D&D 5E Don't play "stupid" characters. It is ableist.

[Vince_Snetterton]

Oh, a thing I left out which may explain where I'm coming from.

A person isn't stupid but they can do stupid things.

They don't have the inherent nature of 'stupid' but they are capable of acting in stupid ways.

I improved my life when I stopped telling myself "I'm dumb" and instead said to myself "I did a dumb thing."

So ultimately, this entire thread was not about D&D at all, but about your perceptions and opinions about how society measures and values intelligence.

 

[Bill Zebub]

So ultimately, this entire thread was not about D&D at all, but about your perceptions and opinions about how society measures and values intelligence.

I thought the thread was about how when we try to elevate ourselves by mocking those we deem less worthy, we are really just debasing ourselves.

 

[Vince_Snetterton]

I thought the thread was about how when we try to elevate ourselves by mocking those we deem less worthy, we are really just debasing ourselves.

The title of the thread was "Don't play Stupid Chars, it is ableist". That is a direct reference to D&D. Most people responded to that title and original post from that perspective. I certainly did not respond in reference to someone's opinions on how human intelligence should be measured.

 

[Charlaquin]

Many people with ADHD have reported that they thought of themselves as 'stupid' before their diagnosis. That's the problem, that's the harm.

And many of us, because we excelled at certain things (most often solving problems that we found intellectually stimulating) were identified as “gifted,” but because we struggled with other things (especially homework and time management on long-term projects), got repeatedly told we were “so smart, if only we would apply ourselves,” which we naturally internalized and came to view ourselves as lazy.

Just one example of how the social construct of intelligence can be harmful to the neurodivergent no matter where on the smart/stupid spectrum people place us.

 

[payn]

I've always played my low CHA PCs as people with no filter, or as boorish oafs with no social graces, or someone who doesn't observe the normal mores of the milieu. Well, I'll occasionally give 'em a scar or a missing eye or a hook-hand too.

Having a hook hand or missing eye might be elements of high charisma. You been places man, youve seen things that you people wouldnt believe... This thread keeps on keeping on but the jist is dont be naughty word.

 

[Charlaquin]

I played a lot of hockey when I was younger. I aslo played football (the sissy kind with the pads) as well as a ton of other sports. I fear that many of the posters here would run screaming from their first practice or the first game, when the trash-talking starts.

That’s also an issue with the culture of sports, rooted in toxic masculinity. But rather orthogonal to the topic at hand.

 

[Charlaquin]

So ultimately, this entire thread was not about D&D at all, but about your perceptions and opinions about how society measures and values intelligence.

Something which many people uncritically perpetuate when they play D&D.

 

[Shiroiken]

Meh, I prefer my snarfs to be of a higher caliber, like this guy:

I'll give you Snarfquest; he's awesome. Thundercat's Snarf makes my teeth itch

I'm still thinking we're good for another 3-4 pages of ''this is my game in my basement, so I offend no one'' at least.

Are you kidding me? The entire thread has been running in circle since about page 8. No one is convincing anyone, and at this point people are here just to argue.

 

[Bill Zebub]

I played a lot of hockey when I was younger. I aslo played football (the sissy kind with the pads) as well as a ton of other sports. I fear that many of the posters here would run screaming from their first practice or the first game, when the trash-talking starts.

Why do you fear that?

 

[MGibster]

Something which many people uncritically perpetuate when they play D&D.

That's fair. I suspect when most of us sit down for a recreational activity we're not examining it through one critical lens or another. Though it's certainly valid to do so.