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Power Dynamics in Gamer Speak
Apr. 7th, 2006 02:50 pmI have a big problem with a lot of gaming discussions I’ve been reading lately. It’s something that’s long existed on places like the Forge, but frankly I think it’s getting worse and driving me away from places like Story Games. I’m sick and tired of all the hypermasculine language and I’m slightly worried that this indicates a growing disillusionment from the hobby in general.
The Muy Macho thread is a case in point; Peaseblossom has done a good job explaining her frustrations with it. Mine are slightly different. I worry that this sort of hyper masculine, locker-room, pro-Wrestling inspired language is both counter productive and indicative of a type of power relationship that, quite frankly, I don’t want to be associated with. I am finding it more and more difficult to discuss valid and reasonable disagreements about what makes games fun and interesting, and what tools should be developed to make that happen, when every time I turn around I feel like I’m being assaulted by chest-pounding testosterone junkies. It’s making me defensive, and I’ll be honest when I’m defensive I don’t do my best thinking.
It bothers me that this type of language is hidden behind humor, I think that humor is often a refuge for behavior the user knows isn’t that acceptable but chooses to do anyway. I also don’t like how the “humor” defense is disempowering an individual when they point out problems in the discourse.
Quite frankly I think that it’s the user of hypermasculine language job to justify not the responsibility of people who rightly call foul over it. And I’m pretty sure I don’t want to be part of any community that condones that behavior.
The Muy Macho thread is a case in point; Peaseblossom has done a good job explaining her frustrations with it. Mine are slightly different. I worry that this sort of hyper masculine, locker-room, pro-Wrestling inspired language is both counter productive and indicative of a type of power relationship that, quite frankly, I don’t want to be associated with. I am finding it more and more difficult to discuss valid and reasonable disagreements about what makes games fun and interesting, and what tools should be developed to make that happen, when every time I turn around I feel like I’m being assaulted by chest-pounding testosterone junkies. It’s making me defensive, and I’ll be honest when I’m defensive I don’t do my best thinking.
It bothers me that this type of language is hidden behind humor, I think that humor is often a refuge for behavior the user knows isn’t that acceptable but chooses to do anyway. I also don’t like how the “humor” defense is disempowering an individual when they point out problems in the discourse.
Quite frankly I think that it’s the user of hypermasculine language job to justify not the responsibility of people who rightly call foul over it. And I’m pretty sure I don’t want to be part of any community that condones that behavior.
