If you go through the Lethal Lyricist League and Front Lines archives you will see hundreds upon hundreds of past battles, shit maybe combined even in the thousands. Names will pop out at you, some recognizable, others strangers who were only here for a fleeting moment. Every single one of those battlers were important whether they were noobs or vets, wack or dope, practiced or unskilled. They were important because they made this site come alive with excitement. They each played an integral role in bringing this site to the forefront of the text scene. But they won't only be remembered for their contributions. They will be remembered for their lack of contributions. What happened to the people who made this place run like clockwork?
They're gone. They've moved on. Grown into adults. Got married. Had kids. Lost interest. Text battling was a hobby to them and like most hobbies it is easy to get bored and disenchanted. So they dabbled in other ventures and left the scene. Yes, some of those people are still around, guys that we're familiar with, textcees that lurk around the site and just bullshit with the regulars every now and then. We call these guys vets and so-called legends but do they deserve that kind of respect? People like
@
Joe Boston
and
@
KnowP
are vets to me. They are legendary. Why? Because they have years of experience and never got complacent. Forget their win/loss totals and medals/accomplishments. Think about what they have actually contributed to this site. Years of ongoing dedication despite how many successes and failures they've endured. When you need somebody to count on, look to them. They're reliable. They're committed. They're everything this site could ask for. Their activity is invaluable. Then you have the other people. The "figureheads" of the text scene. People like
@
Barcotic
and
@
Letterman
. They get respect and admiration because of their personal achievements, but do they deserve it? No. They don't. What exactly have they achieved? They stick around for a few minutes, no show some battles, then leave. I'll tell you what they've achieved. They are responsible for this site going to shit. Unlike
@
KnowP
and
@
Joe Boston
, you ask these guys to do something that could reflect positively on the site and they fucking scatter like cockroaches. They have absolutely no fucking desire to contribute.
When I started the PBX Battle League I did it as a way to promote activity. When I ask
@
plethora
@
Lenny
@
Clout
@
Kill Spree
@
Fresh
@Bom Bard
@
Ronin
@
Smog
, and others to sign up, it's because I have a trust, probably misguided, sure, but I have to believe these guys will step up because that's what trustworthy people do when called on. We can't rely on placing our faith in uninterested vets or bringing people from Netcees over to help rehabilitate this site. This is on us. We are what remains of perhaps the best text battling site on the internet, one with a storied history that rivals any other I have ever been to. Keep in mind I have been at this for almost 2 and a half decades. Do you want all of this to go to waste? The prestige? The rich history that accompanies the site? We could lose all of it. We ARE losing all of it. I love this site. I have a place here. The members here are good people. I don't want to text battle over at Netcees. I'd rather be here with you guys. We need to band together despite any differences we might have and strive to get this place looking respectable again. You need me?
@
Ronin
you need me for the Alias tourney? Count me in.
@
Fresh
you want me to sign in to 1-2 and help revamp it by assisting with the mod duties? Count me in.
@
KnowP
you need somebody to vote on Front Lines battles? Count me in.
I'm willing to do my part. If you guys aren't willing to do yours, then shut this site down, go to Netcees where you're looked downed upon as trash, and make friends with people who have no respect for you whatsoever. I'm sure they care as much about the lineage of talent this site has produced as you do and would have no problem helping you to shit on it.