What is your view on RP or ERP and why is it so taboo within the community?

[s3ystic]

There are entire walls of text and tons of research done on this subject. To go through it all would be too massive on a forum like this. So my explanation to this very complex subject has oversimplified. Please understand it is oversimplified.

1) There is a history of bad blood all the way back when role playing games were just books, pencils and dice. Role-playing has been perpetuated by media and other sources as being an outcast/nerd/socially awkward hobby. Despite evidence to the contrary.

2) Some people do not understand it, or are bad at it, therefore have to demonize it.

3) Some role-players have in turn been aggressive and boorish, role-playing like a steamroller over other people who find it awkward. These people then push back, really hard, often grabbing a bigger mob to help champion ant-rolepaying. Both sides have been bullies in the past.

4) Fandoms ... Fandoms and role-players of fandoms, I just cant tell you how bad modern fandoms have been for the roleplaying scene.

Its best to keep it to your friends and to recruit role-players through conventional means rather than public demonstration, lest you drag in unwanted elements to your sessions.