Twitterment - noun 1. An argument that takes place over Twitter. Often lasting less than 48 hours due to lack depth or permanence of the discussions being held. Either that, or the holders of the argument realize the futility of carrying on at a rate of 144 characters a post. 2. A silly website that sends followers to you for a 'low, reasonable fee' - similar to the concept of buying friends.
The Twitterment started innocently enough. An innocuous comment posted and likely initially forgotten, about the naming conventions used for creating deck names. That was all it took. The MtG Twitterverse erupted, picking sides and printing banners. War paint was issued, battle plans were drawn, and people chose sides. Was the Pro magic player right? Maybe. Did it matter to anyone not in the line of fire? Probably not.
If I want to call my deck, "Stoke the Fires, Here Comes the Carol Burnett," then that is what I want to name it and YOU can't do anything about it. There is no requirement that states my deck name must reflect what my deck does or does not do, what my personal values are, or what type of childhood trauma I may suffer from. Nowhere in the Comprehensive Rules is this issue directly addressed. People are allowed to name their deck anything they want. So long as the chosen names are not offensive, they can be anything. It can be a paragraph long and describe every aspect of the deck, or it can be one four letter word that doesn't relate at all to the contents or purpose.
I always wanted to name a deck, 'Fred'. "Hey Magic Dad, what is your deck's name?" "Oh, it's Fred." "Fred?" "Yes, Fred." "What's it do?" "It's a WU Combo-Control deck." "I don't get it, why Fred?" "Why not? It's my deck. Somebody decided I needed to name it and I thought 'Fred' was a good, strong name. You have a problem with that? Well, do ya?"
I always wanted to name a deck, 'Fred'. "Hey Magic Dad, what is your deck's name?" "Oh, it's Fred." "Fred?" "Yes, Fred." "What's it do?" "It's a WU Combo-Control deck." "I don't get it, why Fred?" "Why not? It's my deck. Somebody decided I needed to name it and I thought 'Fred' was a good, strong name. You have a problem with that? Well, do ya?"
But the Pro didn't make a statement about a rule. The Pro made a general statement about deck names and from that point forward, the Magic sub-community of Twitter had a new topic to beat to death. It is fun watching the Twitterment evolve. First there is shock, "What did they say?" Then there is a bit of denial, "There is no way I agree with your stance...and your hair is stupid." Eventually, we come around to acceptance, "..." The Twitterment peters out and a new topic is started. Unless someone with some juice comes along to restart it, the argument at this point is dead - and in many cases undecided. Who won? Who lost? Why did they say that thing about my hair?
Fallout
Great Twitterments though should not be forgotten but is the nature of the format that they fall to the ravages of time. Instead of losing them forever, they should be dragged out from whatever hole they crawled into and examined at least once more in the cold, stark world of bloggers. In this instance, while maybe not a 'great' Twitterment, the MtG Deck Name Controversy of GP Dallas/Fort Worth 2013 should be reviewed once more. So what can we learn from this Twitterment (and perhaps others like it?).
First, as a consumer and fan of the MtG Community, I need to state that I am becoming less surprised when these Twitterments erupt. In fact, it happens with such regularity that there are certain evident truths. Those truths are, in no particular order:
Second, a good Twitterment provides an important service. It gives Twitter users a release valve for the community to express itself. Many community members dedicate a great deal of time, money, and personality to the pursuit of a perfect deck. Others feel a connection to some of the popular Professionals and personalities. A good Twitterment can be cleansing, a chance to blow off some pent up steam. It also allows for WotC and others to see and weigh in on what is important - at least this week - to the Pros and other players who follow them. Even better, a good Twitterment can be enjoyed and contributed to by all. Something as universal as deck names appeals to every Timmy, Johnny and Spike. Even better, there isn't anyone that can't contribute to the argument.
Perhaps most important of all, a Twitterment provides us with a chance to see which Pro is the whiniest, most self... - err, no, that's not right. Let's travel back to Brian Kibler's attack of MtGO for just moment. When he was booted from the MOCS he was participating in and lashed out via Twitter and his blog, he wasn't saying anything particularly unique. Players have complained about the reliability of MtGO for some time, especially in larger events. So people who claim, "I had to unfollow [insert name here] because I couldn't take their complaining anymore," should really think for a moment about what happens when Pros do complain. A strong Twitterment, well thought out and hard fought by one Pro, can do something that takes 50 or more other regular grinders to do. It can effect change on a large scale. Will MtGO be fixed as a result? Probably not fully, but I can guarantee that it will be better. The net result here is a win for the fans. It doesn't matter if you play MtGO or not, the MODO item was a victory for us all. Why? Because - if Kibler won this time about MtGO and it results in an improvement, perhaps it will embolden LSV to make a point about drafting that has long irked him and would result in an improved experience at sanctioned drafts. Or another Pro such as Del Tora could take up the banner about a needed website improvement. Success is its own positive reinforcement.
[Side note: WotC is tremendously responsive to all fans, I've had some wonderful conversations with them and I don't spend thousands of dollars in a month on MtG, nor am I a Pro. There is no denying though that Pro's voice with their legions of followers carries serious weight].
So how does this most recent debate stack up to something like the MODO EXPLODE-O? Not very well I'm afraid. But it did provide some entertainment for a few hours. I'm sure this past argument had everyone thinking, just a little bit, about how they name their decks. Even if it doesn't affect you now it will sometime in the next year. You'll find yourself filling out a decklist at some event and you'll actually ask yourself - does Big Greenie/White Weenie really describe what I'm trying to do? Or better yet, you'll wonder about whether or not you really want to use the cutesy name you came up with on camera when you pull a dark horse and get to the Top 8. Anything is possible.
And when I win with my Fred deck at some major event, most of you will understand. Except for those Pros that think this matters - the ones who do can go pound sand. It's my deck, and I'll party with it however I want to.
The list below is incomplete, but if you feel any difficulty in coming up with a name that is suitable for event coverage you could do worse than start here. Anyone who is interested in a full sized .pdf or would like to see some terms added, then please email me with "DECK NAMES" in the subject line.
Reblogs, Retweets, & Mentions of all kinds are appreciated - as an independent writer I'm only read when others like what they see and share with their friends.
First, as a consumer and fan of the MtG Community, I need to state that I am becoming less surprised when these Twitterments erupt. In fact, it happens with such regularity that there are certain evident truths. Those truths are, in no particular order:
- You can almost smell the wind change just before a Twitterment starts
- Pros are reasonably consistent about which side of an argument they will take
- Unless a Pro weighs in, a Twitterment typically fizzles within 20-30 Tweets
- Pros and MtG Personalities should have ranks - there are obviously generals and majors and sergeants and privates in these wars
- Certain people have the power to end Twitterments, depending on the topic
- The power to end a Twitterment by means other than letting it run its course diminishes exponentially by the number of minutes it's been in force and the number of Pros involved
- WotC sees everything - just because they haven't commented, doesn't mean they aren't watching
- Twitterment length is better determined by who is involved than topic
- Unless the Twitterment is about an event or circumstance that hasn't happened, it will conclude in 48 hours
- All contributing circumstances must be taken into account when predicting how long and nasty the Twitterment will be
Second, a good Twitterment provides an important service. It gives Twitter users a release valve for the community to express itself. Many community members dedicate a great deal of time, money, and personality to the pursuit of a perfect deck. Others feel a connection to some of the popular Professionals and personalities. A good Twitterment can be cleansing, a chance to blow off some pent up steam. It also allows for WotC and others to see and weigh in on what is important - at least this week - to the Pros and other players who follow them. Even better, a good Twitterment can be enjoyed and contributed to by all. Something as universal as deck names appeals to every Timmy, Johnny and Spike. Even better, there isn't anyone that can't contribute to the argument.
Perhaps most important of all, a Twitterment provides us with a chance to see which Pro is the whiniest, most self... - err, no, that's not right. Let's travel back to Brian Kibler's attack of MtGO for just moment. When he was booted from the MOCS he was participating in and lashed out via Twitter and his blog, he wasn't saying anything particularly unique. Players have complained about the reliability of MtGO for some time, especially in larger events. So people who claim, "I had to unfollow [insert name here] because I couldn't take their complaining anymore," should really think for a moment about what happens when Pros do complain. A strong Twitterment, well thought out and hard fought by one Pro, can do something that takes 50 or more other regular grinders to do. It can effect change on a large scale. Will MtGO be fixed as a result? Probably not fully, but I can guarantee that it will be better. The net result here is a win for the fans. It doesn't matter if you play MtGO or not, the MODO item was a victory for us all. Why? Because - if Kibler won this time about MtGO and it results in an improvement, perhaps it will embolden LSV to make a point about drafting that has long irked him and would result in an improved experience at sanctioned drafts. Or another Pro such as Del Tora could take up the banner about a needed website improvement. Success is its own positive reinforcement.
[Side note: WotC is tremendously responsive to all fans, I've had some wonderful conversations with them and I don't spend thousands of dollars in a month on MtG, nor am I a Pro. There is no denying though that Pro's voice with their legions of followers carries serious weight].
So how does this most recent debate stack up to something like the MODO EXPLODE-O? Not very well I'm afraid. But it did provide some entertainment for a few hours. I'm sure this past argument had everyone thinking, just a little bit, about how they name their decks. Even if it doesn't affect you now it will sometime in the next year. You'll find yourself filling out a decklist at some event and you'll actually ask yourself - does Big Greenie/White Weenie really describe what I'm trying to do? Or better yet, you'll wonder about whether or not you really want to use the cutesy name you came up with on camera when you pull a dark horse and get to the Top 8. Anything is possible.
And when I win with my Fred deck at some major event, most of you will understand. Except for those Pros that think this matters - the ones who do can go pound sand. It's my deck, and I'll party with it however I want to.
_______________________
The list below is incomplete, but if you feel any difficulty in coming up with a name that is suitable for event coverage you could do worse than start here. Anyone who is interested in a full sized .pdf or would like to see some terms added, then please email me with "DECK NAMES" in the subject line.
_______________________
Reblogs, Retweets, & Mentions of all kinds are appreciated - as an independent writer I'm only read when others like what they see and share with their friends.
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