Okay. This needs to be addressed right here and right now. that was a very funny commentary on the treatment of women in the military today, though it didn’t really have much of anything to do with video games.

I was kind of disgusted by the video because Amy obviously doesn’t know how to hold a video game controller. You may argue that that’s not the point, but as a gamer, I’m vetoing your argument. Knowing how to hold a controller for the sake of creating some sense of believability is important. If an actor is pretending to smoke a cigarette, but holds the fake cigarette in the way a person would hold a “blunt” you get a different implication and it changes the meaning of the display. Holding the controller wrong shows a lack of interest and investment, and it agitates me to pieces.

The reason I'm on about this is because I'm sick of seeing women who "play games" in media, but can't even hold the controller right. It's embarrassing. If I claimed to be a basketball player and walked onto the court in bowling shoes with gloves and a heavy ball on my hand, people would be annoyed and think that I was either an idiot, or making a mockery of something they care about. It's the same thing here. Care more than not at all, people! 

Is this something that only women do? No. There are some men out there who pretend to play video games and can't hold a controller, and I'm ashamed of them too, but this is something I see that is primarily displayed by women. Learn to hold a controller or just put it down. 

Today, let's talk about representation in gaming. In particular, let's talk about gender representation in video games. To be honest, it's shitty. The majority of women in the world of gaming are overly sexualized to the point of being sexual objects, useless and without agency in their worlds, or just plain old damsels, which is the most boring overly done, shitty role for anyone to take in a video game. However, there's progress being made, and a growing number of more complex, very respectable female characters within the world of gaming. There have been many claims that the gaming community and games in general are sexist and overly sensualize females, lessening them as characters.

To make my point, let's talk about some of the classic ladies in gaming.

Princess Peach and Princess Daisy are two of the damsels in the legendary Mario franchise. They are constantly being kidnapped by Bowser, never really willing to save themselves, and basically trophies for Mario to make out with at the end of their games.

Princess Zelda used to assume a much similar role, though in the newer installments of the Legend of Zelda franchise, she has been allowed a bit more freedom and agency in her world. However, I'm not here to pick on Nintendo IP's so lets move on.

This is Lara Croft from the Tomb raider franchise. As you can see, her breasts are exceedingly large as are her hips and thighs. She's not a solely sexual entity, but it's easy to see how she could be, and has been objectified over her years of existence.

Don't take me wrong, though. Not all the classical ladies of gaming are overly sexualized, gender stereotypes, or victims.

This is Samus Aran, a bounty hunter from space and the lead character in the popular Metroid franchise, a Nintendo IP. She's one of the most popular characters in all of gaming, and she's not alone. In recent times many more characters who are much more than their bodies or victims have popped up in the world of gaming.

This is Kerrigan, queen of the zerg swarm, conqueror of entire planets and ruler over an entire race of aliens fit to consume the galaxy as a whole. She's one of the most powerful women in the world of gaming. Yes, she is nude. Yes, there are plenty of people who find her attractive. But she's definitely more than just that.

While the representation of women in games hasn't been quite up to snuff, I do feel that it is improving. Game developers as a whole deserve more credit than they've been given.

That being said, game designers, WHAT IS THIS?!

Hey guys... I think this video makes some good points.

Now, is blaming victims for getting raped right? No, it's not. The video also addressed this. I feel like its important for women to continue protecting themselves, not because they are at fault for being violated, but because people should be able to and ready to defend themselves if they are attacked by anyone. I want people to be safe, and I have a feeling that this youtuber wants the same thing.

Also, what is this?

Since when was this a thing? Why is this a thing? Who made this a thing? Don't you think it's a bit... stupid?  I think it's more that "a bit" stupid.  I mean, if "Manspreading," is male privilege, then should we call "womanchatpassageblocking" female privilege and stage protests about how women are oppressing men in hallways? Just because people do annoying things doesn't automatically make them oppressors of your freedom. "Manspreading" as oppression is silly. Some people are comfortable with their legs spread or crossed.

We were talking about trolling in class today for a while. I thought that even though we haven't yet addressed gamer culture, this would be a fun little video. Disclaimer, it is quite vulgar.

Pony Love

This week, let's do a little bit of delving into ponies.

My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic is a show that has many relationships, some platonic, and some very romantic. The show itself features two weddings and many straight married couples. One such wedding is the Royal Wedding featured during season two of the show.

This scene is a dandy one, and something the fandom found to be very enjoyable. The show has never openly shown any same sex couples, however. One can argue that this is a good thing, or a bad thing, or simply a neutral thing, as not every show has to display same sex unions. However, I bring this up, because the Brony fandom, in spite of the lack of concrete evidence within the show seems very supportive of many same sex couplings in the show. Some of the prominent potential couples include; DJ Pon3/Vinyl Scratch and Octavia.

Lyra and Bonbon/Sweetie Drops

Soarin and Braeburn.

These relationships which are not canon to the show, but rather fan canon,  are commonly created in all forms of fandom. This behavior is called shipping, and is when a fan creates either art, fan-fiction, or some other form of fantasy expression in which they express their desire to have two characters be in a relationship.

While the show isn't actively supportive of these relationships, its fandom, which encourages them, is pushing for these relationships to be shown. The show has proven time and time again that is is very aware of its fans and wishes to appease them within reason.

I don't think it will be long before we see some same sex pony relationships within my little pony.

Let's talk about our first big subculture today. Bronies. ^_^

This is one of the more gender and sexuality inclusive subcultures as well as one of the more diverse ones. All of this Brony subculture is centered around "My Little Pony" the Hasbro product.

As a Brony myself, I recognize that I'm not allowed to speak for everypony else. People in this fandom are diverse and come from all walks of life.  It's part of what makes the fandom so amazing and fun to participate in. However, that doesn't mean that this subculture doesn't have some standard sets of values and beliefs. The cardinal motto of bronies is to "Love and Tolerate" meaning that no matter what kind of person you are or what your back ground is, if you accept your fellow bronies for who they are and their quirks, then bronies will accept you.

Now, I know Brony sounds like a gender exclusive thing, or like only males can be bronies. There have been many, many, arguments on forums and over the net, and at panels about whether or not women can also be bronies. I believe so. So, to me and my close brony friends at least, Brony is a gender neutral term. Women who wish to call themselves something to mark themselves as distinctly female may call themselves Pegasisters if it makes them feel better/ empowered. I personally see doing so as silly, because this fandom is all about inclusion.

We talked earlier in the semester about our guilty pleasures and it is apparent that some people consider watching my little pony to be a quailty pleasure. I find this to be funny, because there should be no guilt in watching a show that is genuinely good, well produced, and sending a good message to people of all ages. There comes an assumption that people attach to "My Little Pony",  the assumption being that the show and products are marketed toward girls and therefore should only be consumed by little girls. This rather sexist mode of thinking made it so that bronies, both male and female, were initially treated poorly for their exquisite sense of taste.

Males were made to feel guilty because watching a colorful show with interesting female characters with personalities made them "less masculine".  Females who liked the show suddenly felt as though their appreciation for the show was being overshadowed by the fact that men were watching a "girls show".  It's funny how gender expectations have a tendency to ruin the fun parts of life for both genders.

The Purpose Behind the Blog.

This is the Reflecting Pond, a place where I'll be sharing my thoughts and opinions on life, sexuality, and most importantly, subcultures. Hopefully we'll all be able to get along.