In which we try and stay level headed amidst hate on the internet.

Conversation started Aug 30, 2014 at 1:40.

RedRiderX

Aug 30, 2014 01:40

Not sure if it's already been linked, but TotalBiscut has some interesting thoughts on the whole nature of the debate around Zoe Quinn and the surrounding issues.

He talks about a lot of stuff, but I think what might be most important is him disagreeing with all the people saying that if you don't "take a side" in the debate you're a horrible person.

And that if we all "take a side" immediately it's so hard to empathize with each other.

Which I agree with quite a bit

MBraedley

Aug 30, 2014 01:53

> We'll read it in a smooth jazz style

And yes, taking a side implies you know enough of the details to make an informed opinion of the situation, which I know I have not.

RedRiderX

Same here

MBraedley

I'll defend Quinn and Sarkeesian against the trolls that are harassing them, because hate speech simply isn't cool, but as to their message, no I can't defend them because I just don't know enough from both sides.

meme scientist

soundcloud.com/beeeeees/everyones-platinum-mashup

RedRiderX

And it's so hard to get down to a real discussion with a shitstorm of horrible comments swirling overhead

@memescientist Groovy

MBraedley

Which is why I'm reading articles that come across my feeds, but other than that, staying out of it.

Although I did post this one tweet:

@ilitchev @femfreq "Anonymity doesn't bring out the worst in people, it just brings out the worst people." -@hankgreen

Tweeted by MBraedley on August 28, 2014 at 11:06 AM in reply to ilitchev

RedRiderX

Aug 30, 2014 02:01

@MBraedley Hey I like that

MBraedley

►

I wish he had made it an actual vlogbrothers video

And there are (community) edited versions too.

RedRiderX

@MBraedley Oh yeah I remember seeing that one, thought it was very interesting seeing the whole thing.

FAE

@MBraedley ah, is that one of the ones that's part of the whole teaching the community how to make things?

MBraedley

@FAE Yep. Pretty sure there's a link in the description. Would have taken part if I had decent editing software installed.

FAE

@MBraedley Jochem told me about that today, it's a pretty neat project.

MBraedley

Aug 30, 2014 02:09

> This war is a sideshow. It's distracting us from talking about the real issues, and make no mistake, that's exactly what an extremist will want.

Couldn't agree more

MBraedley

Aug 30, 2014 02:23

> I'm not trying to reach across the aisle. I was never in the other aisle to begin with. I walked into the chamber, and it was on fire, and people were stabbing each other. It sucked.

MBraedley

Aug 30, 2014 02:49

My comment on Total Biscuit's post. I think it sums up my (non-)position quite nicely.

RedRiderX

@MBraedley Yeah pretty much same here

Not wanting (and maybe not able) to form an informed opinion badly enough to wade through the shitstorm surrounding everything right now.