I've often wondered if fictional characters make appropriate ethical role-models for adults. A lot is said of 'role models' for young people in fiction, be they in soap operas or books, but there's rarely talk about whether it's right for adults to turn to created people in fiction for moral guidance.
This is why the concept of 'Fiction Lag' is so interesting to me. If I play games involving virtuous characters, will I subconsciously be moved to act in real life in an accordingly virtuous way? Is courage contagious between a fictional person and a real one? If I were to role-play a dishonest character, would it nudge me toward more duplicitous behaviour in my every day dealings with people?
Perhaps as role-players we are more susceptible to Fiction Lag because we not only empathise with our characters, we actively seek to get inside their heads to act them out. We're all aware that personality transference can happen from player to PC, but what about the other way around?
maybe i should like curb bryn's racism a bit idk
This is why the concept of 'Fiction Lag' is so interesting to me. If I play games involving virtuous characters, will I subconsciously be moved to act in real life in an accordingly virtuous way? Is courage contagious between a fictional person and a real one? If I were to role-play a dishonest character, would it nudge me toward more duplicitous behaviour in my every day dealings with people?
Perhaps as role-players we are more susceptible to Fiction Lag because we not only empathise with our characters, we actively seek to get inside their heads to act them out. We're all aware that personality transference can happen from player to PC, but what about the other way around?
maybe i should like curb bryn's racism a bit idk
