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Despite their professed hatred/dismissal of political cartoons, PA knocks it out of the park when they make one.
Yes, though I certainly hope they keep them super rare. I know they're getting older and have kids, so they might take things a bit more seriously than before. But 99% of the time, the correct answer is to write a relevant joke. Like this one which was posted in the comic thread this thread was forked from
Nothing about what happened last week is funny or could be converted into something funny, so in this case, assuming they were intent on commenting on it at all, they made the right call. But it's dangerous territory.
And the background is maybe a little cliche but still really beautiful in its own way.
Monkey Ball Warrior on
"I resent the entire notion of a body as an ante and then raise you a generalized dissatisfaction with physicality itself" -- Tycho
+1
Dark Raven XLaugh hard, run fast,be kindRegistered Userregular
Errk. This message seems like a newspost, not a comic. Mike's position on discussing serious issues in comics in the past 4th Panels and Podcasts always seemed to be "well that's not very funny" and neither is this.
As an avid gamer who plays violent video games, I defend my right to play them, and the fact that I'm not turning into a serial killer. yet with some people, I sometimes wonder.....Not that I blame the game as being entirely to blame. But I do think gore and the suffering of human beings can sometimes resonate with some more than others.
Fractilion on
0
MichaelLCIn what furnace was thy brain?ChicagoRegistered Userregular
edited December 2012
Definitely. It's easy to overdo them and then it's just like the newspapers, cranking out daily crap.
Don't think you could do a jokey strip about this - maybe if there was some specific silly goose saying something extra dumb; like the MSNBC guy who blamed games.
As for the background, extra morbid thought:
it's lined paper from a classroom at Sandy Hook Elementary.
As an avid gamer who plays violent video games, I defend my right to play them, and the fact that I'm not turning into a serial killer. yet with some people, I sometimes wonder.....Not that I blame the game as being entirely to blame. But I do think gore and the suffering of human beings can sometimes resonate with some more than others.
This is a good point and definitely something to consider, sometimes games effect the way you think for good or ill that's just the way media works.
I don't think to proper way to deal with this is censorship, never is.
That said, this comic doesn't mean anything to me. This issue isn't about the first or the second ammendment, it has little to do with guns(well) or videogames, despite what some people may claim but I won't get into it, I appreciate the effort none the less. Those who cry videogames while defending guns are at best a pot calling the kettle black.
Please don't try to shine a spotlight on perceived slights on your dumb hobby before all the dead elementary children have even been laid to rest in the ground you goddamn self-centered manchildren.
Please don't try to shine a spotlight on perceived slights on your dumb hobby before all the dead elementary children have even been laid to rest in the ground you goddamn self-centered manchildren.
That might be a little harsh, and there's something to be said for "Penny Arcade is about video games so it's not inappropriate to address issues about video games whenever they arise," but I agree that getting sanctimonious about the First Amendment and Patriotism and blah blah blah (especially when I don't think anyone has really proposed anything that violates the First Amendment...) is hardly the best response to all this hubbub - Penny Arcade is a funny comic strip, if they want to turn into political commentary on current events they're going to lose a fan because as much as I fucking love the comic, I don't love it because of its trenchant political commentary. Mike barely understands half the issues and Jerry confines his opinions to his amazing news posts that are always couched in terms of "this is what I believe and far from being correct about everything I might actually be the worst person on the world" or "don't be an evil person" or something else we can all agree with.
As an avid gamer who plays violent video games, I defend my right to play them, and the fact that I'm not turning into a serial killer. yet with some people, I sometimes wonder.....Not that I blame the game as being entirely to blame. But I do think gore and the suffering of human beings can sometimes resonate with some more than others.
I think that's people in general though. Violent.
This strip otherwise has the feel of a last-minute submission, like something has come up.
Essentially, the NRA is scapegoating violent games so that they don't have to make a real statement.
There's a proverb about arguing with idiots and another with something about fighting monsters.
Here's one I came up with: when a dozen 6-year-olds have been shot to death, you don't go "let's not lose sight of the bigger wrong being perpetrated here.", especially re: videogames.
Here's one I came up with: when a dozen 6-year-olds have been shot to death, you don't go "let's not lose sight of the bigger wrong being perpetrated here.", especially re: videogames.
Because apparently we're too dim to be able to address multiple issues at the same time without losing sight over the only thing you think we're allowed to talk about the bigger wrong.
EVE: Online - the most fun you will ever have not playing a game.
"Go up, thou bald head." -2 Kings 2:23
The amendments are numbered, but not by importance. I understand that due to recent events the 2nd is seeing renewed scrutiny. I would just like to remind everyone (specifically legislators) that knee-jerk political reaction to tragedy got us the PATRIOT Act and more than a decade of war. So, if there are any Senators reading this post, PM me! =P
A more timeless version of the 3rd panel might read " ... would destroy one amendment to protect another."
I've also noticed that no one is ever accused of being a "free speech nut" or a "fair trial activist". All rights are created equal, as unsavory as that might seem to some.
Essentially, the NRA is scapegoating violent games so that they don't have to make a real statement.
There's a proverb about arguing with idiots and another with something about fighting monsters.
Buddy, if you think you could (safely) ignore the idiots and monsters in politics, without also taking in account whether they also run lobbying associations with millions of dollars in their superPACs who issue influential (in Republican primaries, at least) "report cards" on every one of thousands of federal and state legislators across the country, I have this wonderful bridge I would like to sell you. Great location.
Also, there would be like four politicians left, nationwide.
Here's one I came up with: when a dozen 6-year-olds have been shot to death, you don't go "let's not lose sight of the bigger wrong being perpetrated here.", especially re: videogames
You know, I don't think I've noticed anyone ever say or mean anything like that. I have seen people say "The NRA is trying to throw up dust and distract people from the actual issues being debated (such as banning full auto, assault, and machine guns, and limiting the clip size of semi-automatics) by scapegoating videogames as a subset of nearly all culture, (Tycho said this implicitly in the comic in the form of "videogames, music, movies, even the news,") and that trying to jedi mind trick your way out of an important debate even being held, is bullshit. And besides, anyone hypocritical enough to blame the fruits of the 1st amendment for the uses of 2nd amendment, reveals himself to not actually care about the integrity of the Constitution as a whole, and thus exposed, everything else they say should be held suspect."
In fact, that's exactly what the Comic says, but in a way that you can read and not make you wonder if the author was born in Eastern Europe or Asia, as my horrible prose surely does.
Videogames are in no realistic danger of legislative retribution. This comic is hamhanded and irrelevant.
I think that about sums the whole subject up.
Edit: Sorry I forgot another salient point, fuck Constitution worship.
You also forgot to mention that "if you were a real patriot" is hardly a good argument against anyone doing anything, because maybe a patriot isn't automatically the right thing to be.
+4
Monkey Ball WarriorA collection of mediocre hatsSeattle, WARegistered Userregular
Videogames are in no realistic danger of legislative retribution.
What? It has been a realistic danger for many years. You might argue that recent events are unlikely to increase that danger, and I would have to disagree with that, but to say the danger doesn't exist is plainly false.
And there's a distinction between constitution worship and legit debate about the merits of existing amendments or potential new ones.
"I resent the entire notion of a body as an ante and then raise you a generalized dissatisfaction with physicality itself" -- Tycho
Videogames are in no realistic danger of legislative retribution.
What? It has been a realistic danger for many years. You might argue that recent events are unlikely to increase that danger, and I would have to disagree with that, but to say the danger doesn't exist is plainly false.
And there's a distinction between constitution worship and legit debate about the merits of existing amendments or potential new ones.
I'm not sure citing the Supreme Court decision making games as safe as they've been for years is the right way to show that games are in danger of censorship.
Videogames are in no realistic danger of legislative retribution.
What? It has been a realistic danger for many years. You might argue that recent events are unlikely to increase that danger, and I would have to disagree with that, but to say the danger doesn't exist is plainly false.
And there's a distinction between constitution worship and legit debate about the merits of existing amendments or potential new ones.
The Supreme Court ruled, overwhelmingly, against regulation of violent videogames and the opinion was written by one of the most conservative sitting Justices, stating that videogames have First Amendment protections.
On top of this, videogames are more of an accepted part of mainstream culture than ever before. This particular culture war is over. Any rumblings from here on out are about as meaningful as "The South will rise again!".
Monkey Ball WarriorA collection of mediocre hatsSeattle, WARegistered Userregular
edited December 2012
Fair enough. I'm just highlighting that it even got that far, due to some sort of cultural bias against games vs. other forms of media. And that bias isn't quite gone yet.
The comic is obviously a direct response to the NRA's laughable attempt to avoid a debate by redirecting attention towards games. Which was a disservice to itself and all it's members, several of whom are good friends of mine, and also gamers.
Monkey Ball Warrior on
"I resent the entire notion of a body as an ante and then raise you a generalized dissatisfaction with physicality itself" -- Tycho
As someone who supports the 2nd Amendment, I do feel that changes need to be made. And it's pathetic that the NRA uses the media as a scapegoat to allow people to use any weapon unabated. It seems the blame for violent events loves to fall back on media, especially games. Before games, they blamed it on violent music and movies, now they just blame it all.
As someone who started playing games back with the Atari 2600 and have played all genres, I have never once felt like I wanted to be violent in real life. Never did GTA make me think, "I should do that for real".
While I partially agree with the idea that there can be armed security in schools, at least for the time being, I don't think it should be some "highly trained" private security company. You're just asking for people to become vigilantes. Police Officers should be the only choice. Their job is to protect the public. I know they're not perfect, but I wouldn't trust my neighbor to be armed and watch kids, they're not trained at how to diffuse situations or evaluate potential threats.
What happened at Sandy Hook and in Aurora, where I know live, and in other places is terrible. My sorrow goes out to the victim's families and loved one's. Changes can be made without pointing fingers or destroying any of the Amendments.
You also forgot to mention that "if you were a real patriot" is hardly a good argument against anyone doing anything, because maybe a patriot isn't automatically the right thing to be.
Again, it's not immediately obvious who or what you're responding to. I made the point that Pierre LaWayne and the NRA are hypocrites, and thus not trustworthy, and the way they revealed that was their hypocrisy on the constitution. Whether you agree or disagree with either part of the contradictory argument the NRA is making is irrelevant to this issue of bald faced hypocrisy that I rose, after Tycho alluded to it in the comic.
Videogames are in no realistic danger of legislative retribution. This comic is hamhanded and irrelevant.
Unless, you know, the comic wasn't trying to protect video games from phantom legislation; but was instead pointing out the NRA's trick of trying to change the subject?
I don't have as much faith in Mike and Jerry as you do. I'm pretty sure there's a reason videogames are at the top of that list. I strongly doubt this strip would even exist if the NRA hadn't mentioned videogames.
My fuck Constitution worship is not directed at anyone in particular. It's more of a general, blanket statement.
Ok, sorry, I guess I was being touchy. I agree with this sentiment.
EDIT TO ADD : I know, I'm sure this is highly relevant information to your life. You are now older, but no wise, then you were when you started reading this comment. Sorry 'bout that!
2ND EDIT : But not really. This is an internet forum; you should know what happens here.
I don't have as much faith in Mike and Jerry as you do. I'm pretty sure there's a reason videogames are at the top of that list. I strongly doubt this strip would even exist if the NRA hadn't mentioned videogames.
Well sure, I agree with your second sentience there; but I guess I'd call that "the hook" as opposed to seeing how that's a bad thing. We're all citizens in a democratic (ish) country (Sorry people reading this from where you aren't), pointing out how others are using our culture is something that should be relevant to everyone's life. This comic is not far from things like wikipedia's efforts to promote PIPA/SOPA/etc awareness. It's not *of* what we came here to discuss, but is attempting to *use* us and our hobbies in ways that might have negative affects further down the road. Being aware of how the wider world is seeing and using us is a good thing.
Videogames are in no realistic danger of legislative retribution. This comic is hamhanded and irrelevant.
I was unaware "hamhanded and irrelevant" meant "poignant and topical."
To be fair, it isn't only video games NRA is trying scapegoat - it's pop culture in and of itself. The ironic part of all this is the reason that guns and gun violence in media is so acceptable and prevalent is in large part due to the NRA.
You can't say "everyone should have guns and know how to use guns and guns are a-okay" while going "oh my god, guns in media! You child corrupters!"
Mike and Jerry are smart, that's one thing I have learned over the years. There are no problems with this comic other than the ones we create. The comic is simple: its a direct response to the NRA's statement, which was stupid because a group defending one freedom is attacking another. That's all it is, and quite frankly, no matter how much you love/hate/sex guns or videogames, that point is clear, and worth a comic strip on a gaming website.
The comic is simple: its a direct response to the NRA's statement, which was stupid because a group defending one freedom is attacking another. That's all it is, and quite frankly, no matter how much you love/hate/sex guns or videogames, that point is clear, and worth a comic strip on a gaming website.
I want to make love to your brain's reasoning centers. This is what I've been trying to say
I strongly doubt this strip would even exist if the NRA hadn't mentioned videogames.
That's true, though I think we should instead focus on pies' inability to exist without filling.
Or how we don't get to vote for kings.
Or why beginnings are before endings.
On an entirely unrelated note, does anyone know the noun form of "inane"?
Edit: Ooo! or how racism wouldn't be a problem if people weren't racist.
Edit2: Apparently, it's "inanity". I now have a new favorite word that's real but sounds fake. (P.S. rhymes with insanity or profanity)
Alright I'll simplify this for you. They only made this strip because videogames were mentioned. They know full well none of the other things mentioned are in any danger of being legitimately censored, which is why he says videogames first. Cultural inertia places music, movies, and news firmly in the safe zone. They do believe, however, videogames are still in any danger.
They aren't for reasons that have been outlined clearly enough by now. The strip is a knee jerk, defensive response to a non-existent threat.
They aren't for reasons that have been outlined clearly enough by now. The strip is a knee jerk, defensive response to a non-existent threat.
Have to disagree with you there. The threat of censorship is quite real. I would have hoped these old codgers would have died by now, but unfortunately there's a great number of people in politics and other talking heads who know nothing of current culture (games, TV, etc.), who chose to vilify it only as a convenient distraction to their last-gasping grabs for power.
Posts
Nothing about what happened last week is funny or could be converted into something funny, so in this case, assuming they were intent on commenting on it at all, they made the right call. But it's dangerous territory.
And the background is maybe a little cliche but still really beautiful in its own way.
As an avid gamer who plays violent video games, I defend my right to play them, and the fact that I'm not turning into a serial killer. yet with some people, I sometimes wonder.....Not that I blame the game as being entirely to blame. But I do think gore and the suffering of human beings can sometimes resonate with some more than others.
Don't think you could do a jokey strip about this - maybe if there was some specific silly goose saying something extra dumb; like the MSNBC guy who blamed games.
As for the background, extra morbid thought:
This is a good point and definitely something to consider, sometimes games effect the way you think for good or ill that's just the way media works.
I don't think to proper way to deal with this is censorship, never is.
That said, this comic doesn't mean anything to me. This issue isn't about the first or the second ammendment, it has little to do with guns(well) or videogames, despite what some people may claim but I won't get into it, I appreciate the effort none the less. Those who cry videogames while defending guns are at best a pot calling the kettle black.
I think that's people in general though. Violent.
This strip otherwise has the feel of a last-minute submission, like something has come up.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/121240-NRA-Likens-Videogames-to-the-Filthiest-Form-of-Pornography
http://home.nra.org/classic.aspx/blog/345
Essentially, the NRA is scapegoating violent games so that they don't have to make a real statement.
"Go up, thou bald head." -2 Kings 2:23
I certainly hope you mean our dumb hobby. If you are not a gamer, you are reading the wrong webcomic and posting in the wrong forum.
There's a proverb about arguing with idiots and another with something about fighting monsters.
Here's one I came up with: when a dozen 6-year-olds have been shot to death, you don't go "let's not lose sight of the bigger wrong being perpetrated here.", especially re: videogames.
Because apparently we're too dim to be able to address multiple issues at the same time without losing sight over the only thing you think we're allowed to talk about the bigger wrong.
"Go up, thou bald head." -2 Kings 2:23
A more timeless version of the 3rd panel might read " ... would destroy one amendment to protect another."
I've also noticed that no one is ever accused of being a "free speech nut" or a "fair trial activist". All rights are created equal, as unsavory as that might seem to some.
Buddy, if you think you could (safely) ignore the idiots and monsters in politics, without also taking in account whether they also run lobbying associations with millions of dollars in their superPACs who issue influential (in Republican primaries, at least) "report cards" on every one of thousands of federal and state legislators across the country, I have this wonderful bridge I would like to sell you. Great location.
Also, there would be like four politicians left, nationwide.
You know, I don't think I've noticed anyone ever say or mean anything like that. I have seen people say "The NRA is trying to throw up dust and distract people from the actual issues being debated (such as banning full auto, assault, and machine guns, and limiting the clip size of semi-automatics) by scapegoating videogames as a subset of nearly all culture, (Tycho said this implicitly in the comic in the form of "videogames, music, movies, even the news,") and that trying to jedi mind trick your way out of an important debate even being held, is bullshit. And besides, anyone hypocritical enough to blame the fruits of the 1st amendment for the uses of 2nd amendment, reveals himself to not actually care about the integrity of the Constitution as a whole, and thus exposed, everything else they say should be held suspect."
In fact, that's exactly what the Comic says, but in a way that you can read and not make you wonder if the author was born in Eastern Europe or Asia, as my horrible prose surely does.
I think that about sums the whole subject up.
Edit: Sorry I forgot another salient point, fuck Constitution worship.
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
What? It has been a realistic danger for many years. You might argue that recent events are unlikely to increase that danger, and I would have to disagree with that, but to say the danger doesn't exist is plainly false.
And there's a distinction between constitution worship and legit debate about the merits of existing amendments or potential new ones.
The Supreme Court ruled, overwhelmingly, against regulation of violent videogames and the opinion was written by one of the most conservative sitting Justices, stating that videogames have First Amendment protections.
On top of this, videogames are more of an accepted part of mainstream culture than ever before. This particular culture war is over. Any rumblings from here on out are about as meaningful as "The South will rise again!".
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
The comic is obviously a direct response to the NRA's laughable attempt to avoid a debate by redirecting attention towards games. Which was a disservice to itself and all it's members, several of whom are good friends of mine, and also gamers.
As someone who started playing games back with the Atari 2600 and have played all genres, I have never once felt like I wanted to be violent in real life. Never did GTA make me think, "I should do that for real".
While I partially agree with the idea that there can be armed security in schools, at least for the time being, I don't think it should be some "highly trained" private security company. You're just asking for people to become vigilantes. Police Officers should be the only choice. Their job is to protect the public. I know they're not perfect, but I wouldn't trust my neighbor to be armed and watch kids, they're not trained at how to diffuse situations or evaluate potential threats.
What happened at Sandy Hook and in Aurora, where I know live, and in other places is terrible. My sorrow goes out to the victim's families and loved one's. Changes can be made without pointing fingers or destroying any of the Amendments.
Again, it's not immediately obvious who or what you're responding to. I made the point that Pierre LaWayne and the NRA are hypocrites, and thus not trustworthy, and the way they revealed that was their hypocrisy on the constitution. Whether you agree or disagree with either part of the contradictory argument the NRA is making is irrelevant to this issue of bald faced hypocrisy that I rose, after Tycho alluded to it in the comic.
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
I think when they say they hate political cartoons, they mean the ones with stupid metaphors all over the place and one-liners.
But who's keeping count?
Unless, you know, the comic wasn't trying to protect video games from phantom legislation; but was instead pointing out the NRA's trick of trying to change the subject?
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
Ok, sorry, I guess I was being touchy. I agree with this sentiment.
EDIT TO ADD : I know, I'm sure this is highly relevant information to your life. You are now older, but no wise, then you were when you started reading this comment. Sorry 'bout that!
2ND EDIT : But not really. This is an internet forum; you should know what happens here.
Well sure, I agree with your second sentience there; but I guess I'd call that "the hook" as opposed to seeing how that's a bad thing. We're all citizens in a democratic (ish) country (Sorry people reading this from where you aren't), pointing out how others are using our culture is something that should be relevant to everyone's life. This comic is not far from things like wikipedia's efforts to promote PIPA/SOPA/etc awareness. It's not *of* what we came here to discuss, but is attempting to *use* us and our hobbies in ways that might have negative affects further down the road. Being aware of how the wider world is seeing and using us is a good thing.
To be fair, it isn't only video games NRA is trying scapegoat - it's pop culture in and of itself. The ironic part of all this is the reason that guns and gun violence in media is so acceptable and prevalent is in large part due to the NRA.
You can't say "everyone should have guns and know how to use guns and guns are a-okay" while going "oh my god, guns in media! You child corrupters!"
PSN: ShinyRedKnight Xbox Live: ShinyRedKnight
That's true, though I think we should instead focus on pies' inability to exist without filling.
Or how we don't get to vote for kings.
Or why beginnings are before endings.
On an entirely unrelated note, does anyone know the noun form of "inane"?
Edit: Ooo! or how racism wouldn't be a problem if people weren't racist.
Edit2: Apparently, it's "inanity". I now have a new favorite word that's real but sounds fake. (P.S. rhymes with insanity or profanity)
"Go up, thou bald head." -2 Kings 2:23
I want to make love to your brain's reasoning centers. This is what I've been trying to say
Alright I'll simplify this for you. They only made this strip because videogames were mentioned. They know full well none of the other things mentioned are in any danger of being legitimately censored, which is why he says videogames first. Cultural inertia places music, movies, and news firmly in the safe zone. They do believe, however, videogames are still in any danger.
They aren't for reasons that have been outlined clearly enough by now. The strip is a knee jerk, defensive response to a non-existent threat.
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
Have to disagree with you there. The threat of censorship is quite real. I would have hoped these old codgers would have died by now, but unfortunately there's a great number of people in politics and other talking heads who know nothing of current culture (games, TV, etc.), who chose to vilify it only as a convenient distraction to their last-gasping grabs for power.