NSFW: GamerGate, misogyny, and what to do from here

NSFW is a weekly op-ed column in which I talk about whatever's on my mind. Sometimes it'll have something to do with the technology we cover here on iMore; sometimes it'll be whatever pops into my head. Your questions, comments and observations are welcome.
Wow. There is some crazy stuff happening on the Internet this week, and I don't even know where to begin. A friend of mine was threatened with rape and murder on Friday night. That's probably where to start.
Brianna Wu is the founder of Giant Spacekat, the indie game developer that came to prominence in 2014 when it released Revolution 60, a cool game with a retro-future vibe.
Wu's public speaking circuit has included sessions to help educate men on what they can be doing differently to help foster a more level playing field for women in tech — not just in terms of opportunity, but in terms of how they talk to and act around women. She's a take-no-shit badass who's not afraid to shake up the status quo.
I've seen Wu talk and she's ready to confront men for bad behavior straight on — talking about the inherent, institutionalized sexism and misogyny that permeates the technology industry. But it's not about browbeating them — it's about raising consciousness.
Wu's comments get underscored when stuff like what happened on Friday happened. And it's not an isolated incident. It happens a lot.
If you can't make your point without resorting to violent, criminal threats, you probably don't have much of a point to make.
It's especially bad in gaming, where women are routinely objectified and commoditized by the business themselves, used as "eye candy" in games to appeal to adolescent males and adult male gamers with adolescent tastes. That objectification of women continues into male-dominated online gaming, where macho posturing and threats of physical and sexual violence are routine in online gaming sessions.
Wu's been an outspoken voice in the "GamerGate" controversy that's been bouncing around the last few months. I don't want to spend too much time writing about GamerGate here; if you do a quick Google search you can find plenty of other coverage.
To keep it on point, Wu attracted the crosshairs of fringe elements in the GamerGate crowd when she started to make fun of them in a series of memes she posted to her Twitter account. Predictably, Wu received obnoxious, threatening messages.
Things escalated out of control late last week. Wu was "doxed:" Her real-world address and contact information was revealed and posted to a board on an anonymous message board called 8chan. Then Wu received a series of frightening, violent messages from an anonymous Twitter user who threatened to rape and murder her.
Wu's no stranger to being threatened by anonymous cowards on the Internet, but the virulence of these particular messages, combined with the knowledge of her location, shook her. She and her husband left their home and contacted the local police and the FBI.
Look: If you can't make your point without resorting to violent, criminal threats, you probably don't have much of a point to make. The people who do this sort of thing discredit any movement that they purport to be a part of.
It also hasn't taken long for the wild-eyed conspiracy theorists that have attached themselves to the GamerGate movement to accuse Wu of starting a "false flag" operation to discredit them, either: They claim that she doxed herself and wrote the threatening messages, then called the police and the FBI.
Which is simply pathetic, paranoid lunacy.
The underlying concern of GamerGate is supposedly about ethics in game journalism — and there's actually a point to be made there.
But the problem is that from the start, GamerGate has been inextricably linked to a really vicious brand of misogyny, because it started after game developer Zoe Quinn's ex-boyfriend accused her of trading sex for good reviews and support of her game, Depression Quest.
If there's anything lesson to be learned about the subject of game journalism ethics at this point, it shouldn't be from anything to do with GamerGate. Because fringe elements in GamerGate have so thoroughly poisoned its overarching message that nothing is going to come of it. When your house is built on quicksand, don't be surprised if it collapses.
Ultimately, this isn't about GamerGate. It isn't even about games. It's about people who abuse technology to act viciously to each other. That's not a gamer problem. That's not a technology problem.
It's a societal problem.
This isn't unique to the online experience. Another friend of mine who lives in San Francisco was sexually assaulted in the street recently. She wrote about the experience, and talked about some of the routine garbage she has to put up with from men on a daily basis. This is everywhere.
When it comes to online abuse, I've written about this before: There's something called the "online disinhibition effect," which makes it easier for people with tendencies to be jerks to be major jerks online. Add to that some people who are just straight up mentally ill and in need of treatment.
When I talked to Wu last night, she was resolute: The concern over her and her husband's personal safety may have driven them from their home temporarily, but it's not going to change who she is or what she stands for. And the threats of abuse and violence haven't quieted other women with strong voices, either — people like Anita Sarkeesian or Leigh Alexander or Zoe Quinn.
What it does do is shine a spotlight on a very ugly undercurrent of behavior on the Internet that has to change. This isn't a women's issue any more than it's a men's issue. It's an issue of simply being human. And no one is undeserving of human dignity and respect.
If you're witness to this kind of abusive, vile behavior on the Internet, gaming, in the office, in a home or walking down the street, speak up. Let the perpetrator know it's unacceptable. Shine a light on it wherever and whenever you can. Because only by exposing the behavior and the people who engage in it will we be able to overcome it.
iMore Newsletter
Get the best of iMore in your inbox, every day!
-
I'd really like to just read tech news without all of this social justice warrior bullshit. Sent from the iMore App
-
Then you are more than welcome to leave. Posted via the iMore App for Android
-
I remember seeing movie reviews from a woman always complaining if a woman was scantily clad in a movie. Xmen comes out and the first thing she blurts out in her review is how hot high jack mans chest and body was. SJWs are completely delusional. Sent from the iMore App
-
I actually will leave. IM SICK and tired of not being able to read news now without seeing some stupid liberal feminist garbage. I can't read the verge anymore. Engadget. All sites are employing moron writers. When I go to a video game site I want to read about video games. NOT about the fact that the female character is not realistic. If you don't like it DONT buy the game Final point. You know what really makes me laugh though about all of this. ? Most of the people that you are complaining about these things are MOST LIKELY lovers of "art " Yet they are the ones crying to have art changed. That's what video games are. If you disagree you're a moron And the moment people start FORCING art to be changed ? I won't be viewing / or purchasing said art #tiredOfFeminists Sent from the iMore App
-
"When I go to a video game site I want to read about video games. NOT about the fact that the female character is not realistic. If you don't like it DONT buy the game"
Er, I won't, thanks. That's why I want to read things about then first to inform my purchasing decisions, such as whether the female characters are realistic. -
there are multiple games with woman who are realistic and games where men are not. yet, you wont care about that, why? wont make you look sophisticated or enlighteneded, typical SJW.
-
The hell are you talking about? Most games are unrealistic. Oh you think Donkey Kong or the super soldiers in COD are realistic? LOL!
-
Wow. Your world is small.
-
Lol, you funny. Posted via the iMore App for Android
-
A895 - why don't you leave?
Pats suck. -
"NSFW is a weekly op-ed column in which I talk about whatever's on my mind. Sometimes it'll have something to do with the technology we cover here on iMore; sometimes it'll be whatever pops into my head. Your questions, comments and observations are welcome." --Peter :)
-
Ifaslightsrsers, I couldn't agree more. And I see my joke below was missed by the whole crowd.
-
Then I think you missed the point of Peter's weekly NSFW articles.
-
And I'm sure a lot of people would like to work in the tech industry without all of this rape and death threat bullshit.
-
So you'd just look the other way while women in the games industry are routinely threatened with rape and death? What a charmer you must be. I bet your Mother is so proud, well, unless she knows what a misogynist you are of course.
-
For more information on gamergate: http://techcrunch.com/2014/09/25/gamergate-an-issue-with-2-sides/
-
I was more interested in GamerGate because of the more conspiracy parts of it, there was an email list about big names in gaming journalism who colluded together. There is some *sketchy* evidence that gaming sites have colluded in the past to give games favorable coverage. But I think the big mouths who send death threats and make other gamers look bad are the ones who destroy the cause others support. Then we get articles saying gamers are bad and should feel bad, and how GamerGate is awful, when the vocal minority don't dictate the majority. People can see that Ferguson isn't sham because of some looters, why can't people see that GamerGate isn't a sham because of some loudmouths? Posted via the iMore App for Android
-
Great, great article. This is why iMore is different (and better) than all the other tech reporting sites. Keep up the good work. Speaking as a person who has been around since women's liberation first became a mainstream thing in the 1970's, IMO the world today is far *more* male-biased and far *more* male dominated than ever before.
-
Not even close, they just want it to seem that way so they can get ahead not equal. http://check-your-privilege-feminists.tumblr.com/post/95979451581/i-dont... Sent from the iMore App
-
That tumblr page makes me want to punch a feminist. Posted via the iMore App for Android
-
What's the point of coming to this site, seeing an article about misogyny, reading said article (if you actually did), then going down to the comments and posting a misogynist comment? I mean that's just like someone who doesn't like sports going to a big football game just to run around and yell at everyone about how sports sucks. It's really just insane behaviour. Did you just want to show everyone how irrational you are? I don't get it.
-
Only liberals have the FREEDOM of speech in America.
iMore is now a bastion for Libtard Fanboys and Freaks to react anyway they choose. I have been censored on this very page for AGREEING with a comment.
No poor choice of language, nothing curt. But into PC LIBTARD world, DAMN BE THOSE THAT GO AGAINST THE GRAIN. ... and if a NSFW banner is posted for OP, then WTF, ok for the feminazis?
The touchy feely bullish^^t if I don't keep my opinion to myself. Fuck I came here for the very reason RUSH sent me here. TECHNOLOGY and APPLE. iMore you need to pull your proverbial heads, over inflated at that, out of your butts and realize you can't pander to the low end of the base, censor those with conturing opinions, and not loose CLICKS! As for the ladies, the guy ladies, and wimp wrist men, go soak your heads. Your plight is weak, tired, your boorish, and frankly causes anymore are going unnoticed and pissing folks off. 4, 3, 2, 1... should be getting a chastising email and ban notice soon. -
I don't agree with that whole tumblr, but it is an issue that seems to be overlooked. Woman mearly says she was raped, guy loses job and everything. If she is proven wrong, what happens to her? A slap on the wrists. Yes, it is a tricky situation, as we don't want to discourage wo/men from reporting rape for fear of not being able to prove it, but come on. There is misandry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misandry) just as there is misogyny. However, if you point out misandry, you're labeled a misogynist. There's equality and there's tipping things in favor of women. A lot of what's being done is the latter. Maury shouldn't be an example to use, but I use it as background noise as I'm home a lot when it's on (I work a late shift). Woman is using a GPS to track a guy, "checking" him (as in in his pants) to see if he's been with another woman = the audience cheering. When a man does the same things, it's booing and everything. Further, guy is in jail, sends his friend to check that his gf is ok for some reason, they wind up sleeping together. They blame the friend, and guy in jail "If you're in jail, don't send your friend to check on your gf". As the gf didn't say it was rape, why isn't she to blame too? If it wasn't rape, she was in to it. Another daytime talk show (yes, I have a problem), they're talking about the people on the show during the credits "Women do everything better than men... except host this show", can you explain how that isn't misandrist? Basically, what needs to happen is equality, not pushing the bar too far the other way, which is what's happening. http://www.harkavagrant.com/?id=341
-
@ bobbob1016: Your entire argument is literally just a slight variation of "White people should be able to use the N-word too!" Literally.
-
Ah, the old make an analogy that makes sense to you, and try to invalidate another person's argument! It's been a while since I've seen that. If you could cite how I am saying that, as I don't see it. I do see how feminism is being hijacked from "Let's make everything equal" to "Let's make it better for women!" I'll cite another cultural example. How many house-husbands get alimony after a divorce? The woman was making the money, so why shouldn't he get the house/alimony?
-
why do you always use white examples?
oh right youre part of the anti-white racist, liberal socialist nazi agenda. -
WTH does this article have anything to do with iPhones? "I've seen Wu talk and she's ready to confront men for bad behavior straight on — talking about the inherent, institutionalized sexism and misogyny that permeates the technology industry." Perhaps your friend should work on her confrontation methods. And on a side note, this male vs. female bullshit is exactly that, bullshit. Men and women should have equal opportunities. With that said, I've never had a male bat his eyelashes at me when he wants me to fix his computer... Like someone else already said, save the social justice warrior bullshit for somewhere else. And what was up with iMore's post on a Kim Kardashian app? WTF is happening to this site?
-
Well that's the point. Men and woman aren't treated equally. The worst example you came up with is you had a woman batting her eyelashes at you. You are free to refuse. Contrast that with rape and death threats. Sent from the iMore App
-
Let the war on women waddle through.
Big - this site is in the fray of pandering to the lowest common faction.
Anything for clicks throughs and fanboyism bullshit.
This used to be a AWESOME site, now it is a HOT BED for BS, FREAKS, OVER INFLATED EGOS with really no Tech backing, (except Pete and I am sure he has had his fill) and the goofball fringe with stupid nonsensical BS run amuck. -
Well said, Peter. Thank you.
-
Damn, I don't even want to voice my opinion on the Internet, because all I can see is people that just don't understand. This stuff is so rough, and makes me want to hang up my controller so that I'm no longer part of that crowd. Posted via the 5s I'm not ashamed of using in my home.
-
I still play video games a lot. But only with close friends. You can play games and still not associate with the gaming community. I do it. ಠ益ಠ
-
It's just a game right?
I love em.
The escape from reality is now slipping into real life. FUCK! -
Im with you.
-
Well said indeed. The feminist movement always rubs me the wrong way.. Maybe because in my culture, most families are Matriarchs. and I'm a son of a single mother. And the overall message from Feminists seems to be.. I have a penis, therefore I'm a horrible person. I don't like Anita for that reason. She's confrontational and her videos are in no way Subjective. But the problem is, many seem to take this all as "Evil men gamers attacking women because they are women" and the truth seems to be.. If you are any person of prominence on the internet, and you say something against any group of people.. Trolling will happen. I posted a video several years of me singing on YouTube, and it got picked up by one of the chans.. and I got harassed pretty bad in the comments.
-
I think you mean Anitas videos are in no way objective rather than subjective. Which I agree with. Posted via the iMore App for Android
-
@dcpanther: Wow. It's so sad to see someone take something like what is being discussed and *that* is all you get out of it? (I won't repeat your actual offensive remark). As a child of a single mother, you should have both more insight, and more compassion. I feel sorry for you, but judging from your icon (if that is you), you have some more growing to do so maybe you will wake up one day.
-
Like Rush says, Feminism is for ugly (inside and outside), fat, undesirable women.
Slice it anyway you want, it is the truth. -
I remember the original Lara Croft - Gravity defying breasts. And people think the smart athletic rest of her made up for it. But in real life: she couldn't do all those action-moves. I know just a game but come-on. I am a guy who likes girls. Sent from the iMore App
-
1. Death and rape threats are not trolling. They're threats. Applying whimsical language is an attempt to diminish the seriousness of the action. 2. Anita and Brianna have shown and said time and time again that they don't hate men. You are confusing condemning of the actions with condemning an entire gender. This has always been the straw man argument of the anti-feminist. Almost all feminists don't hate men. The few extremists who bend the definition aren't even worth considering. Sent from the iMore App
-
i think this was ghostwritten by ruth bader ginsburg
-
That is the best comment of the site.
rewN - half these numb skulls don't even know who you are speaking about.
You ROCK! -
Brianna Wu found out what people who make their living by writing about social/political issues have known for a long time. That there is evil in the world. If you wanna start writing about the same issues as Sara Palin, Sandra Fluke, or Hillary Clinton than don't be surprised when you get similar treatment.
-
Very sad that every comment here isn't well wishes for Briana or at least something constructive to make things better. I get a picture of frightened little boys (of all ages) who feel so detached from the opposite gender that they need to lash out online in ways they would never offline - I hope. Very sad. Sent from the iMore App
-
Is that your debate tactic ? Use fake compassion and emotion ? Give it a rest. Maybe some of us are sick of all the activism. Sent from the iMore App
-
Your point is well taken. I hope Brianna can have some peace of mind restored soon.
-
EFF Briana.
Let's talk about EBOLA now!
This site sucks any more. -
Yep, iMore has been degenerating into a Social Justice Warrior site. Drop the politics and stick to technology. Your readers have plenty of political sites to choose from. Oh, and speaking of misogyny, can you comment on Sarah Palin and the treatment she has received from the social justice crowd?
-
We are, all of us, only as good as we treat everyone else, only as honorable as our actions show us to be. These are our mothers and sisters and daughters, our fathers and brothers and sons. We are better than this. We need to be. All of us. Don't be afraid. Make the world better. For everyone. For all of us.
-
+1. Well said.
-
Rene, allowing controversial articles to drive traffic seems antithetical to how this site has been previously run. Most people here would agree that we should have an egalitarian society, however we don't benefit from editorials that are condescending to readers. Isn't this is also an issue of format? Readers don't go to Feministing to hear Jessica Valenti's take on the Broadwell roadmap. I've always come here for the smartest take on tech, but white knight editorials assuming that Zoe and Anita are "strong" women with good motives? Sent from the iMore App
-
I have a mom, a wife and a young daughter.
They are stronger then these feminists who still long to find who the hell they are with there daddy/mommy issues. Lost misfits longer for love and can't find it.
Doomed to a life of confusion and lashing out anytime they can. Rene - GROW SOME for Christ sakes. Be a man and not a METRO!?!?! whoops I said, "Christ." Release the atheists, 3, 2, 1,... -
My reply was meant for DoyouFanBoyBro.
-
That's your comeback ? My world is small ? Give me a break Sent from the iMore App
-
The insanity that drives people to harass someone with what are terrorist threats is revolting. You can disagree with Brianna and others, but trying to silence them through threats and intimidation doesn't make you a man. It makes you a disgusting human being. Three cheers for Brianna who is still standing strong despite this. We can get back to the games when the trolls go back under their bridges.
-
For the inevitable response that men have it just as bad, and the "journalistic ethics" behind GamerGate and some devs getting press because of their social status, consider this thought experiment: On Apple sites, Vesper gets press. A lot of press. Glowing press. Certainly more favorable press every couple of months than Brianna Wu has gotten in her entire career. Much more than the app deserves, IMHO. Does that enrage you to the point of tweeting threats at Wiskus, complete with his home address, or tell Simmons to enjoy his last moments on earth? Does it make you want to tell Gruber he is going to die, and his kids too, because they'd just grow up to be insufferable smart-asses anyway? Unless you are a sociopath, the answer is no. If these men did get credible threats, would you blame it on the "Apple Justice Warriors" talking too much? So why the different attitude when the developer happens to have a different set of genitalia?
-
In my opinion, and hear me out, more SJWs send death threats to people who call them out then 4chan users. And also do people not realize how people talk in video games? I hate online multiplayer because of this. All you hear is hey F***** and S***bird and whole lot of nasty stuff. Why would anyone like that change the way they talk for some random lady who says it's bad? Quite frankly I think we should focus on getting developers from cutting off the ending of games and selling it as a DLC a year later for $15. And finally, being a woman doesn't make you special, remember that boy who beat practically all of the girls he faced in field hockey? No? Well, he received death threats, and also very nasty letters, and was eventually banned from playing field hockey.
-
What a coincidence. I was just reading reviews of Bayonetta 2, which is getting stellar Metacritic scores. Sure enough, there's that one review from a white knight feminist that gives the game a 70. His review is like 10% gameplay and 90% complaining about misogyny in video games. Sent from the iMore App
-
This right here ^ It's getting old. Sent from the iMore App
-
Yeah, having to make sure games are not misogynist before purchasing them IS getting old. It's not like one can have a gorgeous and creative action game WITHOUT sexualizing women, right?
-
You're the one who has the mental problem here if that's what you're looking for before buying games to entertain you. If you don't realize that I can't help you. Some of us are just buying games because gee.. I don't know what a concept! They meet the list of great things gamers love.. like being "FUN" imagine that!
-
The misogyny of the tech industry goes beyond games; see Kathy Sierra's tale of woe. Doxxing and personal threats are completely unacceptable behavior. If we can't have civil discourse, we're way below the level of the people we ought, and need, to be. Thanks for raising this here, and if you are tired of the feminists and their problems, maybe it's time for some self-inspection: "just what's threatening me?". I like Anita Sarkeesian's closing recommendation: "actually believe women when they tell you about their experiences."
-
Most of this has passed me by, but surely games sexualise women because most games are bought by young males. It just comes down to making money. I would have thought it's pretty obvious. Obviously doesn't excuse death threats but seems like people are reading too much into everything lately. Posted via the Android iMore App!
-
Some of these comments about what is a very serious issue are, frankly, disturbing. Sent from the iMore App
-
And why is this the "SERIOUS" issue of YOUR day?
You chime in on a TECHNOLOGY site and this is a SERIOUS issue.
WGAFF what you think.
NO ONE, just like no one cares what I think.
What Dan no one patted you on the back and gave you a "Atta Boy!?" -
I think, or perhaps better, hope that what is happening is change at the level of our culture: more and more people are calling for us all to treat women as fuller equals in our society. Now, that sort of change threatens the old power structures, the old assumptions about what men are entitled to. So, as with any major change, some people are going to feel it as a constraint, as a taking-away of what they had and what they were used to. Some of that group are going to adopt a reactionary attitude and, at least in their own eyes, "fight back" against this "injustice." At the same time, more and more people can recognize the kind of BS you can find in this comment thread (SJW's? Being able to give a sarcastic name isn't an argument, it's a way of avoiding having something real to say). Repeated exposure to the reality of the two sides - here, one side is calling simply for women to be treated with the decency due to all people, and the other is carping about having to sit through Peter Cohen "whining" about how his good friend had to *leave her home* because of death and rape threats (!?!?!) - will, I hope, lead people down the path to being at least a bit more accepting.
-
Great article and I completely agree. Ignore the trolls until they learn how to articulate themselves without resorting to insults and intolerance.
-
My wife would kick his wife's rear for acting like a victim, then kick his butt for emasculating his self, just so he can "check his privilege" what a false narrative
that has been foisted by a tiny but highly vocal minority.