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This thread is inspired by @RosieWrecksIt and deals with the underlying reasons why individuals would make comments to RPG companies saying they should be hired because they are able to make the game better.
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I will be referencing Social-Emotional learning. If you are unfamiliar with this term, please see my blog post about social-emotional growth and consent in gaming. It ties in closely with this topic.
https://www.thegeekypanda.com/home/2019/9/13/social-emotional-learning-consent-and-the-gaming-industry
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https://www.thegeekypanda.com/home/2019/9/13/social-emotional-learning-consent-and-the-gaming-industry
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Almost every RPG writer I know has gotten the comment "You should hire me! I can make your game better!" Just a note: I do not know ANYONE whoever got hired after making any statement closely resembling this. If it worked for you....well.....I guess that's a thing.
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But, in general, there are very few who this will work for. The statement itself is an insult wrapped in a sales pitch for ability. It is the type of pitch you might see a used car salesmen make on a recalled vehicle with no maintenance performed on it.
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But we need to look at WHY someone would make such an unsubstantiated claim. There is a multitude of reasons behind this, many of which stem from social-emotional growth and development. Children from a young age are told they can do anything if they put their minds to it.
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The outdated 'pull yourself up by your bootstraps' mentality continues to pop up in really weird ways through generational telephone games, and this is one possibility. They are the 'go-getter' type and was told if they push hard, people will move out of the way.
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That is wrong for most situations, especially game lines where they are talking to the owners or writers on the product line. The huge social-emotional piece missing in their statement is perspective.
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How would one feel if you walked up to them and said their creation, which they might have literally shed blood and tears for, was shitty and you could do better. Because that is exactly how that comes off to the person receiving this insult wrapped in a bow.
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Another issue is inflated confidence. They never had to struggle to achieve anything, whether through natural talent or being shielded by adults while growing up. That lack of struggle creates a misconception that everyone had it just as easy as they did.
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Again, that's wrong. The lack of understanding of human growth and development, that everyone comes into things on their own timeline, and that standardized expectations only set up people for failure, is missing from a vast number of adults today.
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Another reason is the inability to give constructive feedback without insult. I've been seeing an increase in teaching these skills in school as of late, but know that was a missing key element in many classrooms over the years, and this is what we are left with.
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Adults who think their words don't have any emotional consequences behind them. They believe they are in the right, you are in the wrong, and you need to change to fit their perspective.
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Again, this is wrong. This is not how humans work and the expectation that this is the way has been institutionalized so much in company culture, school, and at home. Nobody is allowed to think critically or ask challenging questions. You are either right or wrong.
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That dichotomy has been the death of philosophical discussions. It has made it almost impossible for us to have a dialogue with someone we disagree within all aspects of life. With gaming, they see it as they are right in their opinion, and you are wrong.
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The balls-to-the-wall confidence is a monster of our own design. By not teaching kids how to have hard discussions, modeling how to give proper feedback, and continually insisting and rewarding the idea that confidence will get you anywhere, we have made our own bed.
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For those with the spoons to help curb this, I suggest making this a teachable moment and trying to model how constructive criticism works, how to ask about writing opportunities, and being firm on your feelings and perspective on the matter.
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Sometimes, social embarrassment needs to happen to make room for social-emotional growth. If you feel that is not your place, I understand. Everyone handles things differently. It is always good to have a background perspective on the underlying reasons why.
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I didn't really address anything about if the person is just an asshole. And that could very well be. And honestly, if that is the case, I would hope companies do not reward that behavior.
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Social awkwardness, anyone with any neurological challenges may also say these things and if you are not used to working with these challenges, it can be difficult to understand or navigate.
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As a Special Education teacher, know these actions may have an underlying cause, but should not be an excuse for that behavior. Helping with social cues, asking what they mean by it, and holding them responsible for their words all help that individual.
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And in closing, know that writers and developers are very passionate about their work. Be kind, be firm, and be a force of forward progress.
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