Comments | theotherbaldwin: This Is Why I Speak Out

theotherbaldwin

This Is Why I Speak Out

Jan 13, 2011 19:35

There are some people that rail against the idea that there might be a culture of dismissive-ness about rape, or the use of rape to silence. The following anonymous comments left on my last article are a clear example of these attitudes, and why speaking out is necessary:

Trigger warning: What following under the cut are dismissive attitudes about ( Read more... )

Comments 61

mullenkamp January 14 2011, 04:50:43 UTC

...I am starting to wonder if the only reason I haven't lost complete faith in humanity is because my brain refuses to acknowledge that anyone could mean or believe some of the things they say. Because seriously, I'm looking at this and I can't even be angry because "They can't actually mean that, because if you have enough brains to type words on the internet, you must be too smart to believe something that stupid." This is true of #3 onward, in this case - just can't parse anyone actually saying that kind of thing seriously.

(The comment has been removed)

theotherbaldwin January 17 2011, 13:42:40 UTC

We sort of differ,here. For you, you said it didn't bug you too much because you were used to it. For me, it was pretty much the last straw ( ... )

nishiox January 14 2011, 08:55:58 UTC

I'm sorry about the situation, it's really no fun, so it's no wonder you didn't like the bit of that humor in my stuff too. Though, it's good you're standing up for all your stuff, but I don't think you can really do much by telling trolls how you feel, or putting it out there to them since they're just going to write awful things here that they probably don't even believe in just so that they can hurt you. Even if the creators of PA are troll-ish, it's just an unfortunate situation. I guess you'd rather fight it and preach so people will stop, but I think it'd be best to just be where people are willing to listen and be understanding, and I don't think that sounds like a place where it'll happen at all. But I wish ya luck with it and all.
Hopefully I didn't say anything too stupid here. X3 Probably got some pieces of information wrong though.

theotherbaldwin January 14 2011, 09:15:30 UTC

Thanks!

Well, writing an article for associated content has the potential to reach thousands of people.

I have no control over the comments section of my article, though. I was able to get anonymous questions turned off, finally.

Aside from the sudden troll-flood (and two more "death boasts" of how I should die), the reaction was overwhelming positive.

I really hope that between our talks on AIM, and in your LJ and reading my article, you have some pause for reflection too. :D

nishiox January 14 2011, 09:19:32 UTC

Yup! I think it's really good that you're pointing out the unhealthy PA-fan-troll mentality. (: I don't think you can get them to stop teasing you and being awfully insensitive like that, but you can make people aware of what stupid, insensitive things they're saying so people know just what kind of thoughtlessness is going around there.

Though, I definitely don't joke like they do, I don't think my sense of humor is going to change. But I'll at least know not to joke about that stuff with you. X3

mneko January 14 2011, 11:46:48 UTC

How dare you question the creators of my favorite video game web comic! I'll teach you some respect! Let me just waddle over to the closet to get my official replica light saber, and... wow, I'm out of breath already. Never mind. You'll get the insulting letter of a lifetime, though!

Thank you for speaking out. octarine January 14 2011, 12:57:04 UTC

I haven't said much, anywhere, about my feelings on the whole terrible affair, mostly because it's hard to admit I accepted Penny Arcade's presentation of such subject matter in the past without acknowledging it as symptomatic of a troubling attitude in the gaming community and our larger society. I didn't consider the deeper meaning, nor the consequences, and for that I am sorry ( ... )

Re: Thank you for speaking out. octarine January 14 2011, 13:01:00 UTC

... please ignore comma after "eloquently" -- I was all "oh, proofreading this obsessively before posting will be enough to ensure I only have as many excessive comments as make sense" and yet a truly errant one snuck in.

Re: Thank you for speaking out. octarine January 14 2011, 13:01:45 UTC

COMMAS.

No more rereading or comments for me today. Nuuuuu.

Re: Thank you for speaking out. theotherbaldwin January 17 2011, 13:52:28 UTC

And thank you for an eloquent response. One paragraph resonated in particular with me:

"Free speech doesn't mean speech without consequences and doesn't mean not taking responsibility for one's subject matter. I wouldn't tell a humorist any subject is taboo, but would advise one to recognize many subjects may invite critique, and not to be dismissive of a reaction just because it doesn't match the intended message of one's work. Just because one doesn't like a concern doesn't mean that concern is without merit."

To be honest, it hasn't been random internet trolls' reactions that have hurt, but the reactions of one or two people I am close with. Honestly, I was more surprised than anything else.