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GM sadism

Started by Malygris, April 05, 2013, 09:20:49 AM

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Bill

#105
April 12, 2013, 09:49:02 AM
Quote from: RPGPundit;645135Yeah, I guess I can see that; but you'd think people would think of more interesting and fun places to express those desires than in a D&D game.

RPGPundit

Not to be overly cynical about human nature, but I think they do it there because they can.

Most people have no real power, if not get abused by the powerful.

So, a GM has power of a sort that can be abused.

GrumpyReviews

#106
April 13, 2013, 10:12:00 AM
Quote from: Bill;645181Not to be overly cynical about human nature, but I think they do it there because they can.

Most people have no real power, if not get abused by the powerful.

So, a GM has power of a sort that can be abused.

What Bill said - the GM has power, will enjoy using it, will believe (as people with power always do in regards to people without power) they know best and the only accountability is for players to talk away.

GMs are likely going to be sadist because they are people and people enjoy hurting one another when and where they can, and they always like it even more if the people around them come back for more and say thank you.
The Grumpy Celt
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The Traveller

#107
April 13, 2013, 10:44:55 AM
Quote from: GrumpyReviews;645532GMs are likely going to be sadist because they are people and people enjoy hurting one another when and where they can
You must be a blast at parties.
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Benoist

#108
April 13, 2013, 11:00:45 AM
Quote from: The Traveller;645536You must be a blast at parties.

Yeah that's what I thought. That's some way to look at the world I guess...

BillionSix

#109
April 13, 2013, 11:00:42 PM
Quote from: GrumpyReviews;645532What Bill said - the GM has power, will enjoy using it, will believe (as people with power always do in regards to people without power) they know best and the only accountability is for players to talk away.

GMs are likely going to be sadist because they are people and people enjoy hurting one another when and where they can, and they always like it even more if the people around them come back for more and say thank you.

That might be true, but only for GMs who think of themselves as having power. A good GM knows that he doesn't actually have any power. He has a lot of responsibility.

It's the same as in the real world. The guy who wants a promotion because he wants power over his coworkers is going to be a dick. The guy who accepts the responsibility of his new position might actually be good at his job, and a good boss.

Brian
All I need is a warm bed, a kind word, and unlimited power.

I am reading the Bible and giving snarky comments:
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Bill

#110
April 14, 2013, 09:17:59 AM
Quote from: BillionSix;645631That might be true, but only for GMs who think of themselves as having power. A good GM knows that he doesn't actually have any power. He has a lot of responsibility.

It's the same as in the real world. The guy who wants a promotion because he wants power over his coworkers is going to be a dick. The guy who accepts the responsibility of his new position might actually be good at his job, and a good boss.

Brian

In most cases, sadistic gm equals bad gm.

Not always, but mostly.

I actually know one gm that is sadistic but good.

RPGPundit

#111
April 16, 2013, 01:13:16 AM
Quote from: GrumpyReviews;645532What Bill said - the GM has power, will enjoy using it, will believe (as people with power always do in regards to people without power) they know best and the only accountability is for players to talk away.

GMs are likely going to be sadist because they are people and people enjoy hurting one another when and where they can, and they always like it even more if the people around them come back for more and say thank you.

There is a difference between enjoying a position of power, and being a sadist; I think most GMs LIKE being in charge of their games but very very few feel that the best way to derive pleasure out of this is by ruining the experience for their players.  In fact, only idiots think that.

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Bill

#112
April 16, 2013, 10:22:07 AM
Quote from: RPGPundit;646272There is a difference between enjoying a position of power, and being a sadist; I think most GMs LIKE being in charge of their games but very very few feel that the best way to derive pleasure out of this is by ruining the experience for their players.  In fact, only idiots think that.

RPGPundit

Yes, being a gm does not make one a sadist.

People that are already sadists can become gm's.

Some poeple can't handle power though, even small amounts of it go to their head.

Rincewind1

#113
April 16, 2013, 10:29:53 AM
I feel like cracking a light S&M joke, but I can't come up with anything better than "Gag your willing partner, not your unwilling players".

I think we, for the most part, agree that the main problem here is, and was, the misconception that a challenging/Viking hat GM may equal in some eyes sadist.
Furthermore, I consider that  This is Why We Don\'t Like You thread should be closed

RPGPundit

#114
April 17, 2013, 04:47:10 PM
Quote from: Bill;646360Yes, being a gm does not make one a sadist.

That wasn't the full extent of what I said. What I said was: Enjoying power doesn't make you a sadist. You can like to be in charge without there being any necessary implication that you will abuse your charge; and I think there are far more people out there who like to be in charge but don't abuse their power than those who do.

RPGPundit
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ARROWS OF INDRA
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LORDS OF OLYMPUS
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Phillip

#115
April 17, 2013, 04:59:01 PM
Quote from: Malygris;643149Hello to everyone at the RPGsite, this is my first post, so please forgive any clumsiness and naivety. I'd like to ask you all if GM sadism is a sign of immaturity? Or does it have an acceptable place within a game or in certain genres?
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Bill

#116
April 18, 2013, 03:09:14 PM
Quote from: RPGPundit;646830That wasn't the full extent of what I said. What I said was: Enjoying power doesn't make you a sadist. You can like to be in charge without there being any necessary implication that you will abuse your charge; and I think there are far more people out there who like to be in charge but don't abuse their power than those who do.

RPGPundit

Glass half full?

I sure hope that is the case.
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