Pairing Meta: The Appeal of Snake/Otacon from a Male Perspective

[outofmysystem87]

Whilst I am still working on my second story (thanks to Khronos_Keeper and Imre_Nico for agreeing to be my beta-buddies), I decided to do something I promised to do for a long time: an essay about Snake/Otacon slash from a male perspective. I managed to write this pretty quickly, so if you need clarification/elaboration/etc, feel free to ask.

Essay

Comments

[runcible_spoom]

I'm actually reading The Feminine Mystique right now, so I see how you're trying to analyze gender roles through the lens of tradition here. I also get your points that there's a streak of macho running through the gaming community, and that many gamers (of both genders) are nerds whose tastes and activities don't stick to traditional gender roles

[outofmysystem87]

I thank you sincerely for your balanced and measured comments

[runcible_spoom]

Oh, yeah. I get what you were trying to say now - the men-are-logical, women-are-intuitive thing. You worded it pretty strongly, but I do see what you were referencing.

Thanks! Feel free to swipe the icon if you'd like!

[jianna]

ok honestly, I think you have a point, about how it kind of validates the nerd in a world that values the macho macho maaaaaan etc.

I don't, however, think this is exclusively in the domain of males to relate to, though, which is why I think alot of people in this community seem to be taking issue with this point. As a woman, I'm really into science and school and yes, video games and anime. But I feel like these things are more unacceptable for women than they are for men. Our existence is hardly acknowledged by the media we like (ie, "there are no girls on the internet!") and TV shows like The Big Bang Theory, where the guys, despite being socially awkward and nerdy are still effectively the heroes of the story, and the girl is a dumb but hot plot device

[outofmysystem87]

Thankyou for your comment. It was levelheaded.

I should add, I never said women have no gender pressure at all, and I have clarified this. However I believe some think I am implying this, and I honestly do not wish to imply anything of the sort. So if anyone has gotten offended over this, my apologies.

Also I never intended to declare my analysis as exclusively the domain of males. I simply didn't speculate on whether or not it would apply to females. If it does apply to some females, I'd like to know!

hello typos.

[jianna]

I certainly think it does. If you make a list of eccentric or otherwise socially challenged characters you're going to get pretty much all males. Sure you have the sort of quirky, clumsy female character sometimes (ala Bridget Jones) but not to the level of somebody like Otacon. Otacon insists that he functions on a more logical level than most people, and says he likes computers better than people

Re: hello typos.

[outofmysystem87]

Thanks for your contribution. I'd certainly like to hear you elaborate more on the subject when you have time. Hell, do a female counterpart to my above piece, lol. But really, I'm actually glad some females have found that elements of my theory are applicable to them.

[soviet_cowboy]

Thank you is two words.

[outofmysystem87]

Thank you for the clarification. If you have any comments to make on the content of my essay (and please note the above discussion before doing so), please feel welcome.

[soviet_cowboy]

I wish I did, but it's so dense and there's really no beginning. If I started with one half baked idea, I'd have to explain why the half baked idea supporting it is utter bullshit

[soviet_cowboy]

PS I am on so much fucking pain medication right now. Goddamnit get off my internet.

[solidi]

...What the fuck does most of that have to do with Snake/Otacon?

[outofmysystem87]

I was simply trying to propose a theory that has some explanatory power regarding the appeal of Snake and Otacon's relationship to some males

[solidi]

...Okay, did you even read what I asked? I know what you were trying to prove, but you didn't even explain a thing. I honestly don't care what you told somebody else because you're not explaining and after reading that, I don't see how that has much to do with Snake/Otacon.

I have a quote to share with you that you should take to heart. "Never underestimate your audience. They're generally sensitive, intelligent people who respond positively to quality entertainment." If you treat people as if they're stupid, which it seems like you are doing here and were doing back over on fissionmailed, people will respond negatively. We honestly wouldn't have a problem with you if you actually took all crit people are giving you and not just get into a big word tantrum with "I'M RIGHT AND YOU'RE WRONG, SO THERE." which I've seen you do with everybody who says something bad about your essay. (see your comment with soviet_cowboy where you state "But I won't bother explaining further since you seem to have made up your mind." You're the one who has made up their mind, not

[elendraug]

You know, I'd read this, but I really don't need an ulcer first thing in the morning.