The problem with the mentor system

[SturmChurro]

I have personally helped hundreds of new players with the novice network. That's only counting me, not anyone else. That's far from worthless.

Did you need the Novice Network, or the mentor system in it's current state to help these players. Or did it just make it easier? If you want to help you can help without the status symbol. I have helped quite a few people myself, and I didn't need that crown next to my name. Nor did I need to have the sense of power of kicking players, and then threatening them in PM's either. "Oh, but I hide my crown" then the crown isn't needed, right (since this thread is actually based on the status symbol)?

I would have helped maybe 3 people in all these years if it wasn't for the novice network. Compared to hundreds. If you want to call that "just made it easier," go ahead. But I would consider that a necessary tool to accomplish what I did.

Again, was the novice network needed in it's current state, or could a general new player channel have worked just as well? Or a multitude of many other alternatives that others in the community have suggested.