What "escapism" really means?

[Turanil]

I often see comments on playing D&D for "escapism". While I do understand the word Escape, and can figure out vaguely what the term "escapism" means where D&D is concerned, can someone tell me what it is supposed to mean exactly. And why it is deragotary to say of someone that he is an "escapist" for playing D&D?

Thanks.

 

[IronWolf]

Well the dictionary (Merriam-Webster) says this for the definition of escapism:

Main Entry: es·cap·ism
Pronunciation: is-'kA-"pi-z&m
Function: noun
: habitual diversion of the mind to purely imaginative activity or entertainment as an escape from reality or routine

I would think D&D classifies as imaginative activity, entering a world of dragons and great heroes for several hours each week. I myself think escapism is certainly healthy. For that matter someone that plays golf for 6 hours on the weekend is escaping the pressures of everyday life for those 6 hours a week too, just to play golf instead of killing dragons.

I think escapism can have a negative tone if one is using it to avoid everyday issues on a regular basis, preferring to enter the imaginary world of D&D and avoiding making decisions in life. I think that is an extreme case, but it probably happens.

Just my random thoughts before I head out this morning....

 

[Turanil]

Thanks.

 

[Torm]

In addition, escapism can make someone dangerous to themself and others, if one starts to lose the distinction of what is real and what isn't. Doing things like referring to other people as having a high or low charisma score (as opposed to saying they are or aren't very charasmatic) and/or referring to yourself by a character name when you aren't playing can make people worry that you're going to go all Mazes and Monsters on them.

I'm honestly not sure why people single out D&D for this, though, when in fact it is the entire hobby/profession of acting - playing roles - that has this danger. Look at what happened to George Reeves. And he certainly hasn't been alone. But I doubt very many would argue that the entire art should be stopped because of it - nor should a really enjoyable and mostly harmless game.

People who are prone to taking it too far are not "suffering from the game", they already had problems and they used the game to manifest. And I've actually known of people who were helped by a healthy dose of temporary "insane" escapism, in situations that really needed escaping.

 

[WayneLigon]

I'm honestly not sure why people single out D&D for this, though, when in fact it is the entire hobby/profession of acting - playing roles - that has this danger. Look at what happened to George Reeves. And he certainly hasn't been alone.

Re: Reeves: Urban Legend. I can't say I've ever heard of an actor or actress becoming obessed with a part to the point where he or she actually beleived he was that role, but I'm sure there are some who have done it.

Obviously people single out D&D for this label because of the infamous and just as false Egbert case, or through the various word-of-mouth fiction that's grown up since then.

More commonly the label of escapism (in the negative sense) is laid on those who read a great deal, especially those who read 'escapist' fiction.

 

[LightPhoenix]

Escapism, like anything else, is good in moderation but bad in excess or deprivation.

There are things that are more or less escapist. Role-playing happens to be one of the more heavily escapist activities one can do. Not just gaming, but also in therapy as well as in... more adult ventures.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

Though I often point out, when the subject comes up, that it's possible to take part in RPGs or to indulge in other similar activities for reasons other than escapism.

I, for one, have never played for escapism. I don't look down on it, but I've just never done it.

 

[Desdichado]

I'm not really into RPGs for escapism either. I became interested in fantasy at a very young age, and I have a pretty happy and healthy life, overall. I'm not interested in escaping from it, for the most part, and I certainly didn't as a 5 year old.

 

[shock the monkey]

I'm not so sure it's as black and white as people would have you believe. Besides, how objective can a person be when life is so fluid and ever-changing? Who's to say that, in times of stress, an otherwise balanced person doesn't delve more deeply into the game, perhaps unconsciously avoiding the causes of such stress? How accurate can we be in assessing such a moment in our lives?

I think we'd all like to think of ourselves as rational controlled, individuals, but I think this is the same thing as assigning one's self D&D stats; it's purely subjective.

 

[Desdichado]

I'm not sure that I buy that most people can't tell if they enjoy escapism or not. While probably true for some people, those are probably numerically the equivalent of folks that start to blur the lines between fantasy and reality ala Mazes and Monsters.