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[Gerdav]

Hi.

An allegation of sexual misconduct has been made against me by an ex. It's not true, the individual making the accusation isn't credible, the story doesn't reconcile logically with the facts, and there's plenty of evidence and witnesses to corroborate that. It'll be a process.

All allegations of this nature are serious, of course. I first got word of it on Wednesday when a screenshot of a Facebook post was handed to Voat. I immediately talked with my mod team about the contents of the screenshot and clarified that it was baseless and explained some of the details concerning my former associations with her, and tried to ensure any concerns from the team were addressed fully and transparently to everyone's satisfaction. On Thursday I heard that she had deleted the accusation from Facebook, and wasn't entirely sure how to proceed from there or how this would all play out in the public space at that point. Then, Friday morning, the screenshot made its way to NeoGAF and chaos ensued.

I was in the process of writing a statement that entire day to address formally address the allegation, but the community had erupted in a flash that morning. While the moderation team was trying to restore the peace, accusations and threats concerning the screenshot started shifting to them as well by association with me, and I was asked by my team to do something to fix things and get the heat off of all of them at least. I was beyond exhausted by that point, though, stretched too thin in the time since the post had first appeared and seeing unprecedented events unfold on NeoGAF. I was slow and weak. I failed to handle it quickly enough and let the team down. Before I could finish a statement and get it out there, understandably some mods hit their emotional limit, expressed concerns about the community coming after them, and decided to leave. A few people resigned, and many more quickly followed for similar reasons, citing stress and harassment. The site started breaking under load spikes leading up to the first resignations, too, and then flatlined altogether, so issuing a statement at that time on NeoGAF itself became impossible for the time being, and my attention shifted toward the moderation team's future.

Since that whole mess, lasting from Friday morning through Saturday, before we formally went offline for maintenance and repair and restructure, we've just been trying to figure out the best course of action for NeoGAF going forward. And as stories began being published by various outlets, I issued some comments to the press, since everything coming out was proving to be sensationalized, opportunist, and unprofessional.


We've all become increasingly stressed and weary this year in ways even I'm not accustomed to by now, and discussions on heated news, political issues, and social issues on the off-topic side of the site have become areas no one has wanted to moderate in the open for fear of backlash or just general exposure to the inevitable toxicity. I've gone in there myself to take the heat, since it's very much my responsibility to do so before anyone else's, but there's been little headway, mostly just more anger and resentment and a lot of bans. I don't think this necessarily reflects on our community; more so the tone of the entire internet this year with regards to heated issues.

That's all going to inform the way forward for NeoGAF as we refocus on what the main goals are supposed to be for the site. The mod team will talk about more specifics on what that will entail below.


One last thing. The NeoGAF mod team is here for this community; all of you. You have no obligations to respect me or believe anything I say about my personal life one way or another, but if you're going to be here and participate on NeoGAF, respect the mod team by following the rules and behaving. The team is diminished at the moment and the folks who stuck around care very much about this community and its future. Be considerate of them. That's non-negotiable.

Thanks.

Your clearly a total utter cunt ain’t you.

 

[Moze]

Just in case you want to hear Giantbomb's thoughts on the subject you can check out the bombcast!

https://www.giantbomb.com/chat/

Premium only? Can you give a general summary?

 

[ueo119]

why are niggers so fast?
all the slow ones are in jail

 

[ExVicis]

You engaged in "whataboutism." People bring up violence in games when they want to shut down discussion on sexual content. It's a separate discussion.

That's not Whataboutism. Please read up on these things if you're going to invoke them or you're going to get it wrong.

As an example Whatboutism is this. "Summer Lesson is sexist and the developers are sexist!" and the poster responds "Well then what about Ubsisoft and *blank*. Ubisoft is sexist too!"

 

[Albino_Yeti]

why are niggers so fast?
all the slow ones are in jail

Bye.

 

[prag16]

@Autoduelist:

How does it feel knowing all these gamergaters are quoting your post and thinking it's great?

We're all gamergaters?

 

[black_13]

Fitting the bill? Fitting what bill?

I'll continue to call it like I see it: you are and were the problem.

Not the only problem, but a major problem. You attack -anyone- who disagrees with you with things like that: your "fitting the bill" is code for calling me a racist / sexist/ nazi / or whatever, even though -nothing- I've said is any such thing. Even though I've spent the majority of my life fighting such things.

My only crime is I disagree with you. So I must be the worst. I must be scum. And you will paint me as such. That's low. You're low.

And all the posts here - doing the same thing. 'Oh, look at all the [insults] coming out of the woodwork' and claiming oppression...

Well, yeah. This forum was protected by a shield of people like you that shouted down any opposing viewpoint with harsh slurs. Who wants to be accused of being something they're not? So most people stayed quiet. They weren't alt-rights hiding, waiting for something [I'm sure a couple were]... but in general, people just did not feel safe speaking their mind.

You are part of a culture of fear. Fear of speaking. Fear of putting forth one's own opinion because they might get piled on as being a [whatever]. People can't even use common phrases, for fear they're taboo... 'free speech', in this case. Use the wrong phrase, get lumped in with Nazis. So people stay silent.

And now, yes, the shields are down. So people -are- speaking their mind. And because you're so used to painting anyone you didn't agree with as the worst of the worst, you suddenly think you're surrounded by the worst of the worst.

No. You're just exposed. You're just the emperor with no clothes. You think you are wearing the shining outfit of progressive thought, and you used it to paint everyone else as degenerates. But you were just naked, and low. "Then stop fitting the bill" my ass. You try to silence through accusation, thinking you're the higher ground when you can barely breath through the muck.

Don't get me wrong - I believe in many of the same things as you. I believe we always need to work towards a better world. I think many people are ignorant, and a surprising number of people entertain quite vile ideas. But where we differ is I don't assume anyone that disagrees with me must be one of those people, and I certainly don't accuse people of it on the drop of a dime. If someone asks me a question, I answer and try to educate [even if it's the tenth time I'm asked] instead of shaming them.

I know this won't stick, today. But maybe, someday... something in here will make it past your ideological shield and you'll realize I'm on your side. I'm trying to help you understand that we grow through discussion, not silence. I'm not saying we should have the scum of the earth here - we agree on that. But the issue is your brush is far too broad. Vile people exist. And they should certainly be dealt with - I'm perfectly fine with giving no quarter for abusive behavior. But that's not what was happening here [and your 'stop fitting the bill' comment is a perfect example of that].

Well said. Seems like most of the people asking for bans were the kind who thought they were holier than anybody who thought differently than them. Hopefully this can start a change in tone and moderation of this place and become a more openly accepted place were you can try and have a discussion without getting banned.

 

[AAMARMO]

Can someone permaban me thanks.

EvilLore:

 

[blanchot]

Resetera. Is going to be great.

not to sound cynical but the only momentum it has is the current demise of neogaf. beyond that, if it's just going to be a neogaf clone but with better moderation, i can't see itself ballooning to the size neogaf was. happy to be proven wrong however.

 

[RastaMentality]

Well said. Seems like most of the people asking for bans were the kind who thought they were holier than anybody who thought differently than them. Hopefully this can start a change in tone and moderation of this place and become a more openly accepted place were you can try and have a discussion without getting banned.

where does this come from?

I can only think it arises from an insecurity that one may be on the wrong side of an issue, making them "a bad person"

which isn't the case at all. someone just had an issue with what you said. relax.

 

[yongeandcollege]

The way this is all being handled is inexcusably bad, it's just a master class in bad executive decisions. There isn't much community left here, but removing the Off Topic forum because the owner of the website allegedly did something disgusting several years ago -- and was identifies -- is punishing the community for disgusting decisions that the owner of the website made.

Evilore, the Off Topic forum did not make you make the wrong decision or do the wrong thing 2 years ago or 5 years ago. The Off Topic forum did not make Amir0x download child pornography. Yes, the Off Topic forum exposes risk for your business (these three issues are examples of that risk), but the reason your business is a business is largely because the site has both a gaming discussion area (which I think is the initial draw for most members) and then an off topic area (which most members also chat in). I think most people here became members to chat about videogames, but then naturally, you chat about other things you're interested in -- sports, movies, music, or the really specific topics like the Black Culture threads, developer/programming threads, or the communities like WrassleGaf or NFLGaf. Punishing those communities because you or your former staff are exposing your business to risk with poor choices is not the right way to handle this.

There have been a number of high profile sexual assaults in the news lately, and while most folks are talking about Harvey Weinstein, Liberty Mutual -- the investment firm -- has also recently fired two employees for sexual misconduct at the workplace. It wouldn't be right for Liberty Mutual to say, "We're not having the company Christmas Party, because Christmas parties is what got us into this mess in the first place," or "We're not going to participate in social out reach because social out reach has made us look like hypocrites with these sexual assaults." No, because it's not The Christmas Party or the Social outreach program that's causing the problem: It's bad, hurtful, or illegal decisions made by you or by some former staff members.

You've always had a reputation for making brash decisions, and most of these have not faired well for you. Poorly thought out statements about Amir0x that bent the truth, came too late, and just weren't handled correctly; decisions to ban certain topics from being discussed; decisions to ban certain members or former staff, and scores of others. This, though, is clearly the worst decision and it shows in inability to accept fault. This decisions seems to simply be another projection: "I've made bad decisions in my life and business, and so the business must be punished." That doesn't make any sense, it's selfish and delusional.

You have an opportunity to make the right decision. Obviously you feel like this site is your baby and "it's your's," but this business exists in spite of you, not because of you. It can be hard for a CEO or business owner to give up something that they think is theirs, many CEOs resist this and are befuddled when their board ousts them for a business that they themselves launched. The right thing for you to do would have been to announce that you're taking an indefinite leave of absence from NeoGaf. Revenue from the site would be put into an escrow account to cover expenses and hire staff who would manage it in your absence. A board of staff (moderators, admins) would be formed to hire staff who would manage the site and support the community. Those would be base level decisions which would ensure, at least, some integrity with the site which would keep at least some members around. The site would persist and could possibly bounce back, ultimately you wouldn't be punishing your customers or your business for your own bad decision. Instead, you made the wrong decision with how this was handled and then continually made the wrong decision with how you're going to move forward with this, instead of holding yourself accountable, you're punishing the community that has made your business successful.

It shows an utter lack of self-awareness which then also undermines any integrity that you're trying to preserve against allegations like the ones you're facing.

This seems correct to me. Well said.

 

[Chicken 'n' Chips]

Rarely post but had to drop it.

I always have hated this site and the fucking superiority you cunts display sucking greasy mod cocks etc etc.

Apart from the lads in the cooking thread the rest of you all of are pasty skinned, pepperoni crater faced, brony paedophile basement dwelling basts and I hates ya!

I'm loving it Kevin Keegan style how this place has fallen!!!

I wanna shout out big props to ma boys Twinzam-v, Xeryus, Ali the Tripod, ssj4underscorevegita and Bubaloo from Hassans Dudley Road who whips up the meanest chicken tikka naan FRESH for the mandem!

Go suck lemons x

 

[encephalon]

Haaaaa... seriously, what's up with you type of gaffers and your strawmans. It's not, "but what about violence?", it's "we have all generally accepted that violent video games does not cause people to go into murder sprees. Why, because we understand that it is fictional. The same can be said with other types of games."


Edit: Dude, seriously, did you not just read the part where besada threatened to report me to authorities and my workplace?

I'm not viewing the thread now, but I'm willing to bet that they weren't arguing that it turns people into predators. It's an outlet. It normalizes the behavior. The result? People openly admit to being pedophiles on the Japanese internet.

Bringing up violence and accusing people of hypocrisy is an attempt to drag the discussion into one about the danger of video game violence,when the topic at hand isn't about that. It's a go to argument for those who know they can't argue that the sexualization of minors should be permitted. An obfuscation technique.

The purpose of summer lesson is to sexualize underage girls. Think about the media you are consuming.

 

[kmax]

the show goes on

 

[Subpar Spatula]

We're all gamergaters?

Oh realllllly?

so is it or is it not ok to ban people for making offensive posts lol

Blatantly inflammatory bullshit? Of course.

But a ban any time somebody is offended by something? Probably not.

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

 

[Glass Joe]

Yeah, a lot of the members who left seem to forget that sexual relations are complicated and sometimes it can get awkward when you misjudge a situation.

Thanks for the common sense. You are, as of now, the ONLY reply to my own. And it's level-headed to boot. I expected to get attacked from all angles and gain some info about the matter I didn't have before. In reality, no one but you has responded to my post. It's like, everyone loves a witch-hunt without even contemplating the facts, I guess. And that new hot scandal, that's what matters now in today's society. Everyone pile on! Even though you're piling on to the dude who created the biggest video game message board on the 'net that you love. Fuck loyalty, amirite?

 

[prag16]

where does this come from?

I can only think it arises from an insecurity that one may be on the wrong side of an issue, making them "a bad person"

which isn't the case at all. someone just had an issue with what you said. relax.

If attitudes like yours were the face of the OT, I don't think we'd have nearly as many problems, and we'd have much more productive discussions.

But instead, people like you were always overshadowed by people like Subpar Spatula. It's unfortunate.

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

wat

 

[ryseing]

And what does getting yourself banned accomplish? I never understood that. It doesn't prove anything. Banned or not, all you have to do is not visit.

What's amazing to me, based on EL's post history, is that he has expressed some sexist views in the past but everybody decides to jump ship now after an accusation? Seriously? Everybody is all high and mighty now? Some even say they knew about his past but for some reason this event was the final straw? Considering how many of these same people would condemn sexual predators in all of the threads, they should have left years ago when they discovered his true colors. Everybody assumes he did it based on his previous posts and other newfound information but none of us can actually prove anything. I'm on board in saying how he handled the situation and response is terrible. And I do believe her because I have no reason not to but, ultimately, none of this has anything to do with a video game message board.

You ever hit a pillow out of frustration? That's what it is. You need to get your anger out somehow. Writing it out helps. I can assure you that while some are suiciding for attention, most are not, including friends I have made on this board.

I didn't know about most of his past. I knew about the Spain thing but that was it. Had no idea about the photo leaks and everything else.

Once this new thing came out, everything else started coming to light and a pattern of behavior became clear. His response further backs up this pattern. Calling her mentally ill? Seriously?

 

[Any Questions]

why are niggers so fast?
all the slow ones are in jail

Idiot

 

[Raptomex]

where does this come from?

I can only think it arises from an insecurity that one may be on the wrong side of an issue, making them "a bad person"

which isn't the case at all. someone just had an issue with what you said. relax.

I have to agree with black_13. That's been an issue for a long time here. That's why some were afraid to express themselves. If you had a different viewpoint on anything, you would be crucified, and even banned from what I hear. That's absolutely absurd. When it came to politics and social issues, you were always on the line of being a Nazi sexist. All it takes is a different opinion. That's why I would lurk in those threads and rarely post. You might not get out alive.

 

[nitronite]

Anyone knows what happened to benjipwns? He was my favourite troll/actually intelligent poster. Is he going to be on ResetEra? Maybe he's on some different forum already..?

Also, what happened to Tesseract (I think that was his handle)? He was another fun character.

 

[Toni]

WTF is a "gamergater"

I've been attempting to "get this" for the last 2 minutes of reading in here 😂.

 

[Carl2291]

Why not just come out and say you want to be rude without consequence?

The irony.

 

[PBY]

I have to agree with black_13. That's been an issue for a long time here. That's why some were afraid to express themselves. If you had a different viewpoint on anything, you would be crucified, and even banned from what I hear. That's absolutely absurd. When it came to politics and social issues, you were always on the line of being a Nazi sexist. All it takes is a different opinion. That's why I would lurk in those threads and rarely post. You might not get out alive.

When different = racist, sexist, yeah, you might get called those things.

 

[LeroyPantwether]

Anyone knows what happened to benjipwns? He was my favourite troll/actually intelligent poster. Is he going to be on ResetEra? Maybe he's on some different forum already..?

Also, what happened to Tesseract (I think that was his handle)? He was another fun character.

Ohhh benji was great . Now I'm sad

 

[RastaMentality]

If attitudes like yours were the face of the OT, I don't think we'd have nearly as many problems, and we'd have much more productive discussions.

But instead, people like you were always overshadowed by people like Subpar Spatula. It's unfortunate.

but i agree with subpar spatula

a lot of the people claiming they were banned for "disagreeing" are flat out misinterpreting the circumstances

 

[avaya]

Resetera. Is going to be great.

Thank you. I guess I'll keep a look out. Shame about what happened to this place.

 

[Izayoi]

Guess OT is never coming back, too bad. Where are the OT users going? Is it Discord? Any invites available?

In particular, I'm concerned about the Retirement/Investment/401k folks. I would like to recover at least some of the knowledge and advice that was posted in that thread.

Really shitty move to just nuke the entire thing in the name of silencing dissent.

 

[prag16]

I've been attempting to "get this" for the last 2 minutes of reading in here 😂.

Here's the best explanation I've gotten so far:

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

 

[ExVicis]

"Some NeoGAF mod banned me for saying something I still don't realize was noxious this one time. SJW hivemind. Why can't we all just agree to disagree sometimes? The environment here made me afraid to say ignorant or hurtful things."

Shut the fuck up.

"Some guy said Hillary had bad political adverts and I still don't realize they wasn't siding with Nazi or "Concern trolling". Everyone who disagrees with me is Alt-Right! I'm so afraid of people whose usernames I don't recognize.

You shut the fuck up. You can't justify this anymore as "EVERYONE IS A NAZI!" because it's becoming clear the people posting their reasons for their bans aren't. It's clear people like you made this forum a worse place for everyone but your internet friends. You wanted to have you fun little "me too. I agree" party with you friends and had no room for anyone else, it's pretty clear.

There was no alt-right conspiracy to call the Ghostbusters reboot a subpar movie. There was not nazi plot to try to have a discussion about Bannon's interview instead of the fact that he looks like a shambling corpse in the interview he did. There was toxic behaviour, and it was you. There was a lot of bullshit on this site, and instead of owning up to you you're blaming everyone else. Just how selfish are you that you think everything revolves around you to the point that there are alt-right trolls following you everywhere?

 

[NervousXtian]

Safe haven?

People like me?

You're not even being subtle about your gamergate ways.

See, exactly the point autoduelist was making. Right on cue.

You don't know me, yet there you are tossing a label to make yourself feel good.

I've voted Democrat on every election for the past 21 years. I'm a socialist at heart. I don't support gamergate at all, because I'm not a basement dwelling nerd living in my parent's home.

I respect women, I support equal-rights. I don't support liberals who want to toss other liberals under the bus because they don't fit in the same small box they fit into.

This is complete and utter bullshit.

The board went up in flames because of the accusation and the lack of response over the weekend, followed by what many find to be a bad statement today.

Nothing less, nothing more. This idea that if posters like Subpar didn't exist, people would have reacted differently to the events of this weekend is nonsense of the highest level.

People who are "tossing GAF in the incinerator" are doing it because of what happened here. Don't fucking blame other people for that.

No, it went up because the mods quit. The mods quit because the place had turned into this super ultra-left leaning site and the accusations against the owner left them in a horrible place that made them look like giant hypocrites if they stayed on.

The alt-right posters on Voat, reddit and 4chan had been looking for dirt to make this happen for years. Where do you think this all initial started before landing on GAF?

 

[General_Zod]

Evilore retire bitch

 

[AALLx]

I'm not viewing the thread now, but I'm willing to bet that they weren't arguing that it turns people into predators. It's an outlet. It normalizes the behavior. The result? People openly admit to being pedophiles on the Japanese internet.

Bringing up violence and accusing people of hypocrisy is an attempt to drag the discussion into one about the danger of video game violence,when the topic at hand isn't about that. It's a go to argument for those who know they can't argue that the sexualization of minors should be permitted. An obfuscation technique.

The purpose of summer lesson is to sexualize underage girls. Think about the media you are consuming.

Or you know, it's to argue that there is nothing wrong with violence in video games because it is fictional, and therefore there is nothing wrong with sexualization in video games because it is fictional. But I'm done discussing this and will just agree to disagree.

 

[encephalon]

That's not Whataboutism. Please read up on these things if you're going to invoke them or you're going to get it wrong.

As an example Whatboutism is this. "Summer Lesson is sexist and the developers are sexist!" and the poster responds "Well then what about Ubsisoft and *blank*. Ubisoft is sexist too!"

You can't criticize russia for invading ukraine developer for sexualizing children.

What about all the countries that America invaded violence in other games. You don't seem to have a problem with that.

 

[Erban1]

Never heard of this. Pretty shitty tbh.

Don't feel bad, it didn't go down like that (not at least in the linked thread). Certainly weren't any ban, legal or work threats.

 

[3N16MA]

If there are any mods (or mod) monitoring this thread can you please permanently ban my account.

I think it’s best to let those go who no longer want to move forward with this forum.

 

[Subpar Spatula]

but i agree with subpar spatula

a lot of the people claiming they were banned for "disagreeing" are flat out misinterpreting the circumstances

It's like they're trying to normalize their views under the guise of oppression. Context matters but they don't care. If they cared about dissenting opinions they would want social and political discussions back because removing that is removing dissention.

But they don't care.

 

[AAMARMO]

I saw Tyler Malka at a grocery store in Los Angeles yesterday. I told him how cool it was to meet him in person, but I didn’t want to be a douche and bother him and ask him for photos or anything.
He said, “Oh, like you’re doing now?”
I was taken aback, and all I could say was “Huh?” but he kept cutting me off and going “huh? huh? huh?” and closing his hand shut in front of my face. I walked away and continued with my shopping, and I heard him chuckle as I walked off. When I came to pay for my stuff up front I saw him trying to walk out the doors with like fifteen Milky Ways in his hands without paying.
The girl at the counter was very nice about it and professional, and was like “Sir, you need to pay for those first.” At first he kept pretending to be tired and not hear her, but eventually turned back around and brought them to the counter.
When she took one of the bars and started scanning it multiple times, he stopped her and told her to scan them each individually “to prevent any electrical infetterence,” and then turned around and winked at me. I don’t even think that’s a word. After she scanned each bar and put them in a bag and started to say the price, he kept interrupting her by yawning really loudly.

 

[Ted from Accounting]

If there are any mods (or mod) monitoring this thread can you please permanently ban my account.

I think it’s best to let those go who no longer want to move forward with this forum.

Just log out and quit being an attention whore. Are people this stupid?

 

[DarkArterialGore]

They say they're doing it to "protest" but all it does is show a stunningly limited capacity for impulse control the second someone lights the match.

If ResetEra self-aggrandizes to flaunt the "moral divorce" as much as I'm expecting them to, the place will be irrational by even GAF OT standards.

The thought of the poster "lime" as a moderator or admin...

 

[blankempathy]

When different = racist, sexist, yeah, you might get called those things.

Bullshit.

There are many folks on this forum with this us vs them mentality. If you weren't 100% on their side you were treated as if you were on the opposite. I've seen it. Other users have seen it. It wasn't exactly subtle. Did it happen all the time? Of course not but it did happen. Just depended on how hot the topic was and who was present there.

 

[nitronite]

Or you know, it's to argue that there is nothing wrong with violence in video games because it is fictional, and therefore there is nothing wrong with sexualization in video games because it is fictional. But I'm done discussing this and will just agree to disagree.

I agree with you, AALLx. I think it's a perfectly legitimate comparison to make and not at all a whataboutism. I think it's quite hard to discuss something when you can't even use analogies, and if you do then you're accused of whataboutism (and banned).

 

[Euphoria14]

How is everyone finding the posts that got them banned?

I’m trying to find mine where I was banned for “hand waving”. I guess I was a racist sympathizer in the eyes of GAF mods that day.

 

[Any Questions]

In particular, I'm concerned about the Retirement/Investment/401k folks. I would like to recover at least some of the knowledge and advice that was posted in that thread.

Really shitty move to just nuke the entire thing in the name of silencing dissent.

Agreed. There was greatness in OT. Admittedly I was into politics and enjoyed reading all the madness, but saying it was as toxic as toxic as it was if a bit of a stretch. Am hoping in the next few wks things settle down and the stealth mods will have breathing space to keep an eye on that side of the fence

 

[NintendosBooger]

Fitting the bill? Fitting what bill?

I'll continue to call it like I see it: you are and were the problem.

Not the only problem, but a major problem. You attack -anyone- who disagrees with you with things like that: your "fitting the bill" is code for calling me a racist / sexist/ nazi / or whatever, even though -nothing- I've said is any such thing. Even though I've spent the majority of my life fighting such things.

My only crime is I disagree with you. So I must be the worst. I must be scum. And you will paint me as such. That's low. You're low.

And all the posts here - doing the same thing. 'Oh, look at all the [insults] coming out of the woodwork' and claiming oppression...

Well, yeah. This forum was protected by a shield of people like you that shouted down any opposing viewpoint with harsh slurs. Who wants to be accused of being something they're not? So most people stayed quiet. They weren't alt-rights hiding, waiting for something [I'm sure a couple were]... but in general, people just did not feel safe speaking their mind.

You are part of a culture of fear. Fear of speaking. Fear of putting forth one's own opinion because they might get piled on as being a [whatever]. People can't even use common phrases, for fear they're taboo... 'free speech', in this case. Use the wrong phrase, get lumped in with Nazis. So people stay silent.

And now, yes, the shields are down. So people -are- speaking their mind. And because you're so used to painting anyone you didn't agree with as the worst of the worst, you suddenly think you're surrounded by the worst of the worst.

No. You're just exposed. You're just the emperor with no clothes. You think you are wearing the shining outfit of progressive thought, and you used it to paint everyone else as degenerates. But you were just naked, and low. "Then stop fitting the bill" my ass. You try to silence through accusation, thinking you're the higher ground when you can barely breath through the muck.

Don't get me wrong - I believe in many of the same things as you. I believe we always need to work towards a better world. I think many people are ignorant, and a surprising number of people entertain quite vile ideas. But where we differ is I don't assume anyone that disagrees with me must be one of those people, and I certainly don't accuse people of it on the drop of a dime. If someone asks me a question, I answer and try to educate [even if it's the tenth time I'm asked] instead of shaming them.

I know this won't stick, today. But maybe, someday... something in here will make it past your ideological shield and you'll realize I'm on your side. I'm trying to help you understand that we grow through discussion, not silence. I'm not saying we should have the scum of the earth here - we agree on that. But the issue is your brush is far too broad. Vile people exist. And they should certainly be dealt with - I'm perfectly fine with giving no quarter for abusive behavior. But that's not what was happening here [and your 'stop fitting the bill' comment is a perfect example of that].

I'd like to hear some of these opinions and perspectives of yours that never made the final cut because of fear of banishment or persecution from other GAF members.

Let's see some of them and have an honest discussion since the shields are down, so to speak.

 

[ZeoVGM]

No, it went up because the mods quit. The mods quit because the place had turned into this super ultra-left leaning site and the accusations against the owner left them in a horrible place that made them look like giant hypocrites if they stayed on.

Holy fucking shit.

The level of delusion here is honestly frightening.

What are you even talking about?

 

[ryseing]

Just log out and quit being an attention whore. Are people this stupid?

You ever hit a pillow out of frustration? That's what it is. You need to get your anger out somehow. Writing it out helps. I can assure you that while some are suiciding for attention, most are not, including friends I have made on this board.

I'm just gonna c/p this because posts like yours are really not productive.

 

[DR2K]

Has anyone expressing their anger toward Evilore sold their PlayStations yet? Just curious.

 

[Subpar Spatula]

Holy fucking shit.

The level of delusion here is honestly frightening.

What are you even talking about?

They're more delusional about that than I am about the MCU.

 

[RastaMentality]

I'd like to hear some of these opinions and perspectives of yours that never made the final cut because of fear of banishment or persecution from other GAF members.

Let's see some of them and have an honest discussion since the shields are down, so to speak.

right

the floor is open

let's hear it