On the Community...

You wouldn't like me when I'm angry...

Happy New Year!

Friends, the community of WoW has grown considerably in the past few years, and I know it's a tired subject, but my complaint today is about jerks.

Jerk: Slang . a contemptibly naive, fatuous, foolish, or inconsequential person.



The other day, a friend of a guild mate was invited into the guild's vent server.  One of the first things he said was a very sexist remark, some shot at making a joke (something to do with women and kitchens, I believe you can put the rest of it together).  As I was without a microphone, I could say nothing, however one of (two or three other) women in the channel spoke up and proceeded to rip him a new one.  His defense?

"I don't care what people think of me, in game or in real life."

Allow me to go back into my time machine for a moment here.

Sir, that is not a defense--that is an excuse.  An excuse to act like an idiot, and to make stupid, sexist remarks, to people you do not know.  You. Are. Pathetic.

It's things like this these days, little comments like this, that drag the community of this MMO down further and further into the gutter every day.  And their excuses, the "I'm like this in real life," "This is how I always act," and "It's just the internet," that we hear every time, are ridiculous, failing attempts at justifying behavior that I very highly doubt they often indulge in outside of the video game.  I mean seriously, would you walk up to a group of women you did not know and say, "Lol get back in the kitchen," ?  No? I didn't think so.

My point is, despite what you may think, there are real people on the other end of these avatars.  Your hurtful remarks meant "as a joke" usually do end up hurting other people, REAL people. Think before you speak.  Don't make a jerk of yourself.  Don't intentionally hurt others just because it makes you feel a little less inadequate.

"Every human being, of whatever origin, of whatever station, deserves respect. We must each respect others even as we respect ourselves." - Ulysses S. Grant.

And those words ring true to today.  It doesn't matter where you're from, where you work, or what class you play. As a person, you still deserve respect.  And so do the people you choose to insult.  Think about it.