A Thought
I think this:
http://boingboing.net/2015/02/02/lets-put-the-guilt-back-in-g.html
Is the perfect answer to this:
http://www.gnomestew.com/hot-buttons/an-open-letter-to-game-publishers-please-stop-trying-to-make-me-feel-like-a-sleaze/
“the only people who believe in some kind of universal taste—a consensual demarcation between what’s artistically good and what’s artistically bad—are insecure, uncreative elitists who need to use somebody else’s art to validate their own limited worldview. It never matters what you like; what matters is why you like it.”
Wow. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Want to make people feel welcome in our hobby? Please, do. Do it with your words and actions. Don’t do it by excoriating creatives, even ones you don’t like.
- Is there some icky stuff out there? Sure.
- Do you have to like all of it? Of course not!
- Is it justified to point out why you don’t like it? Absolutely. Please do. We should all be able to share what we think is quality and what isn’t. More options and more information will always make things better for the public.
- Should you start harassing people about it, because in your mind you’re clearly in the right? Resounding NO.
- Does harping on about it to your buddies accomplish anything? Probably not.
- Are you a creative? Act like a professional to others in your field. It’s the very, very least you should do, and it’s the least anyone should expect.
In summary: Want to make everyone welcome? Good. All you have to do is start doing it.