3 thoughts on “What Is Gamergate, and Why? An Explainer for Non-Geeks”

1. “The article I linked to was, I thought, a good entry-level introduction to one point of view on the topic”

   One point of view, yes. It is a strongly one sided article that I think accurately reflects one side.

   “though of course the “for non-geeks” label tags this article as an
   attempt to frame the issue for those who are outside of it, and
   suggesting that only a “geek” would need another perspective is another form of labeling.”

   True, though I see it’s main purpose as saying “Oh, you don’t know what’s going on? Why don’t we tell you about just our side while pretending we’re giving you a balanced overview.”

   It’s difficult to convert people who are already involved – it’s easier to convince people to your side who aren’t already in the middle of it. Ex, non-gamers.

   ”
   You have offered another point of view and suggested further reading. My presentation of the issue will attempt to do justice to the complexity of the issue.”

   Good luck. :-)

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2. The article I linked to was, I thought, a good entry-level introduction to one point of view on the topic, though of course the “for non-geeks” label tags this article as an attempt to frame the issue for those who are outside of it, and suggesting that only a “geek” would need another perspective is another form of labeling. You have offered another point of view and suggested further reading. My presentation of the issue will attempt to do justice to the complexity of the issue.

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3. Sigh. Really? That’s like saying you’re going to teach an intro to Obama course, and add some context by asking Bill O’Reilly to give a talk on Obama’s history to add some “context” to the mayhem.

   Feminism has been using men and especially geeks and gamers as it’s social punching bag for the last 5-6 years. I’ve also been following it. Every month there was another article on how much men suck, how gaming for losers who can’t interact with women, etc. 

   The interesting thing about GamerGate is that it finally became so absurd than I now see a fair number of women defending gamergate.

   This is a different article on the topic of GamerGate –

   http://techcrunch.com/2014/09/25/gamergate-an-issue-with-2-sides/?ncid=facebook_social_share

   The gawker article is, from my point of view, feminists complaining that they’re being treated in the same unfair and demonizing way that they’ve been treating men and gamers for the last 5-6 years. They’re very very angry that they’re being treated – in the way that they’ve been treating others.

   They’re angry that a company pulled it’s ads – when they’ve been doing the exact same thing to anyone who disagreed with them for the last 5-6 years. They’re carefully reframing Zoe Quinn as “only about her sex life” which is only partially true, but attacking individuals based on any sexual behavior is the non-stop theme of their articles from again – the last 5-6 years. Did you hear about elevatorgate? They mention threats and harrassment -feminists have been getting people publicly shamed, attacked, and fired from their jobs for at least the last 5-6 years for disagreeing with their viewpoint. 

   The list goes on an on and on expressing outrage that the gamergate group is doing to them what feminists have been doing to men and gamers for the last 5-6 years. How – how, they ask, could someone treat me like they’ve been treating other people for years?

   GamerGate gains support because guys and gamers (including women) are sick of it, and the attacks on them have become more and more both absurd and blatent in their hate of men, geeks, and gamers in the last year. Hateful things are phrased as “pointing out problems”. Attacks are phrased as “starting a dialog”. Disagreeing with them or not acting how they want is being “misogynistic”. 

   This article does a better example of explaining the absurdity from the side of men or gamers than I’m probably doing:

   https://archive.today/nSAxw

   

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