Raskholnikov wrote:So, when someone asks what we all think about the Foundry, we can say whatever we think.. as long as we broadly agree it's a very helpful place where everyone really tries to help everyone else and as long as we don't complain about pretty much anything at all because everyone in the Foundry is a volunteer and "complaining just makes the situation worse"?
First, Andy does not speak for all of us. He did not ask teh question. He was stating his opinion about the question. I tend to agree with him.
Second, I would like you to find me a map, where a new map maker started out and was abused and ridiculed
because of WHO they were. I don't think you will find one.
Every time a map has been said to be bad, or ugly or not right, it has not been because people dislike the map maker,
it is because the map is bad.
Think about the American Idol analogy. How many people get onto American Idol and think they are GREAT STUFF? Way too many.
Why do these people think they are so good at singing? Is it because their friend, who have no concept of good music, tell them?
Is it because they sing in the shower and think they are good but have never been judged by others?
Is it because they are so self centered that they think they can do no wrong?
Whatever the reason is, there are TONS of people on American Idol that sing bad and refuse to accept it.
Now look at the foundry. Why do you think ANYONE can come in and start 1 map, with no experience and assume they know best? They can't. Until they prove they are good, why should everyoen praise their work? When a first map maker comes in and accepts help and criticism, they learn and grow in both negotiating, communicating and drawing at the same time.
Everyone was a new map maker once. Some just choose to listen and accept help from people who came before. Those people get better, learn how to properly communicate and make a map.
Others don't. And those people are the largest percentage of people complaining that the foundry is an "elitist group of people, bent on destroying the wishes and hope of the new artists".There have been many issues over my time here where I have not wanted to change a map for my own reason. Many times I have got to keep my original design. Other I have not. I can disagree with people but that does not mean they are not correct.
Plus, how many of your so called foundry elite, have had every map they have ever designed built. ZERO. It would seem to me that if a small percentage of people ran the foundry that all the maps they designed would be created. I have many ideas that have not made it. Mainly due to lack of support because they were bad ideas. I had a DNA map a long time ago that got crushed. It was a BAD MAP IDEA!. I had a Rubix cube map idea. It was a bad idea.
Just take a look at all of the first carto maps in the foundry. How many of them think the foundry is a place that is full of elite map makers bend on the destruction of others. Sure they have received advice that they did not like. They have been told their maps have attributes that are not good (GP, visual,etc). Did they complain and cry elitism? From what I have seen, they kept moving forward and their map have gotten better. Plus they might have learned some stuff from others along the way.
isaiah40
Industrial Helix
Scott-Land
sully800
just to name a few.