Man this thread got
CLEANSED. It was like 25 pages before!
I'm a bit peeved that my post outlining all the great minds talking about offensive material was part of the wipe, but its cool I guess, things got pretty heated over that stretch, or something.
Anyhow I'm gonna go ahead and post some quotes from,
pretty smart people from all sorts of political and cultural ideology, about this stuff again, and my thoughts on the actions of some particular forum members.
Quote
"What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist."
-Salman Rushdie
Quote
"Be careful that what you write does not offend anybody or cause problems within the company. The safest approach is to remove all useful information."
-Scott Adams
Quote
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed."
-Benjamin Franklin
Quote
"Political Correctness doesn't change us, it shuts us up."
-Glenn Beck
Quote
"I think you have to judge everything based on your personal taste. And if that means being critical, so be it. I hate political correctness. I absolutely loathe it."
-Simon Cowell
The best for last;
Quote
"The impulse behind political correctness is a good one. But like every good impulse in America, it has to be grotesquely distorted beyond usefulness. Clearly, these are victims, but I don't agree that these failed campus revolutionaries know what to do about them. When they're not busy curtailing freedom of speech, they're running around inventing absurd hyphenated names designed to make people feel better. Remember, these are the white elitists in there customary paternalistic role: protecting helpless, inept minority victims . Big Daddy White Boss always knows best."
-George Carlin
Being offended by the paint job is your right, that's fine. It's fine for you to come on the forums and voice that opinion if you hold it. However expecting PGI, IGP, MechWarrior, Battletech, and all the creative individuals involved in it to cave to your indignation is the height of hubris.
Cel, in our previous exchanges, you accused me of not having an opinion, of being ignorant of the ongoing political strife between the two countries, and of being a coward. None of those statements ring true: I do have an opinion on the mech, but taking a stand on what I think of it isn't the point I am trying to make. PGI can make what they want, games are an art, and a business, and its my job as a consumer to choose what
I buy. The same goes for you, you have a choice, of what
YOU, buy.
So, if you find it offensive to the point that you cannot support the game,
don't! If a large enough portion of the player base boycotted the product the companies stance would be forced to adapt because of the nature of capitalism. PGI I am sure can track the sales metrics of every cent of money put into the game, if nobody buys the Wang, then they will adapt. I doubt that the offended group has the numbers to be successful, but I encourage you, Cel, and anyone else who has a problem with the mech to stick with your feelings by voting with your wallet. Be a free to play player! The rest of us will continue to support PGI, and in my case, continue to enjoy the rich and varied cultures of the Inner Sphere.
If or when they offend me then I to will take to the forums and express my discontent. But one thing I would never do, as a human being who values individuality above all else, is expect people to conform to my standards or taste.
Edited by MCXL, 28 October 2012 - 09:35 AM.