Kurts walks to the corner of the Street.  Pulling a soap box from his car, he stands on it and starts to address the small, the very small, crowd in front of him... 

So, this ain't sour grapes.  This is NOT a case of a man who is feeling ignored.  This is a case of a man feeling a generation is being ignored!  And denied of an integral and significant part of this life!  That is, to talk, and be heard, on these very Streets.

Once upon a time, and that time wasn't long ago, that talking here could be, and often was a matter of life and death.  Dirty laundry was aired, vendettas pursued, hits claimed, mischief made and reputations built...  and destroyed.

A "safe space" it was not.  But a vital space it was.

And now...  Tumbleweed.  Where are the Speakers?  The legends?  Those that realise how powerful a strong voice is?

Why have the Streets declined so harshly?

And, it must be asked, do the following people intend to do about it?

Adonis  ArturoStrigliori  Ilaria_Santoro

Apache Rampage             Dilldough

Arya_Stark          Indifference       TheAbominableSnowman

Assunto               Ju_St_Ice            Denny-

Coltrane               Richard-Franco  Sabrina

DeeSe7en           Rika        Beyond

Dolores HeartBreakRidge              Loretta

Epiphany             Bangerson         

Flexx-Mitchell   TwoB     None

Ghost-- JoliBebe               Tibbigs

JackMezzo          GavinAndTaraByrne       Eddie_Stobart

JasonLeeScott   HarryDresden    Achelois

Jemaine_Clement           Madeline             Cable

Joseph_Ligambi CalogeroVizzini Carlo-Gambino

Kamille Medea KodakBlack

LuciousLyon       Shini      Maurice-

Marie_Lucania  Lordian None

MasterBates      Jewel    Vincent_Costello

NicodemoMangana        Blublank               Rosaleen

Paul_Klint            Kairi       convict

Rafa       Space-pole         Massimuccio

Random               Mumen_Rider  None

RichardKuklinski               Orlin_Lang          Eleonora_Luciano

Salvatore_Luciano           Draven Dubliner

Secra     Vezux  

Shelley Bellona Nugget

Somnyoneshoe Hideyoshi            Ray_Kroc

Spaceman           Rubix     KingofMeatPopsicles

Star        ConstanceBonacieux      Cary_Grant

Toni_Sandberg Victor_Zsasz       None

Trixxy    Artie_Bucco       Kesey

Tyki_Mikk           Tops      Bluegoose

William_Bowden              Yvette   Brom

WillieNelson       MartaCirillo         Anton

Yheti      Ghost

Whilst passing by, Panda witnesses this odd looking man whip out the old soap box as he had heard legend of. Intrigued, he moves in closer to listen to what Kurtz had to say. Touched by the message of this man's speech, he felt the need to say something and so he opens his mouth.

"My bloodline has been absent from this life for some time, but I've heard many tales of the strength of a voice in these streets. I couldn't agree more with you about the current tumbleweed effect being felt here. I can only assume it's an effect caused by the unwillingness to be creative and allow for some fluidity in th3 stories told here. Hopefully we can one day return to the days where the streets were full of emotion and grandeur."

Having spoken his mind, Panda nods to Kurtz in appreciation and agreement of his message and saunters off into the night to harass some bums. 

Mr PhreakingPanda, it's good to hear someone speak out here.

Do you have any suggestions to get things moving?

Halted mid-saunter by a question, Panda turns to respond.

"We need to change the way we're motivated to use our streets. Encourage speeches and actual interactivity, rather than people telling stories. Return to the old days, with updated motivation."

In a way it’s like sex.

If you just tell stories, it’s hardly interesting at some point.
If you just kiss together, it’s hardly interesting at some point.
If you just do missionary, it’s hardly interesting at some point.
If you just do wild stuff, somebody’s gonna get hurt at some point.
If you cross the line. You need to die.

The question each of us should ask, to what level do we want to ascend?
To what level are we comfortable with our own skills that we can operate in a responsible way in this society?

Good job to you, Kurtz. It’s not very wild what you do here, but for sure you are moving towards first base here.

Well, DustyKid, let's get a bit controversial...  What could, and indeed should, CLs be doing?  And why aren't they doing it?

"How about instead of knocking one part of what adds to the vibrancy of the place and is holding it up all on its own, you just get to adding something better to second part. Instead of coming out here complaining and knocking what others are doing and have been doing, you offer something more substantial than this."

"If this is all you're going to do to increase the activity of discussions, which is to throw about negativity and hang shit on stories floating about, then I say stay the fuck indoors. Because this here isn't how you go about it."

"Until any of you can say you've been out here with something positive, time and time again, day after day, for a steady period of time, then don't bother acting like your voice means a damn"

"Do something about it yourselves because people have already been doing something about it and if you don't like what they've been doing then, that's your loss. None here are to blame but yourselves being so closed minded. Stories make this thing sing. And y'all just sound like some whiny women who ain't been fucked right."

I feel with your prior mentions of all people in leadership roles and your latest comment your biased towards putting both the problem and the solution in the hands of them. Personally I see any community as the agreement and direction of the collective. I think leaders are more powerful once driven by the clear needs and desires of their followers.

In that sense I want to challenge the “what needs to happen” to us as a collective, rather than those sorry few who have to be grouped by bodyguards to feel safe and have to work with the complaints of the many. In that sense, without me talking for crewleaders, let me just answer your questions from my point of view.

What people in general should do is tell others why they suck.
You for example suck for the simple reason that while your goals are great, you lack the vision and verbal skills to bring that goal closer to realisation. Now I don’t want you to be pt off by this, but instead keep trying. In general, starting a discussion or voicing a complaint isn’t good enough. What you want to do is show people the alternative, rather than tell them their current way of things suck. Let me be clear hear, I do think people should be encouraged to share their doubts about things. But if people take such a bold stand as you do, they should come better armed. Again, I appreciate the effort, but it feels like a molotov into a lake. In that sense, instead of telling what crewleaders fail to do, I’ll tell you what I think you should do.

Show people the right ways. Not by dismissing the solutions of others, but by offering your own. People follow the light. If you shine brighter, people will follow you.

To answer your second question?
Why aren’t they doing that? Because they’re afraid. Because they realise their opinion might not be true, but rather a futile attempt at masking their own incompetence.

Alexander stood in the shadows with an eyebrow raised in amusement as the discussion occurred. When he sensed a lull in the conversation, he stepped forward and decided to add his two cents "If I had a nickel for every time I heard someone lament about the state of these streets, I would no longer have to make music and could simply retire."

With weary eyes and a sombre grin he stepped up onto the vacant soapbox and gazed around. With a sigh, he added "I may be young and I may be inconsequentially weak in this world of ours, but I have spent my fair share of time wandering these streets. Philadelphia's hegemony here may seem unchallenged now but I was here when the new age of New York briefly glimmered, I was here when wordsmiths from Detroit reigned over these streets, I was here when Seattle claimed supremacy, I was here when Vegas wielded influence and I was here when LA leapt to the top." 

Pausing to brush his unruly hair out of his eyes he continued. "Clothed in four different colours did I rise to the apex so many times before I lost the desire to do so again. I remember the times when all the tales in the streets were the same occasional claim of achievement after a crew was wiped and when petty gossip or hollow bravado was all that emerged. I remember the times when people told stories for days that no one cared to listen to just so they could claim that they were leading presence in the streets. I remember when every business district held chains of the same restaurant or soup shop and when every city felt like a clone of the other."

Clenching his fists behind his back, he said  "My story is not unique. I am but one of many, most of whom deserve much more credit than they receive for their enormous talent. So many storytellers fought for the right for their voice to be heard above the meaningless drivel that overshadowed every attempt at getting a tale out. Once we achieved that eutopia, many like myself, mostly confined ourselves to the individual city businesses so there was no more clutter within the streets and no single way of telling a story. Yes, even those that have been mentioned before in this discussion by others but none emerged."

"Why did no conflicts arise in the streets? Why was no trouble stirred between spinner of tales? Why did nothing erupt?" A dry chuckle escaped his lips before he said. "Peace. For better or worse, peace is what we have nationwide in this world of ours. If anyone wishes to change the way things are spoken in these streets, if anyone wishes to speak about conflict and increase tensions, I encourage them to create the conditions that would bring said conflict. That is of course if someone is foolish enough to try and brave the consequences."

With a shrug, he walked off back to his shadowy corner.

I'm not sure your point here, guy. You say this place is empty, yet have you looked around you? Then you say people are being denied the right to speak? Surely it is not an issue of people being denied, but rather an issue of people getting involved! 

You cannot possibly critique the storyteller whose main goal in life is to impart a tale onto their audience by comparing traits of a silent person! There are ways in which an individual can impart their ideas, their voice, onto the streets. However, the most recent attempts in memory of that have not been in peace, but hand in hand with a trigger pull! Why must one go rogue to get their point across? It is one thing to have a soap box. It is another to douse their soapbox in red. 

If this is solely to stir a pot, consider mine stirred. A burnt soup is a waste of time. 

Epiphany stands quietly in the crowd of people surrounding his young prospect Kurtz. It seems young Kurtz has stirred the pot and sparked a debate amongst the fine people of these streets. "There's nothing wrong with a little debate as it keeps things interesting," he thinks to himself. He stays quiet and listens to what the public has to say, there are some interesting points being stated.

"A respectful debate is always welcome. When you take the piss out of the hard work people do, then that's not a debate. That's called being a dick."

Epiphany hears the frustration in Adonis' voice and politely makes his way through the crowd to get to him. He puts his hand on Adoins' shoulder and talks just below the volume of the crowd spewing out their points, making sure only Adoins can hear him.

"My brother. I know it can be frustrating to hear this young man speak his heart. Although it seems as if he's just being a dick, he is just speaking from what he's seen. Perhaps he doesn't analyze the streets as he should -- he doesn't check every corner for the stories he searches for. He only skims through the chatter in his immediate vicinity. Maybe he only sees what he sees, as he himself isn't as active in the streets as he says we all should be. I see this as well, but we mustn't down him for feeling how he feels. We need to hear what he's saying and adapt to it. Don't let the aggression in his voice make you falter. Show him the way. He's just an immature gangster that needs to be guided."

With peace in his thoughts, Epiphany looks at Adoins in his eyes, waiting for a reply.

Adonis smirked as Epiphany casually walked over. He was riled up, yet not beyond meeting respect with likeness. He gave the fellow Philly leader a polite salute on approach, then stood with his hands clasped in front of his abdomen, listening attentively. In his response, his words aren't minced. They were straight, without fluff, and cut to the point.

"Then why is he speaking on things he doesn't know about, if he himself ins't active out here as you are saying? He get's what he puts out, nothing more."

"If you both want a different response, then he should approach things differently moving forward. And that my friend, is something you should be guiding him towards behind closed doors, not me."

"The streets aren't deserted. There are legends out here helping the cause. Leaders are out here making an effort. His point is without respect. In this life, if you ain't have that, what do you have? I'm not the one faltering here, pal. I'm just not being cute about it." 

"I understand the stories floating about don't tickle everyone. But it's a vital part of this world, just as discussions are, and without them a baron wasteland with people like this guy out here speaking their shit just to cause a stir. That pal, is what you would call the streets harshly having declined."

"So if you want me to listen to his opinion and adapt to it, his opinion shouldn't kick shade at what people have been doing and will continue to do. Some, who are the lifeblood of this current landscape."

Ahhhh

Cable chuckles.

The fabled "Lack of presence in the streets" speech back again. I'm not too sure how many times I've seen these questions along with a few others arise but it's easily double digits now. Easily. 

Why do you care so much, that others do not care at all? 

Having a browse just a few seconds ago I noticed many speeches and stories from recent days past, and some older are still attracting attention. Is it just a case of you think the volume is lacking? Or do you think the quality isn't there like it used to be? And why is it necessarily down to the Leaders of this world to come out here with stuff to waffle on about and stories to tell? 

If you think people are not coming to the streets like they used to, do you think that maybe they just have not seen anything that would warrant them coming and joining in to give their two cents on? Because that would be one of the answers I would give to you. Another being that some people just naturally tend to shy away from the spotlight in the streets. I think many people will read the stuff brought here but like I said, whether they feel strongly enough to chirp up? Thats another story.

This is not my attempts to mock you or anything, it's just my curiosity. Thats all. 

Luna looks around her and notices the people that have gathered for the Kurtz special. It is absolutely wonderful when people come out to the streets to speak on their thoughts, but its another thing to be closed minded and blind. 

She steps forward with her head down, and only begins to look up when she says the first word.

"Ignorance." 

Some heads turn at the sudden announcement of a word that is so spiteful and sensitive to others, but it does not stop Luna from her train of thought. 

"This is what you get Kurtz. For not looking deeper into why 'the streets have declined so harshly'. Let me make some things clear to you. Who is saying that you're being ignored? No one forced you to come out like this, and no one seems to be waving around their arms screaming that your opinion shouldn't be valued. Also, I do think that while this topic is getting repetitive - it is unavoidable." 

She notices the faces around her. Some were old, some were new - and it made for an interesting combination. 

"When you are talking about the decline of the streets, what are you talking about exactly? Did you mean lack of stories to tell? Because if so - then obviously you are blind to what has been going on in the past few weeks. Not going to name names, but a great amount of people have been coming out with top notch stuff. Maybe some aren't to your liking, but everyone has their preferences. How about you, Colonel Kurtz? What are your preferences? Do you prefer to see continuous threads about discussions? Do you prefer to see protection orders being listed?" 

Luna senses she may have gone off guard with the topic, but she continues with her final thoughts. 

"I know for myself that I am still very new and inexperienced in this thing of ours, but if there's one thing I notice - the activity of the streets are not declining. In my own opinion, they are in the process of development. They are blossoming still. Colonel Kurtz, please understand - people need time. Sometimes, people do not come out - not because of fear of being ignored, but because they don't have anything to say yet. Additionally, the passion that was once there may have faded. But this all takes time. People may not feel comfortable yet to express their voice as clearly as you. I honestly think there is no pot to be stirring here, because the reasons behind the alleged decline of the streets are not that deep: the passion has simply not been realized in some people. Maybe this is where the old and new can get together. Join forces or something instead of attacking each other." 

Quite truthfully, she had enough of her own voice so she quickly disappeared into the crowd in a shy, rushed manner and waited for others to contribute, if they wish to do so.

After hearing the response finally come from Kurtz, it made Adonis chuckle. With a shake of the head he left the discussion. If the guy couldn't understand what had been said by many, and still insisted he was speaking accurately, he didn't deserve people's time who actually knew the streets.

No parting words. No more rebuke. He'd only see his back leaving, and nothing more.