and possibly Emily (I'm sure I frustrated her also), for giving me the opportunity to better myself and find myself here.
I must also thank Calamity Refuge for being the place that it is. A dedicated group of dedicated people who do their best to provide a safe space for others. A most noble goal for only a handful of people to work towards, and one that is most appreciated by all under its umbrella of independence. Thank you to everyone who has contributed towards this goal in CalRef over the past 15 years.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, [people] can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
~ Margaret Mead
P.S. I spent this Refuge Day and the past three weeks along the Maine coast, kayaking in the sea and visiting many islands. I saw many lobster boats and visited a few harbors but I went to many wooded areas and mostly escaped society. I returned with a renewed appreciation for my surroundings and spirit to help others. I may have pre-empted this Refuge Day but I am grateful to have even momentarily dropped meaningless societal burdens. I also encourage everyone to go to the wilderness and enjoy independence.
NationStates was the first place that I'd find my own internet forum. I was 12 or so, interested in geopolitics and countryballs and avoiding the outside world. I had wanted to join other social groups before on places like Amino, Discord, or Reddit to a lesser extent. My parents restricted my internet access, however, as I was a child and this was not the same free, unrestricted, but unregulated internet. I was an easily manipulated child and part of me has to thank that my potential slips into alt-right rabbit holes were prevented not by small circumstances, but by rational adults. But NationStates was the big break for me from Vine compilations on YouTube. I discovered it from a Drew Durnil geopolitics video right around the beginning of the COVID pandemic, and I spent most of my time on the website interacting with other internet people on the forums. Around the fall, my parents were accepting that I had to be online, so I was eventually given access to Discord. Not quite an internet forum, but it's close enough and it's what I've got.
Flash forward a few months, I've been existing as a 12-turned-13-year-old on the internet and enjoying interacting with others without having to pretend to be someone I wasn't. I speak and have fun with various NSers, mostly from TRR, make small childish social mistakes, persist. Until I decided to join CalRef slightly over two years ago. I wasn't aiming to cause trouble, but as 13-year-old boys are, I was inevitably troublesome. I clashed with others unintentionally, made yet more childish social mistakes, until a few months into my joining, I spoke with at least Luca about my community presence. There/then, they acted in one of the kindest ways I have known, and believed that I could become better.
And, I hope, better I became. I turned 14, meaning I was no longer in CalRef on unofficial, doubtful grounds. I did my best to improve how I interacted with others, seeing to it that I shelved any lacerating or unwelcoming aspects of my still-forming personality. I did all I could to put my best foot forward and be on good terms with other community members which I hadn't been the kindest child to. I'm relieved to say that I believe that I am in good standing as a community member and good friends with many wonderful and inspiring hearts here. I must thank at least Luca, and possibly Emily (I'm sure I frustrated her also), for giving me the opportunity to better myself and find myself here.
I must also thank Calamity Refuge for being the place that it is. A dedicated group of dedicated people who do their best to provide a safe space for others. A most noble goal for only a handful of people to work towards, and one that is most appreciated by all under its umbrella of independence. Thank you to everyone who has contributed towards this goal in CalRef over the past 15 years.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, [people] can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
~ Margaret Mead
P.S. I spent this Refuge Day and the past three weeks along the Maine coast, kayaking in the sea and visiting many islands. I saw many lobster boats and visited a few harbors but I went to many wooded areas and mostly escaped society. I returned with a renewed appreciation for my surroundings and spirit to help others. I may have pre-empted this Refuge Day but I am grateful to have even momentarily dropped meaningless societal burdens. I also encourage everyone to go to the wilderness and enjoy independence.
