A long time ago, in a land called The United States, a wizard by the name of Gary Gygax created an entire new world – a world where epic fantasy, mages and heroes explore and adventure, battle monsters and dragons, and along their journeys, build friendships, and have a lot of fun. That was the beginning of role playing games (RPGs) – long before Harry Potter, the Lord of the Rings movies, or video games. That was, and is, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D).
When the Lord of the Rings films came out, and then the Harry Potter books and films, the interest in epic fantasy books, films and games went through the roof. Video RPGs spawned like mushrooms after a spring rain – all of them based, however loosely, on the original concept and platform of D&D, but with endless variations. Video games, especially RPGs, went viral, and went rapidly from geeky to cool. By 2017, however, millions of people began to realize that the original role playing game, D&D, was as fun, or more fun, than any video game. And so, D&D has had an explosive resurgence. Is this a good thing, in terms of culture, society, or human psychology? I would say yes.
I would say that TV, the internet, cell phones and video games have had, on the whole, a disastrous effect on all of the above – on culture, society, human psychology, and human relationships – as well as on politics, economics, spiritual life, intellectual life, and human health.
These things (electronic media) could be used in ways that make them great boons to humanity, but that is not generally how they are used. They are powerful inventions, and we are not using them wisely, to say the least. That is an important context to understand. And that context is not being adequately acknowledged. As one of my favourite movie lines says, “Never underestimate the power of denial.”
D&D takes us back to something more primary – direct human interaction, unmediated communication, story-telling, imagination, creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, cooperation, solidarity, teamwork and camaraderie. Electronic media can involve some of these elements, but they are dwarfed by the elements and dynamics of alienation, spectator culture, passivity, and passive ingestion of preformed and predigested cultural gobbets – and with most of them being unnourishing, and many being positively toxic. D&D is not a replacement for electronic media, communications, games or interactions, necessarily, but it brings back some important elements of human life which have been, to a large degree, eclipsed.
D&D started by taking the world of The Lord of the Rings, created by J.R.R. Tolkien, and turning it into an interactive world, set in the imagination, where a group of friends play roles of their choosing, in a story that they create as they go. Players (adventurers) can play the role of a dwarf, an elf, a human or halfling (Hobbit), a wizard, fighter/warrior, cleric/healer, ranger or bard, or any of a number of other character roles. The Dungeon Master (DM) takes on a role akin to a movie director, and has many different scenes, encounters and adventures up his or her sleeve. But in D&D, unlike a movie, the characters can choose how they act or react, where they go and what they do. The result is a game that sparks the imagination, and is ultimately limited only by the imagination.
(You don’t have to be theatrical to play D&D. You can be quiet, introverted and reserved, or extroverted and very expressive, or anywhere in between. But the game encourages self-expression, and being theatrical makes it even more fun.)
What makes D&D a positive influence on children, youth and adults, is probably three factors above all: it encourages self-expression and communication; it encourages imagination, innovative problem-solving and creativity; and it is both social and cooperative. But there are many benefits beyond these.
There is a mounting body of evidence and experience that shows that D&D, the original role playing strategy game (like chess, but with improv theatre, and no great powers of concentration required), has very positive psychological and therapeutic effects on children, youth and adults. The game is a safe and inclusive socially interactive space where self-expression is encouraged, cooperation is the foundation, diversity is seen as a strength, not a threat, and, above all, the players can let their imagination and creativity soar, while overcoming obstacles, solving problems as they journey along, confronting their fears and their demons in a safe way, and all this while relieving stress, having fun, and building friendships and happy memories. Not bad, for a mere game.
D&D has also been shown to help people with autism, depression, anxiety, social anxiety, addictions, or post-traumatic stress disorder. For that reason, psychologists and social workers are beginning to use D&D as a primary therapeutic tool, especially when other modes of therapy have had limited effect. But you can be anyone, with any background, and play D&D, and enjoy it. Smart or middling, physically strong or not so much, athletic or bookish – or both….introverted or extroverted, straight, gay, black, white, old or young…whatever…. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you bring your imagination, and share a little journey with some old or new friends – or maybe a journey that (with breaks for other aspects of life of course!) lasts for years.
And we forgot the mention the obvious: D&D is certainly better for kids and teens, or adults, than hard drugs, binge drinking, crime, violence, street gangs, excessive TV or video game playing, gambling, porn, or social media addiction – the latter being shown to be very harmful and frequently ruinous to peoples’ mental health, happiness, social connections and social relationships, and to their self-esteem. By comparison, D&D is a God-send.
The number of writers, directors, actors, musicians, designers and other creative artists who have played or still play D&D is further indication that D&D is definitely good for developing imagination, creativity and self-expression. To name just three: Vin Diesel, Mathew Mercer, Tom Morello and Stephen Spielberg.
How does Dungeons and Dragons compare to other games or leisure activities? Some games and activities involve physical exercise or being outdoors – martial arts, weight lifting, football, basketball, soccer, yoga or tennis, for example – and you could say they are superior for those reasons. But, assuming you don’t play D&D 24 hours a day, you still have lots of time to get outside, and get some physical activity.
(And why not play D&D in a grove in the woods, by a quiet stream, on a sunny day with a picnic and some good friends?)
Some games or entertainment involve role playing, but lack the strategy element – which is extremely valuable for numerous aspects of cognitive development and creativity. Other games, like chess, which is also a great game, or go, poker or bridge, involve strategy, but not the role playing aspect, which is invaluable for encouraging self-expression, and all the personal development and therapeutic and stress-relieving benefits that entails.
Some forms of entertainment tend to be highly isolating – and in a society where, as Marx said, alienation is pervasive and profound, cultivating further isolation may not always be the best thing. D&D, whether via video conferencing, or better, face to face in person, is an intrinsically social game.
As a side note here, I have to say that I am strongly in favour of people spending more time alone. That may sound paradoxical, but I believe that the root alienation, is an alienation from our deeper selves. Until and unless we decide to do the sometimes uncomfortable, or even scary thing, of spending time alone – in silence, with no music, no videos, TV or other electronics, no games, books or talking; until we decide to spend some periodic time alone, in silence and solitude, just allowing ourselves to be alone with our own thoughts, our own feelings, and our own presence, we will always be thwarted and limited in our ability to connect with others, with nature, or with reality and life itself. Time in silence and solitude is vitally important, and I would urge people to spend an hour ever morning, ideally, or at least a few minutes, doing just that, and nothing but that. That time is what reconnects us with our deeper selves. That is critical. (And yes, that was an accidental allusion to a D20 roll.)
But we don’t need to just spend time alone. We need to reconnect with ourselves, with nature, and with one another. D&D helps people to reconnect with one another. (And if you play D&D in a meadow or a park, it can be a way to reconnect with nature as well.) And because it is a fantasy role playing game, it allows people to express themselves and explore different character traits, actions, modes of being or responding – and that, in turn, allows people to explore themselves, in a safe and fun way; which in turn, helps them to reconnect with themselves – and to truly accept and honour themselves, and to be more accepting of others, and humanity, in all our diversity.
These are strong claims about the benefits of a game, but there are thousands of people who will corroborate the findings presented here. (D-20 investigation check succeeded). The game is both fun, and also has a generally positive influence on children, youth and adults. Cultivating courage, adaptability, resilience, problem-solving skills, innovation, self-expression, cooperation, patience, perseverance, creativity and self-expression, are all intrinsic parts of the game. And we can add to that, depending on how we play it, the cultivation of other positive character traits, in the players themselves. I would encourage people to reflect on what are called the alignments in the game, and reflect on how we want to live, and what we value as individuals – and to role play in ways that encourage the cultivation of positive character traits, and not negative ones. But I think the main value here is the role playing dynamic itself – however it is played.
And we forgot the mention the obvious: D&D is certainly better for kids and teens, or adults, than hard drugs, binge drinking, crime, violence, street gangs, excessive TV or video game playing, gambling or social media addiction – the latter being shown to be very harmful and frequently ruinous to peoples’ mental health, happiness, social connections and social relationships, and to their self-esteem. By comparison, D&D is a God-send.
Is D&D cool? Who cares?! It originally was not seen to be so, and now recently it is seen to be so, but who really cares? Is it any less cool, or any less chic, or any less….valuable or acceptable, than, say, playing poker, bridge, darts, or golf? To each his own, I say. If you’re not harming anyone, do as ye wilt. Personally, I find D&D more enjoyable and more fun than golf, darts, bridge, poker, or just about any other form of game or entertainment I know. 99% of the time, I’ll choose reading, writing, or time in nature. Most TV and most films are on the level of dog shit, frankly. Some films and TV shows are great, but most are garbage. The same is true for video games – most of them are a giant mind-sucking waste of time, and isolating as well. There are some that are good, and that I enjoy, but many are toxic.
In comparison, and in context, I would say this: get outdoors, spend time in nature, spend time in silence and solitude, get lots of sunshine and fresh air, and lots of exercise, stay active, follow your dreams, READ!, and reflect!; think critically as well as creatively; meditate, pray, breathe, nourish your body, mind and spirit; cultivate your inner qualities – especially confidence, compassion, clarity, courage, cheerfulness, empathy, adaptability and resilience; be socially, politically, spiritually and intellectually engaged; and seek out forms of activities, stress-relief and fun that are not harmful, and that may actually have some meaning or positive benefit. D&D fits that last description well, for me and my boy, at least, who play it a couple of times a month. And it fits the bill for many, many others as well. Maybe for you too!
Oh, and I forgot to mention: D&D can bring families and friends closer, and build or re-establish bonds of love that may have weakened or become strained. Many things can help to accomplish those precious and valuable goals, but D&D does it very well, and joyously! That alone, is more than enough reason for me. That, and the fact that bars and pints and whiskey, along with a 24/7 total absorption in politics, got a bit tired for me. So, books, nature, and D&D, among other things – that’s for me.
J. Todd Ring, Philosopher at Large January 31, 2021
PS: D&D is suitable for kids and adults age 9-99. Requirements: an imagination. Books and dice optional; although, the Fifth edition Starter Pack is a great place to begin.
Post-Script Deux: I usually play a protector paladin (justice doesn’t always dispense itself, and yes, we are our brother’s keeper) or a ranger (because the wilderness is where it’s at!) – Boethius and Stryder, respectively. If you ever come across a dwarf accompanied by his pet bear Fozzy, that just might be me.
Post-Script Three: D&D origins, and its philosophical and religious content
I just discovered that there were two role playing games before D&D – very much the prototypes, it seems – the gestational models. But where did role playing games really get going? D&D, unquestionably. (This is where I segue into musical commentary, as a bridge, also, to philosophical commentary. Carry on, those who dare! 🙂 ) It’s a little like saying there was heavy music before heavy metal. True enough – The Kinks, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin I, had some very heavy music, with distortion, with volume, etc. But heavy metal was, to me, and to the minds virtually all heavy metal fans, born with Sabbath’s first album. The full package was all there for the first time: not just volume, distortion, high energy, passion and rebellion – these were common elements of rock and roll, and especially hard rock, ever since The Kinks, You Really Got Me – but also, the ominous themes and tones, which bridged social commentary, philosophy, politics and religion, and fused them with an extremely heavy, hard rock, blues-based musical composition, which was almost as influenced by classical music, opera and jazz – and the Book of Revelations – as by Rock and Roll. Maybe a lot of people don’t like heavy metal, or the analogy, but the point is, D&D took the gestational prototypes, and made them come fully alive.
And by the way, Black Sabbath spoke of evil ruling the world, and they didn’t celebrate it, they fought it, bemoaned it, and decried it – raged against it, in fact. (Listen to the song, Lord of This World). Similarly, D&D is a mirror of our society. There is darkness and there is light, and there are infinite shades and variations. D&D has virtuous heroes, and it also has villains and monsters. D&D could be said to be a role playing game where you get to expxlore the nature of human life, in all its variations, and you decide how you deal with questions of good and evil, just as you decide how you are going to act or react to every situation you encounter. It is therapeutic in that it helps people to see what their inclinations are: patient, cautious and methodical; or bold, brash, impulsive; protective or aggressive; idealistic, intuitive, cavalier or mercenary – and it lets people explore how they want to respond to any of these things, and to myriad others. It’s a rumination, you could say. And I think that generating increased self-awareness, and empathy, for others are two very positive things.
I rest my case, your honour. (Spoken, perhaps, in the voice of Gandalf, or maybe Stryder or Lord Elron) May the jury find that: Either D&D is a virtuous and even a therapeutic game; or else it is a mirror of our society, and no more inclined toward the dark side than our society already is – and if you view it in the latter way, then it is a safe space to explore the questions of good and evil, morality, virtue, loyalty, bravery, etc.: and that exploration is probably going to be, on the whole, a positive thing for the individual who is playing the game, and for his or her family, friends, community, culture and society.
But, if you want to be strict, then throw your TV, computers, cell phones and radios out the window, censor all books for your family, and keep a tight authoritarian reign on things. Personally, I think that is a strategy that is doomed to failure, no matter what your intentions may be; and history has proven, that that assessment is generally correct. As the Taoists said, “If you want to control the cattle, move back the fences.” Modern society, and parenting, went from being too rigid and authoritarian, to overcompensating in the other direction, becoming lackadaisical, and providing little to no guidance to children or youth. I think we should aim for a better balance. And to me, D&D fits easily and well into that more balanced approach to parenting, and to life.
Here’s a great short video on why D&D is great for families:
Vin Diesel looks like a brawler, a weight-lifter, a protector paladin figure who could protect most groups against just about any creature that might threaten them. He doesn’t fit the stereotype of what a D&D player or gamer looks like. And that’s why he has become a great figurehead or front man for D&D. I’ve always liked him, since I first saw Pitch Black – possibly the best sci-fi horror film ever made. He seems like a good man – compassionate as well as confident, strong and brave. (And as he says, “Of course I play a paladin.” Naturally.) So he is a good role model for D&D maybe. In any case, he’s certainly helped to take D&D from being perceived as a fringe, quirky game that only geeks and nerds play, to something that anyone can play – and yes, people who can bench press 400 pounds play D&D. (You tell them their sissies, if you dare!) And Matt Mercer’s narration as a DM is simply wonderful. This video will give new players a taste of what D&D is all about. But remember, the setting, the quests, the characters, journeys and adventures, are entirely up to you!
Writings of J. Todd Ring
The Psychology and Therapeutic Benefits of D&D
Or,
Why D&D Kicks Butt
A long time ago, in a land called The United States, a wizard by the name of Gary Gygax created an entire new world – a world where epic fantasy, mages and heroes explore and adventure, battle monsters and dragons, and along their journeys, build friendships, and have a lot of fun. That was the beginning of role playing games (RPGs) – long before Harry Potter, the Lord of the Rings movies, or video games. That was, and is, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D).
When the Lord of the Rings films came out, and then the Harry Potter books and films, the interest in epic fantasy books, films and games went through the roof. Video RPGs spawned like mushrooms after a spring rain – all of them based, however loosely, on the original concept and platform of D&D, but with endless variations. Video games, especially RPGs, went viral, and went rapidly from geeky to cool. By 2017, however, millions of people began to realize that the original role playing game, D&D, was as fun, or more fun, than any video game. And so, D&D has had an explosive resurgence. Is this a good thing, in terms of culture, society, or human psychology? I would say yes.
I would say that TV, the internet, cell phones and video games have had, on the whole, a disastrous effect on all of the above – on culture, society, human psychology, and human relationships – as well as on politics, economics, spiritual life, intellectual life, and human health.
These things (electronic media) could be used in ways that make them great boons to humanity, but that is not generally how they are used. They are powerful inventions, and we are not using them wisely, to say the least. That is an important context to understand. And that context is not being adequately acknowledged. As one of my favourite movie lines says, “Never underestimate the power of denial.”
D&D takes us back to something more primary – direct human interaction, unmediated communication, story-telling, imagination, creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, cooperation, solidarity, teamwork and camaraderie. Electronic media can involve some of these elements, but they are dwarfed by the elements and dynamics of alienation, spectator culture, passivity, and passive ingestion of preformed and predigested cultural gobbets – and with most of them being unnourishing, and many being positively toxic. D&D is not a replacement for electronic media, communications, games or interactions, necessarily, but it brings back some important elements of human life which have been, to a large degree, eclipsed.
D&D started by taking the world of The Lord of the Rings, created by J.R.R. Tolkien, and turning it into an interactive world, set in the imagination, where a group of friends play roles of their choosing, in a story that they create as they go. Players (adventurers) can play the role of a dwarf, an elf, a human or halfling (Hobbit), a wizard, fighter/warrior, cleric/healer, ranger or bard, or any of a number of other character roles. The Dungeon Master (DM) takes on a role akin to a movie director, and has many different scenes, encounters and adventures up his or her sleeve. But in D&D, unlike a movie, the characters can choose how they act or react, where they go and what they do. The result is a game that sparks the imagination, and is ultimately limited only by the imagination.
(You don’t have to be theatrical to play D&D. You can be quiet, introverted and reserved, or extroverted and very expressive, or anywhere in between. But the game encourages self-expression, and being theatrical makes it even more fun.)
What makes D&D a positive influence on children, youth and adults, is probably three factors above all: it encourages self-expression and communication; it encourages imagination, innovative problem-solving and creativity; and it is both social and cooperative. But there are many benefits beyond these.
There is a mounting body of evidence and experience that shows that D&D, the original role playing strategy game (like chess, but with improv theatre, and no great powers of concentration required), has very positive psychological and therapeutic effects on children, youth and adults. The game is a safe and inclusive socially interactive space where self-expression is encouraged, cooperation is the foundation, diversity is seen as a strength, not a threat, and, above all, the players can let their imagination and creativity soar, while overcoming obstacles, solving problems as they journey along, confronting their fears and their demons in a safe way, and all this while relieving stress, having fun, and building friendships and happy memories. Not bad, for a mere game.
D&D has also been shown to help people with autism, depression, anxiety, social anxiety, addictions, or post-traumatic stress disorder. For that reason, psychologists and social workers are beginning to use D&D as a primary therapeutic tool, especially when other modes of therapy have had limited effect. But you can be anyone, with any background, and play D&D, and enjoy it. Smart or middling, physically strong or not so much, athletic or bookish – or both….introverted or extroverted, straight, gay, black, white, old or young…whatever…. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you bring your imagination, and share a little journey with some old or new friends – or maybe a journey that (with breaks for other aspects of life of course!) lasts for years.
And we forgot the mention the obvious: D&D is certainly better for kids and teens, or adults, than hard drugs, binge drinking, crime, violence, street gangs, excessive TV or video game playing, gambling, porn, or social media addiction – the latter being shown to be very harmful and frequently ruinous to peoples’ mental health, happiness, social connections and social relationships, and to their self-esteem. By comparison, D&D is a God-send.
The number of writers, directors, actors, musicians, designers and other creative artists who have played or still play D&D is further indication that D&D is definitely good for developing imagination, creativity and self-expression. To name just three: Vin Diesel, Mathew Mercer, Tom Morello and Stephen Spielberg.
How does Dungeons and Dragons compare to other games or leisure activities? Some games and activities involve physical exercise or being outdoors – martial arts, weight lifting, football, basketball, soccer, yoga or tennis, for example – and you could say they are superior for those reasons. But, assuming you don’t play D&D 24 hours a day, you still have lots of time to get outside, and get some physical activity.
(And why not play D&D in a grove in the woods, by a quiet stream, on a sunny day with a picnic and some good friends?)
Some games or entertainment involve role playing, but lack the strategy element – which is extremely valuable for numerous aspects of cognitive development and creativity. Other games, like chess, which is also a great game, or go, poker or bridge, involve strategy, but not the role playing aspect, which is invaluable for encouraging self-expression, and all the personal development and therapeutic and stress-relieving benefits that entails.
Some forms of entertainment tend to be highly isolating – and in a society where, as Marx said, alienation is pervasive and profound, cultivating further isolation may not always be the best thing. D&D, whether via video conferencing, or better, face to face in person, is an intrinsically social game.
As a side note here, I have to say that I am strongly in favour of people spending more time alone. That may sound paradoxical, but I believe that the root alienation, is an alienation from our deeper selves. Until and unless we decide to do the sometimes uncomfortable, or even scary thing, of spending time alone – in silence, with no music, no videos, TV or other electronics, no games, books or talking; until we decide to spend some periodic time alone, in silence and solitude, just allowing ourselves to be alone with our own thoughts, our own feelings, and our own presence, we will always be thwarted and limited in our ability to connect with others, with nature, or with reality and life itself. Time in silence and solitude is vitally important, and I would urge people to spend an hour ever morning, ideally, or at least a few minutes, doing just that, and nothing but that. That time is what reconnects us with our deeper selves. That is critical. (And yes, that was an accidental allusion to a D20 roll.)
But we don’t need to just spend time alone. We need to reconnect with ourselves, with nature, and with one another. D&D helps people to reconnect with one another. (And if you play D&D in a meadow or a park, it can be a way to reconnect with nature as well.) And because it is a fantasy role playing game, it allows people to express themselves and explore different character traits, actions, modes of being or responding – and that, in turn, allows people to explore themselves, in a safe and fun way; which in turn, helps them to reconnect with themselves – and to truly accept and honour themselves, and to be more accepting of others, and humanity, in all our diversity.
These are strong claims about the benefits of a game, but there are thousands of people who will corroborate the findings presented here. (D-20 investigation check succeeded). The game is both fun, and also has a generally positive influence on children, youth and adults. Cultivating courage, adaptability, resilience, problem-solving skills, innovation, self-expression, cooperation, patience, perseverance, creativity and self-expression, are all intrinsic parts of the game. And we can add to that, depending on how we play it, the cultivation of other positive character traits, in the players themselves. I would encourage people to reflect on what are called the alignments in the game, and reflect on how we want to live, and what we value as individuals – and to role play in ways that encourage the cultivation of positive character traits, and not negative ones. But I think the main value here is the role playing dynamic itself – however it is played.
And we forgot the mention the obvious: D&D is certainly better for kids and teens, or adults, than hard drugs, binge drinking, crime, violence, street gangs, excessive TV or video game playing, gambling or social media addiction – the latter being shown to be very harmful and frequently ruinous to peoples’ mental health, happiness, social connections and social relationships, and to their self-esteem. By comparison, D&D is a God-send.
Is D&D cool? Who cares?! It originally was not seen to be so, and now recently it is seen to be so, but who really cares? Is it any less cool, or any less chic, or any less….valuable or acceptable, than, say, playing poker, bridge, darts, or golf? To each his own, I say. If you’re not harming anyone, do as ye wilt. Personally, I find D&D more enjoyable and more fun than golf, darts, bridge, poker, or just about any other form of game or entertainment I know. 99% of the time, I’ll choose reading, writing, or time in nature. Most TV and most films are on the level of dog shit, frankly. Some films and TV shows are great, but most are garbage. The same is true for video games – most of them are a giant mind-sucking waste of time, and isolating as well. There are some that are good, and that I enjoy, but many are toxic.
In comparison, and in context, I would say this: get outdoors, spend time in nature, spend time in silence and solitude, get lots of sunshine and fresh air, and lots of exercise, stay active, follow your dreams, READ!, and reflect!; think critically as well as creatively; meditate, pray, breathe, nourish your body, mind and spirit; cultivate your inner qualities – especially confidence, compassion, clarity, courage, cheerfulness, empathy, adaptability and resilience; be socially, politically, spiritually and intellectually engaged; and seek out forms of activities, stress-relief and fun that are not harmful, and that may actually have some meaning or positive benefit. D&D fits that last description well, for me and my boy, at least, who play it a couple of times a month. And it fits the bill for many, many others as well. Maybe for you too!
Oh, and I forgot to mention: D&D can bring families and friends closer, and build or re-establish bonds of love that may have weakened or become strained. Many things can help to accomplish those precious and valuable goals, but D&D does it very well, and joyously! That alone, is more than enough reason for me. That, and the fact that bars and pints and whiskey, along with a 24/7 total absorption in politics, got a bit tired for me. So, books, nature, and D&D, among other things – that’s for me.
J. Todd Ring,
Philosopher at Large
January 31, 2021
PS: D&D is suitable for kids and adults age 9-99. Requirements: an imagination. Books and dice optional; although, the Fifth edition Starter Pack is a great place to begin.
Post-Script Deux: I usually play a protector paladin (justice doesn’t always dispense itself, and yes, we are our brother’s keeper) or a ranger (because the wilderness is where it’s at!) – Boethius and Stryder, respectively. If you ever come across a dwarf accompanied by his pet bear Fozzy, that just might be me.
Post-Script Three: D&D origins, and its philosophical and religious content
I just discovered that there were two role playing games before D&D – very much the prototypes, it seems – the gestational models. But where did role playing games really get going? D&D, unquestionably. (This is where I segue into musical commentary, as a bridge, also, to philosophical commentary. Carry on, those who dare! 🙂 ) It’s a little like saying there was heavy music before heavy metal. True enough – The Kinks, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin I, had some very heavy music, with distortion, with volume, etc. But heavy metal was, to me, and to the minds virtually all heavy metal fans, born with Sabbath’s first album. The full package was all there for the first time: not just volume, distortion, high energy, passion and rebellion – these were common elements of rock and roll, and especially hard rock, ever since The Kinks, You Really Got Me – but also, the ominous themes and tones, which bridged social commentary, philosophy, politics and religion, and fused them with an extremely heavy, hard rock, blues-based musical composition, which was almost as influenced by classical music, opera and jazz – and the Book of Revelations – as by Rock and Roll. Maybe a lot of people don’t like heavy metal, or the analogy, but the point is, D&D took the gestational prototypes, and made them come fully alive.
And by the way, Black Sabbath spoke of evil ruling the world, and they didn’t celebrate it, they fought it, bemoaned it, and decried it – raged against it, in fact. (Listen to the song, Lord of This World). Similarly, D&D is a mirror of our society. There is darkness and there is light, and there are infinite shades and variations. D&D has virtuous heroes, and it also has villains and monsters. D&D could be said to be a role playing game where you get to expxlore the nature of human life, in all its variations, and you decide how you deal with questions of good and evil, just as you decide how you are going to act or react to every situation you encounter. It is therapeutic in that it helps people to see what their inclinations are: patient, cautious and methodical; or bold, brash, impulsive; protective or aggressive; idealistic, intuitive, cavalier or mercenary – and it lets people explore how they want to respond to any of these things, and to myriad others. It’s a rumination, you could say. And I think that generating increased self-awareness, and empathy, for others are two very positive things.
I rest my case, your honour. (Spoken, perhaps, in the voice of Gandalf, or maybe Stryder or Lord Elron) May the jury find that: Either D&D is a virtuous and even a therapeutic game; or else it is a mirror of our society, and no more inclined toward the dark side than our society already is – and if you view it in the latter way, then it is a safe space to explore the questions of good and evil, morality, virtue, loyalty, bravery, etc.: and that exploration is probably going to be, on the whole, a positive thing for the individual who is playing the game, and for his or her family, friends, community, culture and society.
But, if you want to be strict, then throw your TV, computers, cell phones and radios out the window, censor all books for your family, and keep a tight authoritarian reign on things. Personally, I think that is a strategy that is doomed to failure, no matter what your intentions may be; and history has proven, that that assessment is generally correct. As the Taoists said, “If you want to control the cattle, move back the fences.” Modern society, and parenting, went from being too rigid and authoritarian, to overcompensating in the other direction, becoming lackadaisical, and providing little to no guidance to children or youth. I think we should aim for a better balance. And to me, D&D fits easily and well into that more balanced approach to parenting, and to life.
Here’s a great short video on why D&D is great for families:
Vin Diesel looks like a brawler, a weight-lifter, a protector paladin figure who could protect most groups against just about any creature that might threaten them. He doesn’t fit the stereotype of what a D&D player or gamer looks like. And that’s why he has become a great figurehead or front man for D&D. I’ve always liked him, since I first saw Pitch Black – possibly the best sci-fi horror film ever made. He seems like a good man – compassionate as well as confident, strong and brave. (And as he says, “Of course I play a paladin.” Naturally.) So he is a good role model for D&D maybe. In any case, he’s certainly helped to take D&D from being perceived as a fringe, quirky game that only geeks and nerds play, to something that anyone can play – and yes, people who can bench press 400 pounds play D&D. (You tell them their sissies, if you dare!) And Matt Mercer’s narration as a DM is simply wonderful. This video will give new players a taste of what D&D is all about. But remember, the setting, the quests, the characters, journeys and adventures, are entirely up to you!
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This entry was posted on January 31, 2021 at 4:34 pm and is filed under Uncategorized with tags addiction, anxiety, D&D, depression, entertainment, games, hobbies, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychology, PTSD, recovery, RPG, social anxiety, social commentary, social philosophy, social psychology, social theory, sociology, strategy game, therapy, trauma, TV, video games. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.