To draw a fair generalization, gamers (like many other folk of fringe groups) tend to quotations. Not the kinds you find in front of speeches, but action quotes, things that recall humourous situations, or "signature" lines that draw an immediate connection to a shared moment, or the reference itself. It's an "in-joke" that is slightly less exclusive as it can often still be experienced (at least, like knowing the punchline and not the joke, in retrospect.)
An affirmation is a positive statement used to influence your (sub)conscious to assist you in manifesting change in your life.
The concept behind them relies on the suggestion that your reality is a direct result of your thinking, and thus, if you can change your thinking, your reality will change, and affirmations help charge your thinking towards a certain goal.
Most affirmations you'll run into are kind of dorky. "The past has no power over me." "I deserve the best, and I accept the best, now." "I express anger in appropriate ways so that peace and harmony are balanced at all times." Or even, "I am at one with the inner child in me."
Is there a connection between our quoting habits and affirmations?
When I'm saying, "Nuke them from orbit. It's the only way to be sure," am I actually making an affirmation?
The problem with the dorky, "I am in control of my life," affirmations is that they don't speak to me. They're not in the language I use to communicate with myself. But I can ask myself, "What Would Damascus Do?" I can tell myself, "Sorry, I don't give my name out to ugly dungeon fodder like you."
Comments (6)
oh yes, What Would Damascus Do?
i like that...
Posted by jenn | April 4, 2002 12:21 PM
Posted on April 4, 2002 12:21
Oh indeed, we've got a bunch of those.
"If it moves, shoot it. When it's dead, paint it green."
"So *that's* what they're calling it these days..."
"Have you considered catalog shopping?"
and, our favorite:
"We don't kill Sith, we marry them."
Posted by Rikibeth | April 5, 2002 9:07 AM
Posted on April 5, 2002 09:07
...we don't kill Sith, we marry them?
according to?
I find your lack of faith... disturbing.
Posted by Arref | April 5, 2002 11:25 AM
Posted on April 5, 2002 11:25
In the game I'm in, over its long history, we have spent more time marrying (ex?)Sith than killing them.
The results are... special. In that short little schoolbus sort of way.
And your quote about lack of faith is one of the lines improved by substituting "pants" for the key noun.
"I find your lack of pants... disturbing."
We have a great time with that one.
Posted by Rikibeth | April 5, 2002 3:02 PM
Posted on April 5, 2002 15:02
ROFL
I wasn't even there and I like that twist.
Posted by Arref | April 8, 2002 7:26 AM
Posted on April 8, 2002 07:26
I was amused for all sorts of time at the last convention I attended by the button booth. Gamer affirmations, hmmm. Well, I found my favorite one there and shortly there after made it happen.
Bi-Poly Switch, I'm not indecisive, I'm just greedy.
But as to gamer affirmations, Locally we've got...
"I'll stick my hand through his chest, grab him by the spine and use him like a club."
Kinda says, "I'm taking the bull by the horns."
"So, let's start a supernatural war in Vegas..."
Kinda says, "Eventually we'll get to the long term plans."
"I use my +5 spoon!" (Originally a follow up to, "Black Pudding attacks!")
Kinda says, "You're taking this too seriously."
Posted by Kris | April 11, 2002 12:56 PM
Posted on April 11, 2002 12:56