Rant #2 - Opinions

Welcome to the second installment of Foxi's Rants. My first rant about usernames was popular beyond my wildest expectations, but since then, I couldn't find a good subject for a sequel. The one I'll write about now has been on my mind for quite some time, but I never had the time to sit by the keyboard and write something about it... That time is now, and I hope that it'll be an enjoyable read.

Today we're going to tackle something especially relevant on GBATemp, which happens to be a community practically based on debating video game related issues, namely opinions. I've noticed that many members use this word in an inappropriate fashion, and I'm not the first one to notice it. What I mean specifically are so-called "Personal Opinions".

A "Personal Opinion" is an opinion that a given person has on a given subject, but it is bound by the same logical constraints as any other opinion. Why am I saying this? Because some people think that having a "Personal Opinion" validates their statement, regardless of whether or not it is false. You are entitled to believe that 2+2=5 - that is indeed your "Personal Opinion". but that doesn't change the fact that you're an idiot and you're wrong.

We've all read threads along the lines of "PS3 has no gaems" or "Wii is a better console because it sold more units" - we all know what those threads entail.

Let me give you my "Personal Opinion" about sales and about game libraries - your tastes as far as games are concerned or sales of a given console have f*ck all to do with whether a given piece of hardware is good or not because they're not a part of said hardware, nor are they qualities of said hardware. What does that entail? Let me elaborate.

I, for example, enjoy eating apples. I like their flavour and texture - qualities of the actual fruit. I think that there's a lot of recipies I can use apples in, meaning that apples are very versatile fruits - they have a lot of features, per se. I can safetly say that I like apples without any repercussions.

If you're one of those people who like pears better because pears sell better, you're being a pear fanboy. If after I said that, you're going to say that this is your "Personal Opinion" - punch yourself in the mouth. Your personal opinion is wrong - you're liking pears not because they have qualities you personally enjoy - you like pears for a superficial reason.

If your "Personal Opinion" is based on superficial reasons, if it's based on false arugments or if it can be easily proven wrong, you're still entitled to have it, but you have to understand that it's a s*it opinion and it makes you look like a moron.

Please, be careful about this term and be true to yourself. Start looking at objects for what said objects are, not through the prism of their manufacturer, the prism of their sales which do not concern you in the slightest or through any other fanboy prisms, and if you refuse to do so, at the very least don't inform the community about your "Personal Opinions", as you are risking being called an idiot and a fanboy.

Thank you, and please discuss.

Comments

G
I remember blogging about this issue earlier, though mine was only like a few lines.
 
Foxi4
[quote name='Suprgamr232' timestamp='1350750954'] If I could like this a billion times I would.[/quote]
sSQ7g.jpg
 
Skelletonike
Unfortunately people these days can't accept that they're wrong, be it game wise or anything else, it's pretty sad (and it's even sadder how people take these things really seriously when they don't even need to argue about it).
 
G
Why don't we just accept the fact that different people simply like different things and have different tastes? If one guy prefers the Wii to the PS3 while another likes the 360 better than the Wii, there isn't anything wrong with that.
 
Tom Bombadildo
[quote name='soulx' timestamp='1350772517'] Why don't we just accept the fact that different people simply like different things and have different tastes? If one guy prefers the Wii to the PS3 while another likes the 360 better than the Wii, there isn't anything wrong with that. [/quote]
Nowhere does he say it's wrong to like something others don't like, he's saying that if you're going to use bullshit information or use "because it sells better" as a reason why you like something, than that's fucking stupid. Like Valwin and all his "VITA DEAD OMG SALES OMG 3DS MASTER RACE OMG" shit.
 
Foxi4
[quote name='Suprgamr232' timestamp='1350773350'] [quote name='soulx' timestamp='1350772517'] Why don't we just accept the fact that different people simply like different things and have different tastes? If one guy prefers the Wii to the PS3 while another likes the 360 better than the Wii, there isn't anything wrong with that. [/quote]Nowhere does he say it's wrong to like something others don't like, he's saying that if you're going to use bullshit information or use "because it sells better" as a reason why you like something, than that's fucking stupid. Like Valwin and all his "VITA DEAD OMG SALES OMG 3DS MASTER RACE OMG" shit. [/quote]This is precisely what I meant.

If you are going to "like" something, "like" it for what it actually is, not because of superficial reasons, but for its actual features and qualities that speak to you. At the same time, don't bash people who like other things using bullshit excuses.

This blog is merely drawing the line between what is an opinion and what is being a fanboy, what is acceptable and what is frowned upon.


[quote name='soulx' timestamp='1350772517'] Why don't we just accept the fact that different people simply like different things and have different tastes? If one guy prefers the Wii to the PS3 while another likes the 360 better than the Wii, there isn't anything wrong with that. [/quote]
Let me give you my "Personal Opinion" about sales and about game libraries - your tastes as far as games are concerned or sales of a given console have f*ck all to do with whether a given piece of hardware is good or not because they're not a part of said hardware, nor are they qualities of said hardware. What does that entail? Let me elaborate.
Click to expand...

As you can see, this is not about tastes. In fact, it's everything outside of tastes - it's about determinging objectively which parts of given things in question are good and which are not. Forget about tastes because tastes don't matter in that kind of a discussion.
 
G
As you can see, this is not about tastes. In fact, it's everything outside of tastes - it's about determinging objectively which parts of given things in question are good and which are not. Forget about tastes because tastes don't matter in that kind of a discussion.
Click to expand...
How can you determine objectively whether one videogame console is better than another. Yes, some things like specs can be proven to be better or worse but when it comes to game library, that's all dependent on ones taste.

If someone thinks the DS is better than the PSP (even with inferior specs) or that the Xbox is better than the PS2, they can't be objectively wrong.
 
Foxi4
[quote name='soulx' timestamp='1350775386']
As you can see, this is not about tastes. In fact, it's everything outside of tastes - it's about determinging objectively which parts of given things in question are good and which are not. Forget about tastes because tastes don't matter in that kind of a discussion.
Click to expand...
How can you determine objectively whether one videogame console is better than another. Yes, some things like specs can be proven to be better or worse but when it comes to game library, that's all dependent on ones taste. If someone thinks the DS is better than the PSP (even with inferior specs) or that the Xbox is better than the PS2, they can't be objectively wrong. [/quote]I can easily determine that - anyone can.

When you're not talking about the games but about the console itself, you're talking about the console and its qualities and capabilities. You consider hardware specs, technical limitations and possibilities they entail, features, ergonomics, battery life, weight and all that junk, and when you do that, you have a clear picture as far as which console is the superior one. Games available on the system have nothing to do with the system per se.

A debate about consoles should revolve around the consoles, a debate about game libraries should revolve around game libraries and so-on and so-forth. Everything highly depends on the context.

I'm willing to treat game libraries as a sub-argument if the context allows it, for example when you're debating on which console has better capabilities for the development of very specific games, but then we're entering, as I mentioned earlier, game library discusion.

The difference between objectivity and subjectivity is very clear - if you want to review something in an objective fashion, everything regarding your personal taste, or even tastes of other people goes out of the window, and this means that the games you like do as well, completely invalidating any use of game library references.
 
G
That is all subjective, though.


Just as a controversial example, if I say the 3DS controls are better than the Vita's (in my opinion), there is nothing wrong with that. I might prefer the circle-pad to the small sticks or the D-Pad on the XL to the D-Pad on the Vita.

Ergonomics is also very subjective.

When you argue the superiority of one console to the other, game library most certainly should be taken into account. Or else the PS2 is inferior to the Xbox simply because it's worse in terms of specs.
 
Foxi4
[quote name='soulx' timestamp='1350776982']That is all subjective, though. Just as a controversial example, if I say the 3DS controls are better than the Vita's (in my opinion), there is nothing wrong with that. I might prefer the circle-pad to the small sticks or the D-Pad on the XL to the D-Pad on the Vita. Ergonomics is also very subjective. When you argue the superiority of one console to the other, game library most certainly should be taken into account. Or else the PS2 is inferior to the Xbox simply because it's worse in terms of specs.[/quote]That's because the PS2 *is* inferior to the XBox *in terms of specs*. Specifying what you mean within a discussion is key. It's a vastly superior device in every single way, and it's hard to deny that. It came out much later and it offered features PS2 users could only dream of. The PS2 sold much better, the PS2 had a larger game library, but it's not the superior device.

I may voice out my "Personal Opinion" and say that either console of that generation was my favourite, but if I am to choose the best one, I need to perform an in-depth analysis of said consoles to determine it and forget about favouritism.

Ergonomics are not subjective as long as they are described and judged fairly with all grounds covered. Let me give you an example.

The DS had the advantage of a clamshell built, protecting the screens. It had twin screens and a comfortable button layout which allowed touchscreen use while holding the device regardless of whether you were right or left-handed. The PSP on the other hand had only one screen, however it was a wider one than on the DS. It also featured an analog stick, however it was placed in a rather uncomfortable position, not to mention that it only had one, so left-handed users could have issues utilizing the device. The DS's touchscreen could be used for the same functions the analog stick was assigned to and more. Those are the facts. All in all, the control scheme and overall ergonomics were better on the DS than they were on the PSP. That's an opinion based on the facts. Objective? Pretty much. Disputable? Yes, of course - after all, it's an opinion, but at least it's based on objective facts. Of course this is a really, really short example that doesn't cover all areas of ergonomics, such as the shape, weight, portability etc. but you get my drift.

Now, I know you'll say that this is still within the subjective areas, but there has to be some sort of a gradation system employed - no opinion is ever 100% objective and there is always someone who will disagree with you, and on good grounds, but objectivity is something one should strive to achieve when talking about what could be consider facts. Otherwise, talk about favourites.
 
Hells Malice
Sees 3-4 replies earlier. Nods in agreement.
Sees 13 after work, and bets his paycheck it's soulx shitting on things.

someone owes me money.
Pretty defensive considering Foxi didn't say any names, eh.
 
Foxi4
[quote name='Hells Malice' timestamp='1350790176'] Sees 3-4 replies earlier. Nods in agreement.Sees 13 after work, and bets his paycheck it's soulx shitting on things. someone owes me money.Pretty defensive considering Foxi didn't say any names, eh. [/quote]Just to make things clear, this isn't about soulx or any member in particular - it's about a general trend. I think it's easily observable, especially now, considering the large disparity between Vita and 3DS sales. ;)
 
Hells Malice
Oh I know that, poor guy seemed to be getting defensive though.
Like he fell under exactly what you said in every vita thread ever created on this site or something.
 
Phoenix Goddess
[quote name='Hells Malice' timestamp='1350791564']
Oh I know that, poor guy seemed to be getting defensive though.Like he fell under exactly what you said in every vita thread ever created on this site or something.
[/quote]

One of these days we'll just have to spank him and send him to a corner. That type of childish behavior requires a child's punishment.
 
Foxi4
[quote name='Hells Malice' timestamp='1350791564'] Oh I know that, poor guy seemed to be getting defensive though.Like he fell under exactly what you said in every vita thread ever created on this site or something. [/quote]It is funny when you think about it like that. :P
 

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