Stupid people
Jun. 14th, 2006 11:40 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
farlaOne of the interesting things about my heavily gamebased fanfics is that anything that accuses the player of not caring about pokemon seems to inevitably lead to a spat of reviews in which other people claim it's not true.
These usually disturb me because the reviewers sound batshit insane, and I'd like to go on with my life without the knowledge there are actually nutcases who form deep bonds with their little pixels. I can see liking the game, liking certain pokemon species, even liking a particular pokemon that wins a lot. Start talking about how they're your actual friends though, and I start hoping you're already institutionalized.
But after getting back from a conversation with the most recent of these, I find there's another alternative which seems more plausible.
Basically, when I say something to the effect of 'So let's admit it everyone, we're just playing a game, and all that stuff it says about caring and kindness isn't true because none of us really act like that', people take it as a personal attack and promptly deny it. It's never occurred to them before, they've never done anything contrary to this, but the moment I suggest it, their hearts fill with love for their pokemon and hurt that I could think otherwise.
I'd like to take a moment to thank the comics industry for their incompetence that led to the creation of the perfect word to describe this, as otherwise I'd be left flailing about for a description.
The reviewers are trying to retcon their beliefs and actions. Over a stupid story.
These usually disturb me because the reviewers sound batshit insane, and I'd like to go on with my life without the knowledge there are actually nutcases who form deep bonds with their little pixels. I can see liking the game, liking certain pokemon species, even liking a particular pokemon that wins a lot. Start talking about how they're your actual friends though, and I start hoping you're already institutionalized.
But after getting back from a conversation with the most recent of these, I find there's another alternative which seems more plausible.
Basically, when I say something to the effect of 'So let's admit it everyone, we're just playing a game, and all that stuff it says about caring and kindness isn't true because none of us really act like that', people take it as a personal attack and promptly deny it. It's never occurred to them before, they've never done anything contrary to this, but the moment I suggest it, their hearts fill with love for their pokemon and hurt that I could think otherwise.
I'd like to take a moment to thank the comics industry for their incompetence that led to the creation of the perfect word to describe this, as otherwise I'd be left flailing about for a description.
The reviewers are trying to retcon their beliefs and actions. Over a stupid story.
heh
Date: 2006-06-16 03:42 am (UTC)There are people who somehow keep their emotion bonds with certain pieces of sown together pieces of fake fur filled with foam. And those who keep emotional bonds with hallowed out badly molded pieces of plastic that just gather dust on their shelf. And forming emotion bonds with characters and beings who exist purely as figments of their imagination with no substance in reality.
So what's so odd about feeling similarly about a collection of a couple fighting stats, a "personality type" and some pixels?
A lot, that's what
Date: 2006-06-16 12:58 pm (UTC)Stuffed animals are a bit understandable since they're at least tangible, and even still, most kids don't literally treat them as real friends so much as familiar comfort objects. The others? Contrary to the cliche, kids don't actually treat imaginary friends or figurines like that. If one did, they'd probably need psychological help.
Also, sign your name if you're anonymous, please.