Opinion poll: Borrowing games

[groza528]

So I was having a conversation with a co-worker "Alice." Apparently at some point last year, other co-workers "Bob" and "Charlie" had a small scuffle at some point last year. Bob had bought a new video game, not sure which game it was. Charlie was thinking about buying the same game, but he wanted to try it out first (which we agree is reasonable.) The problem was that Bob had not yet had a chance to play it, so he said "No Charlie, you may not play my game before me, even though I'm going to be away for a week and can't play it right now anyway."
Alice thinks that that is completely childish and petty. I think it's totally legit and Alice just doesn't understand because she isn't a gamer. GL, what do you think?

[The Potter]

There is something human about the desire to be first. It may be petty and pointless but goddammit I am the first response! My triumphs will be remembered for decades and the meek will bow at my feet.
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Artwork | Fractals | Don't ignore your dreams; don't work too much; say what you think; cultivate friendships; be happy.

[Jedo the Jedi]

[LordKinbote]

I think that, in most cases, it's your right to refuse to let someone borrow your stuff regardless of the reason and regardless of what is being borrowed.

Like, that if Charlie never returns it? What if Charlie damages it before Bob gets a chance to even use it?

[The Ragin' South Asian]

It would be more mature to lend the game given the circumstances. But I don't think it'd reasonable to ask someone to lend something they haven't had a chance to use yet. Bob didn't buy it to save Charlie money.

[groza528]

[Jedo the Jedi]

My point was it is minor and inconsequential, a $50 game.

I've been in Bob's position and in Charlie's position before, and I guess since I'm more open-handed when I'm Bob, I don't see why other people aren't. Don't get me wrong, I understand the reservations, but it just seems like an easy and not-really-inconveniencing-to-myself thing to lend out the game even if I haven't had a chance yet.

Anyway, I don't suppose either position is "wrong," but I think one is clearly better.
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Paragon Tally: 18 mafia, 3 SKs (1 twice), 1 cultist, numerous chat scum...and counting.

[The Potter]

And the really immature response would be to buy the game, play it obsessively in the week he was gone, and then drop every possible spoiler.

Now for those of you who haven't paid the $40 and started playing The Fool and His Money... [Wickliff was my least favorite puzzle. I absolutely loved Wyck and looked forward to the other tarot games. But Wickliff was so e***. Sigh.]
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Artwork | Fractals | Don't ignore your dreams; don't work too much; say what you think; cultivate friendships; be happy.

[extro...*]

Sometimes lending something leads to problems - complications to a relationship. You have to weigh that against whatever complication might come of denying the request of a loan.

Charlie just asked to borrow it, knowing it was brand new? I wouldn't do that. And Charlie got upset that Bob said no??? I definitely wouldn't do that.

I'd have lent it, but I'd be quietly annoyed at "hey, lemme borrow dat".

[Courk*]

Bob bought the game, so it's his to do with it as he sees fit. He doesn't have to let Charlie borrow it ever, even if it was a game he's finished 20 times. Petty? Perhaps, but I think it's even ruder to get mad at someone for not lending out an item, especially when the borrower is just using the lendee rather than some minimal-cost alternative.

Video stores (if any still exist near you) rent video games, too. Charlie can very easily rent the game for a few dollars and see if he likes it, rather than using Bob and his copy to save money.

[L'lanmal]

Loaning is an act of generosity and thus cannot be mandatory without losing meaning.

Or as Portia says in the Merchant of Venice:
The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.

Or perhaps: Just because someone works with me doesn't give them a right to my stuff.

[Thok]

[The Potter]

The movie is about the same as the video game. But a book is very different because it held in while being read. An old and used book feels very different.
I enjoy reading 2nd hand books more then new ones.
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Artwork | Fractals | Don't ignore your dreams; don't work too much; say what you think; cultivate friendships; be happy.

[bgg1996]

[Amb]

I'd prefer it if the poll was purely about Alice's reaction as I think whether you play games or not is irrelevant to the question being asked.

[Chuck]

Maybe it's depressing to see a high score of 285,000 when your best is 11.

[LordKinbote]

[Lepton*]

By the way, can we get a round of applause for l'Lanmal for bringing some quite-relevant Shakespeare into this?

[LordKinbote]

[Death Mage]

Shakespeare is far too overrated, and over-quoted, to ever be applause worthy.
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[LordKinbote]