(I ended up writing this as a top level comment after all, since I think more people will see it this way. It started as a response to a comment so it might be a bit fractured, #sorrynotsorry).

I like where some of this is going [belt verification] but I would want to verify with the mods privately.

Also, our school doesn't really do stripes; especially being that we are basically a no-gi school. I went and asked my coach specifically, and then attempted to explain this forum to him, so that I could feel right about my flair. He clearly doesn't think (or care) much about online communities, but he could tell it was important to me to get right so we had a discussion.

About my actual rank I don't really care, but honesty means a very very great deal to me, as does being authentic in how I present myself. Why make yourself out to be more or less than you are?

I agree with you Kit, about at least calling this guy out. The legitimacy of this forum (as far as advice, help, recommendations, teaching, etc...) hinges on the quality of the posts and people. It's one of the things that really stuck with me, and it one of the reasons I bother to take the time to be participatory instead of just lurking.

I tend to take people's flair at face value and it bothers me that people do, I'm sure, lie about it. Not that it matters what does and doesn't bother me on the internet... but I feel like if the community did a big collective "who cares" about this that the image and quality of this subreddit is likely to suffer in the long run. If you doubt that, go look at the sherdog forums. We're better than that for a reason, I believe calling people like this out and not tolerating fools and trolls is one of those reasons.

There is also (as mentioned above) the safety issue to consider. I have spent over a dozen years in various combat arts and over 5 exclusively practicing some version of jujitsu, nearly 8 if you count judo... If I suggest to someone that they not do something, it's for a reason. If a brown belt flair person then comes in and says "go ahead it'll be ok, I've done X before" then what? It's the internet so both posts should rightfully be considered equal and with a dose of skepticism and a search for corroborating evidence... and yet the flair system implies an authority. One that in is in one case genuine, and in another, not. What's worse is that the implied authority would, in this example case, actually be potentially dangerous.

If someone came to our club with a (fake) brown belt and began talking nonsense or (worse) suggesting potentially dangerous actions, we'd ask them to leave. I'm not sure why this subreddit should be any different.

I guess I should summarize my thoughts before I really get rambling:

• It does bother me on a personal level that someone would lie on their flair. I mean really...why bother? Take some fucking pride in yourself.

• I support verification for flair at least for Brown and up. Possibly for purple (though I understand the logistics issue). Perhaps for 3 or 4 stripe purple and up?

• I would be willing to verify my rank with the mods or in some other private fashion. Alternatively I'd be happy to roll with anyone on this board who thinks I'm full of shit lol; not that I mean that in a combative way, but let's be real, our art is based around trial by fire and backing up what you have to say with action.

• Any verification system should take into account various potential quirks of individual clubs - how does a high level catch wrestler or sambo or judo guy convey their experience even if they are new to BJJ? How would I verify? I can send a mod a private pic of me with my coach in my rashguard, but that doesn't really prove anything either.

• As much as I have my own opinions, I think that reddit is a community of communities and does very well at self-moderating. My opinions are just that - my opinions. They may mean anywhere from nothing to everything to anyone else on this board. If this is just not an issue to most people here then obviously it becomes a non-issue to the community. I personally feel that will be to our collective detriment, but I respect the right of the community to determine it's own values. If this turns out to be a polarizing issue, then maybe a new sub will be born, where all flair must be verified (or whatever terms that new community sets for itself).

• Those of you attacking Kint over this need to stfu. You can disagree, you can agree, you can not care... but attacking him for bringing this up is counter to reddiquette and everything I have come to like about this sub. It's something that bothers him, and he was right to raise it up for us all to discuss and debate not throw shit and scream. We are (wo)men, not animals. This is BJJ, not WWF.