It's nothing huge - just doesn't seem like we should allow people to use activity from outside of the thread as a defense when you can't use it as an attack. Especially since sometimes it's used simultaneously while scolding the other player for questioning their activity level due to said rule.
"I'm only less active because I've been playing Bingo all night with grandma. But how dare you bring up my activity level! There's rules against that!" - Fictional Person
It's seems especially wrong since often times the person pointing out that a player's activity level has changed is in no way referencing anything outside of the thread. Why should the player being accused get to reference activity outside of the thread then as a defense? Would rather see them spend their time posting about other topics than posting about activity outside of the thread that no one else can even respond to in a meaningful way. If a player does feel like they're being accused in a manner that they truly feel breaks the rule then take it to the gamerunner to enforce. I think I brought this up after my first game due to a kerfuffle related to it and was told it's sort of run off the honor code. But honestly do any of us think this quasi-loophole hasn't been abused before?
At the same time I get that it can be useful to let people know you won't be around for awhile due to this or that. I don't know what, if anything, should be changed. Just figured it was worth mentioning. I might be the only one that it bothers for that matter and seeing as I typically don't play my opinion isn't too pertinent.
I mean, I kinda get your point, but the fact is that IRL stuff does happen. The basic rule is "don't lie about it." Of course it's on the honor system, and if we then look at scum chat and we see that the player is using that excuse deliberately to mislead the players, then it's an issue.
If you don't want to post, don't post. If you get called out because you suddenly changed your posting frequency, then it's up to you whether you want to claim a reason behind it. I don't think we penalize players for playing differently (apart from the post minimums), and Game Runners should be cognizant of players who are unfairly calling out other players because they are questioning IRL activity.
Basically agree with Hecht here and what others are saying. IRL stuff happens, we really can't force people to be here when something else happens outside of the game.
I get what you're saying about using it excessively as a defense though, Nat. The issue with that would be getting a rule when it's 'too much'. We can't really stop people from not being here for IRL reasons so it seems kinda unfair to not let people give those reasons for not being here for a Day End or extended period of time. If they're lying that's different, but going off the Honor System might extend to also not using that as a defense so excessively?
Basically, it's a really thin line and is kinda up to the Player...? Saying you aren't here because you went bowling with your Grandma is fine if you actually went bowling, maybe don't bring that up every single time someone tries to pin you to a wall though.