(no subject)

[stepnix]

I need either validation that other fields of art have equally self-destructive discourse (not in the sense of "produces flame wars" but in the sense of "literally arguing against the existence of the field") OR confirmation that ttrpg discourse is uniquely contradictory and needs to be put down

Comments

[tresfoyle]

I feel like a nonzero number of folks working in any field in the arts or the analysis thereof inevitably ends up arriving at some variation on the conclusion that actually this is a tool being leveraged by institutional power to exert mass mind control and in an ideal world we'd realize it's all a bit silly and focus more on growing a staple crop

[stepnix]

digging irrigation ditches while desperately trying to forget the shape of a 2d6 probability curve

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

I have heard it in abstract art, which is sometimes said not to be real art; and fields that sometimes aim for photorealism such as landscapes and portraits, where people will say "You shouldn't waste your time with that, just take a photo."

It's all bullshit. All art is valid, whether or not it is popular; there are many reasons to make art, and not all of them involve money or even other people.

Also, bear in mind that the art world is often vicious. People who grow up with art teachers shredding work and students alike in critique are likely to think that is a normal way to treat art and artists, if it doesn't drive them out of the field altogether. It is not healthy but it is very common. I've written about that in a few pieces.

It's worth combating negative art talk anywhere you hear it. There are better ways to talk about TTRPGs and their art. I mean, look at Kickstarter, it's all about "We are making this awesome thing with beautiful art, would you like to come and play with us?" Hell yes. I just backed a video game, and I don't even play video games, because it's subversive but also the art nails the stylized-saturated style of southwest art that I've picked up on postcards while traveling.

For an example of more positive art talk, I just did a piece about some paintings I bought at a rummage sale. :D

[radiantfracture]

I feel like this may be inherited from literary studies, which at higher levels is founded on the principle that you should probably despise everything you love and also yourself for studying it at all, because discursive turn

[stepnix]

see this feels weirder than that because they won't say "we have to stop doing ttrpgs," they'll just say "we have to stop writing new games, but still write new modules, because that's the True Game"

That feels like a different shape to me!

[radiantfracture]

Hmm then I think we're outside my familiarity (which is not huge) with game discourse. I don't know that conversation (but it does sound very weird).

[stepnix]

do not learn the ttrpg flame wars if you can avoid it. only you who have known no evil can build a world without its stain

[gremdark]

The hobby drama subreddit comforts me when I begin to feel that everyone else who likes what I like is uniquely foolish.

That being said, I’ve seen some real humdingers in ttrpg discourse lately.