turgy22
Nothing Special
I'm getting a little sick of the long delays between posts and updates on the front page replies to Bill's "The Wizards World" article, so I thought I'd move the discussion here. A recap up to this point:
I said:
I said:
Houts replied:First of all, I’m not attacking the Pro Tour. Reread Bill’s article and reread my post. I’m attacking Wizards. I’m attacking the bias towards the Pro Tour and the way Wizards is selling it.
You talk about elitism. I like that, because that’s the point I’m trying to make. You say that I have elitism somewhere in my reply. Please quote me, because I’m not seeing it. The only thing I can see interpreted as elitism is my little list making fun of the Pro Tour. Yes, I’m making fun of the Pro Tour. In the past, I’ve made fun of casual players, writers and myself. I don’t think I’m better than anyone, but I like making jokes. Just because they’re not funny doesn’t mean I’m going to stop trying.
Back to the subject of elitism. Here’s what you say:
“Know your facts! Know your history!”
“Sometimes I forget that people on here aren't MTG historians such as I am. Or, they don't have the background depth, from tournaments, writing, traveling, etc to properly speak on this subject.”
“So, yeah, I quess(sic) I see the silly kid in you that I once used to be.”
Here’s what I say:
“I can't judge a person for the way they choose to live their life”
“You do your thing, I'll do mine.”
Elitism – n. 1) The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.
2a) The sense of entitlement enjoyed by such a group or class.
-Dictionary.com
Now, which one of us comes across sounding like an elitist?
You tell me that I must know about the history of Magic before commenting on it – that I am not entitled to my opinion because I do not have the proper knowledge to form one.
That’s the whole point I’m trying to make!
I don’t care about the Pro Tour and I never will. Twenty years from now, I still won’t give a damn about the Pro Tour and you’ll still be calling me a silly kid. I don’t want to learn about its history or try to qualify for it or anything else. But people like you and Rosewater and others at WotC tell me that I must.
And that’s where I draw the line.
Call me ignorant about the history of the Pro Tour or the lives of the players or the amount of time and dedication needed to be successful. You will be absolutely correct! I can admit that. But do NOT tell me that I need to learn these things.
You don’t need to spend ten years in a seminary to form a religious belief. You don’t need to be an expert in national history to vote. You don’t need to study art history to enjoy drawing. And I certainly don't need to know the history of Magic to enjoy the game. All these things help. But they’re hardly necessary. So don’t tell me that I need to know the history of the Pro Tour before I’m allowed to criticize it.
That, my friend, is elitism.
TheAny chimed in:"That, my friend, is elitism."
Actually, not at all.
But, you've missed the whole point of what you were sayin.g
*shrug*
I can't change you about your attitude on the history, but if you utter ignorance, I will call it out.
*throws two cents on the ground*
-HOUTS
And Houts agreed:"You don’t need to spend ten years in a seminary to form a religious belief. You don’t need to be an expert in national history to vote. You don’t need to study art history to enjoy drawing. And I certainly don't need to know the history of Magic to enjoy the game. All these things help. But they’re hardly necessary. So don’t tell me that I need to know the history of the Pro Tour before I’m allowed to criticize it."
Um, this rationale is everything wrong with the world. Yes, actually, you do need to have a solid background on something before you cast any kind of judgement on it or even form any intelligent opinion regarding it. Now, if you want to form a simple opinion - go ahead, be my guest. Opinions are everywhere and even the most rotten mind has one. It doesn't mean it is valid, it doesn't mean it's right, moral, accurate, or even justified.
To put it in other words: yes, you do need to have the knowledge on a subject to even mention that subject.
Kthxbye.
I agree with TheAny said above.
People love to talk without thinking, and believe they have a 'right' to throw their opinion in a subject without knowing WTF they are talking about.
*sigh*
-HOUTS-