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As the title of this blog states, I have a confession to make. While it won't affect most of you, it is important and I do want to get it out in the open. Despite what it says in my TL profile, and despite what I have told some people, I am 13 years old. Like I said, you might not care at all about this but I felt that as I was getting deeper into the world of esports and writing for Teamliquid, I needed to make sure people knew.
Now, should you care, I am sure you will want to know exactly why I lied. To explain it fully, I am going to have to give you some background. When I first signed up to this site, I was the tender age of 11. Due to this I was not exactly experienced in the ways of the internet, and TL specifically, and I was worried that I would be made fun of because of the common stereotype that all people of that age are immature idiots. So since I was just a random poster, I didn't think there would be any harm in telling people I was in my 20s when they asked my age. After all, they aren't ever going to follow up on that because it's all too likely they don't care. As I continued to immerse myself in Starcraft 2, I noticed that younger gamers such as myself were actually accepted. The success of people such as Najzmajs' stream, and the relative youth of pros such as Pokebunny made me ponder if I'd done the wrong thing. After a while, I decided that it still didn't matter. I was just Random Poster X, nobody cares in the slightest about what I say.
As time passed by, I stayed just as passionate if not more so for Starcraft 2 than ever. I began getting involved in editing Liquipedia and getting to know the wonderful community surrounding that, and I really felt as if I had found my home. Everyone there was friendly, helpful and up for a good laugh. I did not feel comfortable lying to the people I considered friends, but once again did it really matter? It was unlikely I'd meet them in real life and despite the fact that people my age (I am 13 at this point) are generally accepted by the community if they are mature. So I kept editing away at LP, stacking up the coins and enjoying myself in the process. I got to know all the regular contributors who hanged out in IRC pretty well, which just worsened my feelings about lying to them.
A few months passed, and Teamliquid began recruiting writers. Now already having done a piece for a Liquipedia News Article, I thought I might as well go for it. I got accepted and I was ecstatic. Finally I would have a chance to contribute to TL, getting recognition for watching the game I love then writing about the game I love.
This brings me onto the explanation. Since I am now (kinda) staff, I feel obligated to reveal the truth before I get too far into writing. I do this, hoping that you will not feel betrayed or upset. While I could just be very melodramatic, I don't want to hurt people's feelings. While I understand if you feel like you can't trust me now, I want you to still consider me a friend and someone you can talk to and joke with. I am also making this blog so the staff know. I'd rather tell you now, when I'm not even properly staff than in 10 years when by some off chance I meet a fellow staff member in real life and he says 'You look awfully young for 30+ year old...'. I hope everyone who cares about this can forgive me, and even if you can't trust me or are upset with me, you will let me continue doing the work I love. I would be incredibly saddened to be unable to continue to write, or continue to edit LP without being shunned by the fantastic community supporting it. While I am young, I have shown that I am mature enough to engage in actual conversations with people often times twice my age. It was hard for me to post this blog in the first place, but I knew if I didn't I would regret it. Once again, I apologise for lying and deceiving whomever may be reading this, and I hope you can forgive me for it.
  
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I would've never believed if someone else told me you are just 13, indeed you have shown maturity beyond the level of some other posters twice your age. I embrace you for coming out of the age-closet, accept the apology and forgive you.
+ Show Spoiler +I kind of wish I was still 13, things were so much easier back then, + Show Spoiler +right now I almost can't handle my situation.
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Thanks Cokefreak, I hope whatever you're dealing with ends up okay as you're an awesome guy 
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East Gorteau22261 Posts
So what if you're 13? You're mature, you're a good writer and you're more than capable of arguing (somewhat) level-headedly. I think you're a cool guy, and anyone who thinks age should matter more than maturity can (not so kindly) GTFO.
Cheers.
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Don't worry about it. Just enjoy being 13. I am 15 and I miss being 13 very badly lol
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goddamn i feel old as fuck being 21
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I thought it was a lie. I'm 26 and safe to say, I could not write like that when I was 13.
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Yeah I don't think anyone really cares. That Pokebunny guy is like 12 or something. Plus this community is full of kids these days (thanks Reddit).
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Thanks for all the support, it really reassures me that actually posting this blog and facing the (possibly negative) consequences was worth it ^^
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Just don't forget to spend time IRL with actual people! Even if writing is your passion, don't miss out in your formative teen angst emo opportunities when you have 70+ years to get paid while writing on your (insert next gen 4G device here) at work while getting paid!
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As long as you stop complaining about MMR hell, you're forgiven. =D
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On February 28 2013 02:53 r.Evo wrote:
As long as you stop complaining about MMR hell, you're forgiven. =D
I realise it doesn't exist now, it was just me getting a tad annoyed about my stupidly long losing streak xD
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On February 28 2013 02:53 r.Evo wrote:
As long as you stop complaining about MMR hell, you're forgiven. =D
ha, my first thoughts as well.
Sucks you felt you had to lie about your age instead of letting your posting do the talking. I can see why you'd have reservations but if you contribute to the community at 9, 13, 50, or 80, makes no difference to me.
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Lalalaland34510 Posts
Heh, I knew you seemed a bit young, I guessed about 14 or 15 when I was talking to someone else a while back. But I never cared too much about it because it doesn't matter.
Now that you're taking on more and more responsibility, just be careful with what you say and do. On a forum your posts your attitude more than anything. Before you hit the post button, always reread it and think twice, 'Does this post reflect well on myself?'
It's been fun to get to know you kollin, keep up the enthusiasm ^_^
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On February 28 2013 03:10 crms wrote:Show nested quote +On February 28 2013 02:53 r.Evo wrote:
As long as you stop complaining about MMR hell, you're forgiven. =D ha, my first thoughts as well. Sucks you felt you had to lie about your age instead of letting your posting do the talking. I can see why you'd have reservations but if you contribute to the community at 9, 13, 50, or 80, makes no difference to me.
To be fair, he would have to lie anyway. IIRC you have to be 13 or older to register on TL, so if you are younger than that, while it may not make a diference to you, it would be against the ToS. I think some accounts have already been banned for this sole reason, even accounts that TL didn't really want to ban but was forced to because of the possible legal ramifications of ignoring the law.
And if you are going to lie anyway, you may say you are older.
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Damn.. 13? I seriously didn't even believe this post until I saw the comments :o, thought you were like 20 or something.
Anyways I think I'm a tad younger than some people around here might think, so I'm glad to see people are so accepting of it .
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That is only true for the US.
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On February 28 2013 03:43 Cokefreak wrote:
That is only true for the US.
If you are talking about my post, yes, it's a US law, and TL is based on New York, so it applies to TL.
Here's one of the accounts banned by it:
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=339508
http://www.ftc.gov/ogc/coppa1.htm is given as the closing reason
This was the ban reason:
+ Show Spoiler +uNAware was just banned by motbob.
That account was created on 2011-04-20 09:22:45 and had 52 posts.
Reason: The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 is a federal law that places certain restrictions on websites when dealing with persons under the age of 13. Because of this, TL does not allow users under the age of 13 to use this website.
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You're a great writer and always came across as smart and mature when reading your stuff. No worries, I've never put much thought into personal details on the internet such as age as they're so difficult to verify (and not being judged on these is half the reason we're here, eh?) - I only judge people online on the quality of what they do, so no need to apologize I feel, though apology accept anyway!
And blimey you're 13! I'm pushing 30! Please make the most of your childhood! Your writing is fantastic, just make sure you still climb trees.
EDIT: also, was now the right time for the blog? I mean - SO CLOSE TO 3K POSTS!!!!
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quite the writer
them grammar skills!
anyways congrats, no shame in what you are doing
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EPT
