can we talk about "gamergate"

[vrtra]

Wtf are they angry about
and why does it involve threatening to blow up Anita Sarkeesian?

[BlueKarou]

I think we should talk about gamergate, but I'm still getting my head around what it actually is. Posting to mark place, bump the thread, and in the hope of a bit more understanding.

Have to pop out for lunch, but will be back in a bit. In the meanwhile here are two links I found sort of helpful - might help narrow it down a bit;
Wiki
Guardian

[kittykarate]

I can't even explain GamerGate. I liked the Charlie Brooker article on it

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/20/gamergate-internet-toughest-game-woman-enemies

I think it is just a genuine issue (croneyism in games journalism) which is being used by some people as 'cover' for their trollishness and abhorrent views about women who say things they don't agree with.

[PuffinsAreFicticious]

There's a thread here already, and one on in the news, someone might link, my iPad doesn't like doing it fucking stupid thing

Basically though,

They say that's it's about ethics in gaming journalism.

Anyone who's read their guff knows that it's mostly about anti woman willy waving. And death and rape threats against anyone who disagrees with them.

[PumpkinGordino]

i'm a bit wary tbh, because the topic seems to attract a certain kind of abusive individual, as well as those who have form for being disruptive in a techy way

not that i don't think it should be discussed or that it shouldn't be discussed here either. no one can give a better summary than puffins' IMO

[YonicScrewdriver]

Ugh, another doxxing today on Felicia Day.

No, it's not just about Anita Sarkeesian.

[YonicScrewdriver]

Puffins, did you mean this one?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/guest_posts/2171188-Guest-post-Video-games-and-misogyny-should-we-be-worried

[PuffinsAreFicticious]

That one as well, but there's one on in the news right now and there was another where the abusive wankbadger on it got soundly shown their arse on FWR. Give me a bit and I'll go on a proper computer.

[noblegiraffe]

Felicia Day said she didn't talk about gamergate because she didn't want her personal details published, the minute she does, they are.

Blokes who have talked about gamergate in negative terms have not had their personal details published.

So any claims that it's not anti women in tech are just bollocks.

[BlueKarou]

I think the tumblr post Felicia wrote about it (and which led to her doxxing) sums up the worst aspects of gamergate - if you speak out against it and enough people hear you, you will be punished. Retribution will be swift and will either take the form of releasing personal details about you, or personal violent threats.

Have any of the men who have spoken out against it been doxxed/threatened? Or is it only women under attack?

If anything, this whole thing has made me more determined to set up my own gaming channel on youtube (not the most daring of steps, but something achievable) just to add my voice to the reality that there are competant female gamers out there. However, I will be doing it under a false name, leading back to a brand new e-mail address, and i will be doing as much as possible to conceal any clues as to my real identity. I hate that I feel I have to do that in order to keep myself safe, but there's no way I'd go all out as Jane Smith from Somewheresville.

[NanooCov]

This one has a lovely little summary from Puffins (thank you).

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/in_the_news/2217021-Gamergate-Can-anyone-explain-to-an-old-bird

[BlueKarou]

X-posted with noblegiraffe

Yup - there we have it. The GGers aren't even 'punishing' the men who disagree with them, it's just the women who need taking down.

[YonicScrewdriver]

And it's making it v clear they have a list of addresses and are just waiting to release them on any woman who dares step out of line.

[vrtra]

I bring it up because I want to start streaming ffxiv or making videos, I'm looking into it and seeing a load of toxic crap. Thanks for the links I'd better get reading.

[PuffinsAreFicticious]

Blue, from my reading of it, the men are dismissed as manginas/white knights/ social justice warriors rather than threatened with rape and being shot. This is such a part of the MRM, they use the same language and it hopes for the same results, no matter how many times they deny it, they are always eventuall hoist by their own petard.

vrtra, good luck. Grow a thick skin and report everything.

[BriarRainbowshimmer]

Recent FWR thread.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/2207840-Female-Game-Developer?pg=1

It's mostly a lot of egoistical male rage against women being visible as gamers, creators and/or having opinions of our own.
And a lot of tears over "their" precious hobby being "taken over" by candy crushers and pc police.

What sort of videos are you planning to make vrtra?

[BlueKarou]

vrtra - the only advice I would have for starting out would be the same as what MNHQ like to tell us - never give more of yourself than you are comfortable with.

My plans are pretty much not to give out any identifying personal details; full name, family members, occupation etc. Feels a bit paranoid, but I'm not sure where the line is between sensible and over-cautious.

Also - don't read the comments. Or, at least, take most of them with a pinch of salt.

[Spiritedwolf]

I've been thinking about this too. I'd like to do a feminism project online (not gaming related) and given the abusive online delivered to people like Zoe, Anita and Caroline Criado-Perez do make you think twice.

Of course, the attempt to silence them then makes you think a third time that actually there's even more need for women's voices to be heard too!

I don't know when I'll have time to do my idea (another project I had the idea to do is still not off the ground and I had the idea 12 years or so ago!) - and it's not necessarily the huge kind that attracts MRA - but I'd consider doing it entirely anonymously.

[BriarRainbowshimmer]

Of course, the attempt to silence them then makes you think a third time that actually there's even more need for women's voices to be heard too!

YY
I hope you get to start your project! But yes, it's best to be careful with personal info.

[SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed]

"Wtf are they angry about"

They're angry because at one time gaming had a reputation for being something that only appealed to pasty, friendless teenage boys. But it turns out that's not actually true, and lots of people like games, including women. Apparently this is a bad thing. Especially the women. It seems that the thought of women having any part in gaming drives GGers into the kind of rage that most (normal) people would reserve for someone who deliberately ran over their dog, and then reversed.

So, basically, it's sad, entitled saddoes screaming 'what about the menz' with added rape threats.

[messyisthenewtidy]

www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/oct/15/anita-sarkeesian-feminist-games-critic-cancels-talk

It's mind boggling what that woman has been through.

[HaroldsBishop]

It's an utter embarrassment for all involved.

[YonicScrewdriver]

Yy MEOD.

Threatening to rape Chloe because of Judy's comments was very low, IMO. Did Ken "rape rape" Clarke and George "bad sexual etiquette" Galloway have their daughters threatened with rape?

[SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed]

It does seem to be getting more common. I know it has happened in the past (anyone remember Kathy Sierra?), but over the last couple of years it seems that almost every month or so another woman is being threatened for daring to have an opinion.