GB68
Posts: 113
Joined: 8/4/2009 From: Melbourne, Australia Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish As forum posters go I am fairly mild-mannered. My philosophy is to live and let live, that there is room for opinions other than my own, and so on. Yet I come before you all today to propose the formation of a lynch mob. We don’t have to do a lynching, of course. Tarring and feathering my proposed victim and running it out of town on a rail will do. My proposed victim? The term “fanboy.” This word (and its variants, AFB, JFB, etc.) appears to me to have lost any usefulness it may once have possessed. Its main function now is to impede clear thought and the courteous, intelligent exchange of ideas. It seems that the first refuge of many of us, when confronted with an idea that runs counter to our own, is to cry “fanboy.” This creates the false impression that there are two camps of people involved in improving and playing the game, JFBs and AFBs. Or, as I think many see it, “rational, impartial me and all the fanboy idiots who disagree with me.” Because, of course, few if any of us see ourselves as fanboys. It is the dolts on the other side of the issue who are obviously fanboys. I usually play Japan and my AARs have all been from the Japanese side. For various reasons I might be identified as a Japanese fan boy if anyone is. Yet I certainly don’t think of myself that way. I think of myself as someone interested in a good game. I suspect most of us see ourselves the same way. In short, it is a label. And it is sometimes easier to use the label than to stop and think that someone might have good or at least understandable reasons for disagreeing with us. So death to “fanboy.” My suggestion: the next time you are tempted to use the word (or one of the aforementioned variants, especially the detested “fanboi”), stop. Attempt to compose your cunning and persuasive argument without using it. Think of it as a crutch. Throw away the crutch and let your arguments stand on their own. I really, really do not intend to single anyone out here. The use of the word is pervasive and it is often used in friendly kind of way. But for the good of all of us I think its use must stop. Join me and help put an end to its blight upon the forum. I have to agree with Cuttlefish. The term(s) make me cringe every time I see them used. Especially when it seems to be in a derogatory or biased sense. At first, I always felt the term (either AFB or JFB) was..... well....errrr.... hmmm, ok I'll just say it, a bit gay! Not there is anything wrong with that Although I could see the humourous (yes I spelled it correctly, the proper way ) side. And the subtle humour (again, correct!) was appealing. But as Cuttlefish alludes to, it seems often now used as a subtle weapon. i.e.- "this must have been developed by a (insert either term here).." I've actually seen one person (who shall remain nameless) criticise the game consistently on the sole basis that it must have invented by a japanese fan boy? What?? This person has called the game a "disgrace" even. As far as I can tell, he (or she) is the only one. But makes no basis for the claim other than that everything is not absolutely, totally, pedantically correct historically!! I applaud the team, who make a fantastic effort for us! They try so hard and make a game which is the envy of all other genres. They are not perfect, as we are not perfect. I have to admit to being someone who prefers to play the Japanese side ...certainly not a "fan boy". I feel the greater challenge lies there. Honestly, if you cannot win in the long term playing the Allies, you are doing something seriously wrong. Banning the word, is probably impossible, but as Cuttlefish states, seek out the real problems you find. Then approach it in a rational, deductive way. Seek answers, suggest resolutions, offer your experience, but do not play school yard games. Ok, I'm calm now...
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"Are you going to come quietly, or do I have to use earplugs?" - Spike Milligan
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