howtonotsuckatgamedesign:

Earlier today I shared a link to a patent by Microsoft for tech that would allow Microsoft to use the Kinect camera to identify who and how many people are sitting in front of the machine at any given time it’s on.

The patent explicitly states that the tech is designed for DRM (digital rights management) purposes, that it is about tracking who and how many of the people in the room are actually allowed consume the program. This means the techs purpose is to allow for example to charge per viewing person, when it comes to rental films, not per download or rent…. per viewing person.

Also since the Kinect camera would be used as a DRM device, using the Kinect in those circumstances would not be voluntary. You know, as there is no such thing as DRM, which the customer is allowed not to conform to. Yes, this tech would force you to let Microsoft film you.

I phrased it like this: “Mircosoft plans to charge for movies PER VIEWING PERSON on sofa via mandatory Kinect camera.”

Now: 

Inevitably people responded with similar claims of  “Just because they (Microsoft) filed a patent, that does not mean they will use it.” …which is true. But WHY THE FLYING FUCK, ARE YOU THROWING THAT IN THERE? 

It has neither relevance regarding the invasive purpose of the tech, nor relevance regarding the purpose of taking control away from you as a customer. And – even worse – when in doubt, it’s the most stupid and wrong and dangerous side to err on.

Seriously, this what you want anyone to understand? “Yeah, someone at Microsoft thought there would be absolutely no beneficial application for an invasive technology, so they went ahead developing, patenting and producing it anyway…” Seriously, that’s what you want to add to the “debate”? Because it’s a possibility… What THE FUCK IS YOUR PROBLEM?

The core of every of those comments is a call for people to relax. “Relax, maybe they wont actually use the technology.” Don’t ask people to care less. That’s what you are doing!

I get this shit about fucking everything! Relax, most people don’t care anyway. Relax, not everyone using “faggot” as an insult is actually hating gay people. Relax, it’s not like every man is a rapist. Relax, some people just want to get angry about something. Relax, it doesn’t affect ME. Relax, some people are just over sensitive. Relax, it’s not like every black person has bad experiences with racism. Relax, it’s not like every female character in games is sexualized or objectified. Relax, there are worse things to be concerned about. Relax, just because someone drives drunk, that does not mean that person will cause an accident.

All of those reasons you give to relax are true. BUT NONE OF THEM ARE RIGHT!

None of them make the problem go away. None of them make the problem less likely. And none of them absolve the respective perpetrator from the responsibility of either maliciously or irresponsibly neglecting risk, rights and actual damages.  None of them are actually a reason to care less.

All you do is spreading your own ignorance. All you do is arguing for turning a blind eye towards a horrible situation. Worse even, if you DO care. When you correct people you politically agree with in details like this or because you would have phrased it differently, you then wasted the time and energy of two people, sometimes more, who could have been fighting the good fight.

You really really really have to ask yourself if you have a really really really good reason to correct people who get worked up about real problems. And if you don’t – if that person is not harming anyone for example – you NEED TO SHUT THE FUCK UP!

This is no game! I’m not ranting about corporate bullshit or sexism because I have no hobbies. I’m working my ass off to make a difference here.

… and you think correcting me on how I am supposed to feel is more important, than fighting against corporate control, sexism, bigotry and creative bankruptcy?

 … and you think correcting me on how I am supposed to argue is more important, than fighting against corporate control, sexism, bigotry and creative bankruptcy?

… and you think dragging me onto your cozy “I don’t give a fuck”-island is more important, than fighting against corporate control, sexism, bigotry and creative bankruptcy?

Seriously. No. It isn’t. Stop asking people to calm down, to not panic, to relax, to give less fucks. Stop being part of the problem.

Thanks.

(via commandersheena)