Sword & Sorcery, Sex & Violence: my sleazy reply

+Joshua Kubli brought this article to my attention.  I read it and it made me wish that I lived in a land of Super-Men, in the Nietzsche sense of the word... speaking of visionaries who draw censors like moths to a flame.

Yes, I read it.  Opinions are everywhere.  Try to change mine and I will reciprocate (occasionally) - even though I know that opposing views will almost never find common ground.  It's still important to fight.  And to die, if necessary.  But I don't think that's going to happen today.

Before I say anything else, let me clarify something.  It's not to generate sales.  I put racy, sleazy, sexualized, objectifying,"softcore porn" artwork on my book covers because that's the kind of stuff I like to look at.  That's what I'm into.  I find it aesthetically pleasing, partly because it's somehow taboo in certain conservative circles (even though it's 2015).  Same thing with gory and horrific imagery.  It also has the benefit of mirroring the content within.  Other publishers might use half-naked women and bloody corpses because it makes more money.  That's as good a reason as any, but it ain't mine.  As an independent publisher, I put out RPG books because it's what I want to do.  Not to make a few bucks.  This is my art.

Now that that's out of the way, some advice: stop feeling self-conscious, insecure, and judged by other people.  You're not a victim!  Doesn't matter if it's your gaming buddies, friends, acquaintances, family members, the pope, president, boss, or the hooker you share a needle with.  In fact, you're more likely to be judged by the fact that you're a gaming geek or scifi/fantasy nerd than the cleavage on that thing you're reading.  Oh well, such is life.

Even if it is their business (which it isn't), you don't have to pay them any mind.  You're your own man (or woman).  Do as you see fit.  Tolerate the tastes of others - even if you consider it bad taste - or you'll be forced to swallow my intolerance for your whiny, puritanical bullshit... and believe me, you don't fucking want that.

Keep tabletop gaming free from censorship.  Allow us to keep it evil, sexist, exploitative, or whatever we choose.  If you're doing the creating, do it different... just so long as you keep it true to yourself (whatever that may be), a manifestation of your will.  Or else don't bother trying to create a damn thing.  If it doesn't resonate with your essence, why bother?

VS