tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878753035017181139.post9201052324673794875..comments2023-11-08T23:06:17.381-08:00Comments on Sugar & Blood: The World According to Xak (WARNING)Mattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05504775167541916213noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878753035017181139.post-69662615781912960732012-10-02T17:04:11.398-07:002012-10-02T17:04:11.398-07:00I had to stop and pause, and ponder, whether to re...I had to stop and pause, and ponder, whether to read this whole article tongue in cheek. If I read it with utmost seriousness and interest, it seems to be akin to building a bridge without any pillars. There's honest opinion, but not enough fact to support it. In fact, 2/3 of my Real ID list is made up of women. I could probably put one or two into the incredibly narrow categories mentioned, but the other 20-30 don't fit any of them.<br /><br />Honestly, it reminds me of Ann Coulter's recent appearance on The View (good lord that's the LAST show I ever thought I'd use as a reference). Barbara Walters asks Coulter if she writes the books she does, simply to get a rile out of folks because there just isn't enough evidence to support her unique views. Same thing here. A bit of what is said, I agree with. A fair bit, I don't. Part of the problem is not seeing the evidence to support it. Of course, I have nothing nice to say about Ann Coulter, but I'm not about to judge Xak based on this writing -merely disagree severely on this particular subject.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878753035017181139.post-67865019153378813462012-10-01T20:15:53.828-07:002012-10-01T20:15:53.828-07:00I am such a coward.
Thank you for this comment.
...I am such a coward.<br /><br />Thank you for this comment. <br /><br />He does have a straight-up sexy voice.<br /><br />I was pretty sure I pissed off everyone, including Xak, by posting this, and my subsequent response whereby he believes I was putting him in the same corral as my hillbilly relatives. And then felt like I got sent back to the kid table at my guild for my comments or observations: point--observations are NOT the same as opinion. <br /><br />But then I remembered what my mom taught me, "Eff 'em if they can't take a joke." <br /><br />Parody aside, I do want young women and men not to allow the distorted mirror of the Internet become their only perspective. It's a fun house with freak shows and yes, naked people in glass houses of intel chips and wires.<br /><br />You say so many awesome things- I think the best is "I didn't know I was playing." God that is how I feel every damn day.Mattyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05504775167541916213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878753035017181139.post-10128897433390134352012-10-01T19:31:08.703-07:002012-10-01T19:31:08.703-07:00[In the interest of full disclosure, I have 'm...[In the interest of full disclosure, I have 'met' Xak socially on one occasion. I am also a woman.] <br /><br />My initial reaction to this post was laughter. I found it very funny that Xak's credentials to write this piece were that he takes care of his physical body. (To me, that's akin to a chef claiming he knows a lot about farming because he can make a mean quiche.) I got over those initial reactions quickly, however, because I got to the part where he speaks of his "sexy" voice and immediately wondered why I had not picked up on that. But enough of this surface commentary, let's get to the heart of the matter: Were there points of merit, or was it just vitriol from a jilted soul?<br /><br />His first point (not counting his show of bravado {if the first parenthetical comment bothers you, just know I was once a member of a step team called 'Saunter for Salubrity' and if I could get over that, you can get over this}) is that ALL women in WoW have low self-esteem. Now, I take umbrage at this statement first as a woman and second as someone with a relatively high self-esteem. Stating ALL women are a certain way (aside from maybe at one point having a uterus) is a bit of an overreach. Even accounting for his impeccable aptitude at measuring self-confidence from afar, it is still hard to believe.<br /><br />The next point comes from paragraph 6 (or 7 if you disagree with my discounting a stylistically spaced sentence as a paragraph) -women need to behave. This I could not agree with more, but do not think is limited to the WoWsphere or to the female gender. There are people everywhere that need to behave. So, if you limit the scope to the title of the post then I guess that's a point for Xak. (Unofficial score: 1-1)<br /><br />The last point is the service announcement for guys, to basically not be dicks or think with their penises. (Is it appropriate to write dick and penis here?) To which I say, "Bravo." That puts us at 1-2 and has me on the losing end even though I didn't know I was playing...<br /><br />One last thing before I go: Comments are the best part of blogs. Hands down. (Not this comment so much, but the others.)<br /><br />TL:DR<br />Xak is an arrogant pisser (Britain is a funny place.), but a funny one so we should let that slide. Everyone (online and off) needs to learn some manners and behave. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones or walk around naked (unless they are unseasonably attractive).Avilanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878753035017181139.post-49907277586983736852012-09-30T06:47:43.570-07:002012-09-30T06:47:43.570-07:00Well, as a writer, this can go down two paths:
1. ...Well, as a writer, this can go down two paths:<br />1. Respond in a whole new post<br />2. Respond in a comment.<br /><br />Okay, so go down option 2.<br /><br />I tried not to make this about Xak. The thing is, those of us who have been around the block or two have refined our filters. We are better equipped to navigate the waters of the opinions and cults of personalities. I, for one, have enjoyed my friendship with Xak - his ariticulation about a wide range of subjects and our discourse on just about anything enlightens and challenges me. Due to filtes, however, many will immediately dismiss the above treatise as "not their cup of tea." <br /><br />But this is not about Xak.<br /><br />What this about refers to his last paragraph: At the end of the day, the point is, "do not be that guy." Have some empathy. Understand that even if a woman is acting like the biggest internet hooker in the known universe, she is most likely struggling to explore how men react to her. Even if she is pretending to be a man, she is (likely) not a transvestite, just afraid. If you lack the life experience to empathize, make a female toon and pretend to be a chick for a week. Take all the sleazy, creepy, unpleasant come-ons you get and build yourself a damn filter.<br /><br />Do not be that guy. <br /><br />And if you encounter those guys, learn how to filter.<br /><br />Do not be that guy who is uses his own manipulative or dodgy skills with others to harass or otherwise abuse, and even exploit others for one's own 'entertainment." <br /><br />If you're trolling Facebook, or MMOs, or even bashing or griefing in Minecraft, you're trying on, or perfecting the role, of "asshat." I had a great conversation with leet druid about this whole issue, and his point-of-view and perspective as a long time player in WoW is that trolls are trolling statements they do NOT believe in real life -- that is the very definition. So, for one who is stepping the waters of RP as a 'good guy,' there are those who are pretty great in real life who may be trying on the "asshat" chapeau to see if it fits. <br /><br />We adults have gotten it. But many kids haven't. <br /><br />So, to those who are entertained by the fight club 'post it on Facebook cause it's funny' or troll a player in trade chat:<br /><br />Stop it. Asshats are always ugly.<br /><br />And "a lot" is two words. Even Hyperbole and a Half says so: http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/04/alot-is-better-than-you-at-everything.html<br />Mattyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05504775167541916213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878753035017181139.post-1519398458983506692012-09-29T21:28:12.308-07:002012-09-29T21:28:12.308-07:00I know this man. Xak. And I personally LOVE this. ...I know this man. Xak. And I personally LOVE this. If you cant read this and think in your head (being female as I am) which one does he see me as.... You have no since of humor! I have played this game for 4 years. I have encountered many people male and female in each of the points he put people in. Its an opinion. You should have him write more. :) My fondest raid with xak was when he basically told the whole raid he wanted to microwave babies. Do I think he ever would? LOL hell no but Loved it all the same. Anyways. Guys can learn something from this and I hope alot of people read this. A friend posted it on my FB or I probley would of never seen it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878753035017181139.post-36482032252468277002012-09-28T10:31:35.338-07:002012-09-28T10:31:35.338-07:00I got only a couple dozen words into it before TL;...I got only a couple dozen words into it before TL;DR kicked in. Oh well. There's plenty of interesting things to read that there's no need to waste my time on this. Zek can say what he wants, but I moved on, read the next post and then decided to come back here and post this. Curiously I had no trouble reading the subsequent post by Matty.Kallixtahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08121048834646013472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878753035017181139.post-70561625894945196962012-09-28T06:16:20.555-07:002012-09-28T06:16:20.555-07:00Xak, I'm glad you wrote that, and someday, you...Xak, I'm glad you wrote that, and someday, you're going to be glad you wrote it too.<br /><br />You come across as such an ignorant twit, dripping with a sense of how keenly observant and brilliant you are at having made these startling discoveries, that your post dives head first into self-satire. <br /><br />I don't have to make any point by point criticisms, either. You wrote it, if that's how you truly think without trying to be trollbait, hey, all you'll do is feel confronted and get argumentative and defensive about it.<br /><br />Instead, really, I have this advice for you. <br /><br />Save this post of yours. Stick it on your hard drive, and then leave it there for ten or twenty years.<br /><br />Once a LOT of time has passed, open it and rediscover what you REALLY thought when you were the age you are now.<br /><br />If you experience any real personal growth, or acquire any real-world life experience over the years, you will be so impressed with your own growth compared to the dumbass you are now, you'll feel awesome.Big Bear Butthttp://thebigbearbutt.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878753035017181139.post-8939497557916293492012-09-28T06:02:08.805-07:002012-09-28T06:02:08.805-07:00(spit take with coffee)
Indeed, Tome. (spit take with coffee)<br /><br />Indeed, Tome. Mattyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05504775167541916213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878753035017181139.post-67158448725387994242012-09-28T06:00:03.498-07:002012-09-28T06:00:03.498-07:00And to Cuppy: your comment was a fair assessment, ...And to Cuppy: your comment was a fair assessment, but I was joking. If anyone writes the word “draenei” on any published materials they will be guaranteed to get more link trolling than anyone can possibly want. I have had searches that have burnt off my mascara. But – perhaps I was partially motivated by seeing what it would be like to post something provocative, just to see what it’s like. Mattyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05504775167541916213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878753035017181139.post-31714183425877555062012-09-28T05:13:06.689-07:002012-09-28T05:13:06.689-07:00Oh and wait, I have to say this revealed much more...Oh and wait, I have to say this revealed much more about the writer than it shed any light on female behavior, lol.Tome of the Ancienthttp://tomeoftheancient.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878753035017181139.post-20447595118743163502012-09-28T03:56:15.158-07:002012-09-28T03:56:15.158-07:00Considering that "Synchronised Swimming Nude ...Considering that "Synchronised Swimming Nude Accident" gets the top traffic it certainly doesn't hurt to show a little leg once in a while, lol.<br /><br />To Mr. Smarty Pants, really, who knew. Had no idea all this was going on. Not ever being on vent everyone out there is just a person to me, some dicks, some not. No female/male, black/white, fat/thin, yada yada and so on. Whatever. I think I'll continue with my head in the sand approach, too much labeling makes my head hurt. I'll just stick to jackass/not jackass.<br /><br />Can't wait for your rebuttal Matty!Tome of the Ancienthttp://tomeoftheancient.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878753035017181139.post-45068130675703008212012-09-27T23:24:30.636-07:002012-09-27T23:24:30.636-07:00It's unfortunate that any good points he might...It's unfortunate that any good points he might have made about the harassment that women gamers experience are completely marred by his rampant sexism and misogyny. I'm not sure if you were looking for linkbait here Matty, or whether you wanted to have honest discourse. But honestly, I cannot even think to waste time dissecting his points in a genuinely critical fashion.Cuppyhttp://cuppyville.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com