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Nick Robinson (Polygon) answers to sexual harassment allegations, leaves Polygon
- Thread starter LordKano
- Start date
KZXcellent
Member
Good apology. I hope he sticks to his word and works to better himself.
hydrophilic attack
Member
As far as apologies go, this was a pretty good one
SJurgenson
Banned
AuthenticM
Member
That's a great apology.
Hysterical
Member
Sounds like he took some time to reflect on his actions and is taking responsibility. Glad to see that
ZedLeppelin006
Banned
Well it sounds like he's owning it and is trying to fix his shit.
Here's hoping he does.
Here's hoping he does.
MadLaughter
Member
Though the 'sorry' part feels a bit brief, I think this is an okay response as far as 'written replies' goes. The only *real* response it to actually mean the things he wrote here and come out the other side a new person. If there is some way to make personal amends to the people he hurt, I hope he finds a way to do that, if they want it.
Edit: Having read some words from people with more information than me, they raise some important concerns about the language of the apology that seems to trivialize what really happened, to understate it. That's a bummer.
Edit: Having read some words from people with more information than me, they raise some important concerns about the language of the apology that seems to trivialize what really happened, to understate it. That's a bummer.
KZXcellent
Member
It's the right move. He needs to take some time to reflect on this and work on bettering himself.
I hope that this is genuine and he learns from this, becomes and better person and continues to work in this industry.
It's hard to recover from something like this, especially since his "flirting" was repeated, aggressive, and clearly rebuffed several times. It's an apology, he's not just saying they're lying, but I don't know if he recognizes exactly why people are pissed at him. He shouldn't be doing this shit regardless of if he's in a position of power or not. But if he can turn himself around/if he's actually willing to listen, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt but he needs to work a little more for me to like him again.
QuantumSquid
Member
Good, honest apology. Never cared for the guy but it's nice that he completely admitted to doing what he did.
Icedburden
Member
Yup. Everyone deserves a second chance. Although I'm sure there will be people here who still want him to be miserable... because they've never made mistakes.
Poster below me, shining bright like a star.
Not once does he take responsibility for his actions, but instead takes a long-winded way of apologizing because, despite his feeling that he hadn't done anything wrong, he smartly listened to those saying he did.
"But the more I thought about it, the more I understood where other people were coming from."
It's an excellent PR spin of an apology, and I'm glad Polygon made the right move and fired him (even though he was one of the more enjoyable people on the site prior to his removal).
"But the more I thought about it, the more I understood where other people were coming from."
It's an excellent PR spin of an apology, and I'm glad Polygon made the right move and fired him (even though he was one of the more enjoyable people on the site prior to his removal).
bananafactory
Banned
That's about as good apology as you can imagine.
Its a good start. I'd like to see him get some education on what he did, and become active in speaking about it and making sure others don't have to deal with what he put those people through.
He was a well known personality and still is, so now he can use his platform to promote the positive change he's seeking himself, and help others do the same.
Edit: I am a bit concerned about how much he leans in on his 'position', I'm not sure he completely understands that this is wrong regardless of whether you're a prominent games journalist or not.
Its a good start. I'd like to see him get some education on what he did, and become active in speaking about it and making sure others don't have to deal with what he put those people through.
He was a well known personality and still is, so now he can use his platform to promote the positive change he's seeking himself, and help others do the same.
Edit: I am a bit concerned about how much he leans in on his 'position', I'm not sure he completely understands that this is wrong regardless of whether you're a prominent games journalist or not.
ultracal31
You don't get to bring friends.
It's usually that or the double down apology
CannonFodder52
Member
Edit:
*I am not the right person to decided if it's a good apology.
*I am not the right person to decided if it's a good apology.
"I believe that when someone says you've hurt them or made them uncomfortable, the right thing to do is not to argue, it's to listen."
I don't know how to feel about Nick yet but I will give him this - in this generation of very vindictive, overly defensive people online, he understands what very few people put into similar kind of situations ever seem to do when it comes to owning up, and that is immensely commendable.
Sometimes all you need to do is just to dial down and listen.
I don't know how to feel about Nick yet but I will give him this - in this generation of very vindictive, overly defensive people online, he understands what very few people put into similar kind of situations ever seem to do when it comes to owning up, and that is immensely commendable.
Sometimes all you need to do is just to dial down and listen.
ScaryShark
Banned
I don't really like how he replaced 'harassment' with 'flirting' but it seems he's decently aware he has issues to sort out. Good luck.
This is a great apology, but more important is what he does next and if his actions speak louder than his words. This apology comes at the same time the news of him leaving polygon - so it's up to him if this becomes an earnest apology or if this is just him saying what he thinks people want to hear to get back in their good graces now that he's unemployed.
He'll have to earn back everything he lost with his actions - but this is a good first step.
I'm incredibly pleased this is NOT a non-apology.
Edit: I hope this whole fiasco can be used for good as a way to get the word out that sexual harassment like this isn't cool. I hope nick can help raise awareness.
He'll have to earn back everything he lost with his actions - but this is a good first step.
I'm incredibly pleased this is NOT a non-apology.
Edit: I hope this whole fiasco can be used for good as a way to get the word out that sexual harassment like this isn't cool. I hope nick can help raise awareness.
bobawesome
Member
Sounds like a good apology to me.
PsihoPerihelion
Member
Straight white male feels sorry that the internet discovered he was a dick. News at 11.
ramoisdead
Member
At least he apologized. Hope he does some soul searching and actually rectify his mistakes with action.
Obliterator
Member
I'll be honest that's a pretry good and honest apology. It's also good he left Polygon.
Guy should take some time and do some growing as an individual before returning to journalism (if he goes that route). I don't approve of what he did but I think people can change and hope the best for him as long as he makes the required self improvements
Guy should take some time and do some growing as an individual before returning to journalism (if he goes that route). I don't approve of what he did but I think people can change and hope the best for him as long as he makes the required self improvements
Glad he apologized and did it well. I genuinely hope he's headed in a better direction.
EDIT: As I've read it over a few times, I really wish he would have at least acknowledged the word harassment or said something about gross people this whole situation has brought out of the woodwork. Maybe it's not as genuine as it seemed the first time I read it. Here's hoping it is though.
EDIT: As I've read it over a few times, I really wish he would have at least acknowledged the word harassment or said something about gross people this whole situation has brought out of the woodwork. Maybe it's not as genuine as it seemed the first time I read it. Here's hoping it is though.
He's taking time to reflect, owned his unacceptable behavior, and his apology seems sincere.
Quite refreshing compared to many who double down and never strive to improve their character. For that, he earns my respect.
Hopefully when/if he returns to the scene he'll be a better individual because of this. This is a step in the right direction.
Quite refreshing compared to many who double down and never strive to improve their character. For that, he earns my respect.
Hopefully when/if he returns to the scene he'll be a better individual because of this. This is a step in the right direction.
Chip N Chance
Member
Even after his apology for "flirting," theres still some pretty gross stuff coming out on him from the gaming community that suggest far more than just flirting. He's a bad person.
ElBoxyBrown
Banned
I hope the women involved in this are getting some much needed support and hope Nick take some this very seriously time to reflect on his harmful behavior.
FUNKNOWN iXi
Member
EDIT: Can't really comment on this until more is known.
RoseBell69
Member
Looks and sounds good to me. I think ownership, responsibilities and being honest, sincere and genuine is a good start to a better future in any situation a person has wronged in. Just wish more people were like this.
joecanada
Member
Hmm he seems pretty forthcoming and honest but one question I have is where he says " sliding into dm " a move more weighted when you're a public figure....
Isn't some of what he did actually inappropriate for anyone to do? Not just someone in a position of power? I didn't follow the story too closely but that part kind of stuck out to me.
Isn't some of what he did actually inappropriate for anyone to do? Not just someone in a position of power? I didn't follow the story too closely but that part kind of stuck out to me.
Do folk mind if I ask them why they feel like this is a good apology? Accusations seemed pretty clear that what he was doing was inarguably harassment, but all Nick seems to be apologizing for here is aggressive flirting without realizing his position of power might confuse the situation. There doesn't seem to be any acknowledgment of harassment at all.
"I'm sorry for making you feel uncomfortable," does not seem a parallel apology to the accusations being made. Which is just to say that this entire situation doesn't feel appropriately concluded.
"I'm sorry for making you feel uncomfortable," does not seem a parallel apology to the accusations being made. Which is just to say that this entire situation doesn't feel appropriately concluded.
MadLaughter
Member
The part of this that makes me lean a bit towards sincerity is admitting that he felt defensive and confused at first. Still a long way to go towards making things right, but this first step doesn't feel like a stumble.
Karspankey
Banned
Good response.
I am a big fan of his, to be clear, and it was extremely saddening to learn about his behavior.
To say though, that I have always been the best to people or have never betrayed someone's trust, would be an awful lie. My personal undoings led me to be able to step away from the past and say "Hey, that wasn't me at all."
Of course, it was me, but not the me I thought I was. And I believe those experiences changed me. These changes, though took time. It will take time for the people he affected, his friends, and for him to truly see where everything ends up.
With the response he's gotten, most of it being deserved, he's no doubt had time to think and feels absolutely terrible. Not to also forget the fact that he not only hurt the people he did, but also the people who cared for him. His co-workers, his family, and fans all felt something from this.
The big thing for him to do now is own his words and truly change. I believe you can, Nick.
I am a big fan of his, to be clear, and it was extremely saddening to learn about his behavior.
To say though, that I have always been the best to people or have never betrayed someone's trust, would be an awful lie. My personal undoings led me to be able to step away from the past and say "Hey, that wasn't me at all."
Of course, it was me, but not the me I thought I was. And I believe those experiences changed me. These changes, though took time. It will take time for the people he affected, his friends, and for him to truly see where everything ends up.
With the response he's gotten, most of it being deserved, he's no doubt had time to think and feels absolutely terrible. Not to also forget the fact that he not only hurt the people he did, but also the people who cared for him. His co-workers, his family, and fans all felt something from this.
The big thing for him to do now is own his words and truly change. I believe you can, Nick.
Obliterator
Member
His brother is a hugely famous electronic artist. I wonder if he'll just work for him in some capacity for a while
I'm glad he didn't go with the garbage "sorry you were offended" route, but actions speak louder than words and I genuinely hope that he follows through on his intention to be a better person. And honestly I wish he just outright said "harassment," it feels like he intentionally tiptoed around it.