I agree with much of this video from @AuronMacintyre. His basic position is anti-anti-LARP.
But his argument depends on a very rosy definition of LARPing, and overlooks a key part of what it means to criticize something as a "LARP."
But his argument depends on a very rosy definition of LARPing, and overlooks a key part of what it means to criticize something as a "LARP."
The common ground:
•"Crabs in the bucket" is real. People often make themselves feel better by making others feel worse.
•Don't make perfect the enemy of good.
•Don't tear someone down as a hypocrite for trying to better themselves and stumbling or outright failing.
•"Crabs in the bucket" is real. People often make themselves feel better by making others feel worse.
•Don't make perfect the enemy of good.
•Don't tear someone down as a hypocrite for trying to better themselves and stumbling or outright failing.
The key point he overlooks:
"LARP" implies fantasy. Fantasies often end up harming their believers. They're unachievable, so failure is the only option and they blind you to more attainable goods.
"LARP" implies fantasy. Fantasies often end up harming their believers. They're unachievable, so failure is the only option and they blind you to more attainable goods.
Don't be mean. Don't be cruel.
But pointing out that someone is living in a fantasy can be kind thing. It may also prevent others from being mislead into following the fantasist.
But pointing out that someone is living in a fantasy can be kind thing. It may also prevent others from being mislead into following the fantasist.
At its best, saying someone is LARPing means they're engaging in a behavior that has no relation to the real world in which they live. LARPs focus on daydreams of a past we can't go back to or make-believe world.
His example of the Wanderers in the Desert cuts against his point.
In the desert, the LARPers are those who wish to RETVRN (to Egypt). They keep dreaming of going back to a place they can't return to. They need to be disabused of this notion.
In the desert, the LARPers are those who wish to RETVRN (to Egypt). They keep dreaming of going back to a place they can't return to. They need to be disabused of this notion.
Bottom line: Friends support friends who are making sincere efforts to improve.
Friends also tell friends when they're living in a fantasy. In other contexts, the right has no problem recognizing this (the trans issue). It applies to our political and social projects too.
Friends also tell friends when they're living in a fantasy. In other contexts, the right has no problem recognizing this (the trans issue). It applies to our political and social projects too.
Ofc, determining what's fantasy and what's realistic is a hard exercise. Maybe the fantasist isn't a fantasist. So stay humble even in your critiques.
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