Just to provide a different perspective:

Interviewer wants your thoughts. Interviewer also needs to play the algo game and come up with a title, thumbnail, 30s snippet to promote this interview and entice someone to watch.

You make their life harder if you can't help them "play the game".

Everything is a balance, different people have different tastes. You can attract a broader audience with hype, passion, and entertainment more than insightful commentary.

You and I are probably not the audience for most of that type of content, but there is a far larger demographic who are.

one step at a time 💪

I mean yes as well, but also you will have more opportunities to experiment and get comfy against a weaker opponent.

It also allows the hungry next-in-line an opportunity to prove themselves which will end up as level scrim partners.

NA League tells me high level needs help with all modes.

If you are playing weird picks but are trying, I don't see the issue.

If you are concerned about playing something, just communicate to opponent ahead of time to make sure they are okay.

If you feel opponent is not taking things serious, just end scrim and avoid those player(s) in the future.

Whenever discussion around improving comes up, there is always an assumption about "playing better" opponents to improve and playing worse opponents isn't helpful.

Perspective/mentality is everything when practicing in any environment.

This extends to playing X Rank/SendouQ that some shrug off.

Giving back to the community elevates the entire playerbase, increasing the skill of low/mid/high level.

It is just a long term investment that it too far in the future for people to care.

It's not even about "doing the right thing", it (eventually) solves a lot of common gripes in the community.

Warcraft III was so peak for their variety and quality of custom maps. I can't explain how much joy that game brought me and my friends. The only time I've sunk 1000s of hours as a true casual.

Makers deserve to get paid, but literally every system now devolves into minmaxing profit/effort.

Absolutely, at the end of the day it is art and a way to express yourself.

I always appreciate seeing the human bleed through in the production.

I think a lot about those memey ".exe" montages. Not usually MY vibe, but often tell a good story and the heart/charm will always win me over.

I think it is more about HOW you use the clips than the clips themselves being worthy of including a montage.

I don't watch montages to dissect the merit of a clip. I am looking to FEEL something.

If I had one piece of advice to Splat montage makers, it would be to lean into the music more.

(not on your end, you are already chilling at the top of the mountain🐐)

I just hope that as people get older and graduate from competitive, they can use some of their clout and respect to be the "adults" in these very siloed servers.

It may already be happening, I don't have visibility to know.

I do think the old guard could be a big help (for those that are interested) to discuss these topics as highly respected members of the community.

(Cynical take but) Some of these discussions feel driven less from wanting systemic change, and more bitterness from not being part of the "in" group.

I think it is natural and healthy for competition to drive the development of these behaviors. Especially since our community is literally designed to cater to the ego.

It is the lack of accountability within the self, inner circles, and greater community that is more concerning. Kids will be kids.

Any schmuck at +3 or above could tell you how to improve your mechanics, how to win a teamfight, and what to look for in order to improve game sense. What is so often missed is how to approach that advice, how to implement it consistently, and how to not let outside factors stunt your growth. (end🧵)

I have recently found huge holes in my own process and self that reflects in improving as a player. I've been so much happier with myself in all aspects of life as a result.

I have debated on wanting to make content around these topics because it feels irresponsible to talk without formal edu.

I've been really struggling/reflecting with this from both a coach/analyst and player perspective.

I will NEVER discourage more Splat content/analysis (always good), but recently I have had a feeling the biggest issues are around the learning "process" or other internal struggles within the human.

It warms my heart to hear you are putting in the work and people are so receptive!

I've always valued the skills you can develop outside of the game that you carry with you for the rest of your life.

My thoughts around giving and taking extend more generally in the community, but I found it interesting to apply it here.

I do agree with your thoughts. (Back in my day 👴) we only had X Rank + Sendou Q-ish + LANs to play the game. Siloing players/practice seems needlessly (harmfully) complex imo.

We are all people at the end of the day. Social creatures that like to feel special and make connections and help where we can.

Make it easy for people to say yes. Be flexible to schedule around them. Make the burden on them as small as possible. Use it for content idk... be creative!