The Erudite Manifesto

The internet is a cesspool: a raging sea of filth and stupidity, like the Potomac River or the state of Arkansas. Unlike the Potomac or Arkansas, it has become a necessary part of modern life. We all are forced to wade up to our knees in the idiocy to get the news and communication we not only crave, but require to be effective, non-Luddite members of society. To extend the geographical insult metaphor one step further, the degradation of our nation’s capital waterway and its swampiest state, like the internet, is the result of good ideas being created and implemented by smart people, and ultimately being used, and ruined, by a mob of jabbering apes.

Yes, I am aware of how pretentious I sound.

Nowhere is this truer than in the area of video gaming. As the technology and production values surrounding games become more sophisticated, the fanbase seems to become less so. Why?

Is this community truly composed of only the 21^st Century’s waste and refuse?

Is there something in video games that destroys the mind, making us incapable of the basic fundamentals of the English language?

Are we so far regressed that we can’t see a question from both sides?

Can we not accept that another person’s opinion may actually be as valid as our own?

If I were to search the web for people writing about games, I would be forced to answer all of those questions with a resounding, and disappointed, “yes.” This community goes on about how it is not taken seriously, how we are not respected, and how the established world of art and literature refuses to accept video games for the unique creative endeavors that they are. Perhaps we have not considered that the blame for this does not lie with the creators of the games themselves, or with the established arts and literature community, but with us, the gamers.

Let me put this another way. If I were to discuss The Great Gatsby, and why I liked it, with another reader, it would involve me pointing out what was so great about the novel, what F. Scott Fitzgerald did as a writer in making one of the finest American novels ever. I would construct an argument of carefully reasoned points, backed with some kind of supporting evidence. I would not begin ranting about how amazing it is, how other books should be burned or ignored, and how anyone who didn’t enjoy the book was so-fucking-retarded-and-you-should-really-just-put-a -bullet-in-your-head-now-because-how-can-you-have-such-a-stupid-idea. Why don’t you just go and read Ethan Frome like the loser you are?

This is not how civilized discourse takes place.

Let’s say, on the other hand, that there was an internet forum discussing the success of the Xbox 360 versus the success of the Playstation 3. Burn down the gates, Romans, and say hello to the Visigoths, because civilization is not long for this world.

To be “erudite” is to be refined and cultured and articulate. I don’t believe that gaming culture is incapable of being erudite, but I think that those who would be inclined that way are choked out in a sea of obscenity, poor grammar, and hyperbole.

Thus, Erudite Gamer is born. We are the vanguard of responsible and intelligent reflection on all aspects of gaming culture. We will keep an open mind, and a ready delete key. We’re not just shoring up the gates against the Visigoths, however. Right now, there’s no Rome to defend. We are creating it.

This may seem high minded, and a little pretentious. It is. Come back, though. See what content we begin to create, and then, judge for yourselves. This is not a review site. It is my belief that the multitudes of websites dedicated to that cause are more than adequate to the task. This is not a gossip, or a news site. Again, that base has been covered by those who came before us. Erudite Gamer is here to do something different. Or more, to do something that has been done from the beginning, but never done well. Think of us as the comments page, if it were populated by exceedingly wordy people with liberal arts degrees, and not by idiots who need to turn off the Caps Lock. That’s us. We want to talk about what’s going on and what it means. We want to compare games, look at the trends, speculate about where gaming is going, and generally say what needs to or wants to be said. We want to create a place where people can have intelligent conversations about video games instead of just screaming at each other. Our posts will be opinionated and open to your responses. Your responses will be open to our critique, and possible removal.

I close with one final thought, something to remember when you consider us. There is no such thing as an opinion that is wrong. We encourage people to disagree with and criticize us. But we also encourage you all to be civilized. To those of you unused to the concept, I assure that both are possible.

This is Erudite Gamer, and that’s my opinion till you show me a better one.

-Educated Guess