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MADem

(135,425 posts) Fri Oct 31, 2014, 07:12 AM Oct 2014

GamerGate anger at women all too real for gamemaker [View all]

This is some nasty stuff. This woman has had to go into hiding owing to the lunacy of a crew of haters.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/style/2014/10/29/threatening-video-gaming-industry-movement-grows-arlington-game-developer-forced-flee-her-home/BRHwDSGjMsSnHquH9jYQIJ/story.html?p1=Article_FeatureStrip

Brianna Wu, a software engineer so absorbed in her work that she considers eating a waste of time, did not want to be a cultural figure.

“I got into video games,” she said recently, “to make video games.”

But Wu was thrust into the spotlight on Oct. 9, when she tweeted what she intended as a joke. It mocked members of a shadowy and threatening gaming movement called GamerGate, ridiculing them for, among other things, “fighting an apocalyptic future where women are 8 percent of programmers and not 3 percent.”

That’s when the harassment began — a frightening online campaign threatening rape and death that forced Wu to flee her Arlington home. In the process, she became the latest of several female targets across the country — the second in the Boston area — as well as a symbol of the sexism that some say is roiling the $21.25 billion gaming industry in the United States.....

163 replies

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GamerGate anger at women all too real for gamemaker [View all] MADem Oct 2014 OP

Post removed Post removed Oct 2014 #1

So, for speaking the truth about the numbers, and in a nice way, rape and death??? NYC_SKP Oct 2014 #2

They're just another wing of the insidious American Taliban. n/t Triana Oct 2014 #3

Aren't these games played on-line world wide? So not just American miscreants. nt Fla Dem Oct 2014 #36

According to american exceptionalism, we're supposed to be better ie: racism and sexism dead Triana Oct 2014 #50

I'd like to see the blowback come in the form of criminal charges, myself. MADem Oct 2014 #4

I only learned about this story for having served on the jury. NYC_SKP Oct 2014 #8

Seriously? Wow! And thanks! nt MADem Oct 2014 #59

It was a close one by jury but MIRT took them out. NYC_SKP Oct 2014 #84

Tea party members no doubt :/ ncjustice80 Oct 2014 #104

GamerGaters are the same crowd that is active in MRA / MGTOW movements. chrisa Oct 2014 #5

I know what MRA means, but MGTOW is new to me. MADem Oct 2014 #6

It's "Men Going Their Own Way" or something like that. Same type of loser, though. chrisa Oct 2014 #7

"Men go their own way" - A movement that endorses lifelong bachelorhood. redgreenandblue Oct 2014 #9

Well, that usually happens without a "movement." If ya don't meet the right person, MADem Oct 2014 #25

Post removed Post removed Oct 2014 #10

Not sure what your point is--care to elucidate? It sounds like you are saying she MADem Oct 2014 #13

I think the comment was referring to... Lancero Nov 2014 #118

His comments were about PORN, not sexism. MADem Nov 2014 #142

Nice poster, shows the type of 'audience' the customers the game attracts.I doubt very much any game Sunlei Oct 2014 #11

The poster depicts a game that is geared to women gamers. MADem Oct 2014 #15

Revolution 60, had to look it up its a phone game. Sunlei Oct 2014 #22

Gamergate in 60s jamzrockz Oct 2014 #12

I don't really know if the Boston Globe used too broad a brush in reporting this story, but the MADem Oct 2014 #14

I think the worst thing that could ever happen jamzrockz Oct 2014 #16

The trolls have a different agenda--the only way to rid yourselves of them is to call them out and MADem Oct 2014 #17

And we have been doing exactly that jamzrockz Oct 2014 #42

That is a positive step, then. I'm glad you're part of the solution. You can maybe write to the MADem Oct 2014 #53

They really need to disassociate themselves with #gamergate. The hashtag was started by asshole seaglass Oct 2014 #45

And what is going to jamzrockz Oct 2014 #71

Are the companies guilty for corrupting the process ? el_bryanto Oct 2014 #18

may be a tactic to get more app buys for that phone game app. Sunlei Oct 2014 #35

I think Anita Sarkeesia and the pass the jamzrockz Oct 2014 #43

You don't fucking own gaming - anyone and everyone can play. n/t seaglass Oct 2014 #47

Yes, nobody owns gaming jamzrockz Oct 2014 #74

Those poor young male gamers - they might not be catered to 100% el_bryanto Oct 2014 #75

Why are you being so dismissive? jamzrockz Oct 2014 #77

I am dismissive because you are turning a blind eye to what Gamergate is really about. el_bryanto Oct 2014 #80

Because male gamers act like sexist assholes. ncjustice80 Oct 2014 #105

Racism? Really? That's going too far, man. AverageJoe90 Nov 2014 #112

Well, considering I said "male" gamers, that would automatically preclude women. ncjustice80 Nov 2014 #116

Well, unfortunately, every group has it's assholes. AverageJoe90 Nov 2014 #125

You cant compare the social justive movement to gamers and rethuglicans. ncjustice80 Nov 2014 #144

You can't be serious. AverageJoe90 Nov 2014 #145

Sorry, but it depends. Sometimes you can. kcr Nov 2014 #126

I'm not exactly thrilled with Gamergate either. AverageJoe90 Nov 2014 #127

My apologies kcr Nov 2014 #128

Well, that's alright, it happens. AverageJoe90 Nov 2014 #131

I agree kcr Nov 2014 #132

Dismissive tazkcmo Nov 2014 #138

It's high time game developers stop catering ONLY to the interests of male gamers is I bet what is seaglass Oct 2014 #78

Think of it like this jamzrockz Oct 2014 #79

Terrible analogy. Is there something misogynist, racist or homophobic about Hyundais? seaglass Oct 2014 #81

One last thing jamzrockz Oct 2014 #83

"You cannot sanitize it to appease a small minority" bobclark86 Oct 2014 #85

By small minority jamzrockz Oct 2014 #93

"You cannot achieve a master piece like the salon scene if you left out the small bit of misogyny Sheldon Cooper Oct 2014 #96

Nods - so you are in favor of legitimate gamers - i.e. people who turn a blind eye to the el_bryanto Oct 2014 #48

That's a REALLY one sided view of this whole I think. Adrahil Nov 2014 #159

I would ask you a question jamzrockz Nov 2014 #161

Actually.... Adrahil Nov 2014 #162

Can I ask what actions decent gamers are taking to shut down the harassment? Is the community bettyellen Oct 2014 #87

Well, I don't know that I can do all that much.... Adrahil Nov 2014 #160

that video implies Christina Hoff Summers m-lekktor Oct 2014 #20

Really - you just came off a time out and you're posting this? The Gamergate tools have seaglass Oct 2014 #34

If I remained silent jamzrockz Oct 2014 #44

Yeah. Totally not buying what you're selling. n/t seaglass Oct 2014 #46

Aren't you trying to silence feminist critiques of the game industry? el_bryanto Oct 2014 #49

For the love of God jamzrockz Oct 2014 #69

You just want everybody to know that her critiques are illegitimate el_bryanto Oct 2014 #72

No, she could be a real gamer and still be wrong jamzrockz Oct 2014 #76

OK, after looking at your profile page.... Adrahil Nov 2014 #163

what you said! Puzzledtraveller Oct 2014 #88

Funny how none of them men involved in GamerGate have been threatened with rape and death. nt killbotfactory Nov 2014 #140

Jack Thompson. jamzrockz Nov 2014 #148

He wasn't involved in THIS issue, though--that is a bit of mixing metaphors. MADem Nov 2014 #153

Post removed Post removed Oct 2014 #19

This argument reminds me of the days on DU when some Democrats justiceischeap Oct 2014 #21

This is not new for this guy: marble falls Oct 2014 #31

Seems like a sheep in wolves clothing. nt justiceischeap Oct 2014 #32

The linked to post was actually a good sarcastic riff against a "Democrats have no ideas" meme. ieoeja Oct 2014 #61

I do not think concern about violence against women is extremist, do you? In light of the violence.. marble falls Oct 2014 #23

I took the Rev up on his suggestion. riqster Oct 2014 #33

I am shocked by the anti-feminism here, I am ashamed how long it took me to see it. Really see..... marble falls Oct 2014 #37

Yeah, it's odd to see in a place like DU, innit? riqster Oct 2014 #38

I pray your hope isn't wasted. marble falls Oct 2014 #41

I joined you. theHandpuppet Oct 2014 #56

That's a really sad statement. We should all only post what you deem important, rape and death seaglass Oct 2014 #24

Uh, no. The issue is how COMMON women who speak up get death/rape threats. IdaBriggs Oct 2014 #26

Crap. Progressives fight against oppression and inequality. riqster Oct 2014 #27

And you see no connection between this hatred of women, and the "looming Republican controlled Sheldon Cooper Oct 2014 #28

Points! nt MADem Oct 2014 #30

I beg your pardon--I haven't alerted on a single post in this thread. MADem Oct 2014 #29

I'll kick for him and raise his third person kick with a double recomend. Thankyou for your ..... marble falls Oct 2014 #40

This is a learning experience for me, too. MADem Oct 2014 #63

Could not agree with you more. As an old fart(progressive) myself, I get it, its the right thing.... marble falls Oct 2014 #66

A very positive side of social media is it draws out societies problems, like sexism & harassment Sunlei Oct 2014 #39

How exactly is it that making such death and rape threats is not illegal? Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2014 #51

That is a good question. The threats are being turned over to the police, so we will just MADem Oct 2014 #52

I don't get the how. AngryAmish Oct 2014 #54

No--you can, if you want to go through the hassle, spam, malware, etc., do that crap from your MADem Oct 2014 #57

Well, heck, I could do that right now, now that I think of it. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2014 #64

see, you are smarter than me AngryAmish Oct 2014 #65

'Smarter' is always up for grabs. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2014 #70

It is illegal. Can contact twitter and the police. Twitter will close their account, turn over Sunlei Oct 2014 #62

Not that easy. I have dealt with online death threats, and the process is spotty and inconsistent. riqster Oct 2014 #67

She lost me joeglow3 Oct 2014 #55

Well, even if she doesn't like your favorite game, she doesn't deserve death threats. nt MADem Oct 2014 #58

Sorry for not including the sarcasm tag joeglow3 Oct 2014 #68

I kinda figured you didn't really mean it. MADem Oct 2014 #73

I agree with that. joeglow3 Oct 2014 #82

There's a lot to like about the younger generations. MADem Oct 2014 #98

I love the first FF. ZombieHorde Oct 2014 #86

I like FF, but never played until SNES days joeglow3 Oct 2014 #90

Yeah, me too. Puzzledtraveller Oct 2014 #91

Not a fan of the original FF LostOne4Ever Nov 2014 #122

There was person on Twitter who had begun Are_grits_groceries Oct 2014 #60

“fighting an apocalyptic future where women are 8 percent of programmers and not 3 percent.” ZombieHorde Oct 2014 #89

My money is that these gamers making threats scored low on the TMI index. Initech Oct 2014 #92

"It would be funny to play pinata with the bodies of white straight males who hung themselves" LostInAnomie Oct 2014 #94

I don't think any of those comments are appropriate, nor do I see anything more than a thin MADem Oct 2014 #95

"Bring Back Bullying" - Sam Biddle, Vallywag Editor at Gawker Media LostInAnomie Oct 2014 #97

Again, I'm not sure that these comments have anything more than a tangential relationship to the MADem Oct 2014 #100

Well, TBH, I don't think that kind of thing is going to be helpful at all. AverageJoe90 Nov 2014 #111

Here's the thing. LostInAnomie Nov 2014 #113

You need to start them if you want to discuss them. I started this thread because I MADem Nov 2014 #114

I'm open to evidence in that regard, as well, yes. AverageJoe90 Nov 2014 #123

You can post those examples all day long kcr Nov 2014 #133

What actions are those? LostInAnomie Nov 2014 #135

So the only way any one person or group can ever be accountable kcr Nov 2014 #136

How does that even make sense in your head? LostInAnomie Nov 2014 #137

It doesn't make sense. I don't know why you're throwing out all these examples as if it matters. n/t kcr Nov 2014 #139

"Pro GamerGate Writer Sent Syringe Through Mail" - The Escapist LostInAnomie Oct 2014 #99

Is there an organized group called "anti-gamergate?" MADem Oct 2014 #101

So, only death threats to people you like count... LostInAnomie Oct 2014 #106

First of all, I don't respond well to accusatory "So... followed by a strawman that doesn't MADem Oct 2014 #107

What you respond well to is not something I care one bit about. LostInAnomie Oct 2014 #108

Good point jamzrockz Nov 2014 #109

I think it's because as a liberal I tend to want more inclusion for woman and minorities el_bryanto Nov 2014 #117

Anti-gamergate, eh? LostInAnomie Nov 2014 #119

Well you are partnered up with not your shield because they are the "right" kind of women and el_bryanto Nov 2014 #120

So you've basically got nothing but a genuinely uninformed opinion... LostInAnomie Nov 2014 #121

Your denials are kind of sad. el_bryanto Nov 2014 #130

You keep inventing boogymen... LostInAnomie Nov 2014 #134

That's really not a very honest explanation of what happened is it? el_bryanto Nov 2014 #143

I did leave out the part where the same game dev doxxed and DDoSed a game jam for women... LostInAnomie Nov 2014 #150

I meant the bit about how the person making the accusation was an ex-boyfriend? el_bryanto Nov 2014 #156

"I'll kill your wife and leave you to mourn." LostInAnomie Oct 2014 #102

Not clear if it was gamergate types who issued that death threat, is it? MADem Oct 2014 #103

what do you mean, doesn't count? La Lioness Priyanka Nov 2014 #147

Sadly, the lunacy and outright despicable behavior that a certain small segment...... AverageJoe90 Nov 2014 #110

Start a new movement jamzrockz Nov 2014 #115

You ever seen the gamer threads on 4chan, or worse places? gater Nov 2014 #129

Which is weird jamzrockz Nov 2014 #149

Why are people downplaying this women's nightmare of a life? Rex Nov 2014 #124

I agree with you completely. The "but ... but ...." about the videogames is childish in the MADem Nov 2014 #141

That's all it has been with Gamergate supporters since the beginning sweetloukillbot Nov 2014 #151

Well, I guess it was easier to place blame on that naughty woman than for the jilted MADem Nov 2014 #152

Someone needs to.dox and threatan HIM..maybe he would learnnsome empathy. ncjustice80 Nov 2014 #154

No. Two wrongs never make a right. The justice system should handle people who dox and MADem Nov 2014 #155

Im just frustrated. ncjustice80 Nov 2014 #157

I know, and I can't say I blame you. It's a terrible thing. MADem Nov 2014 #158

+1 La Lioness Priyanka Nov 2014 #146