Posted on Nov 19, 2014
Maj Assistant Director Of Operations, Integration
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How are our military communities affected by the issues raised in Gamergate? Never heard of Gamergate? Read the Gawker article for a primer.
http://gawker.com/what-is-gamergate-and-why-an-explainer-for-non-geeks [login to see]

I assume there are many gamers in the military from Xbox and PlayStation to computer MMOs and role playing. The portrayal of women as sexual objects in games normalizes this behavior (e.g. Grand Theft Auto). Women speaking out against sexism has been met with violent threats to include rape and death. Anita Sarkeesian on The Colbert Report (5min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L_Wmeg7OTU

1) Is fair representation of gender in games such a big issue to warrant death threats to critics?

2) What issues does this create for the military?
Edited >1 y ago
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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I think the portrayal of women in video games is no different than it is in many other forms of entertainment. So long as there is a market for the products and women willing to debase themselves, it will not change. People have been raging against this for as long as I can remember (remember Tipper Gore and the "explicit lyrics" stickers on music she spawned? That was helpful), and the publishers laugh all the way to the bank as they garner free publicity.

As for the professionally "outraged", get a life. That there is a well-paying cottage industry that employs people to be angry all the time is a sad commentary as well.

Don't like it? Don't buy it.
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Maj Assistant Director Of Operations, Integration
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Got it, people will buy and consume most anything. What is it about the community of gamers that allows a part of them to respond to criticism with threats of violence? Are members of our military part of these gaming communities and what are their thoughts on the matter?
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