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"Are you a psychopath?" by Rainbow Apocalypse

Too many times, especially recently, have I seen a nasty or disapproving comment on a piece of art subtly (or unsubtly) questioning if the people who enjoy/make it are psychopaths. Sometimes people are nicer about it, simply asking why anyone would draw something that isn't "nice". It is pretty baffling just how ignorant comments like that are in regard to what art actually is, but at the same time I do understand why someone would think that way. But sadly, there are even a few distasteful and transparent individuals who use this disapproval to elevate themselves, saying they don't like the image because they themselves aren't morally corrupted.
On the surface level it might appear as though we have some courageous people speaking up against a growing evil in their community. Come to think of it, I can think of a few other times I've seen this, like for example:

Violent videogames turn people into mass murders!" "Look at this game, you can even chainsaw people in half! What kind of sick minds would want to do that!?

Which really brings to light what it is we're dealing with here. But don't condemn the people who say asinine things like that, what it is we're dealing with is a much bigger issue then a lack of understanding as to what is real and what isn't. The excuse "It's all just fantasy" isn't enough to shut these people down, because we all know it's just fantasy anyway. It's a matter of perception that's the problem. I believe there are two different ways of viewing media:

The 1st are the people who have mistakenly perceived entertainment and media as a barrier; using it to surround themselves with "good" to keep all the "bad" of the world out; it's comfort food+. Because of this, entertainment (from their perspective) is a form of a approval. They also (perhaps subconsciously) see it as the same barrier for everyone else as well: it is human nature to project like that. "That kid plays violent vidya games, so they must be comforted by murder" "Why would you like that image? Are you a psychopath?" Such statements are an admittance to the initial assumption about this group.

The 2nd are the people who see media and entertainment for the raw reality of what it is: media and entertainment. A selection of fantastical scenarios we observe from a distance or put ourselves in for the sheer sake of experiencing something different from mundane of the everyday. It doesn't necessarily matter if these scenarios are "good natured" or "horrifying"; they simply are, like a roller coaster ride. And good coaster experience needs to have scary/horrifying turns along with the fun/exciting drops in order to be truly fulfilling.

Conclusion:
Adding the "ghastly unpleasantness" that can sometimes encompass life can allow viewers to be more easily immersed because that's the reality of our own world. It can be just as important an edition to a story or setting as adding the sun to the sky. Obviously this repels the 1st group, but it can attract the 2nd.

Sorry, there really isn't a way to bring peace between the two views. All you can really do is just nod and smile to such disapproving comments and try and understand why they're saying such things. Yup, in the end it really just came down to different strokes for different folks.

"Are you a psychopath?"

Rainbow Apocalypse

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  • Link

    Sadly, this is quite truthful about people. Especially in America's culture, we end up making such a big deal about these small things about media. It's refreshing to see people actually call it out.

  • Link

    The games don't make people evil as much as the art doesn't. That being said, sometimes a person's art or how/what they play can definitely reflect what's going on in their head for better and worse.

    If I see artwork that concerns me I just politely ask what inspired it, and how the artist feels about it. 9 times out of 10 it's a morbid curiosity or fantasy type thing, and I get to learn a little about the artists while they get to educate me about what they draw and why they draw it. Now if I poke an artist about a jarring piece of artwork and they tell me they drew because they like the thought of killing people or get off to the thought of raping folks, I might reconfigure my assessment of their psyche and consider where they sit in the realm of being obsessive or passionate about something disturbing, versus whether or not I consider them a risk to themselves/others.

    That's all regarding things like snuff, rape, gore, and cub/pedophile art though.

    When it comes to the 'weird' nonsensical stuff I could care less, ya know. O: I might wanna ask them about how they developed an interest in it and learn about their interest, but I'm not gonna worry about their well-being or anything, I just get genuinely curious about them as an individual.

    You gotta assess things on a case-by-case basis. You can't label someone clinically insane over a single drawing, or even a series of drawings, you have to evaluate the person and how their art relates to who they are. More often than not it's just odd things from their mind, and we all have odd stuff in our heads, so to each their own ya dig.

  • Link

    I love my gore filled video games and TV shows. They're a great way for me to relieve stress. But I'm not going to go on a rampage and kill everyone I see. That's just stupid to assume everyone who likes horror is a murderer... I can understand that some people are wary of horror fans because we are an odd lot, but they are too in their own ways. There is no such thing as normal

  • Link

    My mom is very much the first type. It's not great.

  • Link

    And naturally, there's a "fundamental" (pun intended) element behind this sort of thinking that, whenever confronted, only results in a sweeping backlash effect across the lives of everyone affected by its global subjugation - another can of worms opened, you know, because whenever they're faced with any real "hard ball" inference then all meritable dissent is lost on self-justifying claims of "persecution"...