Recent content by Proserpine

Adding on to what shilsen mentioned about characterization, a trap that many male-dominated creative and collaborative efforts (like TV, film, video games, home-brewed campaigns, select table-top RPG material itself) fall into is not treating female characters as human beings first. It's not...

1) Many people commented on "research" regarding sex differences and cognitive abilities. Plenty of them (including a biologist) pointed out that these studies have a tendency to be pretty flawed. But whether or not that research is tried and true fact is immaterial to me, as social factors play...

I'm probably straying a little off-topic, but that's a very nice site. The blogging on there is great. Though it's more Americentric feminism, Shakesville is a nice site. And Tiger Beatdown, a feminist blog with only one contributor (who is hilarious), occassionally has some nice posts...

I think it's great. Then again, I'm a proponent of the same ideas.

See, I don't feel treating 51% of the population like equals is "fitting" a particular social agenda. Regarding the rest of what you posted, my previous response (to RefinedBean) more or less covers my position. Agreed agreed agreed. While this isn't the only issue, it certainly is one of...

Thanks about the learned in feminism bit. My learning is unfortunately a little narrow, however, as I'm much better informed about (not mention more comfortable with) feminism's modern manifestation. And that's true: as far as creative endeavors go, sexism isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's...

You're welcome, Rgard. I'm really glad you took the time to look it up! And that you took some time to post the definition, as I should've mentioned what that meant. In regards to shilsen, I agree with him. (Even if he's outed me as a hack and slash type of girl. :hmm:) Though a lot of people...

You are right that it's not strictly true, but I think the change in society (as in, we're less sexist) is a major reason why female participation has been increasing over time. I think culture vs. innate traits is relevant, so my take on this is influenced by that. As the lovely Jewel put it...

Nope. Born with and still in possession of my lady parts.

I talked with Shilsen a lot about that. He used BSG as an example of gender equality in media, which essentially plays a similar trick on a largely male audience: they don't really notice the balanced gender representation, and if they do, it's not a negative thing to (most) of them. As you...

Hello there. I was expecting for someone to take issue with that. My response would be way too political and get into some fancy feminist and race rhetoric, which isn't really appropriate for this forum. So I'll leave my response to this: even if I disagree, thanks for phrasing that so politely.

Joking or not, that's a ridiculously rude and patronizing response. And guess what? It's problematic. Hence the post. I don't know why some responders keep mentioning the mechanics and rules: we know they aren't sexist. But what you mentioned is, and that's not okay. Well, if WotC wonders why it...

I agree with this a lot... Seems some people are being reductive about D&D in order to justify the male-centrism. Just the fact that people play so differently means that no one can pigeonhole D&D as a "smash and grab" activity, or (referencing some earlier arguments) something that is too...

For what it's worth, I agree with what you're getting at entirely. I'm really interested in and aware of -isms, but empathy, understanding, and a willingness to acknowledge my own privilege (as a white, cisgender, kinda heterosexual, and able woman) is the extent to which I can and should...

In my opinion, it's not really the same thing. As Shilsen pointed out earlier, males are treated as the default position in gaming. Even if D&D is mechanically egalitarian, it's gender skewed in other areas. And plenty of other RPGs are definitely catering more (or exclusively) to guys, creating...