Though Roger Ebert supposedly gave up his debate against video games being art, mostly by publicly stating that he's sorry he ever brought the subject up in the first place, he apparently isn't above posting the occasional childish retort on Twitter. To whit:
Aaaaaand, here we go again. This comment of course stems from the Smithsonian's upcoming video game exhibit. Now, I'm not posting this to say that Ebert is wrong, or bring up the "games as art" debate for the hojillionth time. This is just a general plea. Don't be this guy. Don't be this guy who has spent so many years immersed in his medium of choice, his life's work, that he has become a parody of himself. The man in the ivory tower sneering at something he doesn't understand, nor chooses to make the effort to do so. As someone that spent four years in college studying film history and theory, and critique, there are aspects that I admire about Ebert. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of film and a deep respect for the medium. But he chose to stir a pot, and was not prepared for the violent splash he received. Eventually, he chose to take his ball and stay in his tower, and now he's content to merely sling taunts and insults from his Twitter feed.
No matter whether you believe games are art or not, keep an open mind and maintain a willingness for civil discourse. Just because we disagree on something, nor may we ever agree, mean that the debate can't still take place. Both sides can learn things, so long as they're willing to learn. Ebert, unfortunately, isn't, and look where it's gotten him.
I don't really care that he doesn't get it...there certainly are things other people like that I don't get at all and probably actively hate on...w/e I could care less what he says.
" You know he brings this up so much maybe he's on to something. If he would just come down here and tell me in person, you know words from his own mouth, I just might side with him. "
Whether or not you think video games are art, you can't deny that they have been culturally significant. Berating the Smithsonian for acknowledging that is silly.
That being said, I can't help but feel like the exhibit is a joke. The way they organized it is nonsense, and not conducive to recognizing the form in a meaningful way.
" You know he brings this up so much maybe he's on to something. If he would just come down here and tell me in person, you know words from his own mouth, I just might side with him. "
" Ebert's pretty good at sending angry nerds into angry nerd rage. If your response to his twitter is longer than his twitter, you give a shit too much. Cus its twitter. Its one thought out of 10 he had that day that made the cut on twitter.
Also, it was more a statement about the Smithsonian than videogames but if you need to flip out about something who am I to stop you.
"
I agree. I respect Ebert's opinion on films. First thing I do after seeing a film is check out what Ebert thinks. But his oppinions on video games are simply uninformed. He isn't a fan, so yeah, he'll be dismissive of them
" You know he brings this up so much maybe he's on to something. If he would just come down here and tell me in person, you know words from his own mouth, I just might side with him. "
You know he brings this up so much maybe he's on to something. If he would just come down here and tell me in person, you know words from his own mouth, I just might side with him.
Eh, who cares, really? He can have valid and informed opinions on films, but as far as video games are concerned he knows about as much as my grandmother.
Ebert's pretty good at sending angry nerds into angry nerd rage. If your response to his twitter is longer than his twitter, you give a shit too much. Cus its twitter. Its one thought out of 10 he had that day that made the cut on twitter.
Also, it was more a statement about the Smithsonian than videogames but if you need to flip out about something who am I to stop you.
I stopped listening to his trash when he started going ape-shit on movies that I loved for reasons that only an old-hermit stuck in his ways could see. He's one of those critics that doesn't actually enjoy anything he watches or plays, just looks for ways to criticize or reinforce each part of it.
Though Roger Ebert supposedly gave up his debate against video games being art, mostly by publicly stating that he's sorry he ever brought the subject up in the first place, he apparently isn't above posting the occasional childish retort on Twitter. To whit:
Aaaaaand, here we go again. This comment of course stems from the Smithsonian's upcoming video game exhibit. Now, I'm not posting this to say that Ebert is wrong, or bring up the "games as art" debate for the hojillionth time. This is just a general plea. Don't be this guy. Don't be this guy who has spent so many years immersed in his medium of choice, his life's work, that he has become a parody of himself. The man in the ivory tower sneering at something he doesn't understand, nor chooses to make the effort to do so. As someone that spent four years in college studying film history and theory, and critique, there are aspects that I admire about Ebert. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of film and a deep respect for the medium. But he chose to stir a pot, and was not prepared for the violent splash he received. Eventually, he chose to take his ball and stay in his tower, and now he's content to merely sling taunts and insults from his Twitter feed.
No matter whether you believe games are art or not, keep an open mind and maintain a willingness for civil discourse. Just because we disagree on something, nor may we ever agree, mean that the debate can't still take place. Both sides can learn things, so long as they're willing to learn. Ebert, unfortunately, isn't, and look where it's gotten him.
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