Trash Talk anyone? In a competitive game as GO2, can you take the heat?

It was the Europeans who said that America, being a new nation, has no sense of history. Of course, many Americans will argue about that. In the Philippines, being another relatively new domain, people are said to be politically and ethically immature. If Americans are allowed to trash talk their President, so can Filipinos. In fact, they relish every chance they could find to trash talk the current President. Calling names seem to be the rage of the day. But while Americans show certain maturity in the political arena, the Filipinos can't (or wouldn't).

Trash talk is so pervasive that it also applies to such endeavor as an online game. Sounds funny right? Actually, it might be a symptom that has lingered in us through the years. People always fight - at traffic, at stores, in school, even in churches and malls. We love to argue - but some of us - have no sense of decency. We take everything personal. We hate to be criticized and we always love to retaliate.

In Tagalog parlance, "walang pakundangan panlalait na, namemersonal pa" So before I continue, let's see what is trash talking...

Trash-talk is a form of boast or insult commonly heard in competitive situations (such as sports events), primarily in the US. It is often used to intimidate the opposition, but can also be used in a humorous spirit. Trash-talk is often characterized by use of hyperbole, or figurative language, e.g., "Your team can't run! You run like honey on ice!" Puns and other wordplay are commonly used.

Trash-talk was commonly used by the heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali in the 1960s and 1970s. Since then, it has become common for boxers, wrestlers and other sportsguys to use trash-talk. Trash talking (or "hot dogging") in amateur sports ranks is generally discouraged and frowned upon (especially in youth leagues).

In more recent time 'trash talking' has become a large part of online life, on forums, particularly in the gaming scene trash talking is used by many to gain an enhanced personal image commonly referred to as 'epeen'

I personally have engaged in trash talks. It's something I am not used to, but in the long run, has to learn and live with.

A war game, after all, is about killing the enemy. What better way than to insult the enemy while he's going down.

But is there pride in it? I don't think so.