[@pugbutter] I don't believe that on RPG in a roleplay setting they are mutually exclusive. The cliques manifest in the OOC nature of RPG - the community itself. As a result I believe that people are interacting more often than not negatively. I.e. shitstorms, arguments and just negative attitudes about others.

The lack of talent, ideas and RP's manifests itself mostly in the individuals - not the cliques. The individuals are more often than not part of a clique. We all have select friends off of RPG, so naturally these cliques exist. The lack of these things does not come from the cliques, and I don't believe they are connected. Perhaps you need to explain more but I fail to see the link that makes them exclusive.

I believe the confusion comes from the idea that cliques naturally promote helping each other.. I do not think that is the case [i]anymore[/i] and I believe it was the case in the past.

[@Ellri] Insightful, as I am used to from your/their? posts. The one thing I would add is that not all new players can be 'helped'. You can't skip grades when it comes to roleplaying. A total newbie that doesn't understand basic roleplaying concepts would be better off going from free roleplay to casual roleplay to advanced in their own pace, rather than being forcibly 'transformed' into an advanced roleplayer. But, you understand that as well as I do.