Does 40k Effectively Encourage Hatred?

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**Voss**

Sgt_Smudge wrote:
CommunistNapkin wrote:
Folks in the States have a very different opinion on what freedom of speech means compared to people in other countries. In the states, freedom of speech means that people have the right to speak freely all of their opinions and should not be censored, regardless of how horrible their ideas are. Those ideas should be challenged, ignored, and/or mocked, but they shouldn't be censored. In many other countries, this idea of freedom of speech does not exist, hence the idea of "hate speech," or language that must be shut down because it is offensive, hurtful, incorrect, etc. I think that's part of the disagreement you guys are having.
I think the only disagreement here boils down to "is freedom of hatespeech allowed without consequences".

Again, I hasten to mention again that the UDHR does not support hatespeech as a right to freedom of expression.

Following up on this, I'm just going to reiterate the 'Folks in the States' part.
Referring to the the UDHR is just going to generate blank stares and confusion, there's really only a single point of reference when Americans talk about 'freedom of speech.'
Well, there is a second, but its religious and doesn't have that concept.

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Anyway, to the OP's question: no.
Fiction exploring fictional concepts doesn't encourage real life behavior. Video games don't create violence, rock music and D&D don't create Satanists (oogy boogy satanists that never existed, even).
If that's anyone's take, go off and read your Chick Tracts, because it sounds like the same sort of bigotry with a new target. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick_tract see Controversies)
Other-izing gamers, assuming further 'deviancy' and demanding they recant is still appalling even if its coming from a different direction.

**Voss**

Da Boss wrote:
I really enjoyed reading this thread, and I think the level to which everyone is so tense in replying is sad. Everyone who has replied basically agrees with how to deal with the problem, they basically only disagree on the extent of the problem or whether GW should bear responsibility.

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I think if we accept that fascists like 40K a lot (and those who haven't encountered it, it does exist) then we can examine why that is. And yeah, we can do something about it.

This latter statement of yours is why its 'so tense.'
Its unclear who you've decided to Otherize as 'fascists' and what 'something' you intend to do about it.

It seems better to let gamers enjoy the fiction they know is fiction, and if you have to be seen 'doing something,' addressing real world problems would be better.

**Voss**

Wolfblade wrote:
Sgt_Smudge wrote:

Wolfblade wrote:After reading some of this thread it amazes me that people forget scumbags like arch (formerly arch warhammer) and his sizable following exist.

You know, the guy who was against GW's statement in which they say their setting is not what they want the real world to be and all forms of bigotry are bad.
Yeah, how quickly some folks seem to forget that. Like, outright racial slurs on his channel, and some VERY suspect comments on his discord with some very racist overtones.

More like open support of fascism/authoritarianism, very explicitly and extremely racist remarks, anti-trans remarks, saying "people with X political views aren't human," and outright support for genocide as a "solution." And that's just his discord, let alone his two youtube channels (of which his primary is 40k related and his views frequently creep into his videos).

My view on the whole issue is that Warhammer's setting attracts these kinds of people because a lot of the lore and art is their (mostly) ideal world or worldview. I.E. The might makes right, or how the Imperium is made of mostly white male figures in the art, and a lot of the stories (and yes, there are obvious exceptions like Gaunt's Ghosts, but for). It's why they kick up such a fuss every time there's any sort of diversity beyond what 40k has historically had (i.e. the black Ultramarine set these people off), and it's always hidden under the guise of "but muh lore!" The Warhammer community needs to be more aware of these people and stand up to them better instead of sweeping them under the rug and pretending they don't exist/aren't a problem.

Bigoted youtubers are a problem. But its a problem with the specific youtubers and the supporters they gather, not with the game or setting.
There are similar ones who are fans of various ancient cultures, and even one who originally seemed to be a rationalist defender of science and evolution before he descended into all out madness. It doesn't mean ancient history or evolution are pro-fascist ideologies.

You're making a mess of cause and effect. Mass social media like youtube makes it easy for Cult of Personality folks to gather followers to a central hub, especially when everything about it is online. You want to get rid of this guy? Appeal to youtube to de-platform him, don't berate GW or (even worse) gamers in general. You might as well complain to clothing manufacturers that they're supporting some guy who dares to dress himself in the morning.