Master Samwise: makes hour long video essays about the meaning of true, virtuous masculinity as reflected in the stories of fiction characters. Also Master Samwise: I like when thing go boom.
And yet again, we have another example of Master Samwise’s eloquent speech giving rise to some otherwise missable traits of a character’s psyche. I truly would never have known any of the inner machinations of the Helldiver psyche, had the master not painstakingly crafted a video about it.
I think I'm with everyone in expecting a video essay on the morality of self-sacrifice, patriotism, and masculinity channeled into productive, selfless pursuits. We got a montage of Helldivers ~~committing robot genocide~~ Spreading Managed Democracy to the 1812 Overture.
In all seriousness, both men and women have ingrained preferences for certain forms of recreation. For men, flexing our strength and cunning, especially in a very showy way (like big explosions), is very cathartic and satisfying because it validates our sense of self; it proves we are strong and capable. Sure, it's just a video game, but the simulated act of skill and fortitude can provide at least a reasonable facsimile to the real thing (minus the potential to actually get hurt in some way, of course). Men want to feel powerful, which is why power-fantasies exist as a form of entertainment. Helldivers is, sincerely, a form of masculine power-fantasy. That's pretty much _all_ it is, of course; it's satirical and extreme in fun ways, so it's not meant to be taken too seriously. It's just meant to be fun escapism. Anyone that would complain about the existence of such things is either taking it way too seriously or, for some reason, dislikes the idea of men being able to just have some good, clean fun.
@@Eilonwy95 I know that, but the attitude is just so obnoxious, and I find some of the most toxic aspects of American culture (guns, arrogance and the imposition of ones own morals on others) being displayed everywhere kind of uncomfortable. I can appreciate that's probably not the intent, and respect the creators, but something about it just makes me uncomfortable.
@@samaron8970 Satire is kind of supposed to do that though. It is supposed to be funny but also a bit uncomfortable and make you think of what is wrong with these things.
@@Eilonwy95 I guess, but it's more the content creator reaction though, many of them don't makenit clear it's satire and I can't tell if they actually buy into the morals and are spreading them to their audiance.
@@samaron8970 Yeah I really think most just enjoy how over the top it is. Like plenty of action movies. Guys do tend to like big explosions and this is in a silly context where no one gets hurt. That part is crucial I think. Plus it’s just robots even in the game. Obviously, it would be problematic to want to actually hurt people, but I’m very sure that’s not the case. No one I’ve ever talked to believes the helldivers/ super earth’s system are good.
