Comments on: On Being “Pro”

By: domni

domni — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:46:57 +0000

The word “pro” drives me pretty insane when it’s used to describe everything in WoW, particularly when you consider the fact that it means absolutely nothing. “Pro” does not tell me whether or not I can trust this player, if she’s experienced in the content, if her personality is enjoyable, if her gear is strong, or if she’s available for the duration of the raid. All “pro” tells me is that is that you have an acquaintance with this player and want to recommend them, but can’t think of a good reason why.

By: DiscGrace

DiscGrace — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:01:19 +0000

My guild used “Pro” a lot, but usually in an ironic/sarcastic way. For example, “Bob accidentally wore his chef’s hat while tanking the lich king and got us all wiped, that was so Pro.” In this context it doesn’t bug me at all. I think I’d get sick of it being used too often the ways you mentioned though.

By: Dendrite

Dendrite — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:04:09 +0000

You do run a “pro”gression guild. Why are you so opposed to this word?

By: Lath

Lath — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:52:53 +0000

Oooh I forgot to add – I will admit that when someone goes “oh yes get such as such person into raid – they are like pro heals man” I have already determined they are most likely pretty shitty and will not be capable of taking constructive criticism…. does anyone else have that same reaction? I would be interested to know

By: Beruthiel

Beruthiel — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:44:10 +0000

Or part of the problem might be that people are being witty and it doesn’t transfer well via text, and instead of coming off as witty they come off as arrogant

By: Beruthiel

Beruthiel — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:43:10 +0000

I guess it’s that sarcasm though that bugs me a little bit. I often see the exact scenario that you are describing, but I’ll see it on a message board or forum from someone that is genuinely asking for help or advice, and someone will pipe in “pro tip [insert something obvious in a sarcastic manner]“.

I guess what bugs me about that a little bit is that it’s those types of things that discourage people to speak up and ask for help. Often times all it takes is one semi-nasty reply to a request for people to feel embarassed, and perhaps too shy to ask for something else in the future.

By: Beruthiel

Beruthiel — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:39:33 +0000

Well, even if they aren’t using it to discuss themselves, per se, I think the implication of it is still there a little bit.

But, I suppose there could be a lot of ways to use the word that I’m just not “getting”

By: Beruthiel

Beruthiel — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:38:07 +0000

“Beruthiel has demoted Dendrite to PFC Autoshot”

By: Beruthiel

Beruthiel — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:37:37 +0000

I don’t know if it’s bad or not. It’s really just how I have been viewing the usage of the word. And perhaps it’s also just my experiences with the word that leave a bad taste in my mouth!

By: Beruthiel

Beruthiel — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:36:10 +0000

Strange, it’s something that just fairly recently I’ve seen! Definately not years old

It might be something that just bugs me and very few else. And I could just be getting the wrong jive from the word, and juxtaposing different meanings to it than it should have!

But I think it’s still going to annoy me some!