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Power User with Taylor Lorenz
Doxxed, harassed and silenced: the fallout of Gamergate 2.0
Jan 16, 2025
Alyssa Mercante, a journalist targeted for exposing harassment in gaming, dives into the chilling revival of Gamergate-style attacks. She shares her harrowing experiences of being at the center of a smear campaign and the impact on her career and mental health. Alyssa discusses the toxic online culture perpetuated by algorithms and the complicity of gaming companies. With a focus on gender dynamics, she highlights the disproportionate backlash women face in the industry and advocates for collective action against online harassment.
36:19
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Quick takeaways
- Alyssa Mercante's experience highlights the resurgence of organized online harassment in the gaming community, mirroring the tactics seen during Gamergate.
- The silence of mainstream media regarding targeted harassment campaigns raises significant concerns about journalistic integrity and the protection of marginalized voices.
Deep dives
The Resurgence of Online Harassment
A wave of online harassment has resurfaced in the gaming community, echoing the tactics of the original Gamergate movement. Journalist Alyssa Mercante, who reported on the diversity efforts of a gaming consultancy called Sweet Baby Inc., found herself at the center of a coordinated smear campaign. This backlash began with threats and doxxing, fueled by a conspiracy theory that accused Sweet Baby of imposing 'woke' ideologies in video games. The fallout from Mercante's article illustrates how quickly targeted harassment can escalate into a larger cultural conflict within the gaming industry.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode