That didn't take too long to write. I could read that aloud in less than two minutes. This point must be made as GamerGate is being given the opportunity by The Society of Professional Journalism--the benchmark journalistic ethics which many used to measure the actions of the many filthy journalists from around games media--at an event called AirPlay. This is a panel discussion about what GamerGate is, how it came to be (without only referring to Ms. Quinn!), and why it matters. AirPlay will be a live streamed event hosted by the SPJ. Now, because it is being hosted by the SPJ, it will be, inherently, geared towards journalists. Some in GamerGate believe that isn't good enough, but I do not think the ideals of GamerGate can be that choosy.
The event itself will be taking part in Miami on August 15, 2015. A well timed pre-anniversary bash. It will be a free event starting at 1000 and ending around 1500, though I'm sure there will be much more discussion following the events at the local watering holes. Panelists have been selected by the GamerGate community at large. These panelists will have 15 minutes to speak on what GamerGate (see the first paragraph). Then the discussion expands, does lunch, and then expands some more to become part of other SPJ missions.
Panelists selected were given the happy distinction of "the Blue Ribbon List", and include scholar Christina Hoff Sommers, Breitbart London's Alum Bokhari and Milo Yiannopolous, freelance writer Cathy Young, freelance illustrator and industry insider Mark Ceb, and (former?) games journalist Oliver Campbell.
My focus is going to be on Campbell here, and while an hour will allow me to be far more surgical, I'm going to do this hack job in less than 15 minutes worth of reading.
Campbell hosted a stream where he and other GamerGate individuals were discussing the panel's place and time allotment while working out how to use what time they had. There was a growing concern among those involved that 15 minutes was not enough time to truly cover what GamerGate is, a idea spearheaded by Campbell. The push was for an hour of what can only be called descriptive storytelling on GamerGate--a Metal Gear approach to introductions, rather than an Elder Scrolls one. SPJ AirPlay's host Michael Koretzky joined the conversation to attempt to listen to the concerns of his panelists.
A note here: SPJ doesn't have to do anything for GamerGate. Not a damned thing. It is Koretzky's generosity and ambition that is making this happen, and he's a smart man for doing so. The fact that panelists are continually asking for more from him is absurd, disrespectful, and dangerous.
Koretzky had the pleasure of being yelled at, despite attempts to address the issues raised--mostly by Campbell who appeared to browbeat down his compatriots into tacit support of his ravings. When something other than the demands of the tantrum came up for Koretzky, he was not given the courtesy that a host ought to be granted of leaving peacefully. Again, Campbell. Campbell even went as far as to say he felt disrespected because he wasn't absolutely up on every piece of information as it may pertain to the panelists, telling Koretzky he felt like "a house nigger". Points for shock value but not for argument, prestige, or composure.
Campbell's response to Koretzky's AirPlay update 6, which was direct result of the stream? To start a stream up with his submissive guests to go line-by-line through it to talk about how aggrieved he was. Not a damn thing about GamerGate's ideals, goals, and grateful spirit in regards to AirPlay. To prolixity, Campbell spoke of slightly misused quotes (kind of hard to keep track of all the yelling), how context to GamerGate (i.e., the entire story only) is the only way people will understand, and the continual barking to his streammates to confirm or deny whether something was or was not said. The chat to the stream is probably what forced Campbell's hand in the end.
At some point in the stream, Campbell waxed on about "not fucking with people's money" as some sort of journalistic motto. He turned on Koretzky because of the crowd-funding efforts by GamerGate to fund the panelists' trip and accommodations to Miami were, in Campbell's opinion alone, being fucked with. Of course, entirely ignoring that money put up by the SPJ to rent a space and pay people to work various jobs and equipment so that Campbell can have the stage we've all wanted for so long.
Well, I can happily say that Campbell, after these antics, has withdrawn from attending. Good on him. He may not have recognized that spouting on about how GamerGate is bigger than all of us while specifically focusing in on himself may have been in poor taste and deeply harmful to the grand opportunity being offered here. Campbell's solipsistic bent on time and belief of unearned respect ruined his credibility in my eyes. I cannot fathom how one can look at the generosity of a community funding my way to Miami to speak on a topic that I'm passionate about only to spit in the face of the organizer and host, all while claiming to be the aggrieved party.
To round out the last few moments here, I want to direct attention to the AirPlay's website and break down of how the time on August 15 is going to be used. Remember, there were six panelsits.
AirPlay is part of an existing journalism conference called Forging the Future. (Yes, I help organize it. No, I didn’t name it.)It’s really just a series of small, intense workshops that end with an awards ceremony. It’s co-sponsored by the Florida chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.On Saturday, August 15, in Little Havana, one big room will be dedicated to AirPlay, which will be split into three distinct debates…10-10:50 am: Give Me The Bullet
All sides talk in broad strokes for a novice audience. That means no acronyms or acrimony. The goal of the first hour isn’t to convince the crowd who’s right — it’s to convince them this is important.11-noon: What’s That Again?
For those fascinated by the first hour, the panel drills down on crucial concepts. Time to delve into precise points and specific moments.noon-1 pm: Lunch Break
If you registered for the conference, it’s free. If not, it’s only a few bucks for a bag lunch. (More on that in the money section.) You’re also welcome to bring your own lunch, order Domino’s, or starve.1-3 pm: Let’s Get It On
Send the kids to bed and lock up the pets. Time for hardcore warfare. While all three debates will seek audience participation, it’s probably unstoppable here.3 -5 pm: Talk Amongst Yourselves
While the video crew packs up at 3 pm, you can hang out. We have the room till 5 pm, so if everyone wants to keep talking/arguing/fighting — and record and share footage on their own — well, just don’t bleed on the furniture.I’ll moderate the first two hours, since I figure I’m now the most knowledgeable ignorant person about GamerGate. The AirPlay committee, in concert with the GamerGate community, will decide who moderates the next two hours.What happens from 3-5 pm? I think the crowd should decide.
There you have it. Plenty of time to make things work throughout the event, including ample opportunity for the most interested to ask increasingly specific questions about GamerGate. Where with the problem in regards to time again?
This has been an unedited rant. @nrokchi
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