Dateline NBC just ran a hatchet-job on RPG's?

[Mark Chance]

Long answer: All these are at least indications of a potentially impared mental state, or can be the cause of said state.

Well, then that fits in quite well with playing V:tM.

 

[Tom Cashel]

Long answer: All these are at least indications of a potentially impared mental state, or can be the cause of said state.

From your perspective.

Just as some other perspectives would see the playing of RPGs as "indications of a potentially impared mental state, or...the cause of said state."

Point being, if you're going to make decisions about the causes of mental instability (something even trained medical professionals have not been able to do conclusively), then it makes no difference whether you attribute the cause to drugs, RPGs, alcohol, broken relationships, the number 5, or chipmunks.

All would be equally flawed...based on your perspective and not on any empirical data whatsoever.

 

[Mercule]

From your perspective.

Quite correct. Of course, my perspective is absolutely correct.

Seriously, though, I think you're reading a bit too much into my little blurb. I'm not exactly in the running for the next drug czar.

Marijuana isn't exactly something that makes you certifiable, but some others can alter behavior a fair amount. Whether the drug is the direct cause or simply the catalyst for releasing an existing problem, drugs are a whole lot more likely to result in really bad things than RPGs. Not saying that all, most, or even a significant portion of crimes involve drugs (other than trafficing, etc., which have to, by definition). Don't have the statistics to do that. I'm just remembering friends who, while dropping acid, started looking for sharp knives because they thought it'd be cool to see someone die.

 

[Tom Cashel]

I'm just remembering friends who, while dropping acid, started looking for sharp knives because they thought it'd be cool to see someone die.

Yaaghh! I'm happy I never hung out with those people.

 

[Mark Chance]

Yaaghh! I'm happy I never hung out with those people.

Back when I was an unpleasant git (instead of just a git), I actually enjoyed tormenting people who did stupid things like drop acid, drank excessively, et cetera. Move things when no one's looking is a great way to induce paranoia. Drunks are funny when they fall over and hurt themselves. Et cetera.

Thankfully I am no longer part of that scene.

 

[Remus Lupin]

I started banging my head on my chair as I was watching that. My wife had this horrified look on her face, not because she thought it was a hatchet job, but because she thought it confirmed all of her fears about my hobby. I'll have to write NBC and thank them for the fight we ended up getting into.

 

[Tom Cashel]

Back when I was an unpleasant git (instead of just a git), I actually enjoyed tormenting people who did stupid things like drop acid, drank excessively, et cetera. Move things when no one's looking is a great way to induce paranoia. Drunks are funny when they fall over and hurt themselves. Et cetera.

You were the kind of guy I used to like to stomp on with my Doc Martens until the squishy stuff squirted out both ends. Howdy! It's been, like, ages!

 

[Mercule]

I started banging my head on my chair as I was watching that. My wife had this horrified look on her face, not because she thought it was a hatchet job, but because she thought it confirmed all of her fears about my hobby. I'll have to write NBC and thank them for the fight we ended up getting into.

Before my wife and I were married, we had a long conversation that pretty much amounted to me saying, "Gaming is a part of who I am. It isn't going aware anytime in my life that I can foresee. If you have a problem with it or are interested in making me 'grow up' and stop playing, then you're under some dillusions. Are we clear?"

In the retelling, it sounds a bit like I said the game was more important than her, but it was really just making sure she new who I was. She's now one of the cornerstone players in the group.

 

[Mark Chance]

You were the kind of guy I used to like to stomp on with my Doc Martens until the squishy stuff squirted out both ends. Howdy! It's been, like, ages!

I thought you looked familiar!

I am seriously amazed at how fortunate I am to not have been often severely harmed or jailed given how stupid I was 20 or so years ago. Thank God I finally got my head on more or less straight.

As for the show: Honestly, why care? It's getting all worked over nothing. I cannot fathom how anyone can even bother watching Dateline, let alone bother taking Dateline seriously.

 

[Remus Lupin]

Before my wife and I were married, we had a long conversation that pretty much amounted to me saying, "Gaming is a part of who I am. It isn't going aware anytime in my life that I can foresee. If you have a problem with it or are interested in making me 'grow up' and stop playing, then you're under some dillusions. Are we clear?"

In the retelling, it sounds a bit like I said the game was more important than her, but it was really just making sure she new who I was. She's now one of the cornerstone players in the group.

I understand. My wife and I had that conversation many times. Her problem is that whole "undertone of evil" thing. The Dateline special just reinforced that, despite the fact that I don't play Vampire and the guy was, while creepy, acquitted.

For me, it was like she was watching this show and transposing my head over this guy on television's.

Truth be told, my wife is mostly supportive. But when Stone Phillips says "Not Monopoly, but games like ... Dungeons and Dragons -- Dark Fantasy Role Playing Games." It only makes it harder.