Question about Cards Against Humanity

[rubysapphire]

I'll preface this by saying I absolutely think using CAH as a defense to making inappropriate comments is completely ridiculous. And in no way am I condoning or defending anyone who has made racist, sexist, etc. comments on this board. However, I played this game this past weekend, and I still don't feel right about it. I've seen multiple posters on this board mention that they love this game and even play an online version. How is it acceptable to play this game, yet completely unacceptable to make these types of comments in jest? It is pretty much impossible to play this game without on some level participating in some horribly offensive behavior, even if you only "participate" by being present in the room. People were scoffing at the CAH defense yesterday, but no one really explained the difference. I am being completely serious when I ask this, I can't figure out how anyone (myself included) can rationalize that this game is ok.

[captainobvious]

[tictac]

Are we really going to do THIS?

[wambam]

Hooboy.

[oliviapope]

Aug 4, 2015 9:19:32 GMT -5 captainobvious said:

That's better!

[Deleted]

[smock]

Here's a hint: when people play CAH, they don't actually believe the inappropriate comments.

[lilafowler]

[lilafowler]

Wrong post. Lol at me

[rubysapphire]

Aug 4, 2015 9:21:28 GMT -5 smock said:

Here's a hint: when people play CAH, they don't actually believe the inappropriate comments.

I certainly didn't "believe" anything I heard while playing the game, but there are certain subjects that really shouldn't be joked about no matter what, right? I don't think there really is a way to rationalize it, which is probably why most people aren't even attempting to do so.

[killercupcake]

Aug 4, 2015 9:32:30 GMT -5 rubysapphire said:

Aug 4, 2015 9:21:28 GMT -5 smock said:

Here's a hint: when people play CAH, they don't actually believe the inappropriate comments.

I certainly didn't "believe" anything I heard while playing the game, but there are certain subjects that really shouldn't be joked about no matter what, right? I don't think there really is a way to rationalize it, which is probably why most people aren't even attempting to do so.

I think people aren't attempting to rationalize it because it's ridiculous, not because there's no way to do so.

[rubysapphire]

Aug 4, 2015 9:33:35 GMT -5 AutumnRose25 said:

Aug 4, 2015 9:32:30 GMT -5 rubysapphire said:

I certainly didn't "believe" anything I heard while playing the game, but there are certain subjects that really shouldn't be joked about no matter what, right? I don't think there really is a way to rationalize it, which is probably why most people aren't even attempting to do so.

True, Pacman guzzling cum really is no laughing matter.

Yes, some of the cards are just funny. But many, if not most, are just plain offensive. Isn't that the whole point of the game?

[callalily]

You mean I'm not supposed to be using it like a tarot deck?

[tictac]

Aug 4, 2015 9:33:35 GMT -5 AutumnRose25 said:

True, Pacman guzzling cum really is no laughing matter.

That's why Oprah is sobbing into a Lean Cuisine.

[killercupcake]

Aug 4, 2015 9:37:21 GMT -5 callalily said:

You mean I'm not supposed to be using it like a tarot deck?

No. Just a guide for what to say and do in life.

[dirtyred]

Aug 4, 2015 9:32:30 GMT -5 rubysapphire said:

Aug 4, 2015 9:21:28 GMT -5 smock said:

Here's a hint: when people play CAH, they don't actually believe the inappropriate comments.

I certainly didn't "believe" anything I heard while playing the game, but there are certain subjects that really shouldn't be joked about no matter what, right? I don't think there really is a way to rationalize it, which is probably why most people aren't even attempting to do so.

The card about being balls-deep in a squealing pig is always a winner.  It's the shock value.  I don't think anyone playing is condoning bestiality.

[rubysapphire]

There is still no response to my original question. Why is it ok to say these things and hide behind a "game", but not ok to say these things and hide behind a "joke"?

[underwaterrhymes]

Well, okay. I'll bite.

First, of course CAH could be a HIGHLY offensive game. Many of the cards, taken at face value, ARE offensive.

BUT. It also really depends on who you play it with. If you play with racists and homophobes, you're probably going to spend some time feeling grossed out and pissed off.

My friends are largely liberal people (some of us bordering on communists) and when I've played it with them, the entertainment value is high because no one is being an asshole - at least not without their tongue stuck firmly in their cheek. I mean, when someone plays the "Dick Cheney" card for the phrase "Spice up your love life in the bedroom by introducing _______," you can piss yourself for a solid 10 minutes.

I have played it once with my in-laws, who are conservative, sheltered, and hold some opinions that we have made it quite clear H and I do not share. I was very nervous that time, but people played cautiously.

The worst thing that happened was that I was elected to explain to MIL what "queefing" was.

[Deleted]

[rubysapphire]

Aug 4, 2015 9:42:41 GMT -5 AutumnRose25 said:

Aug 4, 2015 9:40:49 GMT -5 rubysapphire said:

There is still no response to my original question. Why is it ok to say these things and hide behind a "game", but not ok to say these things and hide behind a "joke"?

Are you seriously trying to imply that CAH is on the same fucking level as people actually living out and applying racism and sexism and bigotry towards other people in real life?

No! That's my whole point. I wouldn't ever joke about any of the above in normal conversation, so it seems a little bizarre to joke about it while playing a "game". 

[rubysapphire]

Aug 4, 2015 9:46:48 GMT -5 AutumnRose25 said:

Aug 4, 2015 9:45:35 GMT -5 rubysapphire said:

No! That's my whole point. I wouldn't ever joke about any of the above in normal conversation, so it seems a little bizarre to joke about it while playing a "game". 

So don't play!

But fuck off with your whole "well if you can laugh at a game that is purposely absurd then you have no recourse against people who actually APPLY THESE IDEOLOGIES IN REAL LIFE" chucklefuckery.

I don't think I ever said or even implied anything like this. See the preface to my original post.

[anlo]

[Deleted]

[underwaterrhymes]

Also, in my experience, there are some cards you just don't play.

You're a bit horrified when they wind up in your hands and you're like, "How the FUCK am I going to swing this one?" And in the end, you never do use it, but you throw it down at the end and are like, "Check out THIS shit!"

[captainobvious]

[killercupcake]

Aug 4, 2015 9:48:27 GMT -5 rubysapphire said:

Aug 4, 2015 9:46:48 GMT -5 AutumnRose25 said:

So don't play!

But fuck off with your whole "well if you can laugh at a game that is purposely absurd then you have no recourse against people who actually APPLY THESE IDEOLOGIES IN REAL LIFE" chucklefuckery.

I don't think I ever said or even implied anything like this. See the preface to my original post.

Your original post was basically "How can you play the game but get upset about NWs short bus 'joke?' What's the difference? I don't see a difference."

[rubysapphire]

Aug 4, 2015 9:49:11 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Also, in my experience, there are some cards you just don't play.

You're a bit horrified when they wind up in your hands and you're like, "How the FUCK am I going to swing this one?" And in the end, you never do use it, but you throw it down at the end and are like, "Check out THIS shit!"

This. This is exactly what ended up happening with the group I was with.

[Velvetshady]

Aug 4, 2015 9:32:30 GMT -5 rubysapphire said:

Aug 4, 2015 9:21:28 GMT -5 smock said:

Here's a hint: when people play CAH, they don't actually believe the inappropriate comments.

I certainly didn't "believe" anything I heard while playing the game, but there are certain subjects that really shouldn't be joked about no matter what, right? I don't think there really is a way to rationalize it, which is probably why most people aren't even attempting to do so.

Such as? I need specific examples.

[killercupcake]

Aug 4, 2015 9:51:21 GMT -5 Velvetshady said:

Aug 4, 2015 9:32:30 GMT -5 rubysapphire said:

I certainly didn't "believe" anything I heard while playing the game, but there are certain subjects that really shouldn't be joked about no matter what, right? I don't think there really is a way to rationalize it, which is probably why most people aren't even attempting to do so.

Such as? I need specific examples.

Menstrual rage.

[Deleted]