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00:00:00 – 00:19:35
The video discusses how companies like Wizards of the Coast are addressing problematic aspects in Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering by revising terminology for inclusivity. It delves into debates surrounding the depiction of Orcs in fantasy literature and touches on the portrayal of mythical creatures like Naga. The importance of respecting source material in adaptations and criticisms of modern journalism are also highlighted, including conflicts involving Nick Colandra and YouTuber Smash JT. The segment concludes with a call to avoid useless activities and instead focus on enjoying life.
00:00:00
In this segment of the video, it is discussed how Wizards of the Coast, the company behind Dungeons and Dragons, is going back to rewrite and change problematic words in their franchises. They have hired inclusivity consultants to identify and change phrases, words, and concepts that may offend the modern audience, with the goal of addressing problematic aspects of DnD. This new book covers the history of DnD from 1970 to 1976, with every word being meticulously examined for adherence to today’s sociopolitical climate. The company aims to adjust material to align with current ideals and, where not possible, include trigger warning labels.
00:03:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses changes being made to terminology in the Magic: The Gathering card game. The term “totem armor” is being changed to “Umbra armor” due to concerns of cultural appropriation. The speaker questions the reasoning behind this change, suggesting that “Umbra” may carry unintended racial connotations. Additionally, the term “tribal” will now be referred to as “Kindred,” which the speaker views as unnecessary as both terms essentially mean the same thing. The speaker draws parallels to controversies around Orcs in fantasy settings being equated to racial stereotypes, highlighting discussions around the depiction of Orcs as being akin to black people.
00:06:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses how the depiction of Orcs in fantasy literature, especially in games like Dungeons and Dragons, has sparked debates about racism and stereotypes. The origin of Orcs in fantasy can be traced back to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, where Orcs are portrayed as inherently evil and degraded creatures. Some argue that the portrayal of Orcs reflects racial stereotypes and perpetuates racist attitudes. The speaker highlights the negative racial implications associated with the depiction of Orcs as a reflection of non-European races. Furthermore, the speaker addresses the controversy surrounding the association of Orcs with Black people and emphasizes that Orcs should not be viewed as representative of any particular real-world culture. Ultimately, the segment discusses the importance of understanding that fantasy races, like Orcs, are distinct entities that should not be equated with real-world racial groups.
00:09:00
In this segment of the video, it is highlighted how some individuals exhibit racist thinking by linking negative traits in media to specific races. The example of associating orc’s intelligence score with black people is discussed. Additionally, it is mentioned that the depiction of the mythical creature Naga as simply a snake in RPGs is critiqued as reductionist and racist, as it overlooks the complexity of the original concept rooted in Hinduism and Buddhism. The speaker argues that changes made by consulting agencies in media, such as altering terms like “Naga” to “snake,” are not truly inclusive but rather diminish the uniqueness of cultural concepts. The segment also references George R.R. Martin criticizing Hollywood screenwriters and producers for attempting to improve source material, highlighting the importance of respecting and preserving the original work.
00:12:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the importance of faithful adaptations of books into films or shows, using examples like the FX version of Shogun. They criticize instances where producers go their own way, such as in Game of Thrones after running out of source material. The discussion also touches on adaptations like The Witcher on Netflix and the impact of diverging from the source material, leading to dissatisfaction among fans. The segment concludes with a mention of Bloomberg video game reporter Cecilia de Anastasio lamenting the impact of YouTubers on traditional journalism, highlighting layoffs in gaming news websites and the blurring lines between gaming and social media.
00:15:00
In this segment of the video, it is discussed how journalists have lost credibility due to their own actions of not effectively performing their jobs. There is mention of a conflict between Nick Colandra and YouTuber Smash JT over a website called Kotaku detected. Nick Colandra attempted to have the website shut down, but it was revived by Smash JT. The segment highlights the debate around compiling public information on journalists and the implications for their credibility and work exposure. It ends with a discussion on how attempting to silence such content can actually draw more attention to it, ultimately backfiring on the journalists involved.
00:18:00
In this segment, the speaker criticizes individuals who engage in what they consider to be useless activities, encouraging viewers to focus on enjoying their lives. They refer to incidents involving Bloomberg, YouTubers, and D&D, questioning the choices made by these entities. The speaker urges against harassing individuals, as they believe these parties are causing their own downfalls. The segment ends with an invitation to engage with the speaker’s content and community.