Opinionated: If you’re being a twat, stop it

One odd habit that I have is when someone talks shit, throws out an insult or is just being a fucking twat I feel the need to offer credentials. This is silly, and I know I’m not the only one that does it. I don’t owe trolls a damn thing and I certainly don’t need to explain myself to strangers over the internet — yet I find myself doing it all the time.

Yes, I’ve played X game. Yes, I’ve watched X movie. No, I’m not biased towards unicorns.

The situation often plays out like this: I make a mistake in a piece I’ve written and someone insults me or makes a blanket statement like “you shouldn’t be writing, you don’t know what you’re talking about.” In some cases, that could be true. It’s always possible that I have no clue what the fuck I’m talking about.

However, the more likely scenario is that the person in question was more enamored with being an asshat than they were with actually reading the rest of the content. If they had read it, they might have noticed other things that would imply I have some knowledge of a topic, game or subject.

“You can point out a mistake without lobbying insults, or being a douche.”

Now, that’s just one scenario given in a remarkably vague context. There are many ways this could play out, and many things that could be said on either side of the argument.

We are all human, we all make mistakes

I’m a gamer. I love games — no, I live for them. It’s why I started a site like Vulgamer in the first place.

Unfortunately, I’m still human. That means I may make mistakes here and there. I’m willing to bet that if you spent your days writing hundreds — nay thousands — of words you’d make a few mistakes too. Mental exhaustion is a real thing. In fact, I’d rather be physically exhausted because at the end of the day you’re tired and can relax. With mental exhaustion, your mind never shuts off even when you’re done working. This has caused me to do quite a few things that — from the outside — seem stupid and insolent. In reality, I’m just dead fucking tired and not at a point where I can think straight yet I’ve pressed on anyway.

I hope that you’ll never understand what that’s like, because it sucks. If you do, then you know what I’m talking about.

“I’d love to see you spend a day on the other side of that equation.”

Regardless, the point here is that mistakes happen. I’m not secretive and shady about things when I make a mistake, I’ll come right out and admit it. If you realize I’ve made a mistake, by all means say so. That’s what the comments section is for on any website, including this one. That does not mean you have the right to be a fucking prick about it. You can point out a mistake without lobbying insults, or being a douche.

I will gladly admit my wrongdoing and fix the error.

Stop being a twat

The real issue here is that when you’re engrained in a passionate community like I am, you begin to realize that there are many people out there who have nothing better to do with their time than to insult others. It’s like you’re back in high school again, only this time it’s on the internet.

“I believe we all deserve some modicum of respect and dignity.”

People are either sad, agitated, bored or just fucking mean spirited and they decide today is the day they’re going to tear you a new one. It happens everywhere, not just the gaming community. There’s something about anonymity that breeds hate. It’s not even anonymity because a lot of times people will comment with their real Facebook accounts or something similar.

There’s just something about being behind a keyboard that allows people to attack others without fear of consequence. Don’t be one of those people. If you are, stop being a twat.

Remember the golden rule?

I’m not one to preach peace, love and happiness. I know these three things are not always possible and that not everyone is going to get along. Hell, you might not even like me or what I stand for — that’s fine.

That doesn’t mean you are entitled to attack me, on any site I write for, via any medium or social media network.

“Fuck you if you’re one of those people.”

We all have a common interest here. I understand you’re extremely passionate about some franchises, I am too. It bothers me just as much as the next person when a game I like gets shit on in a review or when a game like The Witcher 3 is called sexist and misogynist.

I don’t have an underlying agenda. I don’t give a fucking shit about politics. I just like games, a lot. All of them. All of the games. Some I know better than others, but that doesn’t mean I deserve to get attacked when I get something wrong about the ones I don’t know well. Correct me. Help me. Let’s be a community together, not a giant, volatile vat of fucking acid that likes to burn people’s faces off.

No one likes that shit. Well, maybe the twats that do it really enjoy it, but still.

Fuck you if you’re one of those people.

Let’s trade places for a day

I invite any number of you to sit down and create a blog or site like I have and write for it consistently. I mean really write, without pay and strictly for pleasure. A large majority of you won’t be able to because you either can’t write or you don’t have the dedication.

Before you criticize someone and make blanket statements or insults, try spending a moment in their shoes. I’m not talking to everyone here — just the trolls and offenders — but I’d love to see you spend a day on the other side of that equation. I’d love to see how you handle people insulting you, calling into question your knowledge and skill and criticizing your every move. A large majority of you wouldn’t handle it well at all. Fuck, I’m sure some of you would even bring more backlash upon yourselves.

“Let’s be a community together, not a giant, volatile vat of fucking acid that likes to burn people’s faces off.”

It’s not an easy thing to deal with, and writing takes work and time. I’m not arguing I’m better or more deserving than anyone else out there. I’m not even arguing that I work harder than you, I probably don’t. The point is, I’m investing time and effort into my writing. It’s as much a passion for me as gaming. For you to come along and insult that, without reason is just spiteful and wrong.

You are not better than me because you know more about a game or topic. We are equals. Talk to me as an equal. Treat me as an equal. The only thing I believe we all deserve is some modicum of respect and dignity.