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<blockquote data-quote="Emberashh" data-source="post: 9511013" data-attributes="member: 7040941">Well, I think the dictionary comparison is weak given its explicit purpose as an educational tool, and RPGs in the 80s were only 7 years out from the genesis of the hobby as we know it. Chances are, given the state of the hobby, unless you know your book is going to be available on a shelf at Walmart or Target, anybody picking it up already understands what RPGs are in the broad strokes. But even then, its probably still wise to spend these pages contextualizing that explanation to the game rather than trying to speak broadly about the hobby before you introduce your game. Plus, the Satanic Panic wouldn't have been prevented by the inclusion of these sections anyway because that assumes the people driving those panics could read. In 2024, over half of Americans are barely literate, and half of them are functionally illiterate.I'd be surprised if this wasn't worse in the 80s despite a cultural memory otherwise.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Emberashh, post: 9511013, member: 7040941"] Well, I think the dictionary comparison is weak given its explicit purpose as an educational tool, and RPGs in the 80s were only 7 years out from the genesis of the hobby as we know it. Chances are, given the state of the hobby, unless you know your book is going to be available on a shelf at Walmart or Target, anybody picking it up already understands what RPGs are in the broad strokes. But even then, its probably still wise to spend these pages contextualizing that explanation to the game rather than trying to speak broadly about the hobby before you introduce your game. Plus, the Satanic Panic wouldn't have been prevented by the inclusion of these sections anyway because that assumes the people driving those panics could read. In 2024, over half of Americans are barely literate, and half of them are functionally illiterate. I'd be surprised if this wasn't worse in the 80s despite a cultural memory otherwise. [/QUOTE]

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