It's a commendable idea, no doubt. If trying to establish positions of authority within the community, please consider some good points from my younger sister:

dogfightplay.com/index.php/forum/2-gossi...ze-a-squadron#255289

[NLR] Octavia wrote: When Luna and I started the NLR, we were still relatively new to Dogfight, and honestly, we had no idea what we were doing (still don't). We consider ourselves very lucky to have seen the squad grow and still continue to be active today!

But, some advice can be found by good, old-fashioned social studies. This is a community, after all. When it comes down to whether a squad should be recognized as "official" and be taken seriously, consider some concepts taught in Government 101: Authority, Legitimacy, Obligation, and Power.

These four principles help define sources of leadership and power in any social setting (from small communities to national governments), and can easily be used to analogize how squadrons are perceived in Dogfight.

Authority - This refers to social power, and is the pinnacle of the four. Your authority is recognized and accepted by others, BUT it is dependent on:

Legitimacy - This comes into play when deciding if your authority is correct and proper. Your legitimacy is kept intact by maintaining a proper "image" and by fulfilling your:

Obligation - Another word for responsibility. If you neglect or overstep your obligations, you lose above Authority. But, to fulfill great responsibility, you need great:

Power - The raw, black-and-white ability to do something. This is the great backbone, the foundation to establishing your Authority. You cannot get to any of the levels above without first achieving the ones below.

So, if you're still following along, how does this tie into the squadrons of Dogfight?

Well, the ultimate goal of any starter squad (and any group within a social hierarchy) is to achieve authority. Squads want recognition and acceptance for what they are. But first, they need that foundation. They need Power.

Not everyone here has the time, skill, or motivation to start a squad, so that's where many stop. But those who decide to invest in such a task must have the Power to do so. This will be proven by fulfilling certain Obligations. Start a squad thread, start a squad website, spread the word, create art/banners, make an official charter, gain some members. As you prove that you can use your Power to complete expected Obligations, your Legitimacy will build, and from that, people will respect the squadron's Authority.

The reason why squads end (or any government for that matter) is because of the loss of Authority by the deterioration of any of the foundations. Some squadron leaders lose the time and ability to manage the squad, which is a loss of Power. Some squadron leaders ignore the responsibilities that come with leading a squad (despite having the ability to do so), which is neglect of their Obligation. Some members of squads tarnish their reputation by saying/doing bad things, or by abusing their Power within the squad, which results in a loss of Legitimacy.

In the end, only the best squads gain Authority and are recognized as a prominent squadron in Dogfight.

So, if you're still reading along, what will you do to earn that authority? You have to go the whole nine yards, because stopping short doesn't score the touchdown.

Thanks for reading! If you didn't know, I'm currently studying for midterms tomorrow, and this was an excellent refresher for me.

Until next time,

~Octavia

If you understand and respect these time-proven principles, then you can help the community the best you can! Good luck and I wish for the best.

~Luna

Well, I fear I didn't understand clearly the goal of this thing, sorry. My English is still walking on "four legs".

But the words "inquisition", "accused", "proven innocence", "forbidden" doesn't make a good picture to my ignorant eyes, Dixie...

So, from a guy who uses to sneak and drop sometimes, and who already bombed his own hangars (hi, Swop!), and tank spawnkilled (hy, Black Wizard!), I guess there will be a stake and a balefire waiting for me soon...

Just wait a minute, need to pack up and take my meds...

The inquisition, let's begin
The inquisition, look out sin
I know you're wishin' that we'd go away......

(someone take it....)

Never in the history of the world did anything good come from something like the inquisition.
But since it is kind of a spanish thing, Zup might just try it.

Mostly excesses like these start out as an experiment to "guide the ignorant laymen" by self proclaimed spiritual leaders, it ends up being rather messy.

Just saying...

Is this a musical.

LOL

Here you go Bunny...