Saturday, October 5, 2013

Get your geek on...



About two weeks ago while listening to my local public radio station, I heard an adverstisement of sorts for the GeekGirlCon here in Seattle. This sounds pretty awesome! From what I gathered, it's a response to some very negative things that must have gone down at the San Diego ComicCon, but like all well-intended events, it's not just looking to counter negative things, but to provide positive encouragement too. Okay, that sounds pretty good.

And what I am going to say next is truly just my wonderings, that's all. I was reading Apple Cider's blog the other day, and she was aghast at the portrayal of female war prisoners in Siege of Orgrimmar. Reading the subtext, it strikes me that she knows that World of Warcraft is a game about war, and that war is gruesome, and war contains atrocities, yet, I get the sense she wishes Azeroth was otherwise. I hadn't noticed the female prisoners, but noticed all manner of races crying, trapped, imprisoned, presumably tortured. Aysa Cloudsinger cries, and I am not familiar with her story, though another blogger is, Ysera.

As I mature (read: become a grumpy old lady), I find it really important to know when to keep score, and when to not. At my work, we look at data, which are designed to fit into nice little cubby Excel spread sheets of race, gender, economic status, and the like. What perplexes us are so many are pigeon-holed in two or more categories, and don't fit into any box at all. If you're dealing with bureaucratic systems, many times those color-in-the-lines moments meltdown like Crayons in the hot sun. Messy stuff, this.

Apple asks, genuinely, where is that line? I don't know anymore. But I do know there is death to go around in Azeroth:
Garrosh's victims

So, I may go to GeekGirl. It'd be fun to see what's going on, though I myself don't want to be judged by the 20-30 somethings who think they invented feminism. See that chart on there? I am a dork when it comes to many things: a nerd when it comes to writing, and a full-on geek when it comes to understanding the desire to keep score. The playing field is built on a quagmire, and the change is constant.

6 comments:

  1. no comment...wait... that's a comment... dang, never mind! I was not here.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous6.10.13

    I hope you go to GeekGirlCon and represent for all us Old Lady Gamers. You can be our on the scene reporter! Yeah judging ... when I actually go out in public it's the old ladies and old men that stare in shocked horror. Could be where I live but I think they take exception to the HAIR, the jeans and vintage AC/DC t-shirts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perhaps I shall, and adorn my noggin with the HOTFB! :)

      Delete
    2. are you sure it is "horror" or maybe they are reliving their young adult lives with the booze, free sex and drugs? Thats what I am thinking, they are just drifting back to a time when life was hazy.

      Delete
  3. I'm a volunteer with GeekGirlCon and can affirm that we are not all 20- and 30-somethings. Lots of families, kids, and adults of all ages come to the convention. And we definitely know we aren't the only ones out there pushing the notion of equality. :) So many came before us, we're just trying to do our part to continue their work. I hope you do make it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm a volunteer with GeekGirlCon and can affirm that we are not all 20- and 30-somethings. Lots of families, kids, and adults of all ages come to the convention. And we definitely know we aren't the only ones out there pushing the notion of equality. :) So many came before us, we're just trying to do our part to continue their work. I hope you do make it!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comment!