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[IbizaPocholo]

Death Stranding criticized for calling asexuality a 'sexless lifestyle'

Death Stranding has been criticized for its portrayal of asexuality, which it brands a "sexless lifestyle" in an in-game document players can read.

www.gamerevolution.com

Death Stranding has been criticized for its depiction of asexuality, with the game calling it a popular “sexless lifestyle” and suggesting that it’s responsible for a dramatic decline in its world’s birth rate. The comments are made in an interview log titled ‘An Asexual World,’ which discusses the “increasing popularity” of asexuality among young people.

“A growing percentage of the younger cohort were self-identifying as asexual, claiming to be incapable of feeling desire or attraction,” the interview reads. “Accordingly, such individuals were less likely to have children or engage in sexual activity.”



‘An Asexual World’ also goes on to discuss a theory in which “the Stranding accelerated the proliferation of these sexualities.” The Stranding is the cataclysmic world event that leaves humanity struggling for survival, which has also resulted in people growing “reticent to form emotional connections with others.”

Death Stranding developer Kojima Productions depicting asexuality as a lifestyle choice is incorrect. It is a sexual orientation that is different from sexual abstinence or celibacy. Additionally, the studio has been criticized for equating asexuality with being unable to form emotional connections. The absence of a sexual desire does not mean an individual is unable to form a connection with someone else, and it also doesn’t mean that asexuals are devoid of sexual desire — many asexuals still enjoy sex and masturbation without necessarily experiencing sexual attraction.

It’s likely that Kojima Productions was looking to draw parallels with Japan’s decreasing fertility rate, but asexuality isn’t a decision to not have sex. The reasoning behind Japan’s reduced birth rate is complex — most point to a lack of jobs and stability in its economy for young people. However, asexuality is not the cause, as it isn’t a “lifestyle choice” as implied by Death Stranding.

 

[Shifty]

Nothing to see here, just Kojima playing Nostradamus again.

 

[TeddyShardik]

I guess in the context of his created world asexuality might be seen as a negative, a detractor to the survival of Humanity.

That still doesn't make it right to throw out assumptions in a big media piece like that, which could reinforce or form real animosity toward people.

I think "reading the first paragraph of a Wikipedia page" really hit's the nail on its head.
It's a shallow analysis and representation.

EDIT: I don't attribute any malice to it though.

 

[Clear]

Its a specific comment about Japanese youth lifestyles FFS.

And yes its OBVIOUSLY a matter of lifestyle not fertility as the reason for the falling birth rate in Japan is not biological, its behavioral.

 

[Fake]

Not again...

 

[Mista]

 

[ThatGamingDude]

 

[Jack Videogames]

I think he's specifically critisizing Japan's "hervibore men" and it got somewhat lost un translation?

Even if not, isnt that what asexuals do? Not have sex?

 

[LostDonkey]

Its a fantasy world. ITS NOT REAL LIFE.

 

[KiNeMz]

So they were IDENTIFYING as asexual, as if it was a trend that started.

 

[Clear]

I think he's specifically critisizing Japan's "hervibore men" and it got somewhat lost un translation?

Even if not, isnt that what asexuals do? Not have sex?

As per usual gender identity and lifestyle choice are being freely conflated and used to bludgeon a designated target. Emblematic of how hopelessly fucked up conversation has become in these times where social credit is created by naming and shaming transgressors in the culture war.

 

[Revolutionary]

Clickbait indeed. Wish people would stop giving these sites and YouTubers attention.

 

[klosos]

When i was a teenager people who didn't want any physical contact was called frigid , now its a Sexual identity ffs.

 

[Fbh]

The less attention we give the "everything is offensive" crowd the less they'll complain

 

[ROMhack]

I suppose the issue here is describing it as a conscious 'choice', which it often isn't.

Asexuality is a complex thing determined by psychological factors — hence why it's attributed to wider cultural issues in Japan that have decreased flourishing of human relationships.

 

[bobone]

Japanese males basically have testosterone levels of 100 right now.
Its clearly a comment based on observations of his own Japanese culture.

The concept of young men preferring ANYTHING over sex is mind blowing to me. And it probably is to Kojima too.

 

[ROMhack]

Japanese males basically have testosterone levels of 100 right now.
Its clearly a comment based on observations of his own Japanese culture.

The concept of young men preferring ANYTHING over sex is mind blowing to me. And it probably is to Kojima too.

As somebody who doesn't tend to think that way, I find it a very curious thing.

Sure my day is punctuated by being attracted to women but it so rarely manifests into an outright sexual urge to fuck them.

 

[Chiggs]

The concept of young men preferring ANYTHING over sex is mind blowing to me. And it probably is to Kojima too.

And yet, that's his core demographic. Hell, I'd say he helped foster an entire generation of men like that.

 

[existensmaximum]

Strong contender in the "Most irrelevant criticism 2019 awards".

 

[EviLore]

Get on TRT.

 

[wordslaughter]

Just a bunch of narcissists who can't pass up an opportunity to make something about them.

 

[synchronicity]

EDIT: I don't attribute any malice to it though.

Yes, it's very possible to be ignorant without being malicious. I think the world would be more peaceful if we all just tried to give everyone the benefit of the doubt without knee-jerking to "set offense levels to 1000 captain!"

Personally, I just try to assume people making hurtful/hateful statements are uninformed about whatever the issue may be. I realize that is often not true, but getting angry at those who are living in a perpetual state of rage only adds fuel to the inferno.

And yet, that's his core demographic. Hell, I'd say he helped foster an entire generation of men like that.

The irony.

 

[TeddyShardik]

Yes, it's very possible to be ignorant without being malicious. I think the world would be more peaceful if we all just tried to give everyone the benefit of the doubt without knee-jerking to "set offense levels to 1000 captain!"

Personally, I just try to assume people making hurtful/hateful statements are uninformed about whatever the issue may be. I realize that is often not true, but getting angry at those who are living in a perpetual state of rage only adds fuel to the inferno.

I think the big elephant in the room, for me, is just how certain people use this plausible deniability to spout their hateful rethoric.
Everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes says some stupid shit. I think we all can get behind that.

Sometimes you just see a pattern of people being ignorant and then hiding behind the very fact that they were ignorant.
It's hard to tell apart these days who really "doesn't know better" and who just uses that "veil" to vent their bullshit.

But that gripe of mine is really off topic. It has nothing to do with the game or Kojima.


In the context of this thread I absolutely agree with you.

 

[DeepEnigma]

I don't trust people who lack critical thinking and nuance.

You are not a victim.

 

[I Love Rock 'n' Roll]

Welcome to reality were masturbation is no longer a crime.

 

[Rean no Kiseki]

 

[Psykodad]

Leave it up to the Americans to fabricate "issues".

 

[Freeman76]

The people complaining about this are a speck of dust on the scrotum of the earth and need to be flicked off and forgotten about.

 

[Rean no Kiseki]

Welcome to reality were masturbation is no longer a crime.

Who needs masturbation when you got one these.

 

[Lionel Richie]

Is it politically incorrect to tell an asexual person to go fuck himself?

 

[I Love Rock 'n' Roll]

Who needs masturbation when you got one these.

When where and how much?

 

[rofif]

sexless / asexuality = could have different japanese meanings or weird translation. And even if not? Who cares , it's a scifi world.
Let's not forget that Japan struggles with loneliness and people not leaving their houses and dying there

 

[Digity]

And yet, that's his core demographic. Hell, I'd say he helped foster an entire generation of men like that.

Spoiler: Death stranding spoiler/joke

Kojima is an extinction entity

 

[bilderberg]

So Japan's declining birth rate isn't a result of choices by it's people? What is it then..?

Also, how can you ever truly get anything correct when definitions are changing all the time? And I just don't see any real world consequence to Kojima's less than accurate depiction. So people think asexuals don't have sex...so fucking what?

 

[June]

The author should explain who or in what numbers people are making these "criticisms". Otherwise this article just comes across as them wanting to drum up responses from all sides to get dem clicks.

 

[DeepEnigma]

asexual
adjective

asex·u·al | \ (ˌ)ā-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wəl , -shü-əl, -ˈsek-shəl\
Definition of asexual

1: lacking sex or functional sex organsasexual plants

2a: involving or reproducing by reproductive processes (such as cell division, spore formation, fission (see FISSION entry 1 sense 2), or budding (see BUD entry 2 sense intransitive 3)) that do not involve the union of individuals or gametesasexual reproductionan asexual generation
b: produced by asexual reproductionasexual spores

3a: not involving, involved with, or relating to sex : devoid of sexualityan asexual relationship
b: not having sexual feelings toward others : not experiencing sexual desire or attractionIn general, an asexual person does not feel or otherwise experience any sexual attraction, according to The Asexual Visibility & Education Network (AVEN). Basically, it is an inborn absence of sexual desire.— Lindsay E. Mack

4: not having or showing a particular sexual identity : neither male nor female… parents who first encounter the world of Pokemon through their youngsters may have no idea what this land of soft, rounded, asexual creatures is or what drives it.

Definition of ASEXUAL

lacking sex or functional sex organs; involving or reproducing by reproductive processes (such as cell division, spore formation, fission, or budding ) that do not involve the union of individuals or gametes; produced by asexual reproduction… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

 

[Dane]

Japanese males basically have testosterone levels of 100 right now.
Its clearly a comment based on observations of his own Japanese culture.

The concept of young men preferring ANYTHING over sex is mind blowing to me. And it probably is to Kojima too.

Here's a thing, its not only in Japan, is in the rest of the world.

 

[LaughingStock]

We need a world war 3.

 

[TylersProphecy4.0]

Like, just playing devils advocate here (havent played ds), but what if instead of saying that's what is really happening right now, kojima is portraying how the future will perceive our actions.

When people look back on the past, it is usually through a lens of hindsight and act like those people back then could have fixed everything easily, they just chose not to.
Maybe that's what this game is saying? Maybe?

I dunno. I'm picking this shit up on pc lol.

 

[Berserking Guts]

What are we bitching and cunting about today? It's too late in the day for me to feel outraged.

 

[TylersProphecy4.0]

What are we bitching and cunting about today? It's too late in the day for me to feel outraged.

I dunno, seems like you got your bitch-cunt on full stream lol.
Maybe...have an opinion...and state it next time? About the topic of the thread?

But you do you, sleepy bitchy cunty guy!!

 

[GymWolf]

We need a world war 3.

Or alien invasion.

 

[zeorhymer]

The author should explain who or in what numbers people are making these "criticisms". Otherwise this article just comes across as them wanting to drum up responses from all sides to get dem clicks.

It's just the 1 or 3 tweets that were complaining and all of a sudden it's "the vast majority."

 

[renzolama]

many asexuals still enjoy sex and masturbation without necessarily experiencing sexual attraction

Bullshit. That's the equivalent of claiming that many people enjoy food without experiencing smell/taste. You can't 'enjoy' sex and masturbation without those acts being linked psychologically to some kind of arousing focal point.

 

[Berserking Guts]

I dunno, seems like you got your bitch-cunt on full stream lol.
Maybe...have an opinion...and state it next time? About the topic of the thread?

But you do you, sleepy bitchy cunty guy!!

What's an opinion worth in 2019?

 

[DeepEnigma]

It's just the 1 or 3 tweets that were complaining and all of a sudden it's "the vast majority."

That is how the media functions in 2019, sadly.

 

[kraspkibble]

gonna be fun visiting Resetera. their glorious god Kojima-san has betrayed them! hahahahahaha

 

[TylersProphecy4.0]

What's an opinion worth in 2019?

As much as it ever was, ie, if you dont have one, it wasnt that important to you so, yet again, got anything to say about...the topic?

 

[Berserking Guts]

As much as it ever was, ie, if you dont have one, it wasnt that important to you so, yet again, got anything to say about...the topic?

I can show you a dick pic if you want?

 

[TylersProphecy4.0]

gonna be fun visiting Resetera. their glorious god Kojima-san has betrayed them! hahahahahaha

As many people hate kojima there as here. You think resetera would put up with his views/usage of women? HA!