On April 29 2024 05:45 rwala wrote:
Some tools for handling these issues when they pop up in e-sports and other contexts:
1. Ditch the Whataboutism. That other governments and business entities we support commit human rights abuses does not justify the Saudi government's atrocious human rights record. Nor does it particularly matter whether we are being 100% consistent in how we protest or take action by focusing on this one particular bad actor at this moment. Because we think and act with various heuristics and biases, none of us are immune from some amount of hypocrisy and it's better to care inconsistently than be consistently apathetic.
2. Try not to get triggered if some fans decide they want to boycott the event or take actions denouncing the human rights record of the Saudi regime. This is not a judgement on your personal decision to watch or support the event...treating it as such and reacting harshly smacks of insecurity. Similarly, try not to judge others if they decide they want to watch and support the event. There are almost certainly ways that each and every one of us thinks, talks, or acts that others find a tad questionable, and in my experience preaching less can be helpful.
3. There are ways to raise these issues beyond boycotts and divestment. Even this thread helps, and I'm sure the Saudi gov't isn't happy that this community is having this convo. These events are actually a great opportunity to remind people that this is a regime that butchers, tortures, and commits many other horrific abuses. In the context of the Olympics, governments sometimes do "diplomatic" boycotts to protest human rights abuses, which essentially is a symbolic boycott in which countries refuse to send government envoys while insisting that players' rights are respected. Don't underestimate the power of these symbolic gestures. After all, the Saudi gov't is doing this precisely because of the symbolic power it can exert by projecting itself in a positive light on an international stage.
Thanks for posting about this and for the lively back-and-forth.
Some tools for handling these issues when they pop up in e-sports and other contexts:
1. Ditch the Whataboutism. That other governments and business entities we support commit human rights abuses does not justify the Saudi government's atrocious human rights record. Nor does it particularly matter whether we are being 100% consistent in how we protest or take action by focusing on this one particular bad actor at this moment. Because we think and act with various heuristics and biases, none of us are immune from some amount of hypocrisy and it's better to care inconsistently than be consistently apathetic.
2. Try not to get triggered if some fans decide they want to boycott the event or take actions denouncing the human rights record of the Saudi regime. This is not a judgement on your personal decision to watch or support the event...treating it as such and reacting harshly smacks of insecurity. Similarly, try not to judge others if they decide they want to watch and support the event. There are almost certainly ways that each and every one of us thinks, talks, or acts that others find a tad questionable, and in my experience preaching less can be helpful.
3. There are ways to raise these issues beyond boycotts and divestment. Even this thread helps, and I'm sure the Saudi gov't isn't happy that this community is having this convo. These events are actually a great opportunity to remind people that this is a regime that butchers, tortures, and commits many other horrific abuses. In the context of the Olympics, governments sometimes do "diplomatic" boycotts to protest human rights abuses, which essentially is a symbolic boycott in which countries refuse to send government envoys while insisting that players' rights are respected. Don't underestimate the power of these symbolic gestures. After all, the Saudi gov't is doing this precisely because of the symbolic power it can exert by projecting itself in a positive light on an international stage.
Thanks for posting about this and for the lively back-and-forth.
You chopped up that criticism like we would a reporter! Nice!