“I know a word can be untrue and yet still move you…”

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I’m not a big video game player.

 

But, I confess, I indulge on occasion.

 

It was at two of these infrequent instances that the women with me voiced the exact same concern, without knowing of one another’s opinion:

 

“I don’t like [Fable II] because there’s no way to make my [female] avatar attractive.”

 

 

 

Needless to say, my initial – very male – knee-jerk-yet-unvoiced reaction was:

 

Who cares? 

 

Your character has powerful weapons, lethal spells and devastating maneuvers.

 

 Fortunately for your humble host, I was wise enough to think before I spoke.

 

It was that sagacious silence that led me to a minor epiphany, of sorts.

 

 

 

They cared so deeply because, to females:

 

Appearance is power.

 

The idea is so rooted, so foundational, so instinctual, that – even in a game – it is paramount. 

 

Regardless of media, social trends or even upbringing, the fact is accepted (if not consciously acknowledged).

 

 

 

Needless to say, as a man, I could not grasp the concept initially.

 

Because it’s simply not my reality.

 

As I’m fond of saying to women with whom I associate:

 

As long as you can see the “Alpha” around my fat, I’m in.

 

Fat just makes it harder to see.

 

 

 

Yet, for women, form is substance.

 

Their appearance has a tremendous impact on a fate between rags and riches.

 

Fame and ignominy.

 

And, worst of all, right and wrong.

 

(How many girls think themselves smarter than they are since they’re physically attractive?

 

Many, sadly, which comes to bite them in the ass later in life but that’s a tale for another day.) 

 

 

 

As I’ve said before, I say again:

 

All the best art and literature centers around two things:

 

Sex and violence.

 

Because they are the paths to power for women and men, respectively.

 

 

 

 

 

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