I Hold These Truths: Guidelines / Rules / No-No's for Glori Squared
I hold these truths to be sufficiently not self-evident that they merit mention here.
Here are some guideposts for Glori Squared.
Or, as Ga Bu put it…
"Guideposts, Rules, No-No's:"
1. I will not engage with overt expressions of hate, especially along lines of difference or identity. That includes, but is not limited to, racism, misogyny, transphobia, ableism, ageism, fat-shaming, slut-shaming, and anything anti-queer. If you’d like to play, please be thoughtful. Be decent. In the end, it’s really that simple.
2. I mention a zero-tolerance policy against overt expressions of hate, but I will often be writing about said issues - both overt and not-so-overt - within FFXIV's canon, the fandom, and U.S. culture in the broader sense.
3. This Substack will not include any NSFW content. However, it will routinely reference and reflect upon NSFW content created in the FFXIV fandom and is therefore not appropriate for minors. Potential topics of discussion include queer representation, in-game ERP (Erotic Role Play), and content creators of adult content (especially erotic fanfic writers).
4. I most enjoy writing to understand, to mull, to dissect, to analogize, to interpret, to enrich, and to analyze. And to connect with others who also find pleasure in doing so. None of these approaches mean, in any way, that in doing so I am "endorsing" anything. I will not get mired in facile arguments that draw straight lines between understanding and endorsement, much less equating the erotic to real life oppression. (The most obvious example of this: “If you ship Emet-Selch, you are a fascist.")
5. As a general rule, I wish more attention was given to the wonderful creativity that has emerged from the unique and daunting decision the writers of FFXIV made when they decided to let the player be both whomever they imagine and the protagonist of an epic story. It is a gift; I wish it was more often acknowledged as such. In the spirit of this, I will avoid propagation of “discourse” that is little more than competing subjective preferences.
6. Last but not least, Ga Bu gets the last word: “Glori Overdweller is Cringe! Basic! Try Hard!” Yes, yes, and yes. Of that, there can be no doubt.