Respecting "opinions," frustration, and media influence?

[Sung-Hwan]

I have always wanted to talk about this topic, but could never find the right words.

Prior to taking up writing as a casual hobby and being more perceptive, I was one of those people that regularly attacked others for having an opinion I did not like. Needless to say, this changed after some extensive mentoring from a friend, and now I have restrained myself to generally try to respect other opinions, and simply look away if I cannot. It has been going fine for a while, but I am becoming increasingly frustrated and confused by who is really entitled to have an opinion, and who ISN'T.

I value context above all, and become enraged when I see some comment like "it sucks" without any description or meaning. Which brings me to my other concern: It's said everyone is entitled to their own, unique opinion, but is that really true? Let me put it into better perspective...

A: Ben Croshaw reviews a game and claims that it is terrible, and laces his review with the typical, witty overtones to drive his point. After hearing what he says, I would go and play this game (generally to the end) then make my own opinion, come back, and counter his points or agree with him in some way if I think it sucks too.

B: Jim Sterling yells at say, Final Fantasy XIII, for being bad and uses his booming charisma to drive his point. Instead of doing what I did with Croshaw, there are people that will not even play the game and just go "it sucks omg this game is ded lol." HOW would they possibly come to that conclusion based off someone else's opinion? They are not entitled to a real opinion because they never tried the game. How could anyone come to a conclusion something is bad without experiencing it, based off the statements of another individual that has? This is what confuses me the most.

The thing about a blank "opinion" and mob mentality with no context, is how far it can go in influence. I myself thought Final Fantasy 13 was a fairly mediocre to average game, but was pleased to see its sequels address all its flaws to the letter. As far as the West is concerned, not many people gave the sequels a chance, yet still have the audacity to claim they are "bad" without trying them, solely based off FF13's reputation.

I just do not understand how you can respect these people. That is the best way I could put it. I hope someone can give me a clear answer to my troubles, if they understand what I am saying. This issue is also not limited to the scope of video games, but anything in general. I mean, how far can influence go? If say, Pewdiepie, were to say something sucked, you can guarantee that a swarm of his followers would just thoughtlessly agree with him.

 

[Zhukov]

Did you just straight-faced use the term "brainwash" in relation to video game reviews?

Yes, yes you did.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

Other people's opinions?


All my fucks. Take them.

 

[Phasmal]

I get that the whole `reviews` issue has flared up like a nasty rash recently, but are we actually at the point where we're gonna say that reviews are brainwashing?
Like, seriously?

If you don't like reviews, don't watch them. I don't get it.
Yes, some people may thoughtlessly agree with someone they like, but I don't think that's brainwashing.

We're allowed to hear people say things suck.

Still, I'm going to sit here giggling about Yahtzee's `seductive overtones`....

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

FYI, my brain is dry clean only.

 

[Queen Michael]

But how will I get rid of all my dirty thoughts without brainwashing?

 

[Ragsnstitches]

Yeah, Zhukov pretty much said what I wanted to say. Careful there OP... if you don't keep your thoughts in check you might soon start feeling like "everyone's asleep" and that you are the only one who see's the world for how it really is.

But how will I get rid of all my dirty thoughts without brainwashing?

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[f1r2a3n4k5]

I'm not sure what the question is here. Literally the question seems to be: "How can people respect game reviewers?"

Is there a subtext that I'm not clearly picking up on?

I wouldn't say it's brainwashing at all. Firstly, you must remember that Jim Sterling/Yahtzee/PewDiePie likely fall under the umbrella of "entertainer" as much as "games analyst."

Not that there's anything wrong with that. When you have 5 minutes to get your points across to your audience, you need some showmanship.

Granted, the best reviews are a skillful infusion of entertainment and information. Take a look at any of Ebert's reviews. Even when you disagree with his points (and he's had some WIDE misses), you can appreciate his explanations of how he reached his conclusions based on his background knowledge of film.

 

[Sigmund Av Volsung]

Did you just straight-faced use the term "brainwash" in relation to video game reviews?

Yes, yes you did.

Yarp, he did.

Spoiler: Thy reward, OP

Easiest way to respect other people's opinions is not to. What does deserve respect and consideration is an argument, so long as it is informed, strong and doesn't resort to any fallacies. There are no 'real opinions', there are points of argumentation: those can be disputed(though in relation to why people like games or no...well that leads into arguing opinion. There is only so much objectivity that you can have in reviews without having to use personal preference to judge, as that's how reviews work. If you're upset that a bunch of people don't like a game that you like, then this is another issue entirely: you're just using other , unrelated reasons to justify it)

Arguing or disagreeing over opinion is a waste of time. You might as well be arguing over what your favourite colour is, and these sorts of 'conversations' very easily descend into aggressive or bully-like territory.

 

[CpT_x_Killsteal]

It's not that people are being brainwashed, it's that people are acting like sheep and baa'ing along when someone they like says something.
And it's not that they aren't entitled to their own opinion, it's that they're just parroting someone else's.

I understand what you're trying to get at, but it's not that reviewers are brainwashing, it's that people a F'ing stupid. Some people are just dumb blank slates until someone projects an opinion that fits into their world and they bark and nod along happily.


Edit: To answer what I think is your question, I don't respect an opinion someone holds when they haven't formed it themselves.
As for your second question, it reaches all around the world, far and wide. It's a force of social influence, greatly spread by celebrities, politicians, movements, and religions.

 

[Sung-Hwan]

It's not that people are being brainwashed, it's that people are acting like sheep and baa'ing along when someone they like says something.
And it's not that they aren't entitled to their own opinion, it's that they're just parroting someone else's.

I understand what you're trying to get at, but it's not that reviewers are brainwashing, it's that people a F'ing stupid. Some people are just dumb blank slates until someone projects an opinion that fits into their world and they bark and nod along happily.

I've been reading through this topic and the replies, and understand the suggestions, but have one more question: I remember Jim saying (remember keyword) whatever he reviews is based off HIS opinion, and never tries to enforce it as fact. He then said to just get off if you can't accept what he says. On the other hand, just as an example, Youtubers like Darksydephil believe their opinion IS fact and truth. Sad thing is, people go along with this and believe him without any real say of their own.

 

[Something Amyss]

I just do not understand how you can respect these people.

I don't understand how you can use the same sort of manipulative language you're complaining about as you accuse others of "brainwashing" people by offering their reviews.

I also disagree with your premise about Jim. One of the things I like about him is that I find his writing particularly clear, even if I'm not particularly interested in the game in question. But that aside, you will find blind followers in pretty much every field, not just games.

Still, I'm going to sit here giggling about Yahtzee's `seductive overtones`....

If someone hasn't already Rule 34d this, I'm disappointed.

FYI, my brain is dry clean only.

Oops.

Hope you don't mind a little shrinkage.

 

[Sung-Hwan]

I just do not understand how you can respect these people.

I don't understand how you can use the same sort of manipulative language you're complaining about as you accuse others of "brainwashing" people by offering their reviews.

I also disagree with your premise about Jim. One of the things I like about him is that I find his writing particularly clear, even if I'm not particularly interested in the game in question. But that aside, you will find blind followers in pretty much every field, not just games.

Still, I'm going to sit here giggling about Yahtzee's `seductive overtones`....

If someone hasn't already Rule 34d this, I'm disappointed.

FYI, my brain is dry clean only.

Oops.

Hope you don't mind a little shrinkage.

So really, the best thing to do is just not pay attention to any of this drama? I also cleaned out some of what I wrote.

 

[CpT_x_Killsteal]

It's not that people are being brainwashed, it's that people are acting like sheep and baa'ing along when someone they like says something.
And it's not that they aren't entitled to their own opinion, it's that they're just parroting someone else's.

I understand what you're trying to get at, but it's not that reviewers are brainwashing, it's that people a F'ing stupid. Some people are just dumb blank slates until someone projects an opinion that fits into their world and they bark and nod along happily.

I've been reading through this topic and the replies, and understand the suggestions, but have one more question: I remember Jim saying (remember keyword) whatever he reviews is based off HIS opinion, and never tries to enforce it as fact. He then said to just get off if you can't accept what he says. On the other hand, just as an example, Youtubers like Darksydephil believe their opinion IS fact and truth. Sad thing is, people go along with this and believe him without any real say of their own.

Not sure what your question is here sorry. I did update my previous post while you were replying to answer a couple more of the questions you had in your OP though.

 

[Sung-Hwan]

My main question is just how can people come to a firm conclusion on the quality of something, without any experience on it; what's more, they parrot the words of someone who HAS experienced it, simply because the person is of high influence.

The suggestions seem to just be to not pay attention to this sort of thing, so I guess I will follow on this.

 

[Something Amyss]

So really, the best thing to do is just not pay attention to any of this drama?

I don't particularly know where I said that, but sure. Run with it.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion. You don't have to take it remotely seriously, though, and if you discover they are parroting words someone else has said, that's often a good reason.

OTOH, we all have to do this to some extent. We can't check everything out ourselves, we have to base some of our views on those of others, which is going to cause problems sometimes.

 

[Sung-Hwan]

Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion. You don't have to take it remotely seriously, though, and if you discover they are parroting words someone else has said, that's often a good reason.

OTOH, we all have to do this to some extent. We can't check everything out ourselves, we have to base some of our views on those of others, which is going to cause problems sometimes.

I think the problems it causes is that sheeping can influence developers to take their games in a different direction. It varies though; Activision has the usual COD bashers without context, yet sell their games well, so they never really change the formula. On the other hand, the outcry for the recent FF games, despite selling well, is so high that Square decided to look up to Bravely Default as the new thing.

 

[Something Amyss]

On the other hand, the outcry for the recent FF games, despite selling well, is so high that Square decided to look up to Bravely Default as the new thing.

Actually, it's more how phenomenally Bravely Default sold despite being what they considered a lesser market that made it become a thing. It's not like Square is likely to change their minds about FF, even if they should (As main series titles have been slipping in terms of sales). Squeenix is actually so sure these are guaranteed sellers they've blamed their misfortunes on other games in the past.

One of the differences between Squeenix and Activision is that criticism of FF often comes from within the potential consumer base, whereas the criticism of COD tends to come from people who just don't want to play the games. The follower mentality is more prevalent in the latter, I'm sure, but hardly matters. It's less worrisome with FF because the issue is that JRPG fans aren't interested or take issue. You can actually see this in effect with Ghosts, the first game to show a significant decline instead of growth.

We didn't really see much in a change of direction from "haters" until the game sales slipped. People can hate COD for whatever reason and they won't retool, but they sort of scrambled after Ghosts, and a lot of the people who hated Ghosts thing AW is a step in the right direction. I'm sure people who don't like Call of Duty still hate it, but I doubt it would otherwise impact their development.