Many of you have probably speculated or have seen this coming, but the time has come for me to speak. It would be naive to pretend that I can be here forever or to think that there would be a good time for this. At the same time, I would like to have some favorable conditions. I decided that as StarCraft 2 came closer that I would make this announcement.
I have been with SEN for a long time, since just after its founding. I have seen v1, I have been a mere member, I have been a moderator, I have been a Global Moderator, and I have been administrator. I've seen it through turbulence and I've seen the population of the site explode and contract and surge in various directions. Logic dictates that there will be another, perhaps more massive, influx with StarCraft 2 and I am personally ill-equipped to handle it.
It is quite possible that many of you have noticed me fading out. I've been doing less moderation in favor of overseeing moderation and handling appeals. I've been trying to be less authoritative and placing more trust in the people of SEN to choose what is good for themselves. Some choices are good, some are disappointing. I'm sure that my dictations have been viewed in a similar manner. Perhaps such a thing is a result of getting older and realizing that I don't always have all the right answers, but I digress.
Real life responsibilities, personal issues, new interests and hobbies, as well as the overall "growing up" thing have become quite time-consuming. The changing community is always a factor, but pinning anything down to one cause is a gross oversimplification. My availability is changing and I am becoming more disconnected from SEN insofar as it sinks lower in my life's priority list. There are willing, talented and deserving people who have far more motivation and time for SEN than I have had lately. The signs are there: some private messages not answered here or there, an issue dismissed here or there. I don't feel any better than you guys do about my shortcomings. Unfortunately, my position is one that will only become more challenging and demanding in the immediate future with the advent of StarCraft 2. I would be irresponsible to continue to hold down my position of power as it is, to delude everyone including myself into thinking that I can meet these demands.
So what of the future? I cannot say. I am not leaving quite yet, (assuming that I even could get myself to leave completely, but that's a whole different topic) but it is only fair that everyone is aware of what is going on. No replacements or staff motions have been planned. I have tried to impart my wisdom and experience while demonstrating good judgment through my decisions and actions. SEN holds a place in my heart and many fond memories, so I want very much for it to continue and to be successful without me. (Whatever "successful" means, which is yet another tangent...)
Now everybody is on the same page. It's been one hell of a ride. I'll let you know what happens next when I know.
https://www.collaborativefund.com/blog/how-this-all-happened/
https://thelastpsychiatrist.com/2012/11/hipsters_on_food_stamps.html
https://youtu.be/vyiXaCRwZTs
https://thelastpsychiatrist.com/2011/09/how_to_be_mean_to_your_kids.html
http://lab.cccb.org/en/renata-avila-the-internet-of-creation-disappeared-now-we-have-the-internet-of-surveillance-and-control/
https://thelastpsychiatrist.com/2012/11/hipsters_on_food_stamps.html
https://youtu.be/vyiXaCRwZTs
https://thelastpsychiatrist.com/2011/09/how_to_be_mean_to_your_kids.html
http://lab.cccb.org/en/renata-avila-the-internet-of-creation-disappeared-now-we-have-the-internet-of-surveillance-and-control/