Long time no see!
Where to start...I don't think I have a say so anymore what happens to this wonderful community since I have gone to bigger better things, But I do linger around watching what happens on this lovely game still. I do not agree with this new change at all. Aside from points that have been mentioned as well, it takes the whole concept of "With great power comes great responsibilities" away from current staff and into the hands of others who are at a certain age where even a simple misunderstanding between people could just result in a A LOT banfest.
We have staff for a reason, and if the strain within that circle is A LOT then bring aboard more staff instead of a self ban system. This new system is not good...at ALL. Please reconsider this movement as this isn't the right GAME for this kind of system.
In other games there HAS BEEN implements of "self reporting within game" but it shouldn't be up to the player to make that ban it should be staffs better judgment. Especially giving this power to a new person who is unfamiliar with the rules and not even on the forum platform this is very dangerous.