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[freeformschooler]

The "strained finances and long hours" is speaking about those with no such reasons for either their commitment to the values they espouse or the reason they use this site in the first place. There are good reasons to play games, this is one of the better ones, and becoming a grimdark or grinch expy is not going to do your mental health or your cause any favors, but it's not enough for me.

I still don't understand. Do you think it's a bad thing for people to hold values without being activists for them/actively attempting to further them in society?

You seem to be speaking in metaphors and references rather than examples. That's always a bit difficult for me to wrap my brain around.

[Scoops Novel]

I think holding values without acting on them is problematic, yes, as is fairly limited action. I wouldn't want to explain my current relaxation habits to anyone in a less well off position, for example.

[freeformschooler]

I think holding values without acting on them is problematic, yes, as is fairly limited action. I wouldn't want to explain my current relaxation habits to anyone in a less well off position, for example.

Then that is a point of disagreement because I, for example, hold many, many, many different values and opinions, acting on each of them at different times, but I come to an Internet discussion forum to discuss, not act. This is what I do in my free time because most any other time is spent working, learning in college or doing productive things with friends. I suspect many are the same way here, and if that's the grievance you hold with the community (that they are discussing things on a discussion forum and likely taking any actual action elsewhere), it's god-damned silly. Pardon my French.

Now, personally, I despite Reddit. But, in the past, I've seen some impressive things done by subreddit communities. Even if it's not taking action for a moral cause, it's building something cool, changing something to be cooler, or just spreading cool knowledge you would not be likely to find elsewhere. I would highly recommend you look into entrenching yourself in a subreddit that shares a similar cause because, as someone who wants to take action, you could really start something cool: maybe a rally, a protest, I don't know.

[Shakerag]

I think holding values without acting on them is problematic, yes, as is fairly limited action. I wouldn't want to explain my current relaxation habits to anyone in a less well off position, for example.

Because you're embarassed about your relaxation habits?  Or because you think they are more decadent than is necessary?  Or you are concerned about the less well off person thinks of you?

Obviously everyone doesn't share that position, otherwise "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" would never have been a thing >_>

Out of curiosity, do you engage in much activistic work, Novel? 

Then that is a point of disagreement because I, for example, hold many, many, many different values and opinions, acting on each of them at different times, but I come to an Internet discussion forum to discuss, not act.

True, but said discussions could lead to actions, no?  Maybe you learn about something via discussion and that prompts you to look into it/do something later. 

That aside, I do have to agree with Novel at least a bit.  I mean, what good does it do anyone (yourself included) if you're (for example) vehemently against gun control, but say nothing about it, do nothing about it, and don't vote against pro-gun control politicians?  Great, so you're just sitting there and hoping your anti-gun control wishes somehow magically come true. 

[Parsely]

What is this topic really about? Originally I thought you just wanted to find some interesting forums to frequent, but now it feels, at least to me, that you're trying to make some sort of statement.

[freeformschooler]

Then that is a point of disagreement because I, for example, hold many, many, many different values and opinions, acting on each of them at different times, but I come to an Internet discussion forum to discuss, not act.

True, but said discussions could lead to actions, no?  Maybe you learn about something via discussion and that prompts you to look into it/do something later. 

That aside, I do have to agree with Novel at least a bit.  I mean, what good does it do anyone (yourself included) if you're (for example) vehemently against gun control, but say nothing about it, do nothing about it, and don't vote against pro-gun control politicians?  Great, so you're just sitting there and hoping your anti-gun control wishes somehow magically come true.

Well, yeah. That's why I love to discuss ethical values. Even if I change no one's mind, maybe someone changes my mind about something, and I'll take action for the better next time I get the opportunity.

And sometimes it's not big, sweeping things. I always, always vote in primaries when I get the chance, for example. I went out and voted against amendment one even though it was all local politics, not national. People should consider looking for more outlets to make small changes if they feel intimidated by big movements.

[Scoops Novel]

I don't think you're all lazy fuckers (pardon my french ). I think you're too comfortable for myself to think you dedicated . It's a little like rockpapershotgun. They'll talk about social issues, or equality, or what have you but they're still games journalists writing about multimillion dollar games in the first world with a reasonable income, and those cost never comes up, or that maybe a 100 (bundles aside) steam games is too many or maybe beloved developers are millionaires and don't need any more money to put to questionable use. It's more effective and reaches more people then beating people around the head with it, but i doubt it's their primary motivator, and I'd like a little more self awareness. Or there's beloved, good, respected liberal writers who i have diminishing faith in. They write damn good books, but a once over of their blog mentions champagne too many times and they appear overly well appointed.

Tying that in here, it's tiring to see people complaining about corporate domination waxing eloquent about films, anime, drink, guns, the odd car and otherwise giving the impression that they have limited investment. I'd rather use an equally hospitable forum with the activism as the focus rather then a (prominent) side-note.

[freeformschooler]

Rockpapershotgun - the community more than the blog - is a terrible example. I feel the same way about it and, lately, have been fed up with people using Big Companies as end-all-be-all targets for their liberal potshots even though they know fully well that complaining about corporate greed in a discussion forum isn't going to change much. Especially when many of these same people are willing to spend their disposable income on the video game of the week.

Tying that in here, it's tiring to see people complaining about corporate domination waxing eloquent about films, anime, drink, guns, the odd car and otherwise giving the impression that they have limited investment. I'd rather use an equally hospitable forum with the activism as the focus rather then a side-note.

But, well, eh. If this is what you're looking for, I understand, and don't know anything. Reddit is still right up there with it, but they're not... I don't know, they don't have the same kind of recognition for people that makes communities like Bay 12 actual communities. Maybe take that as a starting point and look for similar places.

[Shakerag]

-snip-

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like to me that you're seeking individuals that basically devote all of their time/money/effort to a particular cause? 

If so, then I would think the best place to find said individuals would be to look for a forum attached to a particular cause? 

[GlyphGryph]

The thing is, Novel - I don't know what to suggest to you, because you yourself aren't exactly much of an activist, and any and every forum I know that sort of meets your requirements (by which I mean NOT GAMES FORUMS but actual activist and dedication-based forums) aren't useful unless you are ALSO dedicated to the same thing.

So if you want something where people are focused on activism, and I can probably find you something - but first, I need to know what sort of activism you engage in and what you dedicate yourself to.

[Scoops Novel]

NOT GAMES FORUMS sounds like a good start . I'm not particularly selective. Environmentalism, online security/freedom, 3rd world development, AVP or similar advocates, economic reforms, science promotion, preventing technological misuse. You may have noticed i have a tendency to use these forums for question barrages. It's a less a case of being able to immediately go out and DO SOMETHING so that i can feel pointlessly vindicated and more of gaining information from reliable sources while not descending into conversations and idiocy reminiscent of much of the internet. Bay 12 is reasonably good for this, but there's only so much depth, and given that this isn't it's primary focus that's to be expected. In summary, anything you can throw at me which fulfills the latter criteria I'm happy to view.

[Shakerag]

Off the top of my head, try:
Eff.org (Electronic Fronteer Foundation)
www.amnestyusa.org (Amnesty International)
and ... maybe the ELF (Earth Liberation Front)?

[nenjin]

Uh. I wouldn't go poking around ELF unless you're keen to get yourself on a watch list.

[Shakerag]

Uh. I wouldn't go poking around ELF unless you're keen to get yourself on a watch list.

Hey, I just throw options out there.  It's up to the individual as to what they want to do with their life >_>

[Scoops Novel]

Uh. I wouldn't go poking around ELF unless you're keen to get yourself on a watch list.

Hey, I just throw options out there.  It's up to the individual as to what they want to do with their life >_>

Can you give me details? I'd also like a little more information on the electronic frontier foundation, given their proffered support for Snowden. Yes, i buy the leak, i don't buy him (or that he's a foreign spy, for that matter).