Thanks to Tad from the listserv at SACC-Society for Anthropology in the Community College, we have a great Teachable Moment alert. Anthropologists and Game Designers have a really interesting discussion about the IPhone application known as Pocket God. Head on over there and have a read. The comments section is where it is all happening.
Here.
I'll be posting it up for my students.
Monday, April 20, 2009
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6 comments:
Hi Pam,
I'm back... at least for the moment.
Socect
http://socect.wordpress.com/2009/04/22/everywhere-almost-is-48-hours-away/
Hey, Socect. I wondered what happened to you. Glad you are back. Check back later. Class, you know.
I love how what was originally a discussion to educate the racist game makers degenerates into self-flagellation for our own complicity in imperialism. Seriously, I think that anthro has a lot to teach these racist game makers, but we can't do that if we can't refrain from self-criticism for 5 seconds.
I thought we were going to get to the point where we were going to be feeling sorry for the game makers, since it looks like they are running out of hapless, victim stereotypes that they can kill with guiltless glee.
Let's try some of the commentary in another situation. Should we ask Perez Hilton if he feels the Miss American contestants are being exploited? How about Miss California, is it okay to exploit her if she doesn't feel she is being exploited?
Have we really lost the ability to make a simple, thoughtful objective assessment without all the deconstuctive dreck?
Given the chatter on oceania listserv, pacific islanders ARE offended, they just aren't necc. commenting on savage minds: maybe they have better things to do than surf the blogosphere endlessly.
In a world where languages are disappearing rapidly, imperialism and genocide and oppression continue I wish anthropology could stop with the self-criticism so much and go out and do important work. Anthropology is about taking other perspectives seriously. Yes, this entails being critical of our own perspective, but that's not all it is.
I saw some of that Megan and you are right, why would they bother with Savage Minds? I find all the arguments about what "they" think rather stupid coming from anthropologists, anyway. The level of discussion was poor. No question.
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