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I found this article interesting but the title of the submission disingenuous. The linked article tries to put the gender aspect aside and focuses on the actua

by bri3d 15y ago

I found this article interesting but the title of the submission disingenuous. The linked article tries to put the gender aspect aside and focuses on the actual controversy: a games writer saying they don't actually like playing games, and the stupid response of many in the gaming community. The title of this submission converts the whole thing back into an issue of gender. I'm not saying I think either aspect is more important, but I almost didn't click this link because I wasn't interested in seeing another gender discussion at the moment. When I decided to do so anyway I was pleasantly surprised.

i386 15y ago
I disagree. As far as I am aware, a significant portion of threats were sexual in nature or focused on body image which would not happen if the person in question was male.
- bri3d 15y ago
  I'm sure they were - one visit to almost any /r/gaming thread, /v/ post, or Xbox Live session will inevitably yield plenty of racial and sexual slurs. However, what I liked about the linked article is that it tried its best to avoid discussing those concerns in favor of the more novel controversy about a game writer who doesn't like playing games. Hence, to me, the submission's title seemed disingenuous as it framed the article as one about gender, rather than something different.
- socialist_coder 15y ago
  If the person in question was male the insults would just focus on penis size and sexuality. I agree with the previous commenter, I don't think gender is as big of an issue is people make it out to be.
- chc 15y ago
  Although that might intuitively seem true, I'm not sure it really is. Heaven knows enough jokes have been made about Gabe Newell's weight (I'm pretty sure gamer law requires at least one to be made in the comments of every story about Valve), and I can only imagine the comments people would make if he were openly gay. Suffice it to say the obvious maleness of most participants on Xbox Live doesn't stop people throwing around sexual accusations like they were going out of style.
- deleted 15y ago
  [deleted]

by bri3d 15y ago

i386 15y ago

I disagree. As far as I am aware, a significant portion of threats were sexual in nature or focused on body image which would not happen if the person in question was male.

bri3d 15y ago
I'm sure they were - one visit to almost any /r/gaming thread, /v/ post, or Xbox Live session will inevitably yield plenty of racial and sexual slurs. However, what I liked about the linked article is that it tried its best to avoid discussing those concerns in favor of the more novel controversy about a game writer who doesn't like playing games. Hence, to me, the submission's title seemed disingenuous as it framed the article as one about gender, rather than something different.
socialist_coder 15y ago
If the person in question was male the insults would just focus on penis size and sexuality. I agree with the previous commenter, I don't think gender is as big of an issue is people make it out to be.
chc 15y ago
Although that might intuitively seem true, I'm not sure it really is. Heaven knows enough jokes have been made about Gabe Newell's weight (I'm pretty sure gamer law requires at least one to be made in the comments of every story about Valve), and I can only imagine the comments people would make if he were openly gay. Suffice it to say the obvious maleness of most participants on Xbox Live doesn't stop people throwing around sexual accusations like they were going out of style.
deleted 15y ago
[deleted]