The Developer Formerly Known as FreeBSDGirl

Thank you for responding.

> If you look at it from an outside perspective, both sides are right.

That's kinda how it feels to me. In most of the conflicts I've read about, one side is right (look at this - if what she writes is true - and there's no reason for me to believe otherwise, how would you reasonably argue against that?, but then I read about "safe spaces" at universities and can only think how dumb of an idea this is), but instead of a civilized discussion which might actually change people's opinions, a shirtstorm ensues.

Please disagree with me if you think that I'm wrong on this - I'm really just an outsider who occasionally reads about this on Twitter and shakes his head.

Thanks for the vicious attach. I consider myself as 'GamerGate' and like MOST of that community haven't participated in any such 'toxic' non-sense. I get it, you hate some bad people who try to cling to a name for recognition, but just broadly labeling the whole group as such, when literally your only evidence is of a few notable individuals is a bit unsettling.

In reality, the waters are a bit dirty on both sides. That 'useful tool' you mention was literally a blacklist. If you had actually opened up the github page and looked at the code you would have seen ample comments in their calling it as such. Also, it literally just blocked thousands of people based off of an idea of guilt by association. Now, people wanting to block people is their own prerogative, but let's call things what they actually are.

The vicious attacks by Breitbart are certainly not fair to her. But to play devil's advocate, she herself is not exactly known for holding back when it comes to literally anyone who disagrees with her, even politely. I don't think it's right on either side, but I also can't see myself jumping to the aid of someone for a slight against them, when they've done the same/similar to others.

The swatting thing is horrible. It's a dirty tactic that is VERY dangerous and those responsible should be jailed for it. However, their is also the possibility that the swatting thing was faked. Read it or not (it's RalphRetort so you'll probably ignore it) but here is an article that shows some other bits of info that allude to her maybe faking this, especially considering the timing of the incident.

The broad stroke argument that GamerGate (because it's some sort of entity, right?) 'targets' ALL women in tech just doesn't make any sense. If you actually followed these things, you would know that there is in fact a lot of disgusting harassment that goes on. But guess what, it's not GamerGate, and it's not even 'anti-GG', it's third-party groups like GNAA and what not who are very open about how they do those things to get GG and anti-GG at each others throats because they think it's funny. In all reality, outside of the gross methods used, the end result is a bit sad/funny. There are two large groups of people who in all reality are very similar, that largely hate each other because neither like to actually fact check and see WHO is actually doing the harassment.

Who on either side has been arrested for all of this illegal activity (The harassment being the illegal activity)? Nobody, and that's because it's all a big conflated mess that is incredibly hard for those involved to piece together, let alone outsiders who haven't been even remotely involved.

Please trust me when I say safe spaces are crucial, especially to trans survival.

I wish you knew how... devastatingly lonely it can be as an outcast in society. How everyone treats you. Solidarity is really important.

Can you also imagine who you are constantly being criticized? Your problems constantly being made out to be false? That you have the burden of proof with everyone because nobody knows your struggle?

I feel like the most important takehome is that we need recourse for ensuring the safety of the less represented of people, e.g., trans.

So your sources are a clickbait rag, Randi Harper (notorious crybully) and an article which contains no evidence of GamerGate doing anything but instead an article with 4chan not actually doing anything but being 4chan.

Well, I'm sold.

"He means it. Literally."

No, rooshv was dripping with sarcasm.