Holding A Mirror Up Can Be A Tad Uncomfortable...
There has been something of a hoo-hah this week, caused by the advertisement of a book by Spanish paint company AK Interactive.
At the heart of it is a book in which modellers of undoubted and enviable skill, create in miniature some of the atrocities that man has perpetrated on his own species throughout history and a video to promote it containing footage from Rwanda and the various concentration camps.
On cue, the righteous were up in arms, ranting and spitting about it all, as if they were some kind of moral compass for the associated hobbies who may use AK's products. This appears to the era of the neo-witchfinders. One day this will lead to some having to burn themselves at their stakes, such will be their self-indignation and loathing.
OK, so it may and I say may, not have been the best way to promote a product, but before anyone throws that first stone, perhaps a little introspective thinking is in order.
The Egyptians cut off the hands of their enemies - Atrocity
The French de-phalanged English archers in the 100YW - Atrocity
The British invented the concentration camp to deal with Boers - Atrocity
The Confederacy was pro-slavery - Dehumanisation
The Norse slaughtered monks - Atrocity
The 500 Nations scalped and tortured their enemies - Atrocity
And we play games recreating these armies. But hey, that's OK because these are just games and there's no profit, right?
Well, actually, like it or not, you are paying money for those armies which goes to a company as - anyone? - You at the back?... That's right, profit.
If a statue of a supposed notorious figure is offensive, just imagine what offence those 1200 little statues you so lovingly spent hours painting, only to recreate the things which are so reprehensible could cause.
Oh you might rant about a picture or an image, and you may make all kinds of claims about what you are doing when you play with your little lead or plastic dollies, but you are glorifying the mutilation and massacre of living beings.
Oh, stop spluttering in indignation, we're all doing it. We are all to some decree being fucking hypocrites.
Yes, you sir/miss/madam are probably reenacting a war crime or two at some stage in your gaming career and you probably won't give it a moment's thought, because when it's you, it's OK.
'Ah, but I play fantasy.' you may parry.
Fair enough, but those plastic figures you are buying are probably made in a country with a human rights record on par with King Herod. You too are in the frame.
So, when you are on those social media sites, frothing and foaming about what evil, twisted fascists they are over at *enter name of business* are, stop, look at a mirror and take a look at someone who is just as bad.
Then consider going and doing something else instead, which is more productive and worthy of your time.
In fact, if you can't accept that you are a war glorifying, exponent of violence to others, take up golf!
Now, moving on...
Last week I picked up around 300 war-games magazines, from which (with a few purchases and a kind gesture by Roger) has allowed me to put together War-games Illustrated 1-150 and Miniature War-games 1-100 for the purpose of going right back to basics and the root of my induction into this fine hobby (and despite the first half of this post, it undoubtedly is) with a tear in my flinty old eyes.
How refreshing it's been to read some fantastic articles on painting with enamels and oils, or to simply drool and coo to myself at the elegance of a well painted Hinchcliffe command group. What's more the balanced mix of both historical and fictional gaming in a non-judgemental and inclusive way is a sheer pleasure.
When you open MW number 1 and the first adverts are a mix of fantasy and historical manufacturers, it shows just how divided we have become.
What's more, in general the standard of the articles was much higher, more interesting (even when something was not dedicated to a period you played) and more scholarly. This was a time when a degree of intelligence was taken for granted in the readership, and the 'house organ' magazine was still a way off.
Yes, those magazines are an absolute joy to behold. To hold one is to be transported to a time when this hobby was far less mainstream and less infected with greasy-haired, malodorous riffraff, with their rucksacks clogging up bring and buys across the world.
If you are not of say pre-1990 gaming vintage, do yourself a favour and hunt down some of those magazines. They are not expensive, and you never know, you may be one of those who benefit from the experience and, decide to take a hand in returning this hobby to it's days of glory.
TTFN
At the heart of it is a book in which modellers of undoubted and enviable skill, create in miniature some of the atrocities that man has perpetrated on his own species throughout history and a video to promote it containing footage from Rwanda and the various concentration camps.
On cue, the righteous were up in arms, ranting and spitting about it all, as if they were some kind of moral compass for the associated hobbies who may use AK's products. This appears to the era of the neo-witchfinders. One day this will lead to some having to burn themselves at their stakes, such will be their self-indignation and loathing.
OK, so it may and I say may, not have been the best way to promote a product, but before anyone throws that first stone, perhaps a little introspective thinking is in order.
The Egyptians cut off the hands of their enemies - Atrocity
The French de-phalanged English archers in the 100YW - Atrocity
The British invented the concentration camp to deal with Boers - Atrocity
The Confederacy was pro-slavery - Dehumanisation
The Norse slaughtered monks - Atrocity
The 500 Nations scalped and tortured their enemies - Atrocity
And we play games recreating these armies. But hey, that's OK because these are just games and there's no profit, right?
Well, actually, like it or not, you are paying money for those armies which goes to a company as - anyone? - You at the back?... That's right, profit.
If a statue of a supposed notorious figure is offensive, just imagine what offence those 1200 little statues you so lovingly spent hours painting, only to recreate the things which are so reprehensible could cause.
Oh you might rant about a picture or an image, and you may make all kinds of claims about what you are doing when you play with your little lead or plastic dollies, but you are glorifying the mutilation and massacre of living beings.
Oh, stop spluttering in indignation, we're all doing it. We are all to some decree being fucking hypocrites.
Yes, you sir/miss/madam are probably reenacting a war crime or two at some stage in your gaming career and you probably won't give it a moment's thought, because when it's you, it's OK.
'Ah, but I play fantasy.' you may parry.
Fair enough, but those plastic figures you are buying are probably made in a country with a human rights record on par with King Herod. You too are in the frame.
So, when you are on those social media sites, frothing and foaming about what evil, twisted fascists they are over at *enter name of business* are, stop, look at a mirror and take a look at someone who is just as bad.
Then consider going and doing something else instead, which is more productive and worthy of your time.
In fact, if you can't accept that you are a war glorifying, exponent of violence to others, take up golf!
Now, moving on...
Last week I picked up around 300 war-games magazines, from which (with a few purchases and a kind gesture by Roger) has allowed me to put together War-games Illustrated 1-150 and Miniature War-games 1-100 for the purpose of going right back to basics and the root of my induction into this fine hobby (and despite the first half of this post, it undoubtedly is) with a tear in my flinty old eyes.
How refreshing it's been to read some fantastic articles on painting with enamels and oils, or to simply drool and coo to myself at the elegance of a well painted Hinchcliffe command group. What's more the balanced mix of both historical and fictional gaming in a non-judgemental and inclusive way is a sheer pleasure.
When you open MW number 1 and the first adverts are a mix of fantasy and historical manufacturers, it shows just how divided we have become.
What's more, in general the standard of the articles was much higher, more interesting (even when something was not dedicated to a period you played) and more scholarly. This was a time when a degree of intelligence was taken for granted in the readership, and the 'house organ' magazine was still a way off.
Yes, those magazines are an absolute joy to behold. To hold one is to be transported to a time when this hobby was far less mainstream and less infected with greasy-haired, malodorous riffraff, with their rucksacks clogging up bring and buys across the world.
If you are not of say pre-1990 gaming vintage, do yourself a favour and hunt down some of those magazines. They are not expensive, and you never know, you may be one of those who benefit from the experience and, decide to take a hand in returning this hobby to it's days of glory.
TTFN
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