NickCrash

This is usually not my thing, as lack of ability doesn't normally phase me. Most times, when something is annoying or borderline frustrating, I tend to suck it up and move on. It seems this time I couldn't. I was going to simply make a public message, dress it up with a little humor, and let off steam this way. Turns out that the longer I was writing, the more I felt I needed to properly contruct my words in the form of a thread; a more permanent thing that will serve as a future reminder for when you hope for too much. Case in point is this year's Student's Medical Conference in Athens, Greece. The idea behind it is to bring all future young doctors together in a feast of scientific progress and growth, co-operation and learning. Students who wish to participate commit themselves to learn about a particular subject, research new data about it, compile that information in a powerpoint presentation and bring it to the conference for other students to see. Usually that's done with the assistance of an overlooking professor, and can be either done in groups of 5 in which they divide the material and try to go more in depth, or solo in the form of an "announcement" about an interesting topic. Everyone who wishes to see those and thinks they can learn something, are willing to watch, as the presentations are divided into groups. At least, that's the idea behind it. Last year, I participated in Larisa's Medical Conference, which is located in a smaller city, and because of that had limited budget. I was happy that the lads there were capable to organize a conference of a national caliber, which was admittedly a strenuous task, given their limited resources. Needless to say, I had fun. I was able to make my 3 presentations with no delay or mix of rooms, or organizational turmoil, the workshops were organized just fine, and the only thing one could complain was the room capacity, as each could house 100 students maximum. One could argue about technical failures of speakers as well, but I digress. The conference was good and the scientific committee did its job to check every paper and group people together properly. I merely mention last year's conference, because the people from Athens, those who organized this year's one were displeased. I am so glad to tell them they have absolutely failed to deliver. Not exactly glad, because I had to endure the inconsistence and inability to do even simple tasks, which in the end infuriated me as I was the receiver of the turmoil, but it's glad to see everyone consider their conference a failure. I'll explain why I appear such an asshole in a bit. Thing is, the conference wasn't even meant to be organized there in the first place. The ones in charge (5-member groups for each medical school, who supposedly represent them) decided to rob the students from their decision, claiming that the people gathered in the room of the general assembly were not enough to make the decision. The students gathered were 800, approximately all those who participated in last year's conference, yet due to loopholes in the system, they were deemed not enough. the room couldn't fit more anyway. So what did they do? They decided to postpone the vote, organize it another time, decide that majority was not going to take place anyway, so the next time we vote, we won't need to be over 1500 (as the rules state), and that the voting procedure will take place in Athens, because that's where the groups usually meet to make decisions. That alone infuriated everyone, given Athens was a candidate for this year's conference, and making it hard for everyone else to vote (as they'd have to travel there) made sure the conference was organized in Athens, and it did. So, this urged many people not to sign up for the conference this year. So why did I do it? Because I had been working with my professor for over a year for our presentation and wanted to publish it first at a local conference, and then make a paper out of it for Lancet. It's quite the big deal, and for that alone I didn't stay for the whole conference. I went there, presented my thing, went on a laparoscopic workshop that I had been eyeing for months, and left. I lost some sleep, but kept some of my dignity. Now, why the fuck did it actually fail? It's a big city, with a lot of prospective sponsors. And if you look at the pamphlet, you'll notice big names spending good money for a chance to get new doctors on their side. Mostly pharmaceutical companies, but also those working with surgical tools. We also paid 25$ to participate, which is not a small amount per se. So where did all that money go? Not for the conference I'm certain. There was no organization, no safety regulations, the hotel in which the conference was held had stated their prices publicly (as they do host more events every year), and the workshops were in the nearest public hospital. The doctors helping us couldn't have gained that much money for a 2h course. Greed is the worst advisor a young doc can have. Instead, I'd suggest investing in more proper equipment for the presentations, checking devices, perhaps provide breakfast, invite doctors to present new data on their respective specialties, have us use modern equipment and improve our skills, check the presentations, and organize the rooms. FOR FUCK'S SAKE. In the same room we were presenting, the previous tables had similar subjects, on the very same day!! Who would stay and watch both? Who would even be remotely interested in watching only specific fucking subjects for a whole day! And to make matters worse, some presentations were factually wrong. That's how I know there was no scientific committee for the ones in the groups, to check whether what's presented is actual medical knowledge or utter bullshit. I didn't sleep for 2 nights to ensure my work was adequate. That the fact-checking and sources were accurate. That this is my small contribution to world knowledge, as i compare older date with new and provide additions given I followed the protocols and everything. Turns out, nobody fucking cares. What if you do proper work? Does it matter? You get the same as the others, because we don't care. Heck, they sure said "we can't even evaluate this shit, get out". No matter you wanted to provide something, to help just a little. No. People don't care about your efforts. These fuckers only care about money. Scientific growth? What's that? Do you know why nobody cares about your profession? FUCK YOU, that's why. They didn't even think of representing multiple specialties. We had general surgery, some cardiology, some more cardiology, even more general surgery, a tad of oncology, and the rest were allowed a single table, or maybe none. For example, only my school had a table on neurology and we were talking about Multiple Sclerosis ffs, and they had the audacity to place us at the end of the conference when nobody is either there, or interested in watching more. They had my table at the same time as another table from my university. My fellow students couldn't watch us both. Those genuinely interested in a subject would always come and watch, no matter how full or empty the room is. But this positive trait was not influenced as the program was nowhere to be found, unless you had constant access to the internet to check at all times where you'd like to go, and who is talking there. Of course, it's of smaller value to mention that workshops and presentations were ultimately deemed to fall on top of each other, time-wise, because nobody from the organizing committee took the effort to change the times to fit them properly. A few friends couldn't be there for their workshops because they were presenting, and a few workshop organizers and helpers couldn't be there for the presentations their students were making. As for the numbers. They announced over 2000 students participated. Every room was half-full. 800 participation cards were never issued. The hotel capacity does not exceed 1000 people, and ~300 had to always stay idle between rooms because of limited room. Thus, less than half actually went there. Why blow up the numbers, when we all know that's not nearly convincing? Why take so much money, and not use it somewhere that students can actually benefit from? Do you really want to revitalize the stereotype of the lazy Greek who only cares about doing the minimum, just to get their hands on money? Is that the idea of the conference? Is that the image we want the world to have about us? I am angry. Not because I did something wrong. But because this affects me, indirectly. Because in the end, my achievements will be valued less. Not because they per se are less valuable. But because the frame in which I am climbing up, is sinking down, and I have to chase much harder because of their fault. Because had these things been done properly, I wouldn't have to worry that our worth as doctors is diminished. Because at the end of the day, I'll have a harder time becoming someone, because the very system that's supposed to help me is standing in my way. So one day, when I look back at this, I will be happy because I managed to climb out of the filth. Because I wanted people to know that this kind of shit represents a general sepsis of this country's "educated people" and I don't want to be any part in it. Because these students will be the representatives of the medical boards of the country tomorrow. And I don't want to have any part in this. Any relation to them. I am still optimistic about the future. My future. But I won't have to thank any of them for support, or help or whatever. Because they are part of the problem, but they pat themselves on the back saying they help find the solution. It's fucking unfair, alright? Because I've been busting my ass off to provide a miniscule portion of progress in a field I love, and these shitheads get credit, money, appreciation, recognition, and are using their contacts (not talent, not wits, not knowledge) to gain things. And if I stay here, they will be ahead of me, because of this fucking mentality. They are worth less, but the people will see them rise faster and judge by that. Because this is unfair. And fuck them. I don't want this for my life. As I finish this message I wanted to mention something. This is a shitpost, yes. But I am fucking angry. It's not without purpose. I hope it's not. I hope I don't get dragged down into the shithole. I want to get out of here. Out of this fucking mess. And in times like this I wonder how some professors I know are good at what they do and care, how do they manage to leave all tha shit so far behind that it doesn't affect them, that i doesn't bother them.. And I know this is not a new phenomenon. But as I see a glimpse of hope in a previous organization, and expect more where more can be provided and I get this disappointed, I see all that's wrong with this system. It's not right. It's actually shit. And I won't have any of it. Sorry to have bothered you with this rant. I just take my passion more seriously than others it seems. Maybe I should focus on gathering wealth instead. Because what matters is not your ethics, but how fast you can build your villa, no matter how useless you are. No. I will be better. And one day, all these worms won't be even able to look this high up to see me. On that day, I'll be happy.

Thankfully we still have the formatting button. If you want to check how much it's used, try removing it for a week and see how the forum changes. Now emojis. There's going to be a lot of those. Ame, do you reckon we can have our special emojis? For starters, we used to have "why not" as one a long time ago, in a website far far away.

I believe we have our winner.

@LykosHand you know, it actually turned out as you said Apparently I only win games as mvp GG to everyone. At some points the living were running in circles because they didn't trust each other, but in the end they did the right thing. It was a great read for me (since I died early) and the design was pretty nice. Dat smirk tho

That's pretty scary. If you look at the bright side, you beat him at his own game.

1. Start by telling us the scariest story from your childhood.

All we need now is for Dive to refuse to participate, and boom! Bean's representing Reborn.

Jynx. The only reason she didn't get Elektabuzz's and Magmar's treatment was the excessive fear of not triggering the SJW.

Heh, true. destroyed. Even though I'd love to see Bean bamboozle all of them, my vote is on my nomination and (like you Dive), I stand by it. Now, if he declines, all I have to do is travel to France. I will look for him. I will find him and I will kill him persuade him.

Honestly, nobody can read Bean. In a tournament where everyone will be super serious, they'll need a Bean.

I'm nominating Alistair.

@Walpurgis I'd like you to add a category for "Events" because the story behind what's happening before the murder might be important. On N1 I received the info that "Quinn had written an invite to host an event in her mansion" and real!Quinn said it's about the events prior to the murder. The idea of finding rusty metal everywhere points towards the Morningstar and the Battered Machette. Circular links could drop from both, given they have a hilt. If we are to believe all hints given to us so far, I have concluded that a chase happened inside the house. We know of the invite Quinn sent about the event. The dance lessons book in the Library points us towards a Ball being organized. The shoe in the Trophy Room tells us Quinn was an excellent dancer. The murderer was obviously a guest. We know he was close to her and she trusted him. He might have been much closer, or trying to be given "that personality of his". So, he might have used it, in order to lure her into the bedroom for sexy time. I don't know of Quinn's fetishes, but they probably include Pumpkins. If a chase happened inside the house, then the Morningstar being flailed and hitting everything around it could leave shrapnels behind. The Machette not so much, given it's a weapon used more closely, thus the failed attempts probably cut through air. As for where it started and where it ended, it's being hinted by the "invitation" Quinn has sent. We don't know what else was happening during that time, but all rooms bar the Ballroom & Library should be solitary and there were more people in there, who should have been witnesses to the event. We have 3 locations where combat has ensued: Basement, Laundry Room, and the Kitchen. Since the Laundry Room is a secondary room, it's instantly excluded. So far, I believe the initial attack happened in the Laundry Room, where we found a shrapnel with blood, meaning she was surprized and hit. At some point, she fled to the Kitchen where she picked up a knife to defend herself. She either managed to wound her opponent, or he used it against her. Then we have the rusted metal in the Basement, which appears to be everywhere. This can't have happened after the events in the Kitchen (given she hit him), so I'm inclined to believe the final hit was in the Kitchen, at least with all the given information. [Killer] Venus [Weapon] Morningstar [Room] Kitchen [Nominee] Alistair I ask you support this vote. If it's correct, well... we're hella lucky and solved it. If not, at least we've eliminated a possible case.

That's what I meant when I said you wouldn't find a rusty bullet. Well that's unless it has been fired ages ago. I mention the room because you said you found info in the Ballroom, as opposed to the Basement. So far we don't have enough clues. All of those could be red herrings, and Quinn could be setting up the events that happened prior to the murder. Perhaps the story is more convoluted that we'd think and the hints aren't pointing towards the specific culprit but the whole frame the murder took place in. That said, a party, pumpkins, rusted metals, shoes and whatnot may describe multiple things happening in the house or a series of events that led to the murder. Allow me to present an example: We know that someone tried to lure Quinn "in". The wording hints that they failed. So this is not necessarily our murderer. Yet the clue that she trusted him somewhat points towards Venus, only if we use our meta skillz. In-universe Quinn could have a different relationship with people, than real!Quinn does. But if we disregard the point above, and go for our meta-knowledge, that should exclude Bean. Nobody trusts Bean.

@Alistair Weren't you and the healer supposed to go to the basement? I told only you 2 to go there, in order to make certain you'll be healed.

Well I found a pumpkin under the bed covers in... the Master Bedroom talk about odd...

You are probably the person in this club that I know the longest time, ever since the Goomy fixation was real. I have to ask, why Goomy? Is it because it's cute, or does it signify something more for you? Sometimes I see you refer to yourself in the 3rd person. Care to elaborate on that? As you must have seen, it's not common. Do you get a kick out of it, or do you consider Amber and 'You' to be different people, possibly in the form of a persona? Then again, I've noticed you're quick to make decisions on the spot. Does that characterize you in real life, or are you more of a planner out there? How has this personality trait affected you? Is there anything you'd wish you've done differently in regards to that? Not in regards to that? Your introduction gave away no personal information. Why not? Are you shy as a person? Would you reconsider and provide us with a small paragraph? Who is "Amber" when he's not "Digital"?

OBJECTION! The defense wishes to present the following: Every country that dons an army has two flags: the ground forces typically use the national flag, while the navy uses their own, which typically is somewhat different. While the Japanese national flag is symmetrical, the naval flag is not. The sun is skewed towards the hoist. Further evidence from my client's medical history reveals a not so recent diagnosis of OCD-like personality disorder. He is a well-known and respected member of society who happens to be more meticulous about his duties. The defense appeals for a re-evaluation of all testimonies. Our opinion is that... Jonathan, the armourer, is innocent. this is the correct solution to the riddle, but what if the riddle is false to begin with? what? this is my death message

1. Kiet 2. Amber 3. Bazaro

Mega Aerodactyl: 9 Mega Ampharos: 8 Mega Houndoom: 9 Mega Aggron: 6

What are you doing there, using revives? We already blacked out. I'll be at Joy's if anyone needs me.

So long and thanks for all the riddles.