The Most Dangerous Woman in Videogames - Anita Sarkeesian

[ecoho]

I believe shes a self righteous prick who taken things too seriously but hey that's her right to do so, I just don't watch her stuff.

see the way people like this truly fail is when they are ignored by those they offend I mean Christ shes gotten more free press then anyone due to people who are offended by her. Ignore the person you hate and they will disappear from the internet save for the odd article.

Now Bob I respect your opinions on films, may not always agree with them but respect them, but every time you talk about videogames you seem to go out of your way to offend people. I don't know if this is on purpose or if it just comes across that way by the way you are critical of them but I thought you should know. Now I hope you can fix this problem (usually like your articles) but if you cant im most likely going to stay away from your non-movie reviews and articles.

 

[RJ 17]

Who the fuck is Anita Sarkeesian and why the fuck should I give a damn?

For the record, I do know who she is and what she's about. I know of the controversy surrounding her Femi-Nazi (as I've often heard them called) views on the gaming industry. Personally I've never seen any of her videos because quite honestly I really don't care what her opinion on things are. Seems to me that she's just doing the exact same thing that Ann Coulter is doing: raising a lot of noise and ruckus just to cause controversy and therefor get people talking about her. The old saying "there's no such thing as bad press" holds true, as if you get people talking about you - for good or bad - your name is getting spread around and people are likely to be drawn to you. Be it because they're just bobbing heads going "Uh-huh! Uh-huh! I agree with everything you say!" or people that watch just so they have an excuse to get pissed off and rage about everything you say. Personally, I don't care about what she has to say because in the end it's just another random person with another random criticism about another random thing.

So again: "Who the fuck is Anita Sarkeesian and why the fuck should I give a damn?"

 

[Hazy]

I've yet to see any well-written article against what she's doing. As far as I know, the only hate comes from the "little people" of the internet.

If there is one, I'd be interested in reading it.

I hope videos will suffice, because I've got two of them right here:
Also "little people" is cute.

 

[Aiddon_v1legacy]

I really don't think much of Anita. She's not a BAD commentator...but she's not great either. She's just a boiler plate academic, which really makes me realize how starved we are for intelligent people talking about issues like this. Her goal is fine, but she's not the best person to represent it, though she's all we have.

 

[Mid Boss]

Snip.

Snip.

Just curious, is there anything in the Kickstarter terms that say that she must use that money donated to her to create what she claimed to in the first place?

If I remember correctly, she receive in the ballpark of $158, 000 in total. She said she was going to make 12 videos in total, I think? If we assume she must use those funds on the videos directly, it's safe to assume that each of those videos should cost in the around about $13, 000 each, right?

Why do her videos look nothing like what you would expect from a video worth $13,000? Why do they look like they have barely more production value than the videos she was previously making for free?

Where has she been getting the money to travel around the world doing lectures in person on feminism. Are the faculties paying her way or is she using the money donated to her for her videos on other things?

If the latter is true, then would that be breaking the terms of Kickstarter?

You know, people keep attacking her for not using the money on her videos. I actually have no idea how you would spend 160,000 dollars making youtube vidoes! XD It's actually quite funny. I guess she could rent a studio, hire some musicians and artists, but... why? The only thing I could think of would be to fly around meeting the people who made these games and talking to them about it.

Well, my college, did pay for people to fly out and lecture. I can't say if that's how they all work.

As for Kickstarter's rules for how to use the money... I honestly don't know. Surely someone here is familiar with kickstarter and can enlighten us both.

 

[Worgen]

What is it about Anita Sarkeesian that makes people really really stupid? I mean seriously, it seems like people are just bitching about her to ***** and have paid no attention to anything shes said. "Oh a woman is talking about vida james, RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE BURN STAKE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE!"

 

[jdarksun]

I can't speak for others, but I found the whole raising that much money thing for the videos that were put out (very slowly I might add) a bit shady. I mean, I can't remember what the initial goal was, but per the Kickstarter page still up, she's raised >$150,000 to make youtube videos in what looks like a spare room in her house, on top of the fact that she already had a fairly trafficked youtube channel (again, IIRC). To me, it felt like someone saying they want to create a small homeless shelter, but in order to do so, they absolutely need to raise 650,000,000 USD, before they'll get started, despite the fact that they've already been running soup kitchens.

She asked for 6,000. She got 160,000 because ass holes from all over the internet swarmed on her like killer bees which martyred her and made her famous.

Yes, they tried to strike her down and all it did was make her more powerful than they could possibly imagine.

She never asked for 160,000. That's just what people gave her because she was receiving death and rape threats. Say what you want about her videos now. But at that time no one knew who the hell she was so those death and rape threats had nothing to do with whether or not she was right or wrong, but ENTIRELY because people wanted her to shut her stupid female jew mouth and stop "ruining video games" for us straight, white, males.

Sadly, small inconvenient facts like that her foul mouthed attackers were the ones that made her that fortune doesn't stop them from accusing her of getting that much intentionally. Because to realize their own fault would require self awareness and, I dare say, logic beyond that of screeching monkey and they're just not capable of it.

This. Coupled with the fact that those who "criticize" her do so not by refuting her points, but by resorting to ad hominem, says everything that needs to be said.

 

[VanQ]

You know, people keep attacking her for not using the money on her videos. I actually have no idea how you would spend 160,000 dollars making youtube vidoes! XD It's actually quite funny. I guess she could rent a studio, hire some musicians and artists, but... why? The only thing I could think of would be to fly around meeting the people who made these games and talking to them about it.

Well, my college, did pay for people to fly out and lecture. I can't say if that's how they all work.

As for Kickstarter's rules for how to use the money... I honestly don't know. Surely someone here is familiar with kickstarter and can enlighten us both.

That's an absolutely, fan-bloody-tastic idea right there. It's one that would be interesting. It is something that would give her work credit. It is something that would be worth the money donated by people for her kickstarter.

So why has she just continued making her videos like she always did? I wholly understand that she only asked for $6000. But why isn't she taking advantage of the amazing amount she was given to deliver amazing content to those that were willing to give her money?

Where is the rest of that money going? Why do her backers not give a shit?

 

[LazyAza]

Fantastic article Bob. I hope Anita and other people like her do have an impact on gaming culture in the long term because it sure as fuck needs to change. Seems like even the escapist forums aren't immune to ignorant fools claiming she's just another critic clamoring for attention when that is so very very untrue. We need more people like Anita pointing out what is wrong with gaming and how to improve it so we can have more variety, better experiences and allow more and more people to accept and enjoy the hobby so that some day it truly is just another part of life for EVERYONE.

 

[infinity_turtles]

I'm just going to say that I disagree that she's doing more good than harm. The lack of diversity in female characters was something talked about. It just wasn't some huge polarizing issue. I feel like she's poisoned the well, and that what could be discussion of the issue and those surrounding it has mostly become two circlejerks attacking each other.

 

[Story]

Snip.

Snip.

Just curious, is there anything in the Kickstarter terms that say that she must use that money donated to her to create what she claimed to in the first place?

If I remember correctly, she receive in the ballpark of $158, 000 in total. She said she was going to make 12 videos in total, I think? If we assume she must use those funds on the videos directly, it's safe to assume that each of those videos should cost in the around about $13, 000 each, right?

Why do her videos look nothing like what you would expect from a video worth $13,000? Why do they look like they have barely more production value than the videos she was previously making for free?

Where has she been getting the money to travel around the world doing lectures in person on feminism. Are the faculties paying her way or is she using the money donated to her for her videos on other things?

If the latter is true, then would that be breaking the terms of Kickstarter?

I honestly don't know the answers to any of those Kickstarter related questions since I never used Kickstarter to fund a project. I would like to know though, I'm sure its in their Terms and Conditions.

As for why her videos don't look like they should be $13,000? Well, I would guess that a lot of those resources were put into equipment and research material like I said. Like maybe a new camera? Maybe she was able to hire help with her research? I don't know for sure. But what I can guess is that it would be very hard her to produce these videos for how much money she got, she's bound to have some leftover. I would personally like her to use that money to forward her research in different ways. Perhaps examine other forms of media? But didn't donate to her, so I don't have any say really.

 

[Penguinplayer]

It's nice you like her and all Bob, but as another person here already said

I will take Anita seriously when she presents more than her opinion. She claims to use her videos and points in academic environments and claims they were intended for use in academia.

I watch her videos, but all I see is cherry picking and opinions, and she's gonna need more than that to convince me. Still, I like that she ignited the flames of the "Let's talk about female characters in video games!" discussion that's going on recently.

 

[james.sponge]

Honestly you just have to what Thunderf00t's responses to her videos on youtube to see it. She has used a bunch of immature gamers to propel her career despite herself not being worth much note.

She is part of the new wave feminists that in general hate men and think men are terrible for finding women sexy.

You know this is puzzling. I wonder whether she intentionally decided to advertise her project on 4chan (out of all possible places) to gain publicity. It's kind of a stupid question she can't be that naive.

 

[I.Muir]

Truly a new level of equality will be reached because a few videos with a wikipedia skim level of research and completely biased opinion were made by somebody who does not play video games. The many many videos debunking her claims were more researched and of course those people made them for free. Or maybe just for the profit they receive from the video which Anita no doubt also received. Claiming that her work is of academic standard i.e produces actual evidence and sources for the above is a bad joke.

The funny thing is, I don't think she will really impact the industry at all. When all possible money has been harvested she will move back to claiming children's toys were made with the specific malicious intent of teaching the completely organised and unified oppression of women 'subconsciously' maybe.

 

[Professor Icepick]

I'm kind of disgusted to hear that my own university would pay that con artist any amount of money to spew her ill-conceived bile about video games. Not surprised, just disgusted.

 

[Neurotic Void Melody]

I havent heard of this women until now. Sounds like she means well. It seems feminism has more of an resisted influence in the US than the UK. US does suffer a lot more from sexism, racism etc than a developed country should. The UK had a female prime minister in the 80's ffs. When is that ever gonna happen in the US? The only problem i find is that some aggressive feminists, along with many other activists for various causes, only concentrate on that one cause as if it's the most important thing in the world to them, when there are more worrying problems in this world. Here in the UK, females are well above equality, so a British feminist sort of seems stuck in the past with some obvious personal issues.

However, saying that, i know what ppl can be like and im glad she's able to show the female community in america what to look out for when it comes to objectification. All it takes is one person with enough passion to inspire others to not be so lenient. Good for her. I would like to also say that i feel very underwhelmed every time a play a huge muscular marine hero in unsaid games. My manliness is constantly being degraded by pixels...fuck you pixels!! I can be whatever i want! Except big and muscular...so fuck you genes!! *Ahem* Sorry bout that.

Lastly, i wonder what her reaction to playing dead or alive and metal gear solid games would be

 

[DaViller]

Whats wrong with wonder pink?

 

[LetalisK]

Perfect Dark as a bad example? Sure, the commercial was terrible but that has nothing to do with the actual content of the game

Not to mention that the commercial wasn't even a good example of what she was talking about. The commercial wasn't trying to portray a fighting fuck toy, it was building an expectation with some eyebrow raising and then did a 180 and completely flipped those expectations on their head. This is why I don't understand all the hate she gets. Her points are often times so poorly executed that it's comical, not infuriating.

 

[VanQ]

Honestly you just have to what Thunderf00t's responses to her videos on youtube to see it. She has used a bunch of immature gamers to propel her career despite herself not being worth much note.

She is part of the new wave feminists that in general hate men and think men are terrible for finding women sexy.

You know this is puzzling. I wonder whether she intentionally decided to advertise her project on 4chan (out of all possible places) to gain publicity. It's kind of a stupid question she can't be that naive.

There is no evidence that she herself spammed 4chan and Reddit about her campaign. However, I was there and when somebody most certainly did spam /b/, /v/, /jp/ and /a/ with posts asking to "come and donate to my kickstarter." Last time I checked, there were still OPs on the archives of /v/ of the post that was spammed.

As I said, there is no evidence that she herself did this. However, someone kicked the hornets nest on purpose. We just can never prove whether it was one of her detractors hoping to troll her or if it was a supporter hoping that controversy would fuel the flames.

Anyway, as long as nothing can be proved, this point may as well be moot.

Perfect Dark as a bad example? Sure, the commercial was terrible but that has nothing to do with the actual content of the game

Not to mention that the commercial wasn't even a good example of what she was talking about. The commercial wasn't trying to portray a fighting fuck toy, it was building an expectation with some eyebrow raising and then did a 180 and completely flipped those expectations on their head. This is why I don't understand all the hate she gets. Her points are often times so poorly executed that it's comical, not infuriating.

There are people that do take her words at face value. It's infuriating that someone that purposely misinforms people gets so much positive reception in the industry.

 

[walruss]

I suppose the outpouring of support and love (and money) for this woman is only fair given what she had to go through just to do something she was passionate about. I... wonder whether she would have been as successful if it wasn't for the jerks. Her stuff tends towards the obvious and reductive end of things. Case and point: the images "say it all" before she even comments. What does she have to say that we don't already know?

I'd never wish anyone ill for doing what they love, and I am deeply sorry for all the bullying she had to tolerate to do it. I guess I just don't get it.