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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be shocked by Cards Against Humanity game?

82 replies

Topaz25 · 19/05/2014 07:45

I saw a few Facebook friends mentioning this fun game they're playing, Cards Against Humanity, so I thought I'd check it out. The aim of the game is to come up with funny and offensive card combinations. I was aware that the humour was adult and offensive and I don't think of myself as a prude but I was still shocked to find that it contains references to: ‘Madeleine McCann’, ‘Jade Goody’s cancerous remains’ and the Hillsborough disaster. One of my Facebook friends who plays is a mother so I'm shocked that she has no empathy for Madeline McCann's mother. I know this game is protected by free speech etc but AIBU to think less of anyone who plays it?

OP posts:
TheAwfulDaughter · 19/05/2014 08:17

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Original poster
Topaz25 · 19/05/2014 08:29

I was shocked that a parent couldn't relate to another parent's loss. The parent I am talking about in this specific situation happens to be a mother. Does every post really have to use gender neutral pronouns to avoid offence or can we just focus on the actual issue?

OP posts:
dawndonnaagain · 19/05/2014 08:39

My son has too much empathy. He has AS. He, along with half his university play the game. It's a trend. It will fade.

NinjaLeprechaun · 19/05/2014 08:44

You've obviously played a different version of the game than I have, because I've never seen those cards or anything like them. (I live in the US, most people wouldn't have a clue what they were about anyway.) Anybody can make cards for this game, and there are dozens if not hundreds of versions.
Maybe it's a question of personal taste, and I'd never play with my mother, but I've never personally seen a card I thought was out and out offensive.

Madratlady · 19/05/2014 09:03

IS this an online version? Unless they've updated the actual physical game since I last played I've not seen those cards. Although some of the cards are pretty tasteless, it's mostly just slightly inappropriate black humour.

Madratlady · 19/05/2014 09:06

Sorry just noticed that you appear to be referring to the Facebook game. I assume whoever made that version felt the need to add those references. I think yanbu to think that making a joke about those things is unpleasant but yabu to judge people for playing the game in general.

QueenofallIsee · 19/05/2014 09:07

We play it, we enjoyed suggesting that Vladimir Putins favourite breakfast is a performing midget stuffed with Lance Armstrongs left testicle. In my opinion this does not make me anything other than someone who has a rather juvenile sense of humour whilst in my own home. I have 4 children and I am sure, plenty of empathy

Get a grip.

LokiTheCynicalCat · 19/05/2014 09:08

To be fair, the tagline is "A Party Game for Horrible People", so I think one should not expect any of it to be naice.

LokiTheCynicalCat · 19/05/2014 09:10

Ah, I also thought you meant the card game, not a Facebook game. I have the US version so didn't comment on any references that seemed British, but anything Facebook related is obviously U.

StarSwirl92 · 19/05/2014 09:10

Could you go join the Daily Fail in its indignation, it's a game not an election poster.

Binkybix · 19/05/2014 09:11

I've played it, but agree with you that some of the cards are a bit too much. I take those out.

Fforganiser · 19/05/2014 09:12

Was your research into the game a Daily Mail article by any chance? I know lots of people who play the game and they all have bags of empathy thanks.

Canthisonebeused · 19/05/2014 09:13

Ninja the British version of the game is far edgier than the US. They do have the content the OP described and far worse.

Though I do love the game. As it is just that a game.

SuperSophie · 19/05/2014 09:14

I'm surprised the cards are not in even worse taste.

Kate McCann, Jade Goody and Liverpool FC all have a lot of haters and so it's easy to see why they might figure in such a game.

I'm sure there must also be cards depicting in the worst possible taste many well-loved characters and universally-regretted tragedies.

If not, people with 'good' taste in comedy should be very grateful.

Original poster
Topaz25 · 19/05/2014 09:28

I did mean the card game, I just saw comments about it on Facebook. I think the cards I mentioned are in a special UK edition.

Fforganiser
There are other articles about it out there. Here is a non DM article, which quotes the project leader of the British version of the game, as
well as The McCanns’ spokesman and families of victims of the Hillsborough disaster.
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/hillsborough-families-card-game-mocking-7137034

OP posts:
Original poster
Topaz25 · 19/05/2014 09:31

I have 4 children and I am sure, plenty of empathy

That's great. Given that you have children and empathy, do you not feel any empathy for Madeline McCann's parents? Can you not imagine how you would feel if one of your children went missing and someone was not only joking about it but profiting from it? Why buy and play this game knowing it upsets her family?

OP posts:
newsecretidentity · 19/05/2014 09:52

It's format isn't a lot different than the "mad libs" we did as kids. If there are topics you don't like, you can remove them from the deck and bin them.

ItsAFuckingVase · 19/05/2014 09:53

Don't know what the other cards are, or what the point of the game is, but I don't really see the "game value" in something that mocks the murder of 96 people and the subsequent 23yr cover up.

ClashCityRocker · 19/05/2014 10:14

I hadn't heard of it til this thread...

SolidGoldBrass · 19/05/2014 10:21

Oh waa waa waa FFS! It's just a game that nobody is compelled to join in with.

And don't forget that for many people, sick humour is the way they cope with their own tragedies and traumas. It doesn't make them a danger to you or anyone else.

QueenofallIsee · 19/05/2014 10:48

I don't believe that the McCann case is funny. I would not wander up to the parents and suggest a quick game of Cards Against Humanity. As it goes nor would I do what many of people on this forum do, and state on the internet all my spurious thoughts on their guilt. I am fairly sure that is more damaging to the family than a name on a card.

Due to the press interest, coverage and frenzy, the case has been absorbed into our culture. When I say that, I mean that it has become a common reference point for UK people. The game is intended to take those common references and push the boundaries. I also found Brass Eye funny by the way, that is a similar thing and splits opinion. The whole point of these things is the poor taste, the taking of cultural norms and shaking them up.

So I repeat. Get.A.Grip. I am sure you can find a petition somewhere to sign

Original poster
Topaz25 · 19/05/2014 10:51

It doesn't make them a danger to you or anyone else.

I never said it did.

OP posts:
Original poster
Topaz25 · 19/05/2014 10:54

As it goes nor would I do what many of people on this forum do, and state on the internet all my spurious thoughts on their guilt. I am fairly sure that is more damaging to the family than a name on a card.

That may be upsetting but people are not paid to speculate online, they are paid to produce this game, why contribute to that?

OP posts:
MrsAlexVause · 19/05/2014 10:54

I love it. My friends and I have had hours of fun with it.

Original poster
Topaz25 · 19/05/2014 11:00

Can anyone actually explain to me why you think it is ok to support something that causes grieving relatives so much distress?

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