4 ms·
It's great to be aware of social issues, but I find myself disagreeing with the foundation of this article. While online gaming is a very easy way to expose you
by wudf 13y ago
It's great to be aware of social issues, but I find myself disagreeing with the foundation of this article. While online gaming is a very easy way to expose yourself to the harsh realities of prejudice in the world, I don't believe there is a relevant relationship between sexism and games as a medium. Considering the differences between Call of Duty players and Animal Crossing players, I think the studious will quickly recognize that the same differences are identifiable between firing range patrons and a members of a gardening club. Proof-reading that last sentence gives me one thought "well, that's just a no-brainer!" as it should. The gaming community comprises hundreds of niches that have their own personalities and behavior, just as the "television-watching community" does. To draw conclusions about the whole based on behavior of the relative few is offensive to me as a gamer.
- ps4fanboy 13y agoI do agree with his sentiment that aggressive games breed aggressive behavior. I am not entirely sure this is bad per say but its pretty obvious? Cant we all be nice and civil to each other while we run around trying to murder each other. I personally do not understand this long running commentary about sexism in games, isnt it just a function of those types of games? If its not sexism, its homophobia or its racism anything to bring your opponent down, Call of Duty is not the sport of gentlemen, its mock warfare.
- dragontamer 13y agoIs it really the "violence" ?? Have you ever played "Mortal Kombat" at a house party? As super-violent as it is, people generally are pretty chill about winning and losing... as long as its person-to-person. On the other hand, I've played a game of Chess online once, and after making one or two good moves, I've been called homophobic names before the guy rage-quit on me. You can take the least stressful activities, and if they're online, you WILL find people screaming death-threats at each other for some insane reason. I think the online environment makes people somehow susceptible to stress and anger. At least, I personally go online to relax after the day... but with that relaxation... my inhibitions are released as well. I'm an introvert by nature, when I'm in public, I'm keeping tabs on my own behavior, watching what I say and trying to not be an asshole. But when I'm at home and just browsing the internet, I'm not going to be holding back my words or thinking about other people's feelings. I'm completely tired of doing that all day. Plus, I'm at home, and (mostly) anonymous online. Why should I care about how I look or about other people's feelings? I know it is lazy, but I'm just trying to be honest. And if anyone disagrees, please tell me about your experience with "Online Chess" vs "In-Person games of Mortal Kombat". I can almost guarantee you, the behavior of online-chess players is probably worse.
- ps4fanboy 13y agoI agree with you 100%, the anonymity gives people incredible courage, but face to face people are more likely to be civil. But I think that is because the threat of physical violence is high if you said such hurtful things to other people.
- dragontamer 13y agoAs an introvert, I disagree. Simply being around more than 2 people stresses me out... and part of that stress means that I'm quieter and more reserved. But that stress does not apply to me online, perhaps its the lack of face-to-face contact. Besides, the whole Youtube experiment has proven that "anonymity" means absolutely nothing to your typical troll. Forcing people to display their names has only made the system worse.
- ps4fanboy 13y agoYou could argue that Youtube's experiment didnt actually stop anonymity.