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Comment by Ansil849 | Hacker News Reader

> If I play boardgames with Sue, that's enough. We meet, enjoy a beer and play some Catan and go our separate ways. That's a fine relationship.

> If I follow Sue on social media, now I know her politics, religion, sex life, drug usage, opinions on every little thing.. and frankly, I don't care or want to. I'm happy just playing some Catan once in a while.

> Historically you didn't need to know everything about everyone. Your friends will always have opinions or lifestyles you will find disagreeable - that is the nature of human existence.

This hits the nail on the head perfectly, IMHO. Unfortunately, even the activities you describe have become politicized. For example, Settlers of Catan rebranding to just Catan.

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Living in the hole I am living in seems to shield me from this. I had no idea that "Settlers of Catan" has been rebranded to just "Catan" or why. In my circles we call it "Settlers", "Settlers of Catan" or just "Catan" interchangeably all the time. The "controversial" one is "Settlers" if you talk to someone you might also play a round of Settlers the computer game with (as in these guys: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Settlers)

What is politicized about that? I had no idea the name had ever changed, but thanks to your comment, just spent the last 20 minutes trying to figure out why and no Internet sources citing the fact that a rebrand happened give a reason at all. The only somewhat "political" theory seems to be a Reddit thread citing a Dutch publication claiming the rebrand happened because of pressure from Palestinians complaining that it supported Jewish West Bank settlements. Apart from that being ridiculous in the first place, that theory was quickly debunked in the same thread by both the maker of the game disavowing that and they and players pointing out the rebrand had actually happened in Germany years earlier and was only then being reflected in the Dutch version.

It is being politicized, just not by the makers of Catan.

Yeah, just to clarify: the point of my anecdote is that even things like board games, which are supposed to be fun and relaxing, are being politicized by some people over topics like name changes.

Yeah. I have a semi-recent copy and the box says "Catan – Trade Build Settle", so that definitely seems like a regular rebranding. And people who see politics everywhere are projecting that it is political.

It reminds me of that time I was somewhat viciously verbally assaulted and accused of "self-censorship" for saying strawperson instead of strawman. I just like it better and have always said it that way, but that person was so deep in a culture war mindset that they couldn't imagine I'd chosen that phrasing without any political thought given to it. Sometimes a spade is just a spade and not a leftist mind control plot.

Yep. I find it really amusing how those people are constantly policing other people's language and life, while they spend their free time complaining that it's them that are being policed. Textbook projection.

I will say in this case Catan is cool and feels natural, like what people would call it if they're still playing the game a hundred years from now. So maybe it was politically sparked but the rebrand feels solid.

I had noticed the name change myself, but never consider it was politically motivated until you brought it up (especially considering mine is called "Catan: Trade Build Settle"). You're Sue in this case.

I, in turn, unfortunately had to listen to fellow players complain about the name change throughout a whole game the other week.

It seems like they read a lot of politics into a fairly simple issue. As brands go on, they try to simplify and occupy more space. I would be shocked if properties didn't see being able to simplify and maintain the brand as being a huge win.

I wholeheartedly agree with you. My point was just that even things which are supposed to be relaxing and apolitical like board games, are being politicized over things like discussing name changes. And that sucks.

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