The Outline
I am working on writing a proposal for a video game panel that will hopefully be a part of Conference. There is so much potential in video games for critical analysis, so it can be hard to decide where to start.
After the recent termination of Alison Rapp from Nintendo for America, my interest in #GamerGate was sparked again.
I am not saying that #GamerGate is bad. In fact, some parts of the movement are fighting for good change, like ethical video game journalism. Yet, there are some who do not use with the best intentions. Either way my proposal is meant to argue about freedom of speech, the legal system and online gaming.
My Topic for the Conference:
#GamerGate: Modern Times Version of “Carnivalesque”
As part of the process I thought I would share my process of creating the proposal, and then writing the paper.
An Introduction in #GamerGate
What is #GamerGate?
Hashtag Campaign:
Not a Centralized Movement
Internet/Online Based:
Social Media – Twitter
Comment Sections – Youtube, Website & Blogs (4Chan, 8Chan, Reddit)
Issues They Champion:
Ethics in Video Game Journalism
Misogyny:
Female Gamers – Professional Gamers?
Female Creators – Brianna Wu, Zoe Quinn
Female Critics – Anita Sarkeesian
Tactics #GamerGate has Used: Campaigns of Misogyny
What #GamerGate Has Done
Rape/Death Threats:
Using – Social Media & Comment Sections
Release Private Information:
Home Address
Private Social Media Pages, Email Address(es)
Smear Campaigns/Discrediting:
Dig up unseemly information
Create & Spread Rumors
Laws & Policies Online
Law Enforcement/Legal System:
Online Harassment – Protected under Freedom of Speech
No Legal Ramifications
Websites’ Policies (Online Policies)
Reporting – Limited Consequences
Removal of Content
Occasional Banishment from Site
Quite Often Hurts the Victims more than the Perpetrators
Bakhtin’s “Carnivalesque”
Wearing a Mask
Sub-Anonymity – Usernames, Twitter Handles, Profile Names, Etc.
Dressing Up
Sub-Anonymity or Anonymity ?
Avatars
Websites can be used as cloaks or shadows to hide behind
Relaxation of Laws
During Carnival, religious & Legal Rules are lenient
Legal System & Online Policies have not caught up with the users
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