Israeli Army says "Do NOT roll a D20 to make a save vs. gunfire!"

MrBishop · 12-13-2006, 02:07 PM

Army frowns on Dungeons and Dragons
IDF says players are detached from reality and automatically given a low security clearance
By Hanan Greenberg

Published: 02.28.05, 14:17

Does the Israel Defense Forces believe incoming recruits and soldiers who play Dungeons and Dragons are unfit for elite units? Ynet has learned that 18-year-olds who tell recruiters they play the popular fantasy game are automatically given low security clearance.

“They're detached from reality and suscepitble to influence,” the army says.

Fans of the popular roleplaying game had spoken of rumors of this strange policy by the IDF, but now the army has confirmed that it has a negative image of teens who play the game and labels them as problematic in regard to their draft status.

So if you like fantasy games, go see the military psychologist.

Dungeons and Dragons (also known as D&D) has been a popular roleplaying game for decades and is based on a fantasy world.

One player assumes the role of “Dungeon Master,” which entails directing the game and controlling the labyrinth, while the others select from a large selection of characters that includes warriors, magicians, dwarfs and thieves.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...052074,00.html

captain carrot · 12-14-2006, 05:57 AM

this is news or comment, not rpg Bish.

Interesting article ..you can see a smidgin of a point ...but it's completely OTT ..and reeks of the desire to socially conform a whole society to a militarism that, whilst understandable, is not good imho.

***Tessar*** · 12-14-2006, 12:05 PM

Quite true. Moved to general messages.

**Nurvingiel** · 12-14-2006, 06:05 PM

That policy is... utterly ridiculous. There are so many things wrong with it. The stupidity burns. There isn't even a semblance of a point.

1. There is no correlation between being easily influenced and playing D&D.
2. If you wanted to find out if there was a connection, you'd have to isolate other social factors like upbringing, education, and who knows what else.
3. It is far more logical to assume that an 18-year-old has a firm grasp on what is fantasy and what is reality.

Somewhere in the Israeli army is a brasshat who's a complete moron.

captain carrot · 12-14-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nurvingiel

That policy is... utterly ridiculous.

'ere Nurv de la "Vice" lord ... if me an Tessar agree, it's officially indisputable.

it DOES belong in GM

....

you know how nice it is not to get accused and bashed on any and every post?

Goodstuff!

.............

anyway, back on topic - yeah, it's carzy and in a sinister way, ...er, sinsister-leaning ...

but, i contend, in isreal's situation ... there is a point there ... but the really interesting question is about what that actually reveals rather then ther D&D stuff...

...anyway, you good Nurv?

xx

Lotesse · 12-14-2006, 06:31 PM

I don't understand what the problem is, I mean D & D is an excellent way to fine-hone strategic fighting skilss. It's like the same kind of mental excersice for thinking in a great war-minded strategic way as is playing Chess. You'd think the Army would be encouraging the soldiers to play a little D&D once in a while; it's an excersice to strengthen mental acuity like that. People are weird, man. And yeah, you'd have to be a real yutz to confuse role-playing games with reality, for chrissake.

12-13-2006, 02:07 PM	#1
MrBishop Elven Warrior Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 118	Israeli Army says "Do NOT roll a D20 to make a save vs. gunfire!" Army frowns on Dungeons and Dragons IDF says players are detached from reality and automatically given a low security clearance By Hanan Greenberg Published: 02.28.05, 14:17 Does the Israel Defense Forces believe incoming recruits and soldiers who play Dungeons and Dragons are unfit for elite units? Ynet has learned that 18-year-olds who tell recruiters they play the popular fantasy game are automatically given low security clearance. “They're detached from reality and suscepitble to influence,” the army says. Fans of the popular roleplaying game had spoken of rumors of this strange policy by the IDF, but now the army has confirmed that it has a negative image of teens who play the game and labels them as problematic in regard to their draft status. So if you like fantasy games, go see the military psychologist. Dungeons and Dragons (also known as D&D) has been a popular roleplaying game for decades and is based on a fantasy world. One player assumes the role of “Dungeon Master,” which entails directing the game and controlling the labyrinth, while the others select from a large selection of characters that includes warriors, magicians, dwarfs and thieves. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...052074,00.html __________________ RPG gamers talk and podcast Chucky and Larry Blog

12-14-2006, 06:31 PM	#6
Lotesse of the House of Fëanor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,150	I don't understand what the problem is, I mean D & D is an excellent way to fine-hone strategic fighting skilss. It's like the same kind of mental excersice for thinking in a great war-minded strategic way as is playing Chess. You'd think the Army would be encouraging the soldiers to play a little D&D once in a while; it's an excersice to strengthen mental acuity like that. People are weird, man. And yeah, you'd have to be a real yutz to confuse role-playing games with reality, for chrissake. __________________ Few people have the imagination for reality. ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

12-14-2006, 05:57 AM	#2
captain carrot Elven Warrior Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 138	this is news or comment, not rpg Bish. Interesting article ..you can see a smidgin of a point ...but it's completely OTT ..and reeks of the desire to socially conform a whole society to a militarism that, whilst understandable, is not good imho.

12-14-2006, 12:05 PM	#3
*Tessar* Master and Wielder of the Cardboard Harp of Gondor Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: IM IN UR POSTZ, EDITIN' UR WURDZ Posts: 6,433	Quite true. Moved to general messages.