To paraphrase Vonnegut, a writer should always be writing to another person. I think this is probably because writers are more self-involved than most and need something to keep the reminding them (us?) that every conversation has two sides.
As this is the first post, I know for a fact that nobody is reading it. So I will treat this as my fantasy blogging league and try to explain -- to a legion of adoring, if somewhat insubstantial, fans -- why I chose the name Pwnership Society and what I intend to write about. But, keeping Vonnegut's advice in mind, I will direct this towards my sister (Hi Kate!), who is a kickass artist and, consequently, has excellent taste.
Why did I choose the name? First, its kind of catchy, despite its using...l33t. Ugh [/shudder]. Sorry.
Second, I wanted to write about games and foolishgamer was taken. This is probably for the best as that title might be seen as goofing on the brainygamer. And also it might give readers the impression that I am a huge fan of Jewel's music when, in fact, I only like her poetry. Middlegamer was free, but, although it implies that I have the casual familiarity with the game of chess one often finds among Russian mathematicians, it is a really, really boring name. However, thanks to my tendency to engage in conceptual hoarding, it is still up as an upopulated blog (Ghost Blog!).
Third, I plan on spending a decent portion of my time ragging on the type of mindset -- most often found in FPS multiplayer games -- that derives gratification from primarily from dominance and thrives on unmitigated and consequence free rage. In other words, being a dick.
Why do I want to write about games? Unsurprisingly, I love games. I fell in love with Spy Hunter and Galaga in the arcades when the Atari was still king. In second grade, a friend had an NES that I played long into the night at a sleepover; to my young mind, as it was for many others, Super Mario Bros. was a revelation worthy of Patmos (in both scope and subject matter; angels [or is it god?] with swords for mouths are as mundane as plumbers fighting malevolent turtles and traitorous mushrooms).
I also think that there is a great deal of terrific games writers out there, having a phenomenally interesting conversation which, in some small way, I want to be a part of. (Incidentally, that whole not ending a sentence with a preposition is not ungrammatical, just style preference). Of course, this does mean that I might well have absolutely nothing new to contribute. That has never stopped me before.
What will I be discussing? I do not know. Whatever I find interesting. Pop culture and games? Definitely. Legal issues in games? Possibly. I am a lawyer, with a bit of an unhealthy love for all things open source, free software and copyleft, but I will try not to bore anyone (which will not be very hard without readers). Whether games can be art? Maybe, but thats been pretty thoroughly dissected and, in any event, I don't know how many ways I can say "sometimes." In the end, most of what I write will probably be potshots at games that have disappointed me and tributes to games that have surprised me.
I do know what I will not be discussing. I am not a 13 year old boy anymore and I will not value awesomeness above all other things. I do not care about the latest screenshots, or release dates or technical specifications I do not understand. I care if a game looks good, and, yes, graphics are important, but I think art design is more interesting. I will not say it is "just a game" and cut self-important stupidity any slack (I'm looking at you Dante's Inferno!). Endearing stupidity, however, will be nurtured and loved (I'm looking at you Warhammer 40k!).
As this is the first post, I know for a fact that nobody is reading it. So I will treat this as my fantasy blogging league and try to explain -- to a legion of adoring, if somewhat insubstantial, fans -- why I chose the name Pwnership Society and what I intend to write about. But, keeping Vonnegut's advice in mind, I will direct this towards my sister (Hi Kate!), who is a kickass artist and, consequently, has excellent taste.
Why did I choose the name? First, its kind of catchy, despite its using...l33t. Ugh [/shudder]. Sorry.
Second, I wanted to write about games and foolishgamer was taken. This is probably for the best as that title might be seen as goofing on the brainygamer. And also it might give readers the impression that I am a huge fan of Jewel's music when, in fact, I only like her poetry. Middlegamer was free, but, although it implies that I have the casual familiarity with the game of chess one often finds among Russian mathematicians, it is a really, really boring name. However, thanks to my tendency to engage in conceptual hoarding, it is still up as an upopulated blog (Ghost Blog!).
Third, I plan on spending a decent portion of my time ragging on the type of mindset -- most often found in FPS multiplayer games -- that derives gratification from primarily from dominance and thrives on unmitigated and consequence free rage. In other words, being a dick.
Why do I want to write about games? Unsurprisingly, I love games. I fell in love with Spy Hunter and Galaga in the arcades when the Atari was still king. In second grade, a friend had an NES that I played long into the night at a sleepover; to my young mind, as it was for many others, Super Mario Bros. was a revelation worthy of Patmos (in both scope and subject matter; angels [or is it god?] with swords for mouths are as mundane as plumbers fighting malevolent turtles and traitorous mushrooms).
I also think that there is a great deal of terrific games writers out there, having a phenomenally interesting conversation which, in some small way, I want to be a part of. (Incidentally, that whole not ending a sentence with a preposition is not ungrammatical, just style preference). Of course, this does mean that I might well have absolutely nothing new to contribute. That has never stopped me before.
What will I be discussing? I do not know. Whatever I find interesting. Pop culture and games? Definitely. Legal issues in games? Possibly. I am a lawyer, with a bit of an unhealthy love for all things open source, free software and copyleft, but I will try not to bore anyone (which will not be very hard without readers). Whether games can be art? Maybe, but thats been pretty thoroughly dissected and, in any event, I don't know how many ways I can say "sometimes." In the end, most of what I write will probably be potshots at games that have disappointed me and tributes to games that have surprised me.
I do know what I will not be discussing. I am not a 13 year old boy anymore and I will not value awesomeness above all other things. I do not care about the latest screenshots, or release dates or technical specifications I do not understand. I care if a game looks good, and, yes, graphics are important, but I think art design is more interesting. I will not say it is "just a game" and cut self-important stupidity any slack (I'm looking at you Dante's Inferno!). Endearing stupidity, however, will be nurtured and loved (I'm looking at you Warhammer 40k!).
Do I contradict myself? Perhaps. I will contradict myself often and, occasionally, obliquely reference Whitman on this very point, like a college sophomore too lazy to quote it right.
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