MovieBob leaving The Escapist

[Lono Shrugged]

snip

I meant 'patronizing' to mean giving it your business. Not that you ARE patronizing.

I personally think that the cause of Gamergate blew far out of proportion and some reactions from both sides were overblown. it's not really about understanding it as a whole as understanding the players involved. It was an opportunity for people to push agendas, for griefers to fuck with people and for some people to make money.

MovieBob behaved in a very unprofessional and foolish way. For those of us who were fans, many of us felt that he was losing touch with his audience by his behaviour and hypocrisy. Which has been covered in detail in this thread. An example though would be drooling over pictures of female stars and then talking about objectification of woman in media.

Gamergate gave some people a chance to shine (on both sides) by calling for discussion and open debates to address the myriad of issues. Others acted like animals and said and did things that were on the level of political extremists who only stop yelling so they can take a breath. I know that sounds hyperbolic, but it's really the way it was.

Bob, who always championed himself as being enlightened, considered and articulate posted disgusting close minded trash talk that dehumanised the opposition instead of addressing their concerns. (Again this happened on both sides) For Movie Bob fans this was like going to your favorite diner you visit every week (even though the service is getting gradually worse) and the owner coming out and shitting on your plate. It didn't matter if you were pro of against gamergate. His sheer lack of class and tact made fans on both sides of the fence revile him.

I mentioned this in an earlier post. A lot of people here posting negative comments were moviebob fans and now that it's all done we can finally discuss the journey that brought us here to this ending. It is a raw feeling to support someone and to feel so let down by them. Some people might have felt like Bob spoke for them. That he articulated thoughts and feelings we all wanted to say as pop culture nerds who think the 90's sucked and comics were weird. It was a real slap in the face for some folks. Again, you might say, big deal, who cares. But people in this thread care so please understand that.

 

[Kameburger]

666!!!

I've been waiting for that awhile.

So anyway, Bob reviewed 50 shades on YouTube and be doesn't seem to have missed a beat. Glad I can still go to him for my movie reviews. His taste and mine align pretty well.

My tastes and his used to align really well. I think that stopped around Man of Steel. I mean Man of Steel was meh at points but it wasn't offensively bad. Like no where near offensive. ASM2 was meh pretty bad, but his reactions started to cloud my expectations quite a bit, and I ended up likely a lot of movies that he HATED, because I started to not rely on his taste as much. But it was very gradual. For a while he was hitting them out of the park for me. Very weird. I also loved Big Picture when it was about random obscure things.

 

[Vigormortis]

Black people are rapists =/= gamer gaters are rapists.

First: Bob's made sweeping generalizations about gamers in general, not just GamerGate supporters.

Second: How are those two things not equivalent? They're both sweeping generalizations about an entire collective of people.

Funny how Bob is supposed to be this radical SJW that shouts down everyones 'opinions' (which can be wrong)

I don't think it's funny at all when he does that. If you do, that's fine, but I think it's appalling.

Also: When did I utter the acronym 'SJW'? I keep looking at my old posts and I'm not seeing it. Maybe you can point me to it?

yet you rational thinkers

"You rational thinkers"? Is that supposed to be an insult? Really?

take it to the same extremes as to compare yourself to the plight of the black community.

Aaaand you've lost the plot. I don't associate with GamerGate. I didn't compare myself to anyone. And I certainly didn't make light of anyone's "plight".

No. All I did was point out how patently absurd it is to tell people, "Well, if you're not a racist/sexist/rapist, then why are you offended by Bob calling you as much?" I'm sorry that using an analogous example to point out that absurdity was lost on you, but I stand by what I posted.

And besides your ridiculous comparison.

I think the word you're looking for is "analogous".

I'm not rationalizing bobs comments. They are dumb comments and of course painting entire groups with huge sweeping generalizations are irrational

If you freely admit that Bob is making insulting generalizations about an entire collective of people, then why are you excusing those actions? Why are you seemingly so confused as to how anyone could possibly be offended?

but when that person is a part of the group they're criticizing

I was unaware that self-loathing wasn't a 'thing'. I was also unaware that it is impossible to generalize an entire group of people, yet exclude ones self from that same generalization.

Or maybe, irrational opinions don't adhere to the general confines of rational thinking.

or you don't think highly of his opinion one way or another why the hell would you listen?

I never said I didn't think highly of his opinion. I never said I liked his opinions either. If anything, I'm mostly indifferent. However, when people (Bob certainly isn't alone in this) make a point of trying to belittle and marginalize a group of people by using their media presence to spread lies and negative stereotpyes, I speak up about it.

It's like you want to be upset

Heh, no. In fact, I'm pretty happy right now. Today was a good day.

 

[mizi]

Bob was an interesting guy to listen too, even if I didn't always agree with him. He was a big reason I started watching more stuff on this site than just zero punctuation. With Jim and Bob leaving at nearly the same time...it sounds like internal politics got them both on the 'bad' list. With him and the podcasts gone, there's not much reason for me to check this site more than once a week.

EDIT: A google search on this topic revealed only a bunch of creepy dudebro gaming blogs laughing at the fact that he got fired. I guess that demographic might be the escapists bread and butter?

 

[wulf3n]

How do I know that? He doesn't make any distinctions. Neither did the SVU episode he claimed was "spot on".

Must it be written in plain English or can you just not understand when someone says "All ____ers are ____" they aren't necessarily talking about you personally?

Uhhh... what! I can't tell if you're being serious?

If some one says someone says "All ____ers are ____" and you are a part of "____ers" then they are talking about you personally.

That's kind of the point of the word all. Now whether or not said person means all is another matter entirely.

But in that case your post should have been

Must people express their opinion coherently or can you just not read peoples minds?

 

[Strazdas]

What's the qualifier for being a "gamer"?

Do the "dudebros" play video games? Yes

Do "gamers" play video games? Yes

The problem with that is that when somebody refers to a category, they are not by extension referring to any group which includes that category.

For example, if somebody says "pirates are bad", it is not reasonable to accuse them of saying "humans are bad", on the basis that pirates are humans. The statement was quite clearly more contained than that.

If you say pirates are bad, it means that pirates are bad, whereas not all humans are pirates. if you say dudebros are bad it means that dudebros are bad whereas not all gamers are dudebros. if you say gamers are bad then you include both dudebros and non-dudebros gamers.

Actually I believe those tweets were taken before he announced he was fired/laid off, the day before if I'm correct, so please go on about he was ever so sorry he was fired; I find it entertaining to have such a flawed spin on this. Oh, also mind to dig up the subhuman comments he's made too? Cause I can't quite find them, only the "lie down with dogs" and "no bad methods" ones, most of his other stuff in context considering I don't go through his reply tweets very often.

The anouncement was more than 2 days after he actually got fired though and even then on his own accord on his blog. he had plenty of time to reply on twitter before the public learned of him being fired.

here is twitters own rehost of the tweet about subhumans:

some long-overdue improvements - hi-res video, mobile optimization, and more.

First of all, yes indeed i care about the site, after all it is my favorite website. i hope Escapist prospers for a long time.

Secondly, Hell yeah finally videos in acceptable video quality. I had to resort to opening the page to load ads and thne going to youtube because the current quality was that bad. Heres to hoping you will actually dever good quality (as opposed to low-to-mid quality on youtube) video stream!

And yeah navigating website with a mobile phone was quite hell mostly due to javascripts misbehaving and elements deciding to refresh themselves. hopefully this may fix the news section a bit too but thats another thing entirely.

 

[DugMachine]

snip

Stopped reading after you still think the troubles that the black community face are in some way equal to the plight of white straight male gamers. I understand you're using them as an example of two communities facing sweeping generalizations but it's a bad one. Change it and I may take you seriously

 

[Lono Shrugged]

snip

Stopped reading after you still think the troubles that the black community face are in some way equal to the plight of white straight male gamers. I understand you're using them as an example of two communities facing sweeping generalizations but it's a bad one. Change it and I may take you seriously

I think you should finish reading his post before you ask him to change it to suit your capricious demands for what is acceptable. For the record, what comparisons are not forbidden in your book? How best can we express ourselves to you? Or will you continue to be wilfully combative with people trying to engage you in discussion.

 

[Vault101]

Because I want to understand why it's a big deal. You may think I'm patronizing but I genuinely do not understand what the issue is. IIRC did this not all start because somebody slept with someone or another over some obscure indie game for a pretty mediocre article and then suddenly the whole of gaming journalism was corrupt and the two sides started going for each others throats? Like, how did something so trivial turn into the bloodbath its become today?

For an outsider it seems like the only reason the battle rages on is because the piss babies who send death/rape threats on both sides won't let up.

to me its just the pent up impotent rage of people whose identities are so tied with "gaming" and being a "gamer" (saw the same thing when Sarkeesian popped up, now it just has a name) hell I've *almost* been there myself, its not pretty when one's' interests and sense of self are so narrow

a cracked article from the other day explained it nicley http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-reasons-we-need-to-take-video-game-addiction-seriously/ (even if JF Sargent did write that terrible videogame article years ago)

"self loathing gamer" Bob might be an excellent case study.

there's nothing self loathing about pointing out the shitty behavior self proclaimed "gamers" have exhibited, technically I'd be self lothing...except I'm not, I'm just slightly embarrassed to share a hobby with all those man children

and Bob may be a lot of things, he's not a mysoganist

 

[Tojumaru]

snip

Stopped reading after you still think the troubles that the black community face are in some way equal to the plight of white straight male gamers. I understand you're using them as an example of two communities facing sweeping generalizations but it's a bad one. Change it and I may take you seriously

Good, quote mining an otherwise fine example, than going on a tangent AND an ad hominem attack. You clearly are a MovieBob fan, you employ the same strategies.

My suggestion for anyone reading this: ignore him. He does not care about debating anything he just goes on his own strawmen and ends up arguing with himself.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I'm kind of surprised that Bob's contract got cancelled after losing so many staff and contributors. I'll miss his comic book insight, but definitely won't miss his political, social, MoS, ASM, or DKR rants. I hope that somebody else starts doing reviews for Walking Dead, Agent Carter, Agents of SHIELD, and movies. I do enjoy Marshall Lemon's Archer reviews.

 

[DugMachine]

snip

Stopped reading after you still think the troubles that the black community face are in some way equal to the plight of white straight male gamers. I understand you're using them as an example of two communities facing sweeping generalizations but it's a bad one. Change it and I may take you seriously

I think you should finish reading his post before you ask him to change it to suit your capricious demands for what is acceptable. For the record, what comparisons are not forbidden in your book? How best can we express ourselves to you? Or will you continue to be wilfully combative with people trying to engage you in discussion.

I did eventually read the rest as I read your own post. I am getting a better understanding of why you're all so upset over the issue but I can't help but cringe when GGers compare their issues to that of the black community. They're not in any way similar or even in the same ballpark. I'm not sure what else you can use but don't compare yourselves to minorities that suffer true discrimination.

 

[DugMachine]

snip

Stopped reading after you still think the troubles that the black community face are in some way equal to the plight of white straight male gamers. I understand you're using them as an example of two communities facing sweeping generalizations but it's a bad one. Change it and I may take you seriously

Good, quote mining an otherwise fine example, than going on a tangent AND an ad hominem attack. You clearly are a MovieBob fan, you employ the same strategies.

My suggestion for anyone reading this: ignore him. He does not care about debating anything he just goes on his own strawmen and ends up arguing with himself.

Go ahead and ignore me then. I've no intentions of taking any sort of mention of black issues = GG crap in any way serious.

And not everything is a debate. I was curious why people cared so much about the GG issue and a few have already explained it. One tried using a stupid hypothetical of what if black people were all called rapists! Not even on the same fucking planet.

 

[Savagezion]

So, whats everybody still visiting? I got Critical Miss and Experienced Points remaining.

Experienced Points and Game Theory for me. I know Game Theory is pretty much YouTube rereuns but I love that guy's humor as well as his theories and I cant help but watch the episode of the week when I drop by. That dude is a true game overthinker. Sometimes Yahtzee has a topic I care enough to watch or read about.

I miss Doraleous and Associates. Right now though, I agree the site is aching for content. I didn't really watch Bob as I disagree a lot. Hopefully, the site has a plan to cover the traffic he probably generated.

 

[Daniel Ferguson]

Many of my favourite escapist shows are not here any more; it's not the end for them, but this place does feel a bit emptier with them gone, like tent poles are being removed and I'm waiting for the next ones.

 

[faefrost]

"self loathing gamer" Bob might be an excellent case study.

there's nothing self loathing about pointing out the shitty behavior self proclaimed "gamers" have exhibited, technically I'd be self lothing...except I'm not, I'm just slightly embarrassed to share a hobby with all those man children

and Bob may be a lot of things, he's not a mysoganist

I would suggest you go rewatch Bob's first video on The Escapist. Pay attention to his views on Meagan Fox and Devin Aoki.

 

[Ralancian]

I would suggest you go rewatch Bob's first video on The Escapist. Pay attention to his views on Meagan Fox and Devin Aoki.

God I hate defending Bob in anyway shape or form but isn't he allowed to grow as a person in what is it? 6 years whilst not quite that time I know if people dragged up ridiculous shit I said 13-14 years aggo on the internet I call myself some improper names!

 

[Silvanus]

If you say pirates are bad, it means that pirates are bad, whereas not all humans are pirates. if you say dudebros are bad it means that dudebros are bad whereas not all gamers are dudebros. if you say gamers are bad then you include both dudebros and non-dudebros gamers.

Precisely! And since Bob spoke about "conservabros", not all gamers were included in that.

 

[Lono Shrugged]

I would suggest you go rewatch Bob's first video on The Escapist. Pay attention to his views on Meagan Fox and Devin Aoki.

God I hate defending Bob in anyway shape or form but isn't he allowed to grow as a person in what is it? 6 years whilst not quite that time I know if people dragged up ridiculous shit I said 13-14 years aggo on the internet I call myself some improper names!

He did it very recently with Scarlett Johansson. The problem is not so much that Bob objectified those women in such a crass way. It's that he seemingly champions gender equality while drooling over pictures of nearly nude photos of actresses. It's pretty tacky. This is a guy presenting himself as a moral authority. He needs to be called out on his bullshit and account for it.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

So, whats everybody still visiting? I got Critical Miss and Experienced Points remaining.

ZP, Extra Punctuation and Unskippable. So far the only thing I'm missing is Lisa's Top 5.
Now she's hosting a mixed martial arts news program. Talk about malleability.