I've seen a lot of players reporting some concerns about the name 'Shock Therapy', but I think its time to reclaim the word. As a mental health professional, IRL - I see a lot of negative connotation associated with the treatment, however, the fact is that ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) has seen progress since the 1930s when it was first developed (and obtained the stigma). The therapy is still used today in rare cases (mostly in Europe) and has had success in treating several forms of severe depression, manic behaviors and bipolar personality disorders. In response to the players out there who claim its being used in "Homophobic and Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapies", those same programs also utilize Psychoanalytic and Behavioral therapies (Which are used to treat common problems such as phobias, depression disorders, anxiety disorders as well as assisting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder improve their quality of life, just to name a few).
The reality is that the term "Shock Therapy" isn't a 'bad' thing. Its like any other power in a world full of superpowered individuals - it comes down to how the hero...or villain...decides to use it!
Plus, let's be honest - we're running around with The 5th Column (AKA - Nazis). As well as slashing/hacking/beheading opponents with swords, guns and axes. Its a video game - let's just enjoy it and move on!
Congrats. This is your first experience as a professional company making a statement that will be viewed as speaking on behalf of all of HC Leadership while also being drastically in the wrong. Every company trying to go legit hits this wall- This is your wall. How Leadership handles this going forwards will set a tone on whether or not certain segments of this community can trust you or believe you're acting in good faith.
Let's be clear here: Was your statement vetted by other members of leadership? Is this you speaking on behalf of HC as a non-profit but still corporate entity? If the answer to this is no, you shouldn't have made this statement. This is a pretty serious issue whether you like it or not that in the next 24-48 hours absolutely could blow up and see coverage on gaming media outlets. You should go, right now to HC's leadership and ask them if your statement holds true to the values and public-facing strategy you want going forwards. If you didn't vet this, let it be a strong, one-time lesson: Do Not Comment On Matters Of This Level Of Controversialness Without Approval. You're going to get a ton of flak here- Because you're wrong, bluntly. You cannot reclaim the term in this way. This isn't a good avenue to do that, this isn't a good look, and it reflects extremely poorly on you as an entity. There's discords buzzing all over right now where people who have experienced the trauma associated with ECT talking about how they're uncomfortable with this and your statement, plus attempting to 'crowd control' people into this thread instead of the main patch notes thread. You're handling this badly. Step back and consult with your direct superiors.
I have family who experienced the horrors of this therapy in the 1960s and 70s; The very term makes them anxious and can cause them to have a panic attack. It's an extremely, extremely loaded term for a lot of people. It still affects groups like LGBTQ+ groups today. It was and is a monstrous therapy with limited, limited real world use (I'm not saying it has none, I'm saying there's a reason it's been rebranded away from being called Shock Therapy. It's a bad term with extreme baggage attached that will probably never be seen in a positive light ever again.)
tldr: Don't make statements like this when you should know better. If you're speaking on behalf of HC, you should be prepared for press reachouts on this topic really, really soon. Change the name, don't make this harder than it has to be.
Focused Feedback: Shock Therapy (Build 1)
in [Open Beta] Focused Feedback
Posted
Congrats. This is your first experience as a professional company making a statement that will be viewed as speaking on behalf of all of HC Leadership while also being drastically in the wrong. Every company trying to go legit hits this wall- This is your wall. How Leadership handles this going forwards will set a tone on whether or not certain segments of this community can trust you or believe you're acting in good faith.
Let's be clear here: Was your statement vetted by other members of leadership? Is this you speaking on behalf of HC as a non-profit but still corporate entity? If the answer to this is no, you shouldn't have made this statement. This is a pretty serious issue whether you like it or not that in the next 24-48 hours absolutely could blow up and see coverage on gaming media outlets. You should go, right now to HC's leadership and ask them if your statement holds true to the values and public-facing strategy you want going forwards. If you didn't vet this, let it be a strong, one-time lesson: Do Not Comment On Matters Of This Level Of Controversialness Without Approval. You're going to get a ton of flak here- Because you're wrong, bluntly. You cannot reclaim the term in this way. This isn't a good avenue to do that, this isn't a good look, and it reflects extremely poorly on you as an entity. There's discords buzzing all over right now where people who have experienced the trauma associated with ECT talking about how they're uncomfortable with this and your statement, plus attempting to 'crowd control' people into this thread instead of the main patch notes thread. You're handling this badly. Step back and consult with your direct superiors.
I have family who experienced the horrors of this therapy in the 1960s and 70s; The very term makes them anxious and can cause them to have a panic attack. It's an extremely, extremely loaded term for a lot of people. It still affects groups like LGBTQ+ groups today. It was and is a monstrous therapy with limited, limited real world use (I'm not saying it has none, I'm saying there's a reason it's been rebranded away from being called Shock Therapy. It's a bad term with extreme baggage attached that will probably never be seen in a positive light ever again.)
tldr: Don't make statements like this when you should know better. If you're speaking on behalf of HC, you should be prepared for press reachouts on this topic really, really soon. Change the name, don't make this harder than it has to be.