I really do think there is an element of "gay theory" in modern RPGs. The idea that everyone has a right to be equal and happy and wonderful is part of the reason that the world is such a shitty place, and what's more, the people who are actually powerful and happy and privileged are punished for being paragons of humanity, instead of admired. I don't understand this mindset at all.

Gay theory has come to the point where we are pretending that thalidomide children and brainless untermensch are going to be football players or rocket scientists. Anything less is "ableism," and saying that the kid who is in a motorized wheelchair and spends twelve of his thirteen waking hours drooling on himself isn't going to go to CalTech is a reprehensible thing to these people.

After a recent discussion with a particularly open-minded and realistic self-described male "feminist," I have come to understand why this might be a problematic attitude in certain areas, like education or social services. Encouraging dreams is a lofty goal, and looking down on someone because they're missing a foot or can't speak properly is certainly un-Christian. No one gets to choose the way they're born.

Why does this attitude have to invade games, though? You do get to choose your origins in RPGs. If the classes were destined-for-construction quarterback and college-bound virtuoso, which would you choose? If you want to play the quarterback, there he is, ready to facilitate teenage birth control and beat up on his little brother. He's even pretty good at it, for a few years (levels), until the reality of the world sets in and he can't keep up with technology and larger foes than Southtown High's defensive line.

What's more, in modern games, the powerful classes get brought down to the construction worker's level. I actually enjoy the Fourth Edition fighter - he's the digger who got smart, got a loan, and started his own contracting business with a loader and a buddy. He might be worth some money someday. The Wizard, however, is never going to be anybody now. He's been neutered, sent out to pasture as some sort of battlefield-obstacle generator who only works half the time. The Cleric can't summon the wrath of his god any more; nope, it's just all the same shit but Radiant damage.

The Fighter can put a dragon in a headlock, but the Wizard can't even summon a decent Fireball, much less a demon. It's like some sort of reverse wish-fulfillment: "Hey, this is a fantasy world, but all of the fantastic stuff is just a pro-wrestling match. Oh, and there's a dude who casts spells, too, but he's pretty much useless."

I'm not saying D&D didn't have problems before this, but seriously? Where's my fantasy? How do I play Sirius Black in this system? What about Gandalf, or Rand al'Thor? That's my complaint.