Not exactly. The lawncrapper/catpissman theory is that even if nobody thinks you are one of those, just for playing RPGs, they will nevertheless leave the hobby (or never enter it) because they're not interested in a social situation that demands tolerance of those sorts of behaviors. And similarly, that the impression of tolerance for stuff that wouldn't be acceptable in a normal social group would cause an influx of people whom most "regular folks" would just as soon avoid.

I have to say, though, that I've been very encouraged by the bulk of the RPG hobbyists that I've met since recontacting the hobby. (And by "bulk" I mean the majority of them, not their weight.) I used to subscribe the idea that (as someone once said on Usenet), "I've met some of my closest friends through gaming, but I've also met some people who remind me of something I'd want to scrape off the bottom of my shoe." That's been rarer in my experience than I'd somehow convinced myself was the case.

For the record, with a job, wife, and a child (another wee one on the way), I no longer have the time to devote to gaming like I used to.  But I'm a gamer, and have no shame in still creating dungeons, fleshing out my campaign worlds, and thinking up cool NPCs.  I was never one to sit for 14 hours at a time try to roll up "the perfect character", even when I was a teen.  It's a hobby, but one I'm not ashamed of being enthusiastic about.  Anything can be taken too far, and gaming is no different in this regard.  Thus far, it's not led to me relieving myself on my neighbor's lawn, and that's a trend I hope continues.

That's right, Zach, you tell that Forger blakkie - :fu2:

Nah, it's not a turd at all, it's just Jimboboz.

Don't worry, common mistake.

Quote from: Zachary The FirstBut I'm a gamer, and have no shame in still creating dungeons, fleshing out my campaign worlds, and thinking up cool NPCs.

With no intention of ever using them?

Quote from: Elliot WilenNot exactly. The lawncrapper/catpissman theory is that even if nobody thinks you are one of those, just for playing RPGs, they will nevertheless leave the hobby (or never enter it) because they're not interested in a social situation that demands tolerance of those sorts of behaviors.

By that it is still applicable. *shrug*

Of course catpissman presents a more immediate problem to an physical store in driving off customers. But if they aren't willing to start playing an RPG this would be a cutoff even before that.

Quote from: JimBobOzThat's right, Zach, you tell that Forger blakkie - :fu2:

Apparently "pretentious" isn't the only word losing meaning around here. :confused:

Quote from: blakkieWith no intention of ever using them?

Maybe I'm missing something...who gives a flying fuck if he never intends to "use them"? That's his business.

Quote from: WilMaybe I'm missing something...who gives a flying fuck if he never intends to "use them"? That's his business.

I know I'm missing something because I keep reading blakkie's posts.  I understand all the words individually, but when they are strung together they seem to make no sense and don't even come close to being a coherent argument.

Why is it that creating characters and campaigns, in one's own spare time and that are rarely seen by anyone else, cause a stigma on the hobby?  How is it a barrier for entry, exactly?

Quote from: blakkieWith no intention of ever using them?

Some will be used, some won't.  In a lot of cases, I won't know till they are.  But for me, it's fun creating modules, populating them with NPCs, and creating worlds.  Like anything else, there's a lot of crud amongst the gems.

Quote from: Zachary The FirstSome will be used, some won't.  In a lot of cases, I won't know till they are.  But for me, it's fun creating modules, populating them with NPCs, and creating worlds.  Like anything else, there's a lot of crud amongst the gems.

It isn't about whether it is used or not. It is about intent.

P.S. Just so we are clear, you come across to me as a very decent person.

Quote from: WilMaybe I'm missing something...who gives a flying fuck if he never intends to "use them"? That's his business.

It isn't when you have people like JimBobOz wading in demanding that you must accept it or you just aren't a real roleplayer (best that I can gather he means by his infantile "Forger" name calling).  Which ties right into my last response to Elliot Wilen.

Quote from: blakkieIt isn't about whether it is used or not. It is about intent.
 
P.S. Just so we are clear, you come across to me as a very decent person.

I guess my only intent when I sit down is to have fun and create (EDIT:  pretty much the same goals I have when I sit down at a gaming table). Maybe it'll get used, maybe it'll stink up my study, maybe it'll get published in a Rifter or shared on a message board. I have no intent beyond creativity and fun. No other ends are usually defined when I sit down in my chair.
 
P.S. You're very kind to say so.

Quote from: blakkieIt isn't about whether it is used or not. It is about intent.

Let me repeat myself: who gives a flying fuck if he never intends to use them?  It's not your, or anyone else's, right to make any value judgement on that whatsoever. You don't have to accept the fact that someone would do such a thing, but there are a lot of things that don't care if you accept them or not. If you don't believe me, stop accepting gravity and walk off a cliff.

This is really a completely pointless discussion. Just because someone's wife or whoever had an aversion to RPGs because some ex chose to sit around and make characters all the time doesn't mean that behavior is detrimental to "the hobby". It just means that someone's wife had an aversion to the ex's behavior on an individual basis. Is this really such a hard concept to grasp?

Quote from: WilIt's not your, or anyone else's, right to make any value judgement on that whatsoever.

From the lips of Catpissman himself.

The difference being that one is socially orientated and the other is not.  Not that doing things that aren't inherently social is bad. I don't drive around throwing empty beer bottles at people jogging in the park. Usually. :deflated:

However directly linking RPGs to something that isn't social seems to undermine the thrust of RPGs being social. Which they are, right? Or am I off there? RPGs seem to be built for a group of people, and even just 2 people playing together as far as I know is not the norm (though it certainly happens!)