Back to Markland
May. 24th, 2004 06:13 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
holly_evolvingDo I sound like I'm arguing when I'm not? I think I must.
1) Yes, MR is escapism. So is Markland.
2) There is nothing wrong with that.
3) No, in Markland you can't "be the hero." The escape itself is based on reality.
4) In fact, the only fantasy in Markland is that we utilize elements from history in the hanging out we do at Markland events. Outside of events, we don't geek about Markland the way gamers geek about gaming.
5) Hence, more grounded. Closer to reality. Less likely to engender fantasy obsession.
6) Speaking of grounded and reality--children under 18, who are, generally speaking, less grounded to begin with and more succeptible to fantasy obsession--are not permitted without the presence of a parent or legal guardian, as in MR. But Markland admits to being rife with sex, violence, and alcohol, so parents know they don't want their kids there. Guess what--very few kids and we don't feel responsible for editing ourselves when the wee ones are present.
7) Assholes can't get away with believing they're not. They will know themselves by the thorough beatings they receive on the field.
8) If I thought MR was worthless or silly...If I thought escapism were bad...Then I wouldn't be MR management. And I wouldn't be working my butt off trying to help. Most MR players don't see it because
----A) They don't see me recruiting at Markland. But Marklanders want to REALLY fight, not pretend fight, so they don't come. (You mean there's a place for people who insist on hitting too hard? Yes, kids, www.markland.org can tell you all about it!)
----B) Most of what I'm working on involves either finance or writing song lyrics. Nothing terribly interesting to the public while building, and things which require time and careful effort to build.
So if you think I'm saying Markland is better, get over it. There are some MR players who I don't consider to be as good at being people as most Marklanders and vice versa. But choosing a world of high fantasy over a world of history is GOING to lead to a "mundane" life which is less attached to the real world. Nothing exists in a bubble.
So what?
1) Yes, MR is escapism. So is Markland.
2) There is nothing wrong with that.
3) No, in Markland you can't "be the hero." The escape itself is based on reality.
4) In fact, the only fantasy in Markland is that we utilize elements from history in the hanging out we do at Markland events. Outside of events, we don't geek about Markland the way gamers geek about gaming.
5) Hence, more grounded. Closer to reality. Less likely to engender fantasy obsession.
6) Speaking of grounded and reality--children under 18, who are, generally speaking, less grounded to begin with and more succeptible to fantasy obsession--are not permitted without the presence of a parent or legal guardian, as in MR. But Markland admits to being rife with sex, violence, and alcohol, so parents know they don't want their kids there. Guess what--very few kids and we don't feel responsible for editing ourselves when the wee ones are present.
7) Assholes can't get away with believing they're not. They will know themselves by the thorough beatings they receive on the field.
8) If I thought MR was worthless or silly...If I thought escapism were bad...Then I wouldn't be MR management. And I wouldn't be working my butt off trying to help. Most MR players don't see it because
----A) They don't see me recruiting at Markland. But Marklanders want to REALLY fight, not pretend fight, so they don't come. (You mean there's a place for people who insist on hitting too hard? Yes, kids, www.markland.org can tell you all about it!)
----B) Most of what I'm working on involves either finance or writing song lyrics. Nothing terribly interesting to the public while building, and things which require time and careful effort to build.
So if you think I'm saying Markland is better, get over it. There are some MR players who I don't consider to be as good at being people as most Marklanders and vice versa. But choosing a world of high fantasy over a world of history is GOING to lead to a "mundane" life which is less attached to the real world. Nothing exists in a bubble.
So what?