Toxicity in Competitive Pokemon

Today, I found myself thinking about a topic I've thought about maybe twice before: Verlisify.  Specifically, I was trying to figure out why people enjoy his channel.  I've seen a couple videos and even debated with him briefly on the Aegislash ban, but as a "competitive" player, I don't find him entertaining and I observe an apparent lack of understanding of the game we play. 

I'm not throwing shade--we all have varying levels of skill in this game in a variety of formats and I'm no Cybertron/ Pokeaim myself; there's nothing wrong with that.  Pokemon itself is really difficult to seriously consider as a competitive game because of RNG, so criticizing someone's lack of experience, knowledge, or skill is laughable, frankly.  Have you ever stopped to think about how funny you sound when you criticize someone for not knowing Pokemon? And not the good kind of funny either, the "you should stop because you're making an ass of yourself" kind of funny... like "the joke is on you" kind of funny.  But for me personally, when I see Verlisify's content, I don't see the appeal and being perhaps the most-hated Poketuber, what makes those who watch, stay?  Unable to decide from my own experience, I felt that I needed to examine it through a different lens.

Thanks to my friend Edkraze (check out his eponymous YT channel!), I was more closely introduced to the views of a non-competitive player and fan of Verlisify, so I decided to try and understand his perspective.  From our conversations, one of the things I learned is that the bottom line for Edkraze is having fun with the game, a viewpoint that can be somewhat oppositional to certain competitive mindsets where winning is the foremost concern and I think that's they key to understanding Verlisify's appeal--his wacky sets can be really fun if you're not as concerned about winning and just enjoying the game.  Plus, with the competitive community known for being clique-y and even hostile at times, I think Verlisify has become a refuge for the non-competitive players, or players who have been disenfranchised by the negative aspects of competitive scene.

I'm sure right now someone will read this and attempt a "but he started it" argument a la second graders/ Donald Trump in regards to the aforementioned hostility and although it may be true, I don't care.  Each section of the community has allowed and accepted this manner of discourse, so it has to bear some responsibility in cultivating a section of the entire Pokemon community that has become toxic (pun not intended) and exclusionary, which, in itself, runs counter (pun intended that time) to one of the foundations of this game that brings us together.  Even if he *did* start it, we've created an environment which allows negativity to thrive and it's our responsibility to fix that.  But regardless of who initiated it, each side has supported this continued trend of hostile engagements and if one of them would like to demonstrate the superiority they believe they possess, they can start by dropping the rancor in favor of more welcoming and inclusive attitudes to newer players and those with contrasting opinions. 

It troubles me that these behaviors of malevolence pop up in seemingly every corner of the Pokemon community (Smogon, VGC, League-style, etc), and if you're reading this, I'd like to call you to action by not engaging in this inhospitable antagonism and instead viewing an opposing viewpoint as an opportunity to discuss ideas and learn from each other.  I know it's challenging to not get fired up when things start getting heated but remember: whenever tempted to fight fire with fire, know that the fire department usually uses water.

I know this is a long article but I know of one more comically fitting yet poignant thing to share.  It's Cherokee proverb I heard once:  A grandfather told his grandson, “In me there is a fight between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.” The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?" The old Cherokee replied, “The one you feed.” 

Let us take it upon ourselves to begin feeding the right wolf today.