Now, from a business standpoint, I feel that this means that Wizards of the Coast (hereto referred to as WoTC) should dump Ferret as a writer because of thier focus on returning to grass roots magic players to bolster sales and continue the existance of the games. I feel this way because, although the Ferret is not expressly a WoTC employee, he is still a public face of the game, and this "Open Source Boob Project" alienates roughly 51% of the world's population from ever being able to fully appreciate/trust/take seriously the game. I could be mistaken in my analysis of the situation, but it seems to me like the Ferret has overstepped some major boundries, and I feel that his place at the MTG official site should be replaced by someone just as memorable, but less...frankly...creepy.
But how could WoTC replace someone whose forte is casual magic for a casual magic article? My suggestion is for WoTC to hold a contest to find a replacement as well as to bolster the grass roots attention to the main MTG site. By offering a normal, everyday player the ability to write an article, and perhaps take over the series, WoTC could accomplish both here. However, this would be tricky, so it could just be a pipe dream.
This is all assuming WoTC has any response to the Ferret situation.
"Sufficiently advanced experience is indistinguishable from clairvoyance." -Carsten
"Ah those eyes, those horrible creepy eyes!" -Chaosof99
DCI Level 3 Judge & TO "I do not consider myself a hero. I know only what the Vec teach:
justice must always be served and corruption must always be opposed."
Go read! I am one of the three authors of Cranial Insertion.
But seriously, if you can't remember "Woapalanne", just call me Eli.
wow just.............................disgusting, maybe, just maybe it could partially be contributed to the atmosphere of the cons that he was in or whatever, but seriously? man, i used to respect that guy although i am not that into casual magic. wtf man, wtf.
We all reached out in the hallway, hands and fingers extended, to get a handful. And lo, we touched her breasts - taking turns to put our hands on the creamy tops exposed through the sheer top she wore, cupping our palms to touch the clothed swell underneath, exploring thoroughly but briefly lest we cross the line from 'touching" to "unwanted heavy petting." They were awesome breasts, worthy of being touched.
So creepy, so very, very creepy. They should drop him just for being so creepy.
well...it isn't truly sexism per se as after all, many male magic players have boobs as well...
:o:p:-/
Pretty creepy, but hey everyone involved in the open source boobery was a consenting adult I suppose. This is perhaps contributing to the perception that gamers are vile chauvinist piggies, but that perception would exist whatever the ferret does or doesn't do.
I don't think it warrants any action on wotc's part beyond perhaps a warning that magic is supposed to appropriate for all over the age of 14 I believe it is on the boxes now days (?).
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"But then are we most in order when we are most out of order."-Jack Cade
"That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die."
- H.P. Lovecraft
In reference to the Ferrets' previous writing, it may be true that he has written worse before, but I feel as a writer for the official MTG site, he does have some responsibility as a public face of magic. Could be my own feelings, though.
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I was pretty excited for Modern.
Not so much anymore.
Wow the Open Source Boob Project is so... stupid. Seriously, could no one foresee the massive backlash and immaturity? Personally I'm not a fan of the Ferret's articles on WotC, they're the only ones I skip. This doesn't help it.
I think it's a riot. I mean, really funny stuff just because it's so bizzare and yet, it managed to work somehow, for a while at least.
I honestly don't see anything wrong with people doing whatever the hell they want to do, so long as it's concentual. But I do think that trying to make it into an organized movement is a little bizzare.
Now.. I happen to also believe that a little harmless yet bizzare behavior can be very health for humanity..
BUT.. I do think some of the words he chose while waxing poetic about boobies is the one thing that really makes all of this a bit creepy.
It's hard to criticize, because I do have mixed feelings about it.
For example, I think the innitial occurance, at the very first con where this happened was extremly cool. It was a crazy, one time, spontanious event where people did something normally disallowed and had fun doing it. I love crap like that.
But taking it further, and trying to make a social movement out of it is just a bit too much. At that one con it was a spontanious and natural event, but the further you get away from that one event, it just keeps getting wierder and wierder.
I don't think he should lose his job for this though.
I'm absolutely sure the Ferret wasn't trying to be sexist or creepy or anything, he just failed miserably. As Shaharazad said, the whole one-time thing was funny, but the social movement aspect is weird.
Plus, I'd hate it if Ferret was asked to leave Wizards. I actually like his multiplayer articles.
I don't really think it's that creepy. Stupid yes, but creepy...meh. Everyone in the project knew about it, and picked up a button correspondingly. It's not like they were asking to grab random peoples boobs. Everyone involved knew what to expect going into it. However, it was a stupid carreer move for him, as he will most likely be dropped from mtg.com and blacklisted from any remotely public, remotely major events.
Sure, stuff like Snapping Drake and Goblin Piker are for limited. But Null isn't even playable against a 5 year old whose hand consists of a 6 of Clubs, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Chimney Imp, and a very large cumquat.
Part of the reason I love him, is reading his personal blogs/websites. He does stuff along these lines all the time. It's given me a little insight into things I don't intend to do myself >> and can be quite amusing at times. Not that I support this bit, just saying that I don't see wizards kicking him for his shenanigans anytime soon.
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Avid EDH player GWUPhelddagrif----------------GWRhys, the Redeemed----------UBRLord of Tresserhorn--------XKozilek, Butcher of Truth WUBRGProgenitus---------------BGWKarador, Ghost Chieftain---URGIntet, the Dreamer---------RGWort, the Raidmother BGSavra-----------------------RGMarhault Elsdragon----------UTeferi, Mage of Zhalfir------UWHanna, Ship's Navigator BSkithiryx the Blight Dragon--RWUZedruu the Greathearted----BRelentless Rats------------BRUNicol Bolas
I'm going to compare this to two similar situations where a persons words aroused outrage among among a group of people who pressured the network into firing said persons.
Rush Limabugh's comments about Donavan McNabb outraged black people and ESPN was forced to fire him (they made him resign)
Don Imus's comments about the Rutgers Women's Basketball team outraged black people and pressured the station to fire him.
While Magic is nowhere near the level of that, the fact is that Wizards has a hard time getting women to play Magic. Women are only generally around 10% of the player base. Having somebody so sexist writing about a game which has problems gaining and retaining women players isn't good for the company at all.
I expect the Ferret to be forced to resign, as Wizards will want to try to keep the situation quiet. The Ferret will probably blame his leaving on "family issues" or "moving on to something else". And Wizards will put the whole thing behind them. Thats my theory anyway.
I'm going to compare this to two similar situations where a persons words aroused outrage among among a group of people who pressured the network into firing said persons.
Rush Limabugh's comments about Donavan McNabb outraged black people and ESPN was forced to fire him (they made him resign)
Don Imus's comments about the Rutgers Women's Basketball team outraged black people and pressured the station to fire him.
While Magic is nowhere near the level of that, the fact is that Wizards has a hard time getting women to play Magic. Women are only generally around 10% of the player base. Having somebody so sexist writing about a game which has problems gaining and retaining women players isn't good for the company at all.
I expect the Ferret to be forced to resign, as Wizards will want to try to keep the situation quiet. The Ferret will probably blame his leaving on "family issues" or "moving on to something else". And Wizards will put the whole thing behind them. Thats my theory anyway.
While he might say that on the WotC website, he will probably say the real reason on every other spot on the web. As for me public groping, outside of you actually knowing the person personally, is a little wierd. But hey if they have a system and willing participants then good for them.
Also I would participate in the Open-source swift kick in the balls program if I could wear the "No, you may not" button.:D
The Ferret has always seemed a bit derranged... now he has warped into crazed pervert. Oh well... I don't care. I never read any of his articles anyways. His articles on Magic always sucked (to me anyways). And yes, we should definitely have him booted. Plus sometimes he's just downright annoying.
WotC will have to drop him. They know that MTGS has influence on the Magic community, and I'll be shocked if the rest of the MTGS community isn't disgusted by this. Anyway, as you said, he's a public face, of a game which is intended for children as well as adults.
Regardless of the moral implications of what The Ferrett is partaking in here, this post is a joke. The MTGS community, meaning those that don't just read the rumor mill, probably comprises a fraction of a percentage point of the player base of MTG. Seriously, people here couldn't even be motivated to boycott pre-releases when Daron(Rancored Elf) was getting sued, the idea that you'll be able to motivate anyone to do anything because of Ferrett is an absolute comedy.
That having been said, you guys are really overreacting. Is this a little creepy? Maybe. But who really cares. If some adult women want to let a bunch of adult men touch their breasts, through their shirt no less, that's their business.
Pretend that The Ferrett was an active participant in Rocky Horror Picture Show(and you can be fairly sure that at LEAST one major 'public face' of MTG is). Should they come down on him for that? Obviously not. This is no different.
Legacy/Vintage GWREnchanted Eve (building) ~ BPoxy Pox
Standard WUMeow-Go~BU Infection
Casual BWAngel Doom ~ GRWWarpride ~ WGUStoic Control (ARG)
EDH BRGWUScion of the Ur-Dragon ~ BSiezan, The Perverter of Truth ~ W 8.5 Tails (needs work) All my Decks.
Also I would participate in the Open-source swift kick in the balls program if I could wear the "No, you may not" button.:D
Did you miss the part of that post where they mentioned you might just get kicked anyway, even if you are wearing the "No" button?
As far as the OSBP goes, while this is certainly something that could work out in small situations and between friends, I really think it was a mistake for him to try to take this beyond the original instance.
Wizards axing him for it? That depends. I could see it happening, what with them trying to reach out to new people and all, and this is the kind of thing that could become a PR nightmare (Just look at the huge blog on feministing). The big problem with THAT post is how they're twisting everything beyond its original form, creating something more vile just for the purposes of getting everyone fired up against it.
Sharing the OSBP was dumb. But twisting what was said to create these explosive reactions? That's far worse, to me.
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A card game about Presidents. Stabbing each other. With knives.
That having been said, you guys are really overreacting. Is this a little creepy? Maybe. But who really cares. If some adult women want to let a bunch of adult men touch their breasts, through their shirt no less, that's their business.
Thank you!
I too think people are overreacting a bit. There is nothing "sexist" about touching women's breasts when they allow you to touch them. The whole social movement thing is odd, but it's not as extreme as some of you are saying.
If you really think this is sexist and horrible, then well...
I must confess to something.
I've had sex before
I must be a monster!
I've made out with multiple women on the same night!
I've played spin the bottle! as an adult!! Some of the people there were lesbians!!! We were drunk!! OMG!
But in all seriousness. This is just a little odd, and not a big deal. I still feel the only "mistake" the ferret made is his not-so-smooth waxing poetic about boobs.
Edit: For the record, Im not really a boob man myself. I prefer a nice butt and the hip area
Did everyone miss the part where he states that this was started by women? It was consentual, it was silly, it was (mostly) harmless. It also seems to be missed that Every Woman had the right to a. not join b. say no even with the Yes button.
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=56211&page=1 (possibly NSFW, depending on language restrictions)
http://theferrett.livejournal.com/1087686.html
http://feministing.com/archives/009066.html#more
Now, from a business standpoint, I feel that this means that Wizards of the Coast (hereto referred to as WoTC) should dump Ferret as a writer because of thier focus on returning to grass roots magic players to bolster sales and continue the existance of the games. I feel this way because, although the Ferret is not expressly a WoTC employee, he is still a public face of the game, and this "Open Source Boob Project" alienates roughly 51% of the world's population from ever being able to fully appreciate/trust/take seriously the game. I could be mistaken in my analysis of the situation, but it seems to me like the Ferret has overstepped some major boundries, and I feel that his place at the MTG official site should be replaced by someone just as memorable, but less...frankly...creepy.
But how could WoTC replace someone whose forte is casual magic for a casual magic article? My suggestion is for WoTC to hold a contest to find a replacement as well as to bolster the grass roots attention to the main MTG site. By offering a normal, everyday player the ability to write an article, and perhaps take over the series, WoTC could accomplish both here. However, this would be tricky, so it could just be a pipe dream.
This is all assuming WoTC has any response to the Ferret situation.
Peace
Not so much anymore.
"Sufficiently advanced experience is indistinguishable from clairvoyance." -Carsten
"Ah those eyes, those horrible creepy eyes!" -Chaosof99
DCI Level 3 Judge & TO
"I do not consider myself a hero. I know only what the Vec teach:
justice must always be served and corruption must always be opposed."
Go read! I am one of the three authors of Cranial Insertion.
But seriously, if you can't remember "Woapalanne", just call me Eli.
So creepy, so very, very creepy. They should drop him just for being so creepy.
:o:p:-/
Pretty creepy, but hey everyone involved in the open source boobery was a consenting adult I suppose. This is perhaps contributing to the perception that gamers are vile chauvinist piggies, but that perception would exist whatever the ferret does or doesn't do.
I don't think it warrants any action on wotc's part beyond perhaps a warning that magic is supposed to appropriate for all over the age of 14 I believe it is on the boxes now days (?).
"That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die."
- H.P. Lovecraft
Not so much anymore.
I WANT YOUR DEATH BARONS! Message me if you want to get rid of them!
I honestly don't see anything wrong with people doing whatever the hell they want to do, so long as it's concentual. But I do think that trying to make it into an organized movement is a little bizzare.
Now.. I happen to also believe that a little harmless yet bizzare behavior can be very health for humanity..
BUT.. I do think some of the words he chose while waxing poetic about boobies is the one thing that really makes all of this a bit creepy.
It's hard to criticize, because I do have mixed feelings about it.
For example, I think the innitial occurance, at the very first con where this happened was extremly cool. It was a crazy, one time, spontanious event where people did something normally disallowed and had fun doing it. I love crap like that.
But taking it further, and trying to make a social movement out of it is just a bit too much. At that one con it was a spontanious and natural event, but the further you get away from that one event, it just keeps getting wierder and wierder.
I don't think he should lose his job for this though.
Plus, I'd hate it if Ferret was asked to leave Wizards. I actually like his multiplayer articles.
That guy is one creepy, creepy loser.
edited to add that I checked out his site, and damn if he isn't one horrible writer and all around a generally worthless, sexist lout.
GWU Bant Manifest - The Future Is Here. Or it will be at the end of turn. GWU
Yeah, Ferrett has written numerous times about all sorts of crazy debouched **** he did in past years.
Sig banner by Xyre.
My MTG Blog (inactive)
GDS1 & GDS2 entrant. Former Rules Advisor & casual-level TO. Semi-lapsed player in general.
GWUPhelddagrif----------------GWRhys, the Redeemed----------UBRLord of Tresserhorn--------XKozilek, Butcher of Truth
WUBRGProgenitus---------------BGWKarador, Ghost Chieftain---URGIntet, the Dreamer---------RGWort, the Raidmother
BGSavra-----------------------RGMarhault Elsdragon----------UTeferi, Mage of Zhalfir------UWHanna, Ship's Navigator
BSkithiryx the Blight Dragon--RWUZedruu the Greathearted----BRelentless Rats------------BRUNicol Bolas
Rush Limabugh's comments about Donavan McNabb outraged black people and ESPN was forced to fire him (they made him resign)
Don Imus's comments about the Rutgers Women's Basketball team outraged black people and pressured the station to fire him.
While Magic is nowhere near the level of that, the fact is that Wizards has a hard time getting women to play Magic. Women are only generally around 10% of the player base. Having somebody so sexist writing about a game which has problems gaining and retaining women players isn't good for the company at all.
I expect the Ferret to be forced to resign, as Wizards will want to try to keep the situation quiet. The Ferret will probably blame his leaving on "family issues" or "moving on to something else". And Wizards will put the whole thing behind them. Thats my theory anyway.
Well that's the point. In this society you don't have to try to be sexist. You have to try NOT to be.
Netdecking is Rightdecking
My latest data-driven Magic the Gathering strategy article
(TLDR: Analysis of the Valakut matchups. UB rising in the rankings. Aggro correspondingly taking a dive.)
While he might say that on the WotC website, he will probably say the real reason on every other spot on the web. As for me public groping, outside of you actually knowing the person personally, is a little wierd. But hey if they have a system and willing participants then good for them.
Also I would participate in the Open-source swift kick in the balls program if I could wear the "No, you may not" button.:D
Regardless of the moral implications of what The Ferrett is partaking in here, this post is a joke. The MTGS community, meaning those that don't just read the rumor mill, probably comprises a fraction of a percentage point of the player base of MTG. Seriously, people here couldn't even be motivated to boycott pre-releases when Daron(Rancored Elf) was getting sued, the idea that you'll be able to motivate anyone to do anything because of Ferrett is an absolute comedy.
That having been said, you guys are really overreacting. Is this a little creepy? Maybe. But who really cares. If some adult women want to let a bunch of adult men touch their breasts, through their shirt no less, that's their business.
Pretend that The Ferrett was an active participant in Rocky Horror Picture Show(and you can be fairly sure that at LEAST one major 'public face' of MTG is). Should they come down on him for that? Obviously not. This is no different.
I mean, no people in animal costume, no people in fandom suits.... just boob touching? Consensual boob touching? That sounds FUN!
The Ferret, while immature, actually writes enjoyable and useful pieces. The immaturity bit just makes them funny to read.
(For the record, I'm female.)
Flavour-Deckbuilder of the Flittering Clique
The [Pack] My Trade List
Cardshark IS AWESOME!
Trade me Crusaders?
GWREnchanted Eve (building) ~ BPoxy Pox
Standard
WUMeow-Go~BU Infection
Casual
BWAngel Doom ~ GRWWarpride ~ WGUStoic Control (ARG)
EDH
BRGWUScion of the Ur-Dragon ~ BSiezan, The Perverter of Truth ~ W 8.5 Tails (needs work)
All my Decks.
Did you miss the part of that post where they mentioned you might just get kicked anyway, even if you are wearing the "No" button?
As far as the OSBP goes, while this is certainly something that could work out in small situations and between friends, I really think it was a mistake for him to try to take this beyond the original instance.
Wizards axing him for it? That depends. I could see it happening, what with them trying to reach out to new people and all, and this is the kind of thing that could become a PR nightmare (Just look at the huge blog on feministing). The big problem with THAT post is how they're twisting everything beyond its original form, creating something more vile just for the purposes of getting everyone fired up against it.
Sharing the OSBP was dumb. But twisting what was said to create these explosive reactions? That's far worse, to me.
A card game about Presidents. Stabbing each other. With knives.
Links kthnxplz.
Thank you!
I too think people are overreacting a bit. There is nothing "sexist" about touching women's breasts when they allow you to touch them. The whole social movement thing is odd, but it's not as extreme as some of you are saying.
If you really think this is sexist and horrible, then well...
I must confess to something.
I've had sex before
I must be a monster!
I've made out with multiple women on the same night!
I've played spin the bottle! as an adult!! Some of the people there were lesbians!!! We were drunk!! OMG!
But in all seriousness. This is just a little odd, and not a big deal. I still feel the only "mistake" the ferret made is his not-so-smooth waxing poetic about boobs.
Edit: For the record, Im not really a boob man myself. I prefer a nice butt and the hip area
EDH:
UBGThe MimeoplasmUBG
Its not worth fiering him over, but wizards probly will because they are like that.