Special – Page 9 – Colin McMahon

What Gamergate Says about "Gamer" Culture

Posted on December 5, 2014 by Colin McMahon

Gamer: “a person who plays games and especially video or computer games.” – Merriam-Webster Dictionary

We are many of us, gamers. What began as a small minority of people thirty-forty years ago has ballooned into a large portion of the present population. Games are everywhere. Computers brought them into the home. Consoles like the Atari 2600 and the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) brought them to our TVs. Today, smartphones allow many people to carry a large game library around in their pockets. And of course, before that: there were board games. As time passed, the gaming population grew and diversified. People who were never “gamers” before suddenly found themselves glued to the screen. Basically: change.

The Nintendo Wii was the first console to explode gaming into entirely new markets.

With change comes great things. More gamers = more games. No two ways about it. The industry has exploded and now we have major publishers and casual people all making games together. Choices. Choices. Choices. New technologies, new controllers, new concepts. More gamers have greatly increased the variety of experiences to be found when gaming. Has there been a negative?

Of course: Gamergate (not to be confused with GamersGate… which is a really unfortunate name to have right now).

For those out there who don’t know, I will summarize. Indie game developer Zoe Quinn created Depression Quest, a game designed to help people struggling with depression. Following the suicide of actor Robin Williams, Quinn elected to release her game for free on the popular gaming marketplace, Steam. She charged people only “what they wanted to pay” and gave all proceeds to charity. I know, sounds like the pillar of controversy so far.

There were some who felt Quinn was using Williams’ suicide for personal gain, despite the before mentioned facts. Her largest detractor, however, came in the form of her ex-boyfriend, who alleged that Quinn had a relationship with Nathan Grayson in order to receive a favorable review for her game. Was there a relationship: yes. Did Grayson ever write a review: no. Did he write an article about Quinn: yes, months before the relationship.

Regardless, some people felt that the ethics of video game journalism had been violated. This is not the first time such accusations have come up. Popular gaming review site Giantbomb was founded after a critic gave a bad review to a game that had wanted to receive a good one. The reviewing bias of other AAA titles, such as Grand Theft Auto IV, Call of Duty, Destiny, and others has also been called into question.

If we are to believe the most positive spin on Gamergate, it was misdirected anger after all of the other breaches in the ethics of video game journalism. Really though, even if those allegations were true: are we really getting mad at the person who designed a game that helps people with depression? A game she released for free? “What a bitch” are not the words that come to mind.

There are some who feel that games really are not a big deal and really should not be used in most areas of political and civil strife.

That’s the positive spin. In reality, Gamergate is nothing more that the extreme hateful reaction of a small minority in the face of change. In the weeks following the lies against Zoe Quinn, many people were targeted by Gamergate. To say there was a pattern in which people were targeted would be an understatement. Do a check right now. If you are a woman, you would have been targeted. Men: not so much.

Because receiving death threats and having information leaked is the most sensible way to make money.

I am not going to try to give the event a balanced spin because I do not feel it deserves one. Regardless of the state of video game journalism, Gamergate was wrong and, in some cases, illegal. People were threatened with physical violence and it even went as far as death threats. I say people but really: women were the target. Whether it was Quinn, Anita Sarkeesian (who I personally do not agree with), Felicia Day, Brianna Wu (again, notice the pattern), Crimes were committed against each of these women and that is never excusable.

Gamergate punched a black eye in the public image of gaming culture. Let me stress one more time: whoever leaked personal information, threatened to hold a shooting, made death threats: these are all serious crimes. I hope these individuals are tracked, found, arrested, and persecuted to the full extent of the law. Forget leaking nude photos, this is much more serious.

Chris Kluwe, one of the harshest critics of Gamergate, was not targeted. I could say more but please: read his words.

Okay, that said: Gamergate means nothing exceptional to gaming culture. It has been the actions of a few radicals, not the overwhelming majority. In the months following these unfortunate incidents, many in the industry have been very public in their condemning of Gamergate. Many gamers have also stepped forward and voiced their support of Quinn and the other victims involved.

To go back to what I wrote in the beginning: gamers are everywhere. If you have a population of at least hundreds of millions, some of them are bound to be a**holes. That’s just a fact. I do not say that to excuse the behavior, but let’s examine some other examples of large cultures reacting to certain situations.

Gay Rights

Popular opinion: whether you’re for Gay Marriage or not, most people conclude that homosexuals are human beings like everyone else. They are entitled to the same treatment of respect and courtesy, and really – being gay is (thankfully) no longer the incredible taboo it once was, in certain areas at least. Okay, here is the extreme:

Interracial Marriage

Popular opinion: sure, why should color of skin matter if two people love each other? Well, let’s ask this enlightened soul:

Immigration

Popular Opinion: Okay, very complex issue. There’s a lot of opinions out there. Safe to assume though, most people don’t think like this:

Gaming

Popular opinion: everyone is entitled to play games, they are for everyone.

Well f*ck.

There will always be idiots, in any culture. A vocal minority, composed of the worst humanity has to offer, who will spew their vile hatred at pretty much anything that offends/scares them. The good news is that: most are not championing their cause but rather speaking and acting against them. This is progress. Gaming is changing, becoming more inclusive every year. People are going to have to deal with that.

Being a “gamer” means nothing more than the fact that you play games. It is not an elite group, it is not something to be proud of or ashamed of. Men are gamers, women are gamers, children are gamers. Heck, even this lizard:

Hmmmm, actually now that I think about it, that lizard may have slept with someone to get a popular Youtube video. #Lizardgate

How to Survive a Horror Scenario

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Colin McMahon

When entering a horror scenario, odds are you (and hopefully your friends) will be going up against one of the following:

1) Someone who has meticulously planned an evening of horrific rampage.

2) A supernatural force that does not need to bother with trifles like plans.

3) Both.

There are few things worse than an evil mastermind who refuses to die.

Hopefully it will not be scenario three. While the situation is dire in any case, there are ways to prepare for the literal fight for your life. After watching a multitude of horror films, as well as spending significant time outdoors – this is the official definitive Red Rings guide for surviving the worst night of your life.

1) Weapon Choice

Here is where many people falter. Ask anyone what they’d like to have and you will receive answers like: a machete, a sword, a gun, a chainsaw. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. WRONG. Machetes and swords get stuck when dull and can be easily broken if they aren’t made well. While the gun is the logical choice for someone trained to use firearms, the average person is not a murderer and will not be able to easily shoot a moving, attacking foe in the head or other lethal point. And chainsaws… I don’t know how Leatherface does it. Anyone who has actually used a chainsaw will tell you that it involves slow, meticulous strokes to inflict any real damage. Also it runs off an external power source. In short: chainsaws suck worse than anything else.

Sorry Ash, it's not groovy. — Sorry Ash, it’s not groovy.

What you will need will depend largely on what you’re facing. That said, there is one weapon choice that will work very well in most scenarios:

Not flashy, not dependent on a finite external power source. Does not matter if it is sharp or pointed or anything like that. Nothing spells offense like a long, easy-to-use piece of solid metal. The odds of this thing breaking are very slim and it is tough to imagine it getting stuck. Added bonus: most people can travel freely with a metal baseball bat without raising suspicion or prompting the local authorities to take action. This is the perfect weapon for most scenarios. Even if you are fighting a supernatural force, this bat may at least slow it down. That said, you will need more against beings from another world. One thing in particular… but it isn’t pretty.

2) The Supernatural Conduit

Things like demons do not just appear on our plane of existence for no reason. There is always a conduit, something binding the supernatural force to this world. You need to find it and destroy it. The downside is that it can be anything. That said, there are usually some physical indicators that a certain object may be more than what it seems. A book does not raise red flags. A book bound in human flesh and inked in human blood does. Also, look for something recently touched. If you’re out in an isolated setting: odds are that someone disturbed something. No one is going to blame you for unwittingly opening up a demon portal… as long as you own up to it quickly.

Opening Pandora's box happens. Just be sure you know where it is so you can break it. — Opening Pandora’s box happens. Just be sure you know where it is so you can break it.

3) Tools

You’re going to need two types: tools for survival and tools for destroying the supernatural conduit. Fortunately, these can overlap. First things first – you will need a dependable source of fire. Fire is great for so many reasons. It can keep your warm, signal for help, or burn and destroy whatever is attacking you. Dependability means having back ups.

Overall, I feel that this is superior to the traditional lighter. It is easier to keep a steady flame going and it holds more fuel. Bring two of these and matches. That is being safe.

Other traditional tools involve things like knives and bug spray. I should not need to explain how knives can be useful. Bug spray however, keeps away mosquitoes… and is a can of propelled flammable poison. The more toxic, the better in this case. Other useful tools involve a compass, a map, salt (useful for adding flavor and making anti-demon rings), batteries, flashlights, and basically anything else you can think would be good to have if you were stranded alone in the woods – because that might be your situation by night’s end.

Supernatural tools are a little different. You really don’t want to have too many of these because odds are that most of them will not work and they will just be dead weight. Silver comes to mind as a definite. Silver is a material that has long been believed to have special properties against evil. Salt also, has already been mentioned. I would recommend also a symbol of YOUR particular faith. A cross is not going to do much without belief behind it. Also: most holy symbols are easy to make with sticks, so it is not essential to bring these. If you bring one, you better believe in the power behind it.

4) Communication

Cell phones may have been the single greatest invention of our time. The ability to talk with others from virtually anywhere is a much-needed defense against horror scenarios. That said, cell phones are only great if they have two things: power and a signal. If you’re venturing far from the dominion of civilization, that signal might be hard to come by, so bring a satellite phone. They’re expensive but they don’t need to be bought, just rented. Phone companies agree that “during emergency or disaster recovery situations, satellite phones also prove to be the most reliable method of communication, making them an ideal crisis management communication solution.”

If it's good enough for Sam Neil on an island full of dinosaurs, it is good enough for you. — If it’s good enough for Sam Neil on an island full of dinosaurs, it is good enough for you.

Enough said. Make sure you have one and a reliable power supply for it.

5) Allies

Sure, you can call them “friends” but in a war for survival, such a term becomes trivial. Regardless of which scenario, the singular you is at a disadvantage. Nothing levels the playing field like numbers of dependable human beings. Do not think “how am I going to survive this,” think “how are we going to survive this.” Those people who think only of themselves – how many horror movies has that type of jackass survived to the end? Make a plan, strategize, communicate, and above all: stick together!

Do not be like those people.

6) Your brain

Assume that you are dealing with an intelligent adversary who is likely stronger than you are. You are not going to be able to work up sufficient muscle mass to tip the scale in one night – I don’t care how much you lift, bro. This is going to be a battle won by intelligence. Again, the allies help a lot here. The more minds, the easier it is to overcome whatever nightmare scenario your opponent has dreamed up.

Use common sense, do not break off to investigate noises or pick up that one thing you left behind. Identify which threat you are dealing with and respond accordingly. If you can do this, you may just survive the worst night of your life.

I feel like things like nudity and drug use are overblown. Really, the only question you need to worry about is: are you being an idiot right now? If yes, your odds of death really just skyrocketed.

This post prompted courtesy of Man Crates! Everything a man needs is only a crowbar away (crowbars are also excellent weapons in this situation, just saying).

The NFL Clusterf*ck: Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, and Abuse

Posted on September 15, 2014 by Colin McMahon

Warning: the following post contains disturbing images and video.

Can you tell another human being how to live their life? Do you have the right? What makes a good person and a bad person?

For the past few weeks, the NFL (National Football League) has made headlines. Regrettably, football has not been involved. First came the Ray Rice scandal. For those of you who do not know, Baltimore Ravens receiver Ray Rice entered an elevator with his then-fiancé (they are now married), Janay. Then, this happened:

No charges were filed and the NFL suspended Rice for two games. Then, that video was released and Ray Rice was suspended indefinitely by the NFL. Rice has recently appealed his suspension, and his wife Janay continues to insist that the media has blown the entire thing out of proportion.

rice-instagram — Actual Instagram response from Rice’s wife.

Due to their reluctant and forced handling of the issue, the NFL became swamped in scandal, with many feeling that Commissioner Roger Goodell must resign for his involvement in attempting to swipe what happened under the rug. For the record: the Ray Rice scandal was not the only one going on at this point, simply the one involving the most famous player. For a few weeks, Rice was the name on everyone’s lips in regards to the NFL.

Then Adrian Peterson happened.

Peterson was arrested and charged for beating his four year old son with a tree branch. Peterson also allegedly stuffed leaves into the child’s mouth to prevent him from screaming. Below are the photos taken ONE WEEK after the beating took place (I do not have to say ‘alleged’ as Peterson has already admitted to doing it).

Today, Peterson as been activated by the Minnesota Vikings. He is expected to fully participate and play, while receiving his complete salary.

I felt I could not say any of that while being my usual smug, cheeky self. Again, I will mention that these are not the only two problem players in the NFL. These scandals have raised a lot of questions. Many have to do with morality and social responsibility.

“Don’t tell me how to live my life!”

This is a philosophy that many individuals in “free” countries adhere to. Indeed, what is the point of freedom without the ability to choose what kind of life to lead? If we are to go by the words and opinions of Janay and Ray Rice, than the world (through the media) has intruded on their privacy and their right to live. To hear Janay speak, theirs is a complicated love that only they can understand, and the rest of the world is rushing to ruin what a good thing they have.

Adrian Peterson is trying to discipline his child. At least that’s what people like Charles Barkley and many others think. Don’t tell him how to raise his kid. Don’t tell Ray and Janay how to live their lives.

Okay.

I had one professor in my time at University who was brilliant. He gave me an essential lesson that I will not forget and that I believe applies here: Some opinions are wrong. Is everyone entitled to a point of view – absolutely. Is that point of view immediately valid and equal to all others – not a chance in hell. In this era of understanding, I feel that society is in danger of losing a crucial truth. Sometimes people are full of sh*t.

There is NO defense for people like Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson. I am not saying they are monsters, but I am saying that they each committed a crime that is indefensible. In what scenario is it okay for an NFL athlete to strike an unarmed woman? Or for a father to brutally beat his child with a tree branch? There is none. The discussion ends there. For any saying, “it is a cultural difference, or they probably learned it from their parents”. Please listen to Cris Carter below:

He is absolutely right. Never once in history has “well that’s how it used to be done” been a valid reason to prevent enlightenment. Progress means change and it means growth and we have overall grown as a society. Any individuals out there who use their upbringing as an excuse for their actions – that is the immature response of a child. We live in an age with actual unlimited access to education. It is called the internet and its greatest power is its ability to collect and pool all human knowledge. Does it pool other crap, sure – but the fact remains.

No one forced Rice or Peterson to behave that way. They made the decision, the decision to continue vicious cycles that probably began much earlier in their lives. That decision was wrong, and both of them were wrong for doing it. Their athletic ability should not and does not matter. Ray Rice is a miserable excuse for a partner and Adrian Peterson has a hell of a lot to learn about being a father.

As for Janay, it is a tragic truth that many abuse victims justify their mistreatment. She is wrong as well. Her opinion and view of her relationship come off as nothing more than a horrible fantasy that the rest of the world recognizes for the farce it is.

People have the right to ruin their own lives. That right ends the moment another person becomes involved. Adrian Peterson didn’t hurt himself – he savagely beat a four year old boy. Ray Rice punched his wife in the face. I sincerely hope that that relationship does not create children.

People have the right to ruin their own lives, until another person becomes involved. Fun fact about society is that everyone is interconnected. No one has the right to waste a life because it always matters to someone else. Actions like these are not defensible. This is not a debate on morality. The human race is sadly gifted at self-justification.

No one likes being blamed and everyone out there can come up with an excuse for practically anything. As a species, we have been able to justify such atrocities as slavery, the Holocaust, and repressing human rights. People do not want to be labeled as “bad people.” The horrible truth is that bad people do not exist. Neither do good people. There are just people, and people have the choice to do what they will. In their mind, that action will always be good (if not immediately than after much rationalization and self-justification).

But this is the 21st century. People need to grow up and be held accountable for their actions. Not every scenario has two valid sides. Abuse is wrong. Period.

Let’s hope the NFL does not let profits stand in the way of humanity. Actually no, let’s not hope for that. Let’s hold people responsible for their actions. Let’s stop rationalizing and take a stand. We’re human beings – let’s act like it.

"I am not a perfect son. I am not a perfect husband. I am not a perfect parent, but I am, without a doubt, not a child abuser. I am someone that disciplined his child and did not intend to cause him any injury." That's his mugshot, by the way. — “I am not a perfect son. I am not a perfect husband. I am not a perfect parent, but I am, without a doubt, not a child abuser. I am someone that disciplined his child and did not intend to cause him any injury.”
That’s his mugshot, by the way.