Making a (Literal) Mark on the World

I am an infrequent contributor to a handful of tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) groups on Facebook. While I haven't played or run a TTRPG in decades, I have collected a variety of TTRPG books, box sets, and accessories over the last few years and I have every intention to return to the gaming table if I live long enough. As such, I only feel the need to contribute something to these groups if I think it would be helpful while acknowledging to myself my own limited experience and understanding.

The photos below are from a post from me that was a contribution to the Alien RPG by Free League Facebook group. As the "Game Mother" or "Game MU/TH/UR" is crafting worlds and locations for their Alien: The Roleplaying Game players to explore though their in-game avatars, the player-characters or PCs, that individual wants to create a believable setting where the players can suspend disbelief and enjoy the game. The person running the game wants to create a living, breathing world consistent with the game's lore and conventions. My post was encouraging the inclusion of graffiti in the descriptions that this person provided to his or her players.

Graffiti is hardly a new phenomena. It has been found at archaeological sites dating back into antiquity. Had Adam and Eve not been banished from the Garden of Eden, I suspect that one of their descendants would have scrawled "Don't trust the serpent" and "The Forbidden Fruit is not THAT tasty!"

Obviously, graffiti is meant to convey a message. Sometimes it is a warning. Sometimes it is advice. Sometimes it's an insult or a scathing comment or criticism of someone in authority. Sometimes it just proclaims that we were, like Kilroy, here.

I have been a blue-collar worker and a white-collar worker. In my experience, blue-collar workers are more likely to engage in posting graffiti, although I have seen graffiti in more white-collar settings (maybe the janitor did it). But I don't think that necessarily means that we should look down on blue-collar workers. I have encountered my share of entitled, ignorant, insufferable, pompous, pretentious, white-collar assclowns that lack good graces, good judgment, and common sense. Such people sometimes find themselves as the target of personal attacks that could easily make its way to a restroom stall or wall. But these blue-collar workers are probably not going to write their autobiography or memoirs. Their legacy will likely be seen in their descendants and the things that they leave behind. And I doubt that many graffiti artists give much thought to their scrawlings possibly being found by future archaeologists. I think that it is just a desire to be seen and acknowledged in the present, even if the person posting the graffiti remains anonymous. Kind of like Internet trolls without all the craven, insecure, juvenile, sadistic tendencies (trolls are real pieces of shit).

I haven't ever been someone given to posting graffiti. I was never really comfortable with defacing someone else's property. I have hardly ever felt the need to share my feelings, thoughts, and witticisms on a stall or wall. But I too have, on occasion, contemplated leaving a message bearing witness to my feelings. So if some future archaeologist finds graffiti in present-day Southern California from a construction worker scrawled on a beam hidden up by the roof where he was working proclaiming his love and affection for a young woman, he or she has busted me. Or maybe I never left such a permanent mark behind me. I guess time will tell. Or not. 😉