Topic: RPGs
I listen to a lot of podcasts. There are a number that I enjoy particularly in the role playing game genre. Podcasts such as Dragon's Landing Inn, Ogre Cave, and The Bear's Grove. By far my favorite among all the podcasts I listen to - RPG or otherwise - is Fear The Boot.
The guys at Fear The Boot describe their show as "...An irreverent, roundtable discussion about roleplaying games and a little bit more." It's more than that, though. It draws you in to a circle of friends gabbing about gamin'. These guys are hardcore RP'ers. They make you feel like you're sitting at the table with them.
Dan Repperger, the host, runs a tight ship keeping the show on task with great topics. Their game development series was outstanding. Despite a lot of changes around the microphones with the other hosts, FTB rarely misses a beat.
Technically, the podcast's production values are topnotch with solid sound and professional level engineering. It's easy on the ears. At least the sound quality is. There are some elements though that are a bit hard on the ears.
From time to time, the guys use language that has to be offensive to the gay community.
We live in a world where the word "gay" is used carelessly to describe things that are considered odd or stupid. The FTB boys are certainly guilty of this. I wince when I hear it, but I can forgive this insensitivity. Right or wrong, the word is in common usage in this manner.
In this past week's episode, they crossed the line from mildly insensitive to patently offensive.
Dan was talking about the movie TOP GUN and how his brother's nickname derived from it when one of the co-hosts, John, said: "That's pretty gay."
A brief discussion kicked up about the movie's gay undertones (e.g. the volleyball scene) when Dan brought the conversation back to his brother: "...You've just been called a homo. Do you want to step up here and defend yourself?"
Much laughing followed.
I'm sorry, but I find the term "homo" to be both offensive and disrespectful. I think most folks would agree.
We don't call the Chinese "Chinks" or the Japanese "Japs" or "Nips." We know those terms to be hurtful.
I doubt I would bring this up otherwise, but Episode 67 is not the only instance at FTB. Similar gay bashing has occured on earlier episodes as well. I remember one episode (a bonus episode as I recall) in which Dan was particularly offensive on this subject.
Here's the thing. I don't think that the guys at FTB mean to represent themselves to the world as haters. Certainly they're frank and irreverent. That's all part of their charm. But I have seen in them (or heard anyway) a sensitivity to the dignity of others.
Yet casually they have maligned an entire segment of our society. That's wrong. Moreover, it is beneath them. Dan and the guys at FTB are better than that.
Honestly, I think they just don't have a clue how their words are received.
If they are aware, then shame on them.
Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net
