I have followed you for Game of Thrones, TWD, FTWD and The Handmaid's Tale recaps and discussions on your Twitter and Facebook. You are my go-to-guy for these recaps and thoughts. I stayed for the expansion into other topics regarding the world we live in and have enjoyed your commentary and opinions. Variety is the spice of life!
Keep talking about what you want to discuss man. I enjoy your reviews, but moreso, I like that I have a somewhat kindred spirit in your take on things. What is funny is that while you have stated that you have been fairly left leaning and arrived at this place, I was more on the conservative/Libertarian side of things and eventually found myself equally displaced among my 'peers' until I've firmly found myself leaning more left, yet with some of the same values that guided me when I was younger - but still equally without an 'ideological tribe' that is interested in claiming me - too far right for the left, and faaaaar too left for the right - and like you, that suits me just fine. I really identified with your assertion of rather being a drifter than a soldier.
All that said, I think respectful, intellectual discussion with peers is immensely lacking in today's society. The echo chamber politics have influenced, and I dare say, taught people that those who disagree are the enemy, and those who do not tow the line do not belong - and those who do not belong, ARE THE ENEMY. People quickly pass judgement on the opinions of the group they aspire to in some effort to prove their worthiness - which means dissenting opinions, right or wrong are lost in 'the war'. There is no value to be found in the words of those who disagree with you because again, outsiders are the enemy - there is no room for education or debate - because we have immediate access to those who affirm our beliefs...(so long as those beliefs fit neatly in the creed of the whole).
You straddle those lines. Intelligently, eloquently and often in a manner that cries out for discussion among those dissenting view points. You ask your readers to think critically, to see past the propaganda or party lines, or the narratives of the news agency bias of choice.
That very request for debate is uncomfortable in a society that increasingly is moving towards kneejerk reactions and dramatic emotional decrying. When a small band of people have the ability to shut down major voices with little more than a tweet...that is a show of power that can fundamentally change the way opposing voices interact. It's no longer about debate and discourse, but about the show of how offended one is, how horrible someone else must be, how 'the enemy' simply CANNOT be allowed to be HEARD.
That is the scariest lesson in all of this. When people refuse to HEAR. When people refuse to READ YOUR WORDS. When people simply look to silence you because they sanctimoniously believe their opinion is worth more than yours - to the point they even refuse to LISTEN....
Anyway, that makes an encompassing voice all the more valuable. You DO have things in common with your readers, and while there are articles you write I have little interest in (Fear the Walking Dead, I gave up long ago on - and Hand Maidens Tail just never jived with me), there are many more I find value in. Interestingly enough, I have it in my capacity to simply refrain from commenting on the articles I am uninterested in, until you write about something that I am - and then, when so moved, whether in agreeance or no, I comment and engage.
Thanks very much, Jay! I do think one of my favorite things about writing this Substack (and just writing online in general) is finding like minds. I, too, have some libertarian in me as part of the eclectic mix that has no real political home these days. I think the left can learn a lot from libertarians (and vice versa). Anyways, really appreciate the thoughtful comment. No digression at all, just good thoughtful stuff!
I support your decision to cover a variety of topics. I find the existence of these complaints understandable but a bit odd - I follow several other writers who also cover a variety of topics some of which don't particularly interest me, and see no issue with just reading pieces that interest me and... not reading pieces that don't grab my attention. The only case where I would actually consider making subscription decisions over "stick to sports"-type objections is if someone I followed managed to go months without writing a single piece that I was interested in reading, which has never actually happened, and along similar lines I assume you are not about to suddenly stop writing about games and video game media. With that said, I find even topics some might consider "not sports" like the Palestine/Israel piece to be relevant and interesting as your coverage relates it to other topics (and my own agreement or disagreement of various particular points have no bearing on this statement).
Since this is the "live" thread - regarding a different, unrelated topic: you asked previously (I don't recall which post) about content on your video channel that subscribers might like to see. If you are amenable to it (and this is the most important point! Please don't do it just to please me or others, in the unlikely event there are any others who want this), would you consider some early-playthrough impressions and commentary on games new to you, from a specific direction? While for me and perhaps some others, truly enjoyable games are deeply personal experiences that need no discussion, for what I assume are the same reasons people who prefer traveling alone enjoy that, I would find it interesting to hear about impressions on design decisions, presentation, fun factor, etc. from someone with long experience covering games. My impression is that while there is a lot of such content regarding the topic of games (including, unfortunately, the sort of dogpiling on Six Days in Fallujah and similar), there is little content that actually focuses on what dedicated players (to put it more rudely, non-astroturfers) actually care about, a.k.a. "Is it fun, and why?", especially from non-amateur sources. And while I probably dislike the idea of regular as-a-job streaming as much as you and would not wish it as misfortune on anyone, maybe a very occasional live session on this could be entertaining?
Appreciate that Morpho! And I'll absolutely do more gaming videos with gameplay/analysis etc. I've been recording some footage for just that reason and now that I'm getting my channel up and running this is in the works. I'm also going to try to stream at least once a week once I'm all set up with that. Sometimes I will do Call of Duty streams with my buddies, sometimes I'll do much more niche stuff. Hopefully it's fun for viewers!
I was originally on social media for friends, sports, and entertainment, and have become frustrated that politics have taken over. I like reading your balanced articles, it's the all or nothing bickering I can't stand. If you aren't with the right, they think you are an idiot, and if you aren't with the left, they think you are an evil human.
It blows my mind that a major political party would hitch their wagons to Donald Trump. I used to think of Alex P Keaton when I pictured republicans, now I picture an unintelligent redneck in a red hat peddling conspiracy theories.
Then you have the left that says you are complicit for numerous terrible things if you voted for Trump, complicit if you voted for a third party, complicit if you didn't vote, complicit if you don't put woke messages on your social media profile picture, etc. I've also seen many shut down a discussion by saying you are racist if you don't agree with their politics, and that racism isn't open for discussion.
I will always support independent thought and freedom of speech and when I say that I mean real freedom of speech as it was intended. I don't mean the right to call people racial slurs or other hate speech without consequences and I don't mean the right to say provocative things to rile people up while representing a certain brand or business.
Anyway if most political posts were like yours, I probably wouldn't have a widespread distaste for politics.
I appreciate your political posts. While I don't always agree, I think you're very fair and balanced on many of your positions.
I'll admit that there have been gaming journalists that I've unfollowed through the years when they went political. (I'm looking at you Adam Sessler). Unlike Sessler, however, you haven't been hostile at your followers who just want the gaming news and takes. Luckily, Substack gives people the option of consuming the content they want from you.
Hi Erik, I discovered you recently when I caught up with TWD after a 2year break, & was interested in what reviewers were saying. I enjoyed your take on it, so I signed up for your emails and was surprised (but definitely not disappointed) with the variety of subjects you actually cover. Even when I don’t 100% agree with the writer, I’m always happy to read thoughtful & intelligent opinion pieces on world events; and the articles I’ve read of yours certainly fit that bill. So I’m glad to hear you’ll keep them coming.
Yo Erik, I think you should just do you. Sometimes I admit I read some of the stuff you send through and I'm like WTF? I don't care about this. But I can just delete that one and wait for the next email. I've followed your writing for years at Forbes and had always hoped to connect with you and learn from you as I really like the way your write critically, thoughtfully and authentically. I want to be the same in my writing(albeit I write tech reviews which is highly unpolitical🤣)
So I'm glad you don't pander to the wants of readers. That's the same as pandering to the algorithms that have ruined social media. Keep doing what you do mate. Know that I'll be reading and sometimes, I'll comment with a rebuttal if I'm so motivated.
Came across your stuff years ago with a video game search. Happy to see you talk about all things, whether I agree or not. I mean, what’s the point of only reading what you’re 100% on board with? How does that help anyone use their brains? Anyway, keep it coming.
Most of the commentary we in the UK get on U.S, politics, TV and to a lesser extent games is fairly biased to one direction or another. And always second hand. So it's good to read the thoughts of somebody who's actually in the mix and isn't scared to run the risk of exclusion by the new woke extremists, who seem intent on scaring anyone with views other than their own into silence. Carry on with what you're doing. Variety is the spice of life as they say..
I have followed you for Game of Thrones, TWD, FTWD and The Handmaid's Tale recaps and discussions on your Twitter and Facebook. You are my go-to-guy for these recaps and thoughts. I stayed for the expansion into other topics regarding the world we live in and have enjoyed your commentary and opinions. Variety is the spice of life!
Thanks so much Kimberley! I agree, variety is the spice of life...maybe even the meal haha. Cheers!
Keep talking about what you want to discuss man. I enjoy your reviews, but moreso, I like that I have a somewhat kindred spirit in your take on things. What is funny is that while you have stated that you have been fairly left leaning and arrived at this place, I was more on the conservative/Libertarian side of things and eventually found myself equally displaced among my 'peers' until I've firmly found myself leaning more left, yet with some of the same values that guided me when I was younger - but still equally without an 'ideological tribe' that is interested in claiming me - too far right for the left, and faaaaar too left for the right - and like you, that suits me just fine. I really identified with your assertion of rather being a drifter than a soldier.
All that said, I think respectful, intellectual discussion with peers is immensely lacking in today's society. The echo chamber politics have influenced, and I dare say, taught people that those who disagree are the enemy, and those who do not tow the line do not belong - and those who do not belong, ARE THE ENEMY. People quickly pass judgement on the opinions of the group they aspire to in some effort to prove their worthiness - which means dissenting opinions, right or wrong are lost in 'the war'. There is no value to be found in the words of those who disagree with you because again, outsiders are the enemy - there is no room for education or debate - because we have immediate access to those who affirm our beliefs...(so long as those beliefs fit neatly in the creed of the whole).
You straddle those lines. Intelligently, eloquently and often in a manner that cries out for discussion among those dissenting view points. You ask your readers to think critically, to see past the propaganda or party lines, or the narratives of the news agency bias of choice.
That very request for debate is uncomfortable in a society that increasingly is moving towards kneejerk reactions and dramatic emotional decrying. When a small band of people have the ability to shut down major voices with little more than a tweet...that is a show of power that can fundamentally change the way opposing voices interact. It's no longer about debate and discourse, but about the show of how offended one is, how horrible someone else must be, how 'the enemy' simply CANNOT be allowed to be HEARD.
That is the scariest lesson in all of this. When people refuse to HEAR. When people refuse to READ YOUR WORDS. When people simply look to silence you because they sanctimoniously believe their opinion is worth more than yours - to the point they even refuse to LISTEN....
Anyway, that makes an encompassing voice all the more valuable. You DO have things in common with your readers, and while there are articles you write I have little interest in (Fear the Walking Dead, I gave up long ago on - and Hand Maidens Tail just never jived with me), there are many more I find value in. Interestingly enough, I have it in my capacity to simply refrain from commenting on the articles I am uninterested in, until you write about something that I am - and then, when so moved, whether in agreeance or no, I comment and engage.
Isn't it funny how simple and wonderful that is?
Anyway, I digress.
keep at it brother.
Thanks very much, Jay! I do think one of my favorite things about writing this Substack (and just writing online in general) is finding like minds. I, too, have some libertarian in me as part of the eclectic mix that has no real political home these days. I think the left can learn a lot from libertarians (and vice versa). Anyways, really appreciate the thoughtful comment. No digression at all, just good thoughtful stuff!
I support your decision to cover a variety of topics. I find the existence of these complaints understandable but a bit odd - I follow several other writers who also cover a variety of topics some of which don't particularly interest me, and see no issue with just reading pieces that interest me and... not reading pieces that don't grab my attention. The only case where I would actually consider making subscription decisions over "stick to sports"-type objections is if someone I followed managed to go months without writing a single piece that I was interested in reading, which has never actually happened, and along similar lines I assume you are not about to suddenly stop writing about games and video game media. With that said, I find even topics some might consider "not sports" like the Palestine/Israel piece to be relevant and interesting as your coverage relates it to other topics (and my own agreement or disagreement of various particular points have no bearing on this statement).
Since this is the "live" thread - regarding a different, unrelated topic: you asked previously (I don't recall which post) about content on your video channel that subscribers might like to see. If you are amenable to it (and this is the most important point! Please don't do it just to please me or others, in the unlikely event there are any others who want this), would you consider some early-playthrough impressions and commentary on games new to you, from a specific direction? While for me and perhaps some others, truly enjoyable games are deeply personal experiences that need no discussion, for what I assume are the same reasons people who prefer traveling alone enjoy that, I would find it interesting to hear about impressions on design decisions, presentation, fun factor, etc. from someone with long experience covering games. My impression is that while there is a lot of such content regarding the topic of games (including, unfortunately, the sort of dogpiling on Six Days in Fallujah and similar), there is little content that actually focuses on what dedicated players (to put it more rudely, non-astroturfers) actually care about, a.k.a. "Is it fun, and why?", especially from non-amateur sources. And while I probably dislike the idea of regular as-a-job streaming as much as you and would not wish it as misfortune on anyone, maybe a very occasional live session on this could be entertaining?
Appreciate that Morpho! And I'll absolutely do more gaming videos with gameplay/analysis etc. I've been recording some footage for just that reason and now that I'm getting my channel up and running this is in the works. I'm also going to try to stream at least once a week once I'm all set up with that. Sometimes I will do Call of Duty streams with my buddies, sometimes I'll do much more niche stuff. Hopefully it's fun for viewers!
Keep it coming!
Thanks! I will!
Well, I for one enjoy both a good video game and a good round of politicking!
Glad to hear it!
I dont mind if you take political positions as a journalist, it's when your politics and your work confluence that I may take offence.
At least you are honest about your self.
I was originally on social media for friends, sports, and entertainment, and have become frustrated that politics have taken over. I like reading your balanced articles, it's the all or nothing bickering I can't stand. If you aren't with the right, they think you are an idiot, and if you aren't with the left, they think you are an evil human.
It blows my mind that a major political party would hitch their wagons to Donald Trump. I used to think of Alex P Keaton when I pictured republicans, now I picture an unintelligent redneck in a red hat peddling conspiracy theories.
Then you have the left that says you are complicit for numerous terrible things if you voted for Trump, complicit if you voted for a third party, complicit if you didn't vote, complicit if you don't put woke messages on your social media profile picture, etc. I've also seen many shut down a discussion by saying you are racist if you don't agree with their politics, and that racism isn't open for discussion.
I will always support independent thought and freedom of speech and when I say that I mean real freedom of speech as it was intended. I don't mean the right to call people racial slurs or other hate speech without consequences and I don't mean the right to say provocative things to rile people up while representing a certain brand or business.
Anyway if most political posts were like yours, I probably wouldn't have a widespread distaste for politics.
I appreciate your political posts. While I don't always agree, I think you're very fair and balanced on many of your positions.
I'll admit that there have been gaming journalists that I've unfollowed through the years when they went political. (I'm looking at you Adam Sessler). Unlike Sessler, however, you haven't been hostile at your followers who just want the gaming news and takes. Luckily, Substack gives people the option of consuming the content they want from you.
Hi Erik, I discovered you recently when I caught up with TWD after a 2year break, & was interested in what reviewers were saying. I enjoyed your take on it, so I signed up for your emails and was surprised (but definitely not disappointed) with the variety of subjects you actually cover. Even when I don’t 100% agree with the writer, I’m always happy to read thoughtful & intelligent opinion pieces on world events; and the articles I’ve read of yours certainly fit that bill. So I’m glad to hear you’ll keep them coming.
Yo Erik, I think you should just do you. Sometimes I admit I read some of the stuff you send through and I'm like WTF? I don't care about this. But I can just delete that one and wait for the next email. I've followed your writing for years at Forbes and had always hoped to connect with you and learn from you as I really like the way your write critically, thoughtfully and authentically. I want to be the same in my writing(albeit I write tech reviews which is highly unpolitical🤣)
So I'm glad you don't pander to the wants of readers. That's the same as pandering to the algorithms that have ruined social media. Keep doing what you do mate. Know that I'll be reading and sometimes, I'll comment with a rebuttal if I'm so motivated.
Came across your stuff years ago with a video game search. Happy to see you talk about all things, whether I agree or not. I mean, what’s the point of only reading what you’re 100% on board with? How does that help anyone use their brains? Anyway, keep it coming.
Most of the commentary we in the UK get on U.S, politics, TV and to a lesser extent games is fairly biased to one direction or another. And always second hand. So it's good to read the thoughts of somebody who's actually in the mix and isn't scared to run the risk of exclusion by the new woke extremists, who seem intent on scaring anyone with views other than their own into silence. Carry on with what you're doing. Variety is the spice of life as they say..
i like that you're just doing what you love to do.
... that's the #metacreator way. keep going.