The role of the GM

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by ak_aramis

I detest it because, in a great many cases, all it does is encourage (to use Bill's IMNSHO mediocre taxonomy) mediocre GM's to become bad ones.

Do you actually believe that all GMs are either outright abusive, or excellent?

I don't think I'm offering anything as sophisticated as a "taxonomy." I'm simply noting that it's possible for a GM to have faults, and not do a first rate job, without being so dreadful that it's better to go without gaming than to game with them. That is, I'm rejecting what I see as a false dichotomy.