My Thoughts
EricNoah said:
To you. (And I know, all of the other "X is this way" statements are your opinion, too.) But I think with a little work D&D can be more than that -- it can tell more kinds of stories than just the one kind. I mean, I like reading both "hard" and fantastical science fiction. Doesn't mean one is better than the other. Maybe I like some high magic in one campaign and like low magic in another. I don't have to be just one flavor.
That is what the heart of snobbery is (and this applies to anyone, I don't mean to pick on Gez in particular) -- thinking one's brand of (whatever) is a) inherently superior to other brands and b) thinking oneself especially clever for liking what is inherently superior and seeing something that others don't see. (And of course the reverse is true -- thinking something is inherently inferior, and then thinking oneself clever for hating that thing and seeing something others don't see).
I read this thread and while I don't claim to be inside BelenUmeria's head or anything I "think" he was attempting to comment on the way some on the boards tend toward eliteism and snobbery in the way that they immediately dismiss or lable certain ideas and thoughts in a derogitory way.
What I have noticed is that there are way too many threads on here that start off with a question or idea for the group that are too quickly and summarily labled with the following terms - this is munchekinesque, a troll, definate power gaming, way too high powered, not balanced, and I think I could go on for some time.
Likewise there are way too many threads in which some IMO tend to speak down to others from the lofty peaks of - low magic, gritty, and other eliteist points to the masses.
I think that's all he's saying is that way to many derogitory terms are slung around way too liberally. I personally tend to ignore stuff that includes the following terms.
munchkin, low magic, gritty, nerfed, too high powered, roll playing, hack-n-slash etc.
I mean I was contacted by the moderators about my "political" sig that was generated by the evil genius test thingy because it included a picture of Al Gore. I didn't really think that his photo added or took away from the results of my test so I was happy to take it off so I didn't offend anyones pro-Gore opinions. I really have no opinion of him....he is no longer an issue in politics. But I digress....
In my opinion the board moderators would genuinely improve the quality and tone of the boards if they woried as much about the manner in which those who do so speak down to others in their replies and posts.
Terms like....this is a troll (I'm still not 100% sure what a troll is anyway).
I read the troll lable as this - "this question, comment, or thought, is not one that is worth consideration since I happen to feel it's beneath any real gamers regard or time." To me the troll lable implies that whoever wrote ithe post is just stirring the pot as any real gamer already knows the right answer, surely you don't think "I" will stoop to reply.
What I am saying is that it'd be cool if those who did so were contacted and warned when they lable the idea, thoughts or questions of another with a derogitory lable. People are contacted when they make any inference to politics.
We all know what the specific derogotory lables are with regards to our hobby, if you can't make your point without calling someone names then don't comment at all, its that simple.
We all play the game our own way there is no wrong way to play it since each group is the judge of what's fun for them. I respect those who want a low magic feel to thier game if that's what they want, I don't but it's just as valid a choice as my high fantasy version.
Anyway, that's just my thoughts on the issue; I second BelenUmeria's claim that there is toomuch elitism on the boards...
