So when are you getting banned?

[Chuff]

http://adland.tv/content/ikea-product-recall-allen-key

[Paul the Human]

So this year we set out to actually pull off a proper prank, and as with all pranks, we needed time to prepare in order to add the level of realism needed to get people to actually believe that these accounts were real people, and not part of an April Fools Day joke. Part of the reason I called it "The Greatest April Fool of All Time" is because we actually managed to fool people, rather than just make an obvious joke that would make them laugh (as Google, reddit, etc do). Not only that, but we fooled people on such a large scale, and it was far more successful than any of us had thought it would be.

I think you did a fine job! I knew that One King and Bueller were Poes, but I had no clue it was actually the staff. Well done. I figured that the Star Trek stuff was just a fly-by (haha) by someone out having fun. I suspected AA wasn't legit, but couldn't be sure. The one that trully fooled me was LMA. I honestly thought that she was an honest to goodness little drama queen.

For what it's worth. I enjoyed the hell out of it. It made my Sunday entertaining. Thanks, guys!

[Ace Otana]

As I also said to people in the chat last night (notably Last Poet and Napoleon), if you don't think you can trust us anymore, then I will accept full responsibility for the prank and step down. I personally don't think I or any other staff member has done anything wrong, but I'd much rather see the community remain stable, and if that demands my resignation, so be it.

I don't want to see that happen.

[Napoléon]

I don't want to see that happen.

Guilt trip.

[houseofcantor]

As I also said to people in the chat last night (notably Last Poet and Napoleon), if you don't think you can trust us anymore, then I will accept full responsibility for the prank and step down. I personally don't think I or any other staff member has done anything wrong, but I'd much rather see the community remain stable, and if that demands my resignation, so be it.

I vote no, but hey, what do votes matter to a fascist dictator?

[Napoléon]

EDIT: I'd also like to point out the dangerous precedent. If someone creates sockpuppet next year, and then declares it a big joke.. will you be enforcing the rules on them as a mere member, because that would be hypocritical.

What they did was entirely hypocritical if we are being fair. But because it's a joke and because it's the staff it's ok?

[Tiberius]

Breaking your own rules for the purpose of a prank (albeit it a very good one) is not doing anything wrong?

No, because it was a prank, and we admitted to it all afterwards. If we were doing this on a regular basis, and for malicious or otherwise nefarious reasons, I'd agree it would be wrong. We were doing it to fool people on the one day of the year that people expect to be fooled.

And why are you going on like you'll resign, how melodramatic.

See it as melodramatic if you want; I'm being deadly serious. To elaborate, when I say "resign" I mean completely; turning over the server keys, domain names, etc. I don't own Atheist Forums, the community does. If the community so wishes, I will step down and let other people take over.

[Nine]

I said it last night in chat. Hilarious jokes I really enjoyed the whole thing. I felt a little like I wasted a lot of time on the poe's. And didn't expect April fools to be so big on here. But then I thought some more and realized it probably was a better use of time seems anyone that crazy is normally an idiot and the staff are clearly a clever bunch!

I mean Beuller I thought was a real crazy! and One King was amazing. I mean god rape?! Also Rayaan as Ninja! Fucking class! the whole star trek thing was an amazing addition!

Next year I will not be so gullible. XD

I refuse to believe shell and tibs are not getting married.. They just don't want to tell us.

[reverendjeremiah]

And why are you going on like you'll resign, how melodramatic.

More like a drama queen in my opinion.

[Rhizomorph13]

To be clear I do not want you to resign.