This article is a bit long (and utterly depressing), but it’s worth reading. The same privilege-fueled, reactionary impulses that have given us the Tea Party, open-carry maniacs, and the War on Christmas (among other gifts) has now hit video games.
Why am I posting here? Well, I imagine most of us play video games, and even though Gamergate has been in the news for a couple of months now, this article does a good job highlighting the cultural forces that gave rise to it and sustain it. Also, roleplaying games got a little taste of this a few months ago with “consultancy-gate.” Granted, roleplaying games will never achieve this level of insanity, both because it is a niche hobby and its players can’t really hide behind internet anonymity. But it is nevertheless worth understanding.
http://deadspin.com/the-future-of-the-culture-wars-is-here-and-its-gamerga-1646145844/all
It’s worth noting, and understanding, because of the tactics in use. I’ve never been one for a lock-down of information, but what’s going on here frightens me, and makes me wonder how to handle this. The fact that these groups were able to dig up all kinds of information about normal people should be frightening, because if someone decided you were a target, this could be you: texts, phone calls, emails, all detailing every part of your life, public and private, and calls for people to come and do terrible things to you.
and all it takes is one zealot to do the damage.
It’s worth noting, and understanding, because of the tactics in use. I’ve never been one for a lock-down of information, but what’s going on here frightens me, and makes me wonder how to handle this. The fact that these groups were able to dig up all kinds of information about normal people should be frightening, because if someone decided you were a target, this could be you: texts, phone calls, emails, all detailing every part of your life, public and private, and calls for people to come and do terrible things to you.
and all it takes is one zealot to do the damage.
This does mean that, as we have in the past, we should police ourselves, root out any corrupting influence, and reinforce the fact that harassment, stalking, and any other deviant behavior will not be accepted.
Every person has a duty to create a better community for themselves, and for those around them. There may be differing ideals, but a basic respect for the rights of others should be a standard that cannot be argued or changed.
This does mean that, as we have in the past, we should police ourselves, root out any corrupting influence, and reinforce the fact that harassment, stalking, and any other deviant behavior will not be accepted.
Every person has a duty to create a better community for themselves, and for those around them. There may be differing ideals, but a basic respect for the rights of others should be a standard that cannot be argued or changed.
Also: further bullshit:
http://www.theverge.com/2014/10/14/6978809/utah-state-university-receives-shooting-threat-for-anita-sarkeesian-visit
Also: further bullshit:
http://www.theverge.com/2014/10/14/6978809/utah-state-university-receives-shooting-threat-for-anita-sarkeesian-visit
The world is not made of squeaky wheels. On both sides of this I think a lot of the problem is the assumption that something you here about in media (news, magazines, whatever) is the majority view or even more then a single voice. The troll sees an article that shows gamming in a negative light and assumes there is a world wide war on his beloved hobby. He reacts like an idiot but it generates a news story that represents him as a “side” in a “debate” and now people start picking sides in a war.
rational debate is a great thing but stupidity and belligerence should not be confused with actual positions and it is often best to ignore them.
The world is not made of squeaky wheels. On both sides of this I think a lot of the problem is the assumption that something you here about in media (news, magazines, whatever) is the majority view or even more then a single voice. The troll sees an article that shows gamming in a negative light and assumes there is a world wide war on his beloved hobby. He reacts like an idiot but it generates a news story that represents him as a “side” in a “debate” and now people start picking sides in a war.
rational debate is a great thing but stupidity and belligerence should not be confused with actual positions and it is often best to ignore them.
The problem I see with the “don’t feed the trolls” solution is that it no longer works. Trolls are clustering and combining resources, along with thrill seekers and zealots, and becoming dangerous terrorists, for lack of a better word.
The problem I see with the “don’t feed the trolls” solution is that it no longer works. Trolls are clustering and combining resources, along with thrill seekers and zealots, and becoming dangerous terrorists, for lack of a better word.
It may not be feasible. someone will always give them attention, especially news media that are just now figuring out that the internet exists.
there are always dangerous people. but a lot of this particular crowd are there because its become a “big thing”. and their actual power comes from the perception that they are “a big thing”. hence big companies change their behaviors. and media reports that ___ big company did a thing because _____ group of trolls is a big deal. and it becomes true.
when you hear about a group like this it is worth asking, “Are they really such a big deal or is this just hype” and big deal or not “should I change just because of these people”.
I think movies and the news have us all a bit afraid of crazy people who stalk you for unknown reasons (or no reason) and often have an amazing ability to find you no mater where you hide. I’m sure there are dangerous people and not every attack is physical (identity theft) But at the same time trolls have always existed and are generally trapped in their own tiny worlds where they say hurtful things and make awful threats safe in their anonymity. outside of these worlds they are generally minor annoyances (giant apathetic fat guys like me or <13 year old allowance collectors) and have no such skills or abilities.
I’ve been a troll, I have also been a “true victim” but I have grown up (most of the time)
It may not be feasible. someone will always give them attention, especially news media that are just now figuring out that the internet exists.
there are always dangerous people. but a lot of this particular crowd are there because its become a “big thing”. and their actual power comes from the perception that they are “a big thing”. hence big companies change their behaviors. and media reports that ___ big company did a thing because _____ group of trolls is a big deal. and it becomes true.
when you hear about a group like this it is worth asking, “Are they really such a big deal or is this just hype” and big deal or not “should I change just because of these people”.
I think movies and the news have us all a bit afraid of crazy people who stalk you for unknown reasons (or no reason) and often have an amazing ability to find you no mater where you hide. I’m sure there are dangerous people and not every attack is physical (identity theft) But at the same time trolls have always existed and are generally trapped in their own tiny worlds where they say hurtful things and make awful threats safe in their anonymity. outside of these worlds they are generally minor annoyances (giant apathetic fat guys like me or <13 year old allowance collectors) and have no such skills or abilities.
I’ve been a troll, I have also been a “true victim” but I have grown up (most of the time)
Your right…the article is long. NPR also covered this. Leaves me confused.
Your right…the article is long. NPR also covered this. Leaves me confused.
The whole thing is so weird to me and I think that it suffered from the Streisand effect. When the story about Zoe Quinn first broke Reddit was heavily suppressing discussion on the topic. They were banning people and censoring whole subreddits in order to stop people from posting about it. I think that helped create a perfect environment for conspiracy theory nuts to win people over to their side. It makes me wonder if the whole thing wouldn’t have fizzled out if it was just ignored from the start.
The whole thing is so weird to me and I think that it suffered from the Streisand effect. When the story about Zoe Quinn first broke Reddit was heavily suppressing discussion on the topic. They were banning people and censoring whole subreddits in order to stop people from posting about it. I think that helped create a perfect environment for conspiracy theory nuts to win people over to their side. It makes me wonder if the whole thing wouldn’t have fizzled out if it was just ignored from the start.