The World Without Games

A Question of Manners

Let's assume for a moment that everything a witch hunter believed was 100% correct: If you didn't follow the correct religion and led a decadent life, you were doomed to an eternity of hellfire and torment. Knowing full well it could jeopardize their own chance of getting into Paradise, they save the everlasting spirits of heretics by burning them at the stake. For someone who is a devoutly religious person, this would be an extremely difficult act to see through and would take a tremendous toll on them. So, assuming everything they believed was factually correct, their actions were of kindness and self-sacrifice, even though the people they were saving would never thank them for it.

But, had the hunters followed an additional doctrine of showing good manners to the people around them, matters would have been completely different.

"Is burning a heretic alive an act of kindness?" Yes.

"Is burning a heretic alive the right thing to do?" Without question.

"Is it good manners to burn someone alive against their will?" Absolutely not.

Regardless of personal belief, the certainty of the facts or the nature of the consequences, the unequivocal answer is "no." By applying that simple question to the everyday events of your life, "Is it good manners?" all number of problems and conflicts are solved preemptively, including how other people (be they gamers or conscientious objectors) conduct their social activities.

Common ground becomes the only place to exist, leading to the realization that your only responsibility is to ensure you behave in a polite and appropriate manner to everyone you meet, and to follow your own perceptions of what constitutes an enjoyable life, regardless of what others may think.

If you find sex and violence entertaining, make no apologies for it. Just be aware that no matter how immersive the gameplay can be, you must always behave in a courteous and good-natured manner to everyone you meet. Any subsequent arguments that your choice of escapist entertainment is harmful to society will be proven unjustifiable by your smiling, agreeable, good mannered self.

Spanner has written articles for several publications, including Retro Gamer. He is a self-proclaimed horror junkie, with a deep appreciation for all things Romero.