D&D General The Art and the Artist: Discussing Problematic Issues in D&D

[Bedrockgames]

Well the point of the saying is that it's impossible not to depict war, or violence, as glamorous for some people. I remember watching the film Savior - Savior (film) - Wikipedia - I thought it was a great message against ethnic conflict (I grew up in Northern Ireland) and pro-peace. But I can imagine some people taking very different messages from it - "those guys are evil, look what they did to us", or even "massacring your enemies is fun!"

I understand what they are trying to say. But it is a very sneaky term in my view because it takes something quite obvious: some people misunderstand the meaning of a movie and take the opposite message from it than was intended (which is fair) and turns it into the bold declaration that there is no such thing as an anti-war movie: as if the small number of people who misinterpret an anti-war film outweigh the larger portion of people who grasp it. Haven't seen Savior so I can't comment on that one specifically.

And generally on the glamorization of violence. I think more often, which I think is not so prevalent in anti-war movies, the purpose and result of that is cathartic rather than the promotion of violence itself. I love watching violent gangster films, violent hong kong action films, but I don't take those into the real world with me. If anything, I feel less inclined towards anger or aggression after watching them.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I guess I'll repost what I said in the previous iteration, as my opinion hasn't really changed:

It is fine to like problematic things, it is fine to like art made by terrible people and it is fine to take influence from such art. But what I personally am not comfortable doing is financially supporting people who use their fame and fortune to spread hatred. And that makes Rowling a completely different matter to me than Lovecraft. Lovecraft is long dead and pretty much everyone agrees that his views on race were terrible, Rowling is very much alive and using her considerable influence to promote bigotry. So I will not spend one cent that has even a remotest chance of supporting that. Perhaps in hundred years Potter books are cherished fantasy classics and Rowling's odious views are just an unpleasant footnote with no real power. But today they cannot be overlooked.

I'm sure you mean, "should not, in your opinion". People overlook them all the time. We all get to make our own decisions.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

I'm sure you mean, "should not, in your opinion". People overlook them all the time. We all get to make our own decisions.

"Cannot" as in "I cannot." But yes, you shouldn't either.

 

[Vaalingrade]

We also get to make the choice to drink before driving. Doesn't make it a great idea worthy of consideration.

 

[Scribe]

"Cannot" as in "I cannot." But yes, you shouldn't either.

....

But you can tell people what to do? lol

 

[Crimson Longinus]

....

But you can tell people what to do? lol

I can. Like all of us can. And then we are free to ignore each other. Now personally I feel that suggesting that maybe people shouldn't support an outspoken bigot is rather reasonable, but I of course cannot force you to do anything, nor would I want to.

 

[Vaalingrade]

I can. Like all of us can. And then we are free to ignore each other. Now personally I feel that suggesting that maybe people shouldn't support an outspoken bigot is rather reasonable, but I of course cannot force you to do anything, nor would I want to.

I'm years away from completing The Device.

 

[Scribe]

I can. Like all of us can. And then we are free to ignore each other. Now personally I feel that suggesting that maybe people shouldn't support an outspoken bigot is rather reasonable, but I of course cannot force you to do anything, nor would I want to.

People are really taking people out of context around here lately. He specifically referenced 'overlook'. He did not say support.

I've really noticed this of late on this site, and its gotten worse since I dont know, Thanksgiving, but certainly around Christmas, but its rampant.

 

[Lyxen]

To repeat myself from upthread, but hiring more people from marginalized backgrounds in creative positions, being more specific about disclaimers/warnings in legacy products with problematic content, refusing to platform/profit from products that cause significant harm.

I'm sorry, but you are not answering the question. Once more: "What does that kind of infographic has to do with D&D ? What are the systemic problems of inequity that need to be addressed in the game and its supplements ?"

I'm not asking for solutions, I'm asking what the problem is, today. And please, no answer with "we need more inclusion", this is not a problem, it's a solution again.

 

[Gradine]

I'm sorry, but you are not answering the question. Once more: "What does that kind of infographic has to do with D&D ? What are the systemic problems of inequity that need to be addressed in the game and its supplements ?"

I'm not asking for solutions, I'm asking what the problem is, today. And please, no answer with "we need more inclusion", this is not a problem, it's a solution again.

It's not a huge leap to get from the solutions to the problems, but what the heck, I'll oblige the homework assignment this once.

1. Creative team is missing out on marginalized voices that might improve inclusivity/prevent serious insensitivity (see also: Annihilation, Tomb of)
2. Non-specific, boilerplate disclaimers that do nothing to legitimately warn readers as to the specifics of the objectionable material present, potentially leading to unnecessary distress and/or perpetuation of harmful stereotypes
3. The platforming of bigoted creatives/content allows said bigotry to spread more easily and to a wider audience, followed by the platform owner profiting monetarily from the direct harm to others.