Gender Diversity / Politics in games (was Tropes Vs. Women)

[matt0]

You seriously think Sarkeesian is the first person to think "thoughtfully" about games? Utter rubbish.

Hang about.

You were accusing people of using strawman arguments just yesterday in this thread and now you've gone and posted this?

[Graham S]

Shrew was responding to someone who misused a phrase. The original poster clearly meant that thoughtful gaming critics are uncommon, but shrew took him to mean that Anita is the first person in history to ever "think thoughtfully" about games. This seems like an unlikely opinion for anyone to hold, but is useful if you wish to portray people as crazy zealots.

[matt0]

Shrew was responding to someone who misused a phrase. The original poster clearly meant that thoughtful gaming critics are uncommon, but shrew took him to mean that Anita is the first person in history to ever "think thoughtfully" about games. This seems like an unlikely opinion for anyone to hold, but is useful if you wish to portray people as crazy zealots.

I refuse to believe that a grown adult could misconstrue the original post to mean that nobody in history has ever approached games thoughtfully before.

[b00dles]

I refuse to believe that a grown adult could misconstrue the original post to mean that nobody in history has ever approached games thoughtfully before.

He totally misunderstood the definition of a word that he used to prove his own point, so it's entirely plausible.

[Unofficial Who]

Edited my post to remove the 'this stuff' comment, as Danster says, she was one of the first to address sexism and gender tropes in gaming. But to suggest this is the singular instance where gaming has been thoughtfully analysed is rubbish.

I don't think anyone is claiming that. The first person I remember writing about game design from anything other than a technical perspective was Chris Crawford back in the 90's but I'm positive there were many others before him.

Edit. The first piece of literature on the social culture of gaming that I read was written by Martin Amis of all people in his early work Invasion of the Space Invaders.

And yes, that Martin Amis.

[Benny]

I would just like to clarify: I absolutely did mean that the Tropes series is the only time anyone in the world has ever thoughtfully had thoughts that were thunk about games in all of history.

[Straps]

Stop.

[Alex W.]

Yes if he had said something obviously nonsensical then you would've been absolutely right.

[Fry Crayola]

If climate change was made up by the scientists for political gain then lots of other idiots would be right.

[matt0]

So what you're all saying is...

If Benny had claimed FemFreq were the first and only people to think about games thoughtfully, you agree with me, that would be a load of rubbish.

So in a way, whether he actually said that or not is neither here nor there.

"So in a way, whether I comment on reality or not is neither here nor there"

Amazing!

[Rev]

So what you're all saying is...

If Benny had claimed FemFreq were the first and only people to think about games thoughtfully, you agree with me, that would be a load of rubbish.

So in a way, whether he actually said that or not is neither here nor there.

There's a very fine line between posting utter bollocks and trolling.

[b00dles]

Ceci n'est pas une ethics dans le journalisme videogames

[K]

I’m trying to think of a way to sarcastically parody sir_shrew’s post above, and I don’t think I can. It’s perfect as it is.

[NEG]

Everyone should just hug and come watch Video Games Done Quick with me.

[Festoon]

So what you're all saying is...

If Benny had claimed FemFreq were the first and only people to think about games thoughtfully, you agree with me, that would be a load of rubbish.

So in a way, whether he actually said that or not is neither here nor there.

To quote Spinal Tap: "There's a fine line between clever and stupid"

[MechE]

I love that more than 24hr after writing sir_shrew's post has zero rep, because what way would you go.

On one hand it's clearly so stupid that it deserves a negging, but on the other hand it's one of my favourite posts ever and therefore deserves possing. Conflicted.

[NEG]

Huuuggggggg

[Captain Novaforce]

Read this on the tube yesterday, seemed relevant:

http://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/richard-godwin-misogynist-geeks-are-a-force-to-be-reckoned-with-a3149691.html

[Captain Novaforce]

Fair enough, I didn't really pick up on that nuance, given that I am seriously considering buying a BB-8 toy and used to own a light saber as an adult I fall into the merch geek category. Sounds like a crap night right enough.

[John0]

I noticed something in this otherwise astute and entertaining little column that has bugged me before, but I haven't really been able to articulate. It's the line "who sleeps with his C-3PO dolly every night" that rubbed me the wrong way, and it felt uncomfortable on two counts:
1) It is like naming the unrelated-but-bullyable characteristic of that person, using any sign of vulnerability to mock them. Like mentioning Stephen Fry's wonky nose or history of depression when disagreeing with something he has said. It's especially an issue where the person has less status or power than the commentator (as in this article, but not in my example), as I believe in punching upwards.

Yeah this is a great point. It's this kind of attitude towards vulnerability/sensitivity that I think partially fuels the very behaviour the article is criticising (people dealing with their emotions via aggression, bullying, death threats, etc).

[b00dles]

I must admit, it's something that the media is still terrible at in terms of portraying a 'gamer' or a geek of any sort, there always seems to be a sometimes quite unsubtle undercurrent with things like 'lives alone' or 'with their mum and all their toys' or whatever. In a similar way to Daily Mail and mentioning how much someone's house costs or some crap.

I know everyone casts judgements and whatever but it would be generally nicer if it wasn't what should be 'impartial' news. Although we're long past that idea these days I suppose.

[NEG]

We're all vulnerable, in one way or another.

Taking the piss out of any hobbies/past-times is not all bad intent, as should be obvious by watching every comedian out there. It's saying it to anyone in particular where it can become a difference. I would bet Fry would laugh along to a wonky nose comment though (assuming the comment isn't said in a mean-spirited manner), depends on the person. The important thing is not seeing anyone below you, even when you jest.

Class does indeed cause it too though. No one no where isn't guilty of this though.

What the article lacked is taking the piss out of his own likes. Something along the lines of that he too, wants a C-3PO plush of his own.

[Alex W.]

Twitter has taken Milo's Verified Account badget off him for rules violations (I don't know what, but he's been telling people abused by his followers that they should be abused on Twitter). Naturally this has lead to him writing a completely objective piece about how Twitter is all over and doomed and they're stupids anyway.

[rumblecat]

He's a class act.

[SMD]

Milo is irrelevant.

[Festoon]

He's a class act.

Screen Shot 2016-01-11 at 09.48.54.png

Total loser.

[lankysanchez]

I tried listening to the Milo episode of the Joe Rogan podcast the other day, I didn't even make 15 minutes before having to switch it off. What a thoroughly unpleasant person. I hope Rogan started to push him harder on his views later in the show, but I just couldn't bear to keep listening to find out.

[Festoon]

I tried listening to the Milo episode of the Joe Rogan podcast the other day, I didn't even make 15 minutes before having to switch it off. What a thoroughly unpleasant person. I hope Rogan started to push him harder on his views later in the show, but I just couldn't bear to keep listening to find out.

He's just a complete scumbag desperate, desperate, desperate for any oxygen of reaction or publicity. Any response lets him live.

[b00dles]

He's like a lesser god in the Terry Pratchett universe, he only exists if he has some followers.

[Rowan Morrison]

Here's everything you need to know about Milo, including what he really looks like:

http://thewarriorscomicbookden.blogspot.co.uk/2009/10/tower-of-shadows-2-neal-adams-art.html