How is there supposed to be a discussion on gender related topics when all of the posts are being deleted and modified by moderators?

I understand people who are acting bullying but I didn't see that here...

There is sexism.  gaming has nothing to do whit it.  and its on both sides

Men like pretty sexy woman, females like  badboys whit big ...muskles..

both like kittens..

That article was way too long. It basically said 'Sexism sucks, there is no good reason for it, and it makes me mad.' And while I agree with that basic premise, if you're going to write an article about sexism in gaming, you really should make better points and offer solutions, suggestions, and maybe even facts.

Where is any pertinent information? Suggestions on how to deal with that kind of behavior, gaming companies policies on harrassment, the correct ways to report it and what kind of documentation you should have, information on state laws concerning online harrassment, the basic psychology behind why it happens, talking points for dealing with someone who doesn't realize how offensive they're being - something more than 'Boo hoo, I'm mad at you mean men'.

Everybody pisses off everybody, welcome to World 101, get over yourselves and move on. Life is too short to whine about every little thing that bothers you, this is not therapymmorpg

more women gamers please

I didn’t want to come off as “too angry” or, to use phrases commonly slung at women: strident, humorless or shrill. Well, screw that, I am angry. I’m angry at the men who think they have any right to direct and determine what their fellow human beings are allowed to participate in and enjoy. I’m angry at their mob mentality fervor and self-righteous indignation every time a woman dares to express an opinion on a subject they consider their own. Piss on game territory all you like, fellas; it still doesn’t belong exclusively to you.

My anger, however, doesn’t stop there. I’m angry at all of us. I’m angry at otherwise good men who don’t speak up when their petulant brethren get out of hand online or in public.

I’m angry at women who, terrified of not being allowed in “the club”, rush to disassociate themselves from their slandered sistren with cries of, “I’m not offended!” or “I’m not like those other women, I can take it.”

I got about this far and then I bailed. I am not really seeing how somebody else can "direct and determine" what you are allowed to participate in or enjoy. Unless you are angry that some specific group of geeks are not including you in their game. If you enjoy playing something then play it. Nobody can stop you from playing it. But nobody has to welcome you either. It is called Freedom of Association. The US Surpreme Court regarded it as an essential part of the Freedom of Speech and Assembly that we enjoy from the first amendment in NAACP vs Alabama. It is also protected by the European Convention on Human Rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. If some group of guys wants to hang out with only other guys then that is their right AND their loss. You also have the right to steer clear of people you don't like and hang out with people you do like.

So sure, you have the right to express your opinion. But you don't have the right to demand that they react to it the way you want. You don't have the right to insist that they not evaluate your opinion though the lens of a mob mentality or without any kind of indignation. You also don't have the right to expect them to not respond to your opinion with derision or contempt or laughter or indifference.

Further, I really don't care if you are angry at me for, well, not caring if other men hurt your feelings. I am playing my game to play my game, not to worry about whether or not your enjoying yours. I DONT CARE. Now I am not going to go out of my way to may you feel bad if I run into you in an MMO. I enjoy things better being friendly and helping people out and such. But if you are being trolled by some pre-pubescent idiots, deal with it. Use /ignore or report them or cuss at them, I don't care. So don't waste your time trying to shame me for not caring if someone else failed to raise their kids with any descernible social skills.

Also, don't bother trying to shame me for enjoying looking at women who have curvey breasts and butts. I really don't care how that makes you feel either.

I'm hoping Lisa Jonte tells about the new and unique perspectives she brings to the columns of mmorpg.com in her next article.

Though perhaps this is a two part series?  This first part is obviously the Anger, perhaps the next article has the

Edit: And don't think for a damn minute I'm being sexist.  I would say the same thing about an article on such an important topic that was written so poorly, whether the author was a man or a woman.

Originally posted by Hodo
Gaming isnt sexist.   The internet just gives more idiots a voice and a mask to hide behind giving them more bravery than they ever would have in real life.   Unfortunately this leads to a building of their confidence which in turn leads to more sexual assaults and sexually biased insults.    Women are not the only targets of this, race has also come up many times in gaming.   How many times have you heard someone called a n****r  in a game?  

It's not bravery: it's manhood. I believe all games are sexist, they are made for man, women that play this games just have to live

Originally posted by stygianapoth
most games have an ignore button.....

Lol exactly

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by Omnifish

 

It's lovely you want to be a knight in shining armour but essentially this isn't an issue about sexism or any other prejudice it's more about certain people basically not being comfortable within themselves.

Honestly if you get offended by morons on the internet calling you names about something beyond your control then really you have the problem with whatever it is.  Whether your black, asian, gay, a woman, have some lifelong condition, (like me), at some point it's my belief you have to come to terms with it and ignore those who would be negative towards you because of it.

People are aresholes online, many of them wind me up, but I never take it personally because they have no clue about me so how can they possibly know what hurts me? If I can I take revenge, I always try to anyway :D

No matter how many men condem other men for being sexist, or call out those who are offensive towards black people, they'll always be some other dick you bump into who will try and take advantage.  The only real way you beat bullies is to not let them have an advantage over you. For that to be you need to come to terms with who you are and who you could be with effort.  That way noone, no matter ingame or real life can limit you to a little moronic box.

 

It's not knight in shining armor. It's more about my belief that people need to leave each other the heck alone.

You might call it "Knight in Shining armor" but I call it living decently and treating others as decently as they deserve and not standing by while people are persectued. This might not be your way or you might not see eye to eye with the way it is enacted, but it is mine and it is the way of other people. Not everyone of course.

As far as getting called names, well, one way is to say "hey, man up nancy boy and just take it". That certainly is a strategy. I'm just not convinced that's the right strategy.

Having said that, the part I highlighted does resonate and is a very good point.

I wanted to highlight the above in red because realistically people do not treat each other decently, especially online.

I admire your values and I understand your points. I feel that I may not have explained myself in the best possible way so allow me to reiterate.  

I do not personally condone bullying or prejudice of any kind.  I have been a manager at a large company and have dealt with harassment cases before and seen first hand the effects they can have on a victims self belief and confidence.  I've fired the offenders over said issues as well.

Now that gives me a different insight to this issue as you may have.  It doesn't mean my opinion is, 'better', then yours, just different.

Taking that onboard I would suggest there is a world of difference between constant harassment 8 hours a day from a coworker you have to deal with, to taking to heart what some obnoxious troll says to you on the internet.

The essential problem as I see it is this, the internet and MMOs is a unique enviroment were no matter how many times you or I say a behaviour is wrong someone will come along, maybe someone young and rebellious maybe someone maladjusted, and stir things up for their own amusement.  The internets greatest strength is also a weakness, it's an open forum to all manner of opinion.

In that situation you simply cannot control what is being said or by whom. Therefore you have to armour yourself and your own self worth against crude attacks by people you probably won't ever met again. That is the best you or I can ever do and that was the message I was trying to get across.  Noone else will do it for you, noone else will protect you because they'll always be, 'another guy', out to ruin your day.

The, 'knight in shining' armor thing wasn't meant as a jibe but the phrase was maybe inflamatory so apologises there. The thing is I see many people jump in to defend a perceived wronged group and your right to do so and follow your convictions.   I just feel that in the case of MMOs it's an unattainable goal and so the individual has to be ready to either defend themselves or show some self belief to not listen to the twonks.

Originally posted by KaylettaJade

That article was way too long. It basically said 'Sexism sucks, there is no good reason for it, and it makes me mad.' And while I agree with that basic premise, if you're going to write an article about sexism in gaming, you really should make better points and offer solutions, suggestions, and maybe even facts.

Where is any pertinent information? Suggestions on how to deal with that kind of behavior, gaming companies policies on harrassment, the correct ways to report it and what kind of documentation you should have, information on state laws concerning online harrassment, the basic psychology behind why it happens, talking points for dealing with someone who doesn't realize how offensive they're being - something more than 'Boo hoo, I'm mad at you mean men'.

You speak da truth.

What is this crap? I don't give 2-shits what gender you are. Couldn't care less, that you're a woman (more like a girl it seems).

Rage all you want, clearly going for the controversy factor here to get views. GJ MMOPRG, as low as always.

Who is the next author, Stalin?

"My anger, however, doesn’t stop there. I’m angry at all of us. I’m angry at otherwise good men who don’t speak up when their petulant brethren get out of hand online or in public."

In public I have no problem with this and I've done exactly that and worse, but online?  what exactly am I supposed to do, declare war on all the anonymous teenage males who act like sexist morons?  That segment of the population were acting like idiots before women made up much of the gamer population and they will be acting like idiots a thousand years from now.  Their goal is to be offensive pricks, and if using gender works they are gonna use it.  The only way to win is is to give no credibility to anything they say.

I think you're confusing stupidity, rudeness and lowlifery with sexism. I have never, ever come across a single sexist in games or online. I do, however, come across loadsa attention seekers, sympathy whores and rude low lifes mascarading as sexists. My philosophy  >>>>ignore<<<<<. Sexism is not the issue in gaming. It never has been.

It seems this tpoic is most popular with people who like to be offended by things. Most normal people who aren't hunting for their next bit of drama treat all of this as the same thing....just some person being an asshole to another person.

There really is no deeper meaning behind it all. Some people just suck.

Originally posted by DamonVile

It seems this tpoic is most popular with people who like to be offended by things. Most normal people who aren't hunting for their next bit of drama treat all of this as the same thing....just some person being an asshole to another person.

There really is no deeper meaning behind it all. Some people just suck.

Truer words were never spoken, period

Originally posted by DamonVile

It seems this tpoic is most popular with people who like to be offended by things. Most normal people who aren't hunting for their next bit of drama treat all of this as the same thing....just some person being an asshole to another person.

There really is no deeper meaning behind it all. Some people just suck.

Posts have been deleted. Don't fall for this illusion.

I'll just leave this right here...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQnIJ-ljctk

I would also like to say that if I wanted some feminazi writer to scream at me about how 'all men are scum', I'd go turn on either the Oxygen network or the Lifetime channel.