Current Events > Hogwarts Legacy's Boycott Drama Isn't Real

(+) Yeah! (+)

CyricZ posted...

Oh no not that. Lord knows what you'll do. Please stop before you get suspended again.

I haven't been suspended since about two years ago, my dude. Point being, you're wrong. I get that you're trying to gaslight people into feeling guilty or something, but the absolutely certain truth of the matter is this:

There's no reason whatsoever to feel even the slightest hint of guilt over buying a video game.

Gobstoppers12 posted...

I haven't been suspended since about two years ago, my dude.

Sorry don't see how that invalidates the idea of "suspended again".

Point being, you're wrong.

Not wrong. Just outvoted.

But yes this is that aforementioned "weird" part I was referring to.

Like play the game if you want to play the game.

Don't waste your day trying to explain to people who annoy you why that's a good thing.

Of course.
Because people are lazy. They'll bitch about it online because it's easy, but ask them to do a little work to spread awareness? Nothing. Radio silence.
Because they actually don't care about what they're "fighting for" and just want something to throw their hate at because they're inherently hateful, nasty, bored people.

It's even worse offline. Do you really think the overwhelming majority have the guts to impose their views on others in the real world? Of course not: they're just gonna look like nutcases to everyone, of every belief. And the ones who do are unpleasant people with no charisma or social grace to rally people.

95%+ of outrages or injustices I see on Western forums are comedy to me, because I know they're all talk and no action and just imagining who's on the other end making such empty stances is both amusing and sad.

It's like they wanna be the USA Civil Rights Movement heads, but they, you know, kinda suck compared to them lmao

I mean CyricZ youre trying to tell him how to feel shouldnt he know better how he feels?

I know for me it was more of a roll eyes moment when I first saw that on twitter, I just thought jesus cant these people chill out and let people enjoy a video game? there is no guilt or anything, annoyance is probably the closest to how you could describe the feeling

CyricZ posted...

Not wrong. Just outvoted.

But also definitely wrong.

ROOTFayth posted...

I mean CyricZ youre trying to tell him how to feel shouldnt he know better how he feels?

Not telling him how to feel. Reading how I interpret his commitment to the argument.

If someone annoys me, I'm not going to place them in front of me and continue to engage with them.

I'm going to leave. Or at least ignore them. I think that's the healthiest way.

And him and you and your claims aside, there are literally people in this topic admitting that they were looking for reasons to feel okay about buying the game, and we've had other topics about this besides with the same discussion.

But at the end of the day the facts remain:

1. JK Rowling is an anti-trans activist who utilizes her wealth and influence to support anti-trans policy and systems.
2. Buying Hogwarts Legacy is putting money, however small an amount, in JK Rowling's pocket, as she stands to earn royalties from sales of the game.

If you're fine with buying the game knowing and accepting both of these things, then there's nothing more to be done. The fact that I or others judge you for that shouldn't be an issue, right?

You shouldn't need YouTubers telling you it's okay to buy the game, right?

CyricZ posted...

But at the end of the day the facts remain:
1. JK Rowling is an anti-trans activist who utilizes her wealth and influence to support anti-trans policy and systems.
2. Buying Hogwarts Legacy is putting money, however small an amount, in JK Rowling's pocket, as she stands to earn royalties from sales of the game.
If you're fine with buying the game knowing and accepting both of these things, then there's nothing more to be done. The fact that I or others judge you for that shouldn't be an issue, right?

You shouldn't need YouTubers telling you it's okay to buy the game, right?

you're greatly overestimating gob's thinking capabilities lol

well I think judging other people for that is definitely not healthy, but yes in my case I dont give much of a crap if someone judges me for that, their problem, not mine

Zikten posted...

I used to play The Old Republic, and everyone was talking about this. It was a big deal when they added in gay romances. Lucas forbid them. He just never went on Twitter about it like Rowling

A bunch of people said something without showing evidence so it means it's true?

FaultyCircuitry posted...

this is some dumb af peak liberal nonsense

if someone is aligning themselves with terf ideologies, they are a terf. end of.

no need to have open discourse with people that want us dead

They're a TERF for buying this game?

CyricZ posted...

Sorry don't see how that invalidates the idea of "suspended again".

Not wrong. Just outvoted.

Lol.

How many people still buy products from racists though?

I keep having to say this. There is no ethical consumption under capitalism. Anything you buy is likely going to support a shitty asshole. We need to stop acting like we're all better than one another for our purchasing decisions.

I see the same people still want to attack people over a video game. Imagine if they spent this time outside doing some actually productive for trans people.

RchHomieQuanChi posted...

I keep having to say this.

And I keep saying that everyone has a line, and it's personal and different from others'.

Where you decide to draw your line is ultimately your business, but no one needs to celebrate or excuse you for it.

And yes, you and just about everyone else here has a line, otherwise we'd have no problem buying a MAGA hat when we needed a hat.

RchHomieQuanChi posted...

How many people still buy products from racists though?

I keep having to say this. There is no ethical consumption under capitalism. Anything you buy is likely going to support a shitty asshole. We need to stop acting like we're all better than one another for our purchasing decisions.

Thats the harsh reality, sure. But until the system as a whole is revamped or rejected entirely, you cant blame people for at least trying to vote with their wallets and spread awareness on issues that are important to them. Especially when the shitty asshole is being as vociferous publicly as Rowling has been.

CyricZ posted...

And I keep saying that everyone has a line, and it's personal and different from others'.

Where you decide to draw your line is ultimately your business, but no one needs to celebrate or excuse you for it.

And yes, you and just about everyone else here has a line, otherwise we'd have no problem buying a MAGA hat when we needed a hat.

Sure, but I don't think this is really comparable to something like a MAGA hat, which was created from the get-go to be symbolic of white nationalist rhetoric. Harry Potter, on the other hand, is an IP that just happened to be created by someone with shitty views (whose views weren't made public until very recently).

People are entitled to feel how they want to feel about it. But as a black man, I have to admit to feeling some type of way about people going so hard on this when they wouldn't exhaust the same energy when it comes to my rights.

VerisimiIitude posted...

Thats the harsh reality, sure. But until the system as a whole is revamped or rejected entirely, you cant blame people for at least trying to vote with their wallets and spread awareness on issues that are important to them. Especially when the shitty asshole is being as vociferous publicly as Rowling has been.

But that's just the thing. I'm a firm believer in trans rights too, and maybe it's not my place to comment on this (and I'll promptly shut up if someone asks), but I feel like the energy being spent on getting people to not buy this game could go to better use somewhere else on this front. From what I understand, JK Rowling's got her money regardless, so this feels more performative than pragmatic.

RchHomieQuanChi posted...

Sure, but I don't think this is really comparable to something like a MAGA hat, which was created from the get-go to be symbolic of white nationalist rhetoric. Harry Potter, on the other hand, is an IP that just happened to be created by someone with shitty views (whose views weren't made public until very recently).

People are entitled to feel how they want to feel about it. But as a black man, I have to admit to feeling some type of way about people going so hard on this when they wouldn't exhaust the same energy when it comes to my rights.

I mean obviously everyone always act in their own interests and the people close to them, which is why its transgenders and their close friends who are all up in arms about that, you have a lot of people actively fighting against racism though, not like youre alone in this

They see me Rowling, they hatin'

ROOTFayth posted...

I mean obviously everyone always act in their own interests and the people close to them, which is why its transgenders and their close friends who are all up in arms about that, you have a lot of people actively fighting against racism though, not like youre alone in this

I 100% agree. I know there's people who aren't black that care about my rights. I also know that, naturally, I'm going to be more committed to that cause than they are. And that's perfectly fine (and reasonable). I would still consider them allies, so long as they're actually there when shit hits the fan.

RchHomieQuanChi posted...

But that's just the thing. I'm a firm believer in trans rights too, and maybe it's not my place to comment on this (and I'll promptly shut up if someone asks), but I feel like the energy being spent on getting people to not buy this game could go to better use somewhere else on this front. From what I understand, JK Rowling's got her money regardless, so this feels more performative than pragmatic.

I mean if you're comfortable saying that to trans people, then say it to them. Some of our local trans people have made their thoughts pretty clear.

Still I've asked some people who have thought similarly what they would do if Rowling wrote another Wizarding World book and they wasted no time in saying they wouldn't buy it.

And they can say that now, but I'm worried at the kind of emotional hooks HP as a franchise has on them to whether that would follow through. How far does this same "oh well she has her money" attitude carry?

Like understand that as a former fan, I get the pull Harry Potter has on people as a formative franchise for them. I get that exists and is very personal to people.

At the end of the day I just wish people were a bit more honest about it. There's just so much defense force for buying this game that it worries me.

Like just say "look I just really really love HP as a franchise it's a personal thing to me and I understand that what this might mean for who I ultimately end up supporting but A) I don't care or B) I'll try my best to make it up in some way".

Or alternatively, just say nothing and buy the game regardless.

Because when I see these discussions get long and defensive, with the excuses, with the convolutions, with the denials, I see behind it all a sense of guilt. Guilt that's looking to be assuaged.

And hey, maybe I'm just projecting. Maybe it's the guilt I would feel if I bought it and what that would mean for how I would look in the eyes of my trans friends.

But people will tell me no guilt exists and quite frankly I'm skeptical.

People need to realize what you consume says a lot about you subconsciously.

Buying this game despite knowing about Rowlings statements and historys point that you very likely agree with her ideals. That's how psychology and logic works.

RKO_OrtonBoi posted...

People need to realize what you consume says a lot about you subconsciously.

Buying this game despite knowing about Rowlings statements and historys point that you very likely agree with her ideals. That's how psychology and logic works.

You own a computer/phone, you support worker exploitation.

I think youve made a lot of valid points CyricZ, and ultimately its likely projection but also I think like you said I just dont care enough, theres just no one in my entourage who needs that kind of support, if there was I might think differently.

Im not willing to sacrifice possible enjoyment for this cause but Im willing to pirate the game at the very least even if it means waiting a bit more

Going to buy regardless

Tmaster148 posted...

You own a computer/phone, you support worker exploitation.

please learn to engage with the actual things that people say instead of using the same braindead analogy over and over again

averagejoel posted...

please learn to engage with the actual things that people say instead of using the same braindead analogy over and over again

I'm sorry you've still have yet to accept you support exploitation.

CyricZ posted...

Like understand that as a former fan, I get the pull Harry Potter has on people as a formative franchise for them. I get that exists and is very personal to people.

At the end of the day I just wish people were a bit more honest about it. There's just so much defense force for buying this game that it worries me.

Like just say "look I just really really love HP as a franchise it's a personal thing to me and I understand that what this might mean for who I ultimately end up supporting but A) I don't care or B) I'll try my best to make it up in some way".

Or alternatively, just say nothing and buy the game regardless.

Because when I see these discussions get long and defensive, with the excuses, with the convolutions, with the denials, I see behind it all a sense of guilt. Guilt that's looking to be assuaged.

And hey, maybe I'm just projecting. Maybe it's the guilt I would feel if I bought it and what that would mean for how I would look in the eyes of my trans friends.

But people will tell me no guilt exists and quite frankly I'm skeptical.

The way I see it, people wouldn't feel the need to be defensive if they didn't feel like they were being attacked. This all kicked off because some people felt the need to shame people for wanting to buy this game and I don't feel like that's the right approach if you want people on your side.

When you paint any situation as "Do this thing or you're not really supportive of me", you're forcing people to pick sides when it's not really necessary and yeah, you're going to lose people when you fail to successfully alienate them away from something they like.

Tmaster148 posted...

I'm sorry you've still have yet to accept you support exploitation.

All consumption under capitalism does. It's unavoidable. Having access to a phone and computer are almost mandatory in 2023.

That soesnt mean you can't make less harmful choices

averagejoel posted...

please learn to engage with the actual things that people say instead of using the same braindead analogy over and over again

Other than this game being topical, what is the difference? I understand why some people are vitriolic towards it and I don't think they're necessarily wrong to feel that way, but it's literally no different than any other broad issue involving funding bad people. Advocating for boycotting is sensible. Making it judgement on one's character just makes you a hypocrite, unless you accept you're innately a horrible person by involving yourself in society.

It's real to the perpetually outraged

FaultyCircuitry posted...

All consumption under capitalism does. It's unavoidable. Having access to a phone and computer are almost mandatory in 2023.

That soesnt mean you can't make less harmful choices

Almost like people don't innately support whatever shitty process or person that was involved in making something they choose to buy. Really cracked the case there.

The phrase 'terminally online' exists for good reason.

Tmaster148 posted...

Almost like people don't innately support whatever shitty process or person that was involved in making something they choose to buy. Really cracked the case there.

When you have a choice to consume media made by a bad person, you are supporting that person intentionally.

There is a fucking canyon of difference between buying a phone and buying a piece of media.

FaultyCircuitry posted...

When you have a choice to consume media made by a bad person, you are supporting that person intentionally.

There is a fucking canyon of difference between buying a phone and buying a piece of media.

Then continue to enjoy support exploitation then. Since anything we buy we must support.

RchHomieQuanChi posted...

The way I see it, people wouldn't feel the need to be defensive if they didn't feel like they were being attacked.

But ask yourself.

1. What is the attack.
2. From whom.
3. And why.

RchHomieQuanChi posted...

When you paint any situation as "Do this thing or you're not really supportive of me", you're forcing people to pick sides when it's not really necessary

It's actually "don't do this thing". I think that's an important distinction to make.

Inaction with regards to this issue would be not buying the game. It's not like the game's going to show up in your mailbox unbidden. It's not like you don't have a choice in the matter.

So that would make the response "I will do this thing for my own personal enjoyment despite the request you made of me not to".

And yes, I could interpret that as not being supportive of someone. You just have to weigh how much you value that person and their opinions of you.

Tmaster148 posted...

Then continue to enjoy support exploitation then. Since anything we buy we must support.

Don't be intentionally dense.

Things like phones are tools that are near necessities to engage with modern society.

You have the choice to engage with whatever media you want to. It isn't required of anyone to support Rowling and her franchise.

FaultyCircuitry posted...

Don't be intentionally dense.

Things like phones are tools that are near necessities to engage with modern society.

You have the choice to engage with whatever media you want to. It isn't required of anyone to support Rowling and her franchise.

You could live an Amish life away from buying technology made by exploiting workers. But you don't.

You have choosen to engage with worker exploitation.

Tmaster148 posted...

You could live an Amish life away from buying technology made by exploiting workers. But you don't.

You have choosen to engage with worker exploitation.

Until you learn to engage honestly you are not worth responding to.

FaultyCircuitry posted...

When you have a choice to consume media made by a bad person, you are supporting that person intentionally.

There is a fucking canyon of difference between buying a phone and buying a piece of media.

And human beings are not perfectly rational actors. The truth is that, many times, we form emotional attachments to things that, rationally, we know we could live without, but emotionally, it's hard (or for many people, even impossible) to detach from those things. We do it with people, and especially art.

And we also don't always know the way these attachments are formed. There are people where stuff like Harry Potter might have come out at the right time to help them deal with depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety or whatever else they might have been going through. Most of the time, the way you alienate people is by refusing to acknowledge that their connections to these things exist and not offering them anything else in return.

RchHomieQuanChi posted...

And human beings are not perfectly rational actors. The truth is that, many times, we form emotional attachments to things that, rationally, we know we could live without, but emotionally, it's hard (or for many people, even impossible) to detach from those things. We do it with people, and especially art.

And we also don't always know the way these attachments are formed. There are people where stuff like Harry Potter might have come out at the right time to help them deal with depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety or whatever else they might have been going through. Most of the time, the way you alienate people is by refusing to acknowledge that their connections to these things exist and not offering them anything else in return.

Harry Potter sucks shit though and it's cringe to still like it in 2023

you can't just support literally everyone in life anyway, just do what you think is best for you and your loved ones

FaultyCircuitry posted...

Until you learn to engage honestly you are not worth responding to.

What's not honest about pointing out Amish people get by without buying computers and phones?

I could bring up clothes as well, because practically every clothes brand has them made in sweatshops in other countries. You could go nudist as well.

If buying a product means you support the product and you have options to avoid buying a product as there are lifestyles that support buying no technology and buying no clothes. Then you have chosen to support exploitation instead of changing your lifestyle around what ideologies you support.

averagejoel posted...

Harry Potter sucks shit though and it's cringe to still like it in 2023

Well that's just, like, your opinion, man.

CyricZ posted...

Like understand that as a former fan, I get the pull Harry Potter has on people as a formative franchise for them. I get that exists and is very personal to people.

At the end of the day I just wish people were a bit more honest about it. There's just so much defense force for buying this game that it worries me.

Like just say "look I just really really love HP as a franchise it's a personal thing to me and I understand that what this might mean for who I ultimately end up supporting but A) I don't care or B) I'll try my best to make it up in some way".

Or alternatively, just say nothing and buy the game regardless.

Because when I see these discussions get long and defensive, with the excuses, with the convolutions, with the denials, I see behind it all a sense of guilt. Guilt that's looking to be assuaged.

And hey, maybe I'm just projecting. Maybe it's the guilt I would feel if I bought it and what that would mean for how I would look in the eyes of my trans friends.

But people will tell me no guilt exists and quite frankly I'm skeptical.

No there is no maybe. You are most definitely projecting.

Plenty of people abandon things they've formed emotional attachments to. It's as simple as taking a moment to be critical of your choices "I really love this world, but buying this is supporting a bad person, I don't need it, I won't buy it."

People do this all the time, why are we treating HP differently?

FaultyCircuitry posted...

Plenty of people abandon things they've formed emotional attachments to. It's as simple as taking a moment to be critical of your choices "I really love this world, but buying this is supporting a bad person, I don't need it, I won't buy it."

People do this all the time, why are we treating HP differently?

I'm not treating HP differently. We could be having the same discussion about anything. How some people feel about Harry Potter is how I feel about Marvel Comics, Kamen Rider and Star Wars. The real question is where does the line end?

Again, we live under capitalism. Almost nothing you consume was produced ethically. How much do you ask a person to give up in order to "stay true to their morals"? Happiness matters just as much as, if not more than, your basic necessities and we shouldn't pretend like it doesn't.

FaultyCircuitry posted...

Plenty of people abandon things they've formed emotional attachments to. It's as simple as taking a moment to be critical of your choices "I really love this world, but buying this is supporting a bad person, I don't need it, I won't buy it."

People do this all the time, why are we treating HP differently?

because HP is great I guess?
the vast majority of your consumerism is supporting bad people in some way but you choose to still consume them because for YOU the pros outweigh the cons