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Many women have courageously spoken out about how they experience alienation and harassment in gaming. Despite this fact, too many male gamers dismiss the issue as “no big deal” and insist that there isn’t really a problem. One of the luxuries of being a member of a privileged group is that the benefits afforded to us often remain invisible to us. Working towards solutions requires that male gamers become aware of the ways in which we unconsciously benefit from sexism. We can’t work to fix something unless we first understand its effects. With that in mind the following is a checklist of some of the concrete benefits that male gamers automatically receive simply for being men.
1. I can choose to remain completely oblivious, or indifferent to the harassment that many women face in gaming spaces. 2. I am never told that video games or the surrounding culture is not intended for me because I am male. 3. I can publicly post my username, gamertag or contact information online without having to fear being stalked or sexually harassed because of my gender. 4. I will never be asked to “prove my gaming cred” simply because of my gender. 5. If I enthusiastically express my fondness for video games no one will automatically assume I’m faking my interest just to “get attention” from other gamers. 6. I can look at practically any gaming website, show, or magazine and see the voices of people of my own gender widely represented. 7. When I go to a gaming event or convention, I can be relatively certain that I won’t be harassed, groped, propositioned or catcalled by total strangers. 8. I will never be asked or expected to speak for all other gamers who share my gender. 9. I can be sure that my gaming performance (good or bad) won’t be attributed to or reflect on my gender as a whole. 10. My gaming ability will never be called into question based on unrelated natural biological functions. 11. I can be relatively sure my thoughts about video games won’t be dismissed or attacked based solely on my tone of voice, even if I speak in an aggressive, obnoxious, crude or flippant manner. 12. I can openly say that my favorite games are casual, odd, non-violent, artistic, or cute without fear that my opinions will reinforce a stereotype that “men are not real gamers.” 13. When purchasing most major video games in a store, chances are I will not be asked if (or assumed to be) buying it for a wife, daughter or girlfriend. 14. The vast majority of game studios, past and present, have been led and populated primarily by people of my own gender and as such most of their products have been specifically designed to cater to my demographic. 15. I can walk into any gaming store and see images of my gender widely represented as powerful heroes, dastardly villains and non-playable characters alike. 16. I will almost always have the option to play a character of my gender, as most protagonists or heroes will be male by default. 17. I do not have to carefully navigate my engagement with online communities or gaming spaces in order to avoid or mitigate the possibility of being harassed because of my gender. 18. I probably never think about hiding my real-life gender online through my gamer-name, my avatar choice, or by muting voice-chat, out of fear of harassment resulting from my being male. 19. When I enter an online game, I can be relatively sure I won’t be attacked or harassed when and if my real-life gender is made public 20. If I am trash-talked or verbally berated while playing online, it will not be because I am male nor will my gender be invoked as an insult. 21. While playing online with people I don’t know I won’t be interrogated about the size and shape of my real-life body parts, nor will I be pressured to share intimate details about my sex life for the pleasure of other players. 22. Complete strangers generally do not send me unsolicited images of their genitalia or demand to see me naked on the basis of being a male gamer. 23. In multiplayer games I can be pretty sure that conversations between other players will not focus on speculation about my “attractiveness” or “sexual availability” in real-life. 24. If I choose to point out sexism in gaming, my observations will not be seen as self-serving, and will therefore be perceived as more credible and worthy of respect than those of my female counterparts, even if they are saying the exact same thing. 25. Because it was created by a straight white man, this checklist will likely be taken more seriously than if it had been written by virtually any female gamer.
These benefits should not be reserved for men.
This list is not meant to suggest that male gamers are always treated well. Sometimes we are bullied or subjected to online nastiness, but it is not based on or because of our gender.
In order to make change first we need to acknowledge the problem, and then we must take responsibility for it as a community, so we can actively work together, with people of all genders, to dismantle the parts of gaming culture that perpetuate these imbalances.
All people, of all genders, must be treated with respect and dignity.
Together, we can make gaming gaming. Together, we will make gaming better.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/12/03 14:00:29
Every time I hear "in my opinion" or "just my opinion" makes me want to strangle a puppy. People use their opinions as a shield that other poeple can't critisize and that is bs.
If you can't defend or won't defend your opinion then that "opinion" is bs. Stop trying to tip-toe and defend what you believe in.
Honestly what did you expect? It's a video from leader of anti gg, it has the same "check your privilege" mantra (wtf does that even mean?) and speaks about wanting to promote discussion while disabling comments.
Because it was created by a straight white man, this checklist will likely be taken more seriously than if it had been written by virtually any female gamer.
Every time I hear "in my opinion" or "just my opinion" makes me want to strangle a puppy. People use their opinions as a shield that other poeple can't critisize and that is bs.
If you can't defend or won't defend your opinion then that "opinion" is bs. Stop trying to tip-toe and defend what you believe in.
Machintosh (and lesser extent Sarkeesian) is a central spokesperson in the "anti-gg" front. Calling him a "leader" is more of a jab at the idea that gg has a "leader".
Every time I hear "in my opinion" or "just my opinion" makes me want to strangle a puppy. People use their opinions as a shield that other poeple can't critisize and that is bs.
If you can't defend or won't defend your opinion then that "opinion" is bs. Stop trying to tip-toe and defend what you believe in.
LuciusAR wrote: Oh goodie, a video where a woman who has a huge platform and the ear of large media outlets lectures everyday joes on how ‘privileged’ they are.
I must have watched a different video as there is no woman in it at any point.
Amidst the mists and coldest frosts he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts.
As much fun as it is to pretend everyone knows your little shorthand you might want to expound on that a bit.
Why do that when they can continue to lie to themselves and everyone else?
Unfortunately, it seems several people in this thread have decided to comment on the video before even watching it, fun times to be had for all.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/12/03 12:42:56
The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
Make that four people complaining about the video without having watched it now.
The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
LuciusAR wrote: Oh goodie, a video where a woman who has a huge platform and the ear of large media outlets lectures everyday joes on how ‘privileged’ they are.
This.
Where is the woman in the video? I didn't see any.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
Melissia wrote: Make that four people complaining about the video without having watched it now.
In before damage control.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/12/03 12:49:22
A group of feminists make a video, ignorant people rant about how much they hate it without even watching it or trying to understand what it's talking about.
The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
LuciusAR wrote: Oh goodie, a video where a woman who has a huge platform and the ear of large media outlets lectures everyday joes on how ‘privileged’ they are.
I must have watched a different video as there is no woman in it at any point.
This video was written by a man. It's kind of funny because the last comment talks about exactly this.
A group of feminists make a video, ignorant people rant about how much they hate it without even watching it or trying to understand what it's talking about.
Would you kindly then explain what is the video trying to say because to me it doesn't make any sense.
Fore example:
1. I have never seen this ingame or in a forum. Even when I have met a woman online I have not seen any harassment directed at her. 8. lolwut? 11. If you tone of voice is this they will be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvYyGTmcP80 12. Walking simulators are not real games. 20. "Dick" is not an insult, que? 22. WTF is this? The times I've seen somebody spray porn in the saferoom walls in is countless. 25. Nobody takes this seriously because you are a slow.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/12/03 14:25:59
Every time I hear "in my opinion" or "just my opinion" makes me want to strangle a puppy. People use their opinions as a shield that other poeple can't critisize and that is bs.
If you can't defend or won't defend your opinion then that "opinion" is bs. Stop trying to tip-toe and defend what you believe in.
You could copy and paste (like I did with the transscript) or use archive.
Every time I hear "in my opinion" or "just my opinion" makes me want to strangle a puppy. People use their opinions as a shield that other poeple can't critisize and that is bs.
If you can't defend or won't defend your opinion then that "opinion" is bs. Stop trying to tip-toe and defend what you believe in.
1. I have never seen this ingame or in a forum. Even when I have met a woman online I have not seen any harassment directed at her.
8. lolwut?
11. If you tone of voice is this they will be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvYyGTmcP80 12. Walking simulators are not real games.
20. "Dick" is not an insult, que?
22. WTF is this? The times I've seen somebody spray porn in the saferoom walls in is countless.
25. Nobody takes this seriously because you are a slow.
1. Well you don't have to see. That is privilege point 1. If you want, you can be completely oblivious of the harassment faced by some people. It likely won't impact you and you may not even notice it.
8. It's a thing. It happens with most minority groups. If your a minority, it's only a matter of time before your asked to explain the your minority. You will basically be asked to speak for all members of your minority. This is a very common thing with female programers. You might not notice unless you asked people though.
11. You used a woman as an example there? The statement is about how men can use whatever tone they want and not be called out on using the wrong tone. Tone is a oddly big then when you talk about women issues. Like if you ever talk about it in a non positive way, people will call you out and say you should be nicer about it. You could have pages of pages of talk on the issue of tone alone
12. This is the stereotype reinforcement bit. When your part of a minority your aware of the stereotypes and don't want to be viewed as embodying them. Like how as a gamer you might not mention some things you do because they might confirm a negative bias people have about gamers.
20. Anyone recall the old "you throw like a girl" insult. There isn't a "You throw like a man" version. The dick thing, well you do have a point about that. Melissa pointed out to me how it's kind of sexist that dick is a negative.
22. This is TOGTFO. The old standard where if you a woman people want you to prove your a woman, often with nudity.
25. A slow? I don't know what that is.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
illuknisaa wrote: You could copy and paste (like I did with the transscript) or use archive.
Why?
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/12/03 14:56:45
I am always surprised why people get so angry at criticism and the relish they have in attacking someone with a different view. If you hate this type of feminism so much, why give it such attention?
I also don't understand why there is such a general acceptance that interaction on the Internet must be vile. We usually don't allow such behavior in other public areas, why is online different?
AdeptSister wrote: I am always surprised why people get so angry at criticism and the relish they have in attacking someone with a different view. If you hate this type of feminism so much, why give it such attention?
I also don't understand why there is such a general acceptance that interaction on the Internet must be vile. We usually don't allow such behavior in other public areas, why is online different?
I think it's because people don't want to deal with the bile made by others or themselves so they say it's inherent and cant be rid of as a way to avoid trying. You know because clean up the internet would be hard and a little unpleasant in some places.
Kilkrazy wrote: Dick can be a negative, it can be a positive -- "big swinging dicks" -- it is also one of the nicknames for Richard.
A bunch of white guys telling me how Privileged I am, because I am a white male. Yes I completely privileged tell that to my friends living in Israel who are white males who are currently being bombed and killed.
Tell that to hundreds of thousands of white people who are in the middle of a war.
This video was created by Mctonish who famously also has this made this video.
I like being told I am sexist misgyonist when all I have asked is someone to be truthful with me. (Warning not part of gamergate)
I dislike McIntosh for his idiotic statements he has made.
Heres his views on Pikmin
That is enough for me to ask why would you even listen to this guy if we know he is going to insult people?
Please know he and Antia are actually a couple. A match made in heaven.
Idiotic ideals and someone calling themselves a feminist yet they are homophobic, racist, sexist, and have little to no professional academia, other social degrees.
There is a reason I don't listen to Antia, mostly because of all her faulty evidence, but once I found out about who actually writes for the show, and his stupid ideologies, then I stopped even listening.
From whom are unforgiven we bring the mercy of war.
illuknisaa wrote: Even when I have met a woman online I have not seen any harassment directed at her.
I have definitely seen plenty, and my wife has been on the receiving end, too. It seems to really depend on what kind of game you're playing - in my wholly anecdotal experience, the more "bro" a game is, like CoD or BF4, the more it happens over a game with a more significant female playerbase (WoW).
lord_blackfang wrote: Respect to the guy who subscribed just to post a massive ASCII dong in the chat and immediately get banned.
Flinty wrote: The benefit of slate is that its.actually a.rock with rock like properties. The downside is that it's a rock
illuknisaa wrote: Even when I have met a woman online I have not seen any harassment directed at her.
I have definitely seen plenty, and my wife has been on the receiving end, too. It seems to really depend on what kind of game you're playing - in my wholly anecdotal experience, the more "bro" a game is, like CoD or BF4, the more it happens over a game with a more significant female playerbase (WoW).
As have I, but I don't think it is as bad as everyone makes it out to be. That is video game talk, we have gamer talk and those who are outsiders to the culture will find it polarizing.
Gamers called each other bad names sometimes as a compliment. I have been called a whiny little And the guy meant it as a compliment.
From whom are unforgiven we bring the mercy of war.
illuknisaa wrote: Even when I have met a woman online I have not seen any harassment directed at her.
I have definitely seen plenty, and my wife has been on the receiving end, too. It seems to really depend on what kind of game you're playing - in my wholly anecdotal experience, the more "bro" a game is, like CoD or BF4, the more it happens over a game with a more significant female playerbase (WoW).
As have I, but I don't think it is as bad as everyone makes it out to be. That is video game talk, we have gamer talk and those who are outsiders to the culture will find it polarizing.
Gamers called each other bad names sometimes as a compliment. I have been called a whiny little And the guy meant it as a compliment.
Gamers don't call each other bad names. Gamers play games. It's jerks who insult each other.
illuknisaa wrote: Even when I have met a woman online I have not seen any harassment directed at her.
I have definitely seen plenty, and my wife has been on the receiving end, too. It seems to really depend on what kind of game you're playing - in my wholly anecdotal experience, the more "bro" a game is, like CoD or BF4, the more it happens over a game with a more significant female playerbase (WoW).
As have I, but I don't think it is as bad as everyone makes it out to be. That is video game talk, we have gamer talk and those who are outsiders to the culture will find it polarizing.
Gamers called each other bad names sometimes as a compliment. I have been called a whiny little And the guy meant it as a compliment.
Gamers don't call each other bad names. Gamers play games. It's jerks who insult each other.
It was like there is always one guy in every game.
Most gamers I know don't talk.
The majority don't. The minority do. and it is actually kind of sad. We now have people who immediately mute everyone, instead of talking with people.
Except I have made some lifelong friends online. I met one of my best friends in diablo 2, and he was actually really close to me, and we still play games together all the time.
We always talk and we insult each other because we are playing d3, and everytime someone gets a better item we yell at each other.
From whom are unforgiven we bring the mercy of war.
