When I tell people that Wagner is my favorite composer, they often look at me in surprise. “Aren't you Jewish?” Yes. “Well doesn't his antisemitism bother you?”

Of course it does. But a person is a very complex and multifaceted thing. A coward can be brave. A tyrant can be noble. A genius can be idiotic.

Just as Martin Luther was a raging antisemite and still showed bravery in his role in the Reformation, Wagner managed to make beautiful music from a heart that was largely imperfect and maligned.

If the ideas underlying Shadow Complex, too, come from a heart that is maligned, then I will enjoy the game in spite of that fact… not because of it, not in ignorance of it. In spite of it.

I'm glad others have taken it upon themselves to elevate this controversy, showing a light upon Card's more nefarious side. Additional debate is always a good thing. I, for one, had no idea about Card's homophobia prior to this debate. And I like to be informed.

But I also like to be entertained. Just as the information about Card allows me to grow as a participant in the public dialogue about gay rights, the experience of Shadow Complex allows me to grow as a thinking, experienced participant in gameplay and the larger context of gaming.

Would I enjoy Shadow Complex as much if it were filled with homophobic venom (and it isn't)? Probably not. But I would still be willing to experience it, to sit with it and listen to what the designers, or in this hypothetical case, Card, has to say. I may not agree with or support the end-result. But my money is not always a vote of confidence.

Sometimes it simply represents my entry into the dialogue.

When I tell people that Wagner is my favorite composer, they often look at me in surprise. “Aren't you Jewish?” Yes. “Well doesn't his antisemitism bother you?”

Of course it does. But a person is a very complex and multifaceted thing. A coward can be brave. A tyrant can be noble. A genius can be idiotic.

Just as Martin Luther was a raging antisemite and still showed bravery in his role in the Reformation, Wagner managed to make beautiful music from a heart that was largely imperfect and maligned.

If the ideas underlying Shadow Complex, too, come from a heart that is maligned, then I will enjoy the game in spite of that fact… not because of it, not in ignorance of it. In spite of it.

I'm glad others have taken it upon themselves to elevate this controversy, showing a light upon Card's more nefarious side. Additional debate is always a good thing. I, for one, had no idea about Card's homophobia prior to this debate. And I like to be informed.

But I also like to be entertained. Just as the information about Card allows me to grow as a participant in the public dialogue about gay rights, the experience of Shadow Complex allows me to grow as a thinking, experienced participant in gameplay and the larger context of gaming.

Would I enjoy Shadow Complex as much if it were filled with homophobic venom (and it isn't)? Probably not. But I would still be willing to experience it, to sit with it and listen to what the designers, or in this hypothetical case, Card, has to say. I may not agree with or support the end-result. But my money is not always a vote of confidence.

Sometimes it simply represents my entry into the dialogue.

I'm still going to be buying Shadow Complex, for instance, because it looks like a great game, but I don't have to silently tolerate Orson Scott Card or Peter David in doing so.

I'll also repeat what I said at Gay Gamer: I'm less inclined to buy the game after reading Peter David's comments. I won't be made to feel like I'm putting ANYONE in “financial ruin” because I fail to buy their product. I'm not taking money away from them, I'm just failing to give them any. I also won't be guilt tripped into buying the game so I won't be the intolerant one.

Unlike others, I do not wish to see Card out of work. I don't wish to change his views or opinions. I do, however, wish he could express himself in a respectful way. Chair can continue to make works based off Card. Card can continue to be a successful author. I, however, won't be buying his products.