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The issue appears to be, as it is often represented in any kind of argument, that the extremely small minority of vocal nut jobs represents the majority of reasonable people.

Unfortunately, again as is often the case, those being targeted by these nut jobs are generally quite happy to use those attacks to further their case by painting the reasonable majority with the nut case brush.

Though I do think that the extreme hatred reserved for some of the individuals involved in this issue seems to be originating mostly from America - just from my own (limited) observation of some of the people speaking out on the subject. I am sure that if they elected to take on speaking roles here in the UK they would encounter a much more relaxed atmosphere.

I think any bomb or shooting threat has to be followed up as a matter of principle. Regardless of whether it has been invented by someone on either side it's a serious claim, and the person at the root of it should still be charged with making threats or wasting police time. Even if it's Sarkeesian herself making it up, it should be investigated and its authenticity verified.

Well, the possibilities are what? That it's a genuine threat or that it's merely a PR stunt. Either way I'm sure the police will get it sorted. And, as much as I hate to say this, there is no such thing as bad publicity...

 Ahtman wrote:

 ScootyPuffJunior wrote:
Why the feth do people care this much about video games and "gamer culture?"

Because video games apparently aren't going away anytime soon and huge part of the culture, both East and West. It isn't as if there hasn't be interest in film, music, television, painting, novels, comics ect. It would be stranger if people didn't care or take notice.

Perhaps I should have clarified that at bit better because it was a rhetorical question.

Besides there is a huge difference between interest in something (which I have, because I own hundreds of video games from multiple generations) and making it the lens through which you view the entire world (to the point where when you feel someone is "attacking" what you love, you lash out with what is being displayed by the people involved in this controversy). The fact that people are threatening (hollow or nor) to massacre people at a college because someone they don't like is going to speak there is so far beyond ludicrous.

Assuming people are doing so cause they love games and not because they're internet trolls. Or stupid.

And uh, why not? I mean you are on a gaming website and it's kind of strange to go 'why do people feel so strongly about games' on a gaming website like dakka where people can argue endlessly about GW and WH40k don't you think?

Sining wrote:
Assuming people are doing so cause they love games and not because they're internet trolls. Or stupid.

And uh, why not? I mean you are on a gaming website and it's kind of strange to go 'why do people feel so strongly about games' on a gaming website like dakka where people can argue endlessly about GW and WH40k don't you think?

Then you aren't understanding the point I was making.

There is a big difference between enjoying something and letting it dominate your life.

So is there some approved list of things people should feel so strongly about then?

And you aren't understanding my point either. You're assuming the person who sent in the bomb threat does it cause he/she likes games and not because they're internet trolls or just psychotic in the first place.

Sining wrote:
So is there some approved list of things people should feel so strongly about then?

And you aren't understanding my point either. You're assuming the person who sent in the bomb threat does it cause he/she likes games and not because they're internet trolls or just psychotic in the first place.

You still aren't getting it...

Feeling strongly about something and the kind of ridiculousness going on here (harassment, threats of violence, etc.) are two entirely different things. This entire controversy started because a group of people felt like something they love was under attack and nothing justifies this kind of response.

And yeah, I am going to assume that the person who sent this threatening letter feels pretty strongly about feminism and what Anita represents because all known facts point to that being the case.

Nothing? I'm sure in the span of human experiences, there are events that would make people feel strongly about gaming. But I wasn't aware you were omniscient with the ability to be able straight away be able to tell that NOTHING justifies this kind of response. My fault, I didn't realise I was arguing with a god

 SilverMK2 wrote:
The issue appears to be, as it is often represented in any kind of argument, that the extremely small minority of vocal nut jobs represents the majority of reasonable people.

Unfortunately, again as is often the case, those being targeted by these nut jobs are generally quite happy to use those attacks to further their case by painting the reasonable majority with the nut case brush.

Though I do think that the extreme hatred reserved for some of the individuals involved in this issue seems to be originating mostly from America - just from my own (limited) observation of some of the people speaking out on the subject. I am sure that if they elected to take on speaking roles here in the UK they would encounter a much more relaxed atmosphere.

What you say about the nut jobs is right, however remember the furore around the suggestion that Jane Austen's portrait should be put on the new £10 note?

Someone is actually doing time right now for threats he issued against the woman who backed the idea.

Perhaps the UK would not be such a relaxed place after all.

Crazy people exist all over the world

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

 KalashnikovMarine wrote:
I give it 50/50 between trolling and Sarkeesian making more false threats. Gotta keep the cash rolling in.

On the one hand, I'm with you... As I believe the previous threats via that Twitter "screen shot" were completely fake, and completely done up for the purpose of marketing and creating a "scandal"


This however.... I dunno. Depending on the source, if they even trace it, could be more of the same, but I'd probably put it more at like, 70/30 genuine?? 60/40 maybe?

Whether it's genuine or not, it obviously has to be taken seriously by the authorities..



Then again, who really wants to go to Utah?? That there is Mormon country, and that is a whole brand of crazy all on its own

Hey, easy now! I live in Utah and am LDS!

Sining wrote:
Crazy people exist all over the world

Exactly. One of them even thinks dragging the bodies of dead women around a level is what players are "meant" to be doing in Hitman.

 ScootyPuffJunior wrote:
The thing that I will never fully understand about any of this is:

Why the feth do people care this much about video games and "gamer culture?"

I get it that most of this really isn't about video games; the games and "gaming culture" (those are sarcastic quotes, by the way) are just being used as an outlet by people on both "sides."

Goddammit, I miss the pre-Internet days when our source of video game information was Nintendo Power and GamePro and people weren't going on Twitter rants about "video game journalism ethics" and threatening to kill each other.

I have often wondered the same thing.

 ScootyPuffJunior wrote:
Why the feth do people care this much about video games and "gamer culture?"

Video games are a multi-billion dollar industry with millions and millions of active participants/employees/consumers across the entire world. I'd say it's pretty darn important to those people, especially the people who do it for a living.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

 ScootyPuffJunior wrote:
Why the feth do people care this much about video games and "gamer culture?"

Video games are a multi-billion dollar industry with millions and millions of active participants/employees/consumers across the entire world. I'd say it's pretty darn important to those people, especially the people who do it for a living.

I think you missed where I later clarified that this was a rhetorical question.

I'm well aware of the scope of the video game industry. It just pains me to see something that use to be "what you do" because "what you are," if that makes sense.

 ScootyPuffJunior wrote:

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

 ScootyPuffJunior wrote:
Why the feth do people care this much about video games and "gamer culture?"

Video games are a multi-billion dollar industry with millions and millions of active participants/employees/consumers across the entire world. I'd say it's pretty darn important to those people, especially the people who do it for a living.

I think you missed where I later clarified that this was a rhetorical question.

I'm well aware of the scope of the video game industry. It just pains me to see something that use to be "what you do" because "what you are," if that makes sense.

You mean something that happens naturally in hobbies? We have people arguing over 40k whether or not people are "wargamers" if they don't paint for example.

Relapse wrote:

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

 KalashnikovMarine wrote:
I give it 50/50 between trolling and Sarkeesian making more false threats. Gotta keep the cash rolling in.

On the one hand, I'm with you... As I believe the previous threats via that Twitter "screen shot" were completely fake, and completely done up for the purpose of marketing and creating a "scandal"


This however.... I dunno. Depending on the source, if they even trace it, could be more of the same, but I'd probably put it more at like, 70/30 genuine?? 60/40 maybe?

Whether it's genuine or not, it obviously has to be taken seriously by the authorities..

Then again, who really wants to go to Utah?? That there is Mormon country, and that is a whole brand of crazy all on its own

Hey, easy now! I live in Utah and am LDS!

I read that as am on LSD.

 Ahtman wrote:

 cincydooley wrote:
Is there like, a readers digest version of why this lady is important?

She had the temerity to have an opinion on feminist representation in video games which drove some people indiscriminately insane. She also asked for a small amount of money on KS ($6000) to fund a series about it and got lots of threats which boosted the money higher, which made the people throwing fits complain even more. In truth she doesn't say anything all that unexpected but because she put herself out there she became a lightning rod of internet hate. Even from this thread you can see some of the goofiness surrounding the mole hill.

Thats it, bomb threat for you!




Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Howard A Treesong wrote:
I think any bomb or shooting threat has to be followed up as a matter of principle. Regardless of whether it has been invented by someone on either side it's a serious claim, and the person at the root of it should still be charged with making threats or wasting police time. Even if it's Sarkeesian herself making it up, it should be investigated and its authenticity verified.

Agreed on all points. I've never heard of this person, but you have to take threats seriously. How you handle those threats is a separate issue and should be fully pursued.
I would not have cancelled though. If you give in, then you give in to those who wish to take our First Amendment away.

 cincydooley wrote:
Is there like, a readers digest version of why this lady is important?

She purposefully mispresents information / games to get attention, publishes poorly researched and extremely biased videos and most likely is a femina...female supremist.

In this case, my bet's on a /b/tard making the call because it's "cool and so funny".

/e: And just for the lesser internet-savvy people out there: /b/tard is not an insult, it's the official term for people hanging out on the 4chan forum /b/.

 Kilkrazy wrote:

 SilverMK2 wrote:
The issue appears to be, as it is often represented in any kind of argument, that the extremely small minority of vocal nut jobs represents the majority of reasonable people.

Unfortunately, again as is often the case, those being targeted by these nut jobs are generally quite happy to use those attacks to further their case by painting the reasonable majority with the nut case brush.

Though I do think that the extreme hatred reserved for some of the individuals involved in this issue seems to be originating mostly from America - just from my own (limited) observation of some of the people speaking out on the subject. I am sure that if they elected to take on speaking roles here in the UK they would encounter a much more relaxed atmosphere.

What you say about the nut jobs is right, however remember the furore around the suggestion that Jane Austen's portrait should be put on the new £10 note?

Someone is actually doing time right now for threats he issued against the woman who backed the idea.

Perhaps the UK would not be such a relaxed place after all.

A good point well made

 Frazzled wrote:
. If you give in, then you give in to those who wish to take our First Amendment away.

While I agree she should not have cancelled, I also feel compelled to point out that the first amendment does not work this way. The first amendment only restrains the government from interfering with protected speech, not other private citizens (obviously, it's not legal to threaten someone, but that's criminal, not civil).

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

Sining wrote:
Crazy people exist all over the world

Exactly. One of them even thinks dragging the bodies of dead women around a level is what players are "meant" to be doing in Hitman.

Part of the attraction of sandbox games is the ability to do things with bits of the environment that do not necessarily directly relate to the linear kind of mission that is more familiar in video games.

From that angle, what players are "meant" to do and what they are allowed to do are actually the same thing.

What I mean is that the dragging of bodies may fulfil a legitimate in game function, such as blocking a door open, but it also allows the player to play around with dead bodies. The blocking function could actually have been fulfilled by some other in game mechanism. The game designers made a choice to use dead bodies rather than say fire extinguishers.

Whether this is misogynistic in intent is a matter of interpretation. The whole game is extremely realistic and violent and the designers no doubt thought the body dragging was in keeping with the overall tone of the piece.

The only proper response to a threat like this is "Fine. Bring it."

This [MOD EDIT - Rule #1 - Alpharius] is constantly using bs like this to increase her already poorly achieved fame.

I'm waiting for this troll to fething disappear already.

Want to live a life of fear, fine. But do it fething quietly, the rest of us don't give a gak.

In your view the director of the faculty made up the threat in order to further some kind of publicity campaign for Sarkeesian?

How does she gain from not doing her lecture?

 Kilkrazy wrote:
In your view the director of the faculty made up the threat in order to further some kind of publicity campaign for Sarkeesian?

How does she gain from not doing her lecture?

I don't buy it. Whatever the reasons, I guarantee this is 90% crap. I don't have to prove anything because this person has proven to be an attention seeking tool. Who's to say this isn't some other stunt just for the fame?

 Kilkrazy wrote:
Part of the attraction of sandbox games is the ability to do things with bits of the environment that do not necessarily directly relate to the linear kind of mission that is more familiar in video games.

From that angle, what players are "meant" to do and what they are allowed to do are actually the same thing.

Yeah... no. The game actively penalises you for doing that. You're not "meant" to do that at all.

 Frankenberry wrote:

 Kilkrazy wrote:
In your view the director of the faculty made up the threat in order to further some kind of publicity campaign for Sarkeesian?

How does she gain from not doing her lecture?

I don't buy it. Whatever the reasons, I guarantee this is 90% crap. I don't have to prove anything because this person has proven to be an attention seeking tool. Who's to say this isn't some other stunt just for the fame?

Or it could just be some other jerk using the current media war as an "excuse" to post something that will cause even more chaos.
Basically, trolls be everywhere. Especially when social media and anonymity is involved.

 Ouze wrote:

 Frazzled wrote:
. If you give in, then you give in to those who wish to take our First Amendment away.

While I agree she should not have cancelled, I also feel compelled to point out that the first amendment does not work this way. The first amendment only restrains the government from interfering with protected speech, not other private citizens (obviously, it's not legal to threaten someone, but that's criminal, not civil).

technically correct. I'll clarify. If you give in, then you give in to those who wish to take our freedom away.

Please stick to the topic at hand.