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[Jintor]

The idea of going out of your way to hire someone who isn't white always seems really weird to me.

People struggle with it all the time because it sounds pretty close to discrimination (and technically is, hence 'reverse racism'). _this intuitive line of thinking typically fails to recognise institutional or social level issues that mean that candidates do not necessarily all begin from a position of equality (not just regarding talent and effort etc)

It took me a long time to puzzle out too.

 

[Zebetite]

I have an unwatched Blu Ray of Cowboy Bebop I got as a gift too. I never watched it, as it would make me weird and uncool

Cowboy Bebop is like, the only anime that won't make you weird and uncool. It make you normal and really cool. Heck, Patrick likes it!

(Disclaimer: I'm pretty okay with anime and by extension am weird and uncool)

 

[LeBart]

The idea of going out of your way to hire someone who isn't white always seems really weird to me.

That's the main reason why I think the issue is way more complex than either side really wants to admit.

 

[chogidogs]

I don't like anime but I like the Avatar series. That makes me kind of a jerk I guess.

 

[daydream]

It looked so rad. Too bad making those things requires talent and time. Otherwise I'd hope they were something people could buy from the store instead of just t-shirts and posters. And, no, I'm not saying designing either of those things don't require talent or skill, I'm just saying they don't require either to manufacture them in bulk.

I would totally buy one. I'm not really big on 'meme'/brand t-shirts and the sort, so I always forgo those.

 

[Flambe]

I just think that people love GB, so they feel attacked somehow when these issues are discussed in relation to their favorite game site. No one is necessarily attacking GB. Its just the latest instance of a pervasive, harmful norm in the industry.

Can't speak for others, but for myself I'd rather just talk about GB stuff.

In relation to them hiring new people that would actually be discussing what Dan/Jason have done, maybe speculating on how they'll fit with current staff, etc. Not just dismissing them as a lost opportunity because of their heritage.

I'm not sure how to respond to your last sentence without the cliche of 'would you rather they break that norm and hire someone with a different ethnic background just because' which has been repeated ad nauseum so don't worry about it lol.

 

[eznark]

Just heard about this controversy, How many women applied?

 

[cb1115]

The idea of going out of your way to hire someone who isn't white always seems really weird to me.

Yep.

 

[LeBart]

I don't like anime but I like the Avatar series. That makes me kind of a jerk I guess.

If you like Avatar you would probably like a lot of other anime, because Avatar is one anime-ass anime.

 

[Zornack]

Just heard about this controversy, How many women applied?

No one outside of GB knows.

In relation to them hiring new people that would actually be discussing what Dan/Jason have done, maybe speculating on how they'll fit with current staff, etc. Not just dismissing them as a lost opportunity because of their heritage.

Yeah, I feel bad for Dan and Jason. People on twitter calling them bad hires because of traits they have no control over. That's straight up bullying.

But, eh, they're receiving a warm welcome otherwise and this will all blow over in a week.

 

[WrenchNinja]

The idea of going out of your way to hire someone who isn't white always seems really weird to me.

Why is that weird?

 

[Mesoian]

Really? I thought Playboy X was a dick regardless. Doesn't help you get his apartment whatever you decide.

He totally was a dick, but in a game that's all about devouring the strong in order to get what you want, choosing the option of the weak seems...well like I said, "incorrect". Narratively speaking, obviously the subjective nature of the choice itself is left in the hands of the player. But Dwayne never seemed like he belonged in that game, and it was up to you to correct that issue.

Why is that weird?

Because you want the best person for the job, regardless of their race, color or creed. We'll never know who the other applicants were, but stepping over the best qualified candidate to specifically hire someone who is a different color is not only silly, it's bad management.

 

[Odrion]

The idea of going out of your way to hire someone who isn't white always seems really weird to me.

http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/JennFrank/20140327/214022/The_Rolodex.php

 

[Scizzy]

The idea of going out of your way to hire someone who isn't white always seems really weird to me.

If you run a business that is entirely white and male and has more than a couple employees, making a conscious effort to diversify your staff is an entirely rational goal.

 

[Zornack]

Why is that weird?

Because it involves dismissing people based on traits they have no control over.

I understand why it has to happen but it doesn't make it any less weird, and it only has to happen because way more weird (fucked up) stuff happened in the past/happens elsewhere (outside of the job).

 

[1upmuffin]

Why is that weird?

It implies you aren't looking at at persons talent but only trying to fill race quotas, it's discrimination.

It shouldn't matter what a persons race/gender is, their talent is the thing that matters.

 

[Ventilaator]

More diverse perspectives and different voices would make their content better and more entertaining and that would benefit us as fans.

I'm gonna need clarification about what this magical other perspective would be exactly. Some people seem to be claiming that every single white dude is the same exact person, and the reason you need diversity is so someone would come out with a differing opinion every once in a while.

Danny came from Ireland and confused everyone with "moving house", Eurovision, and cricket. But man what a bummer that Giant Bomb is a homogeneous bunch of racists with the same exact perspective on everything.

" Getting different perspectives is a good thing!" makes sense. Of course it is. What I don't get is the "Being black or a girl is the only way your different perspective even counts" thing.

 

[hamchan]

Let me put it like this: in all of the years that I've been reading and posting in GB threads, I don't think anybody has ever brought up Leigh Alexander tweets for any reason other than "wow, let's all look at what crazy Leigh said and get upset!"

So excuse me if, upon seeing her tweets on a controversial subject brought up in this thread again for the umpteenth time, I don't immediately assume the best intentions.

I've been posting in these GB threads for years too, and I find this a better place to read about site happenings than the actual site's forum. This includes controversial tweets from controversial people too. I want to know what people are saying about one of my favorite video game websites, both the positive and negative things.

Apologies if I'm backseat modding a bit here, but I don't think you assuming the worst of the posters in this thread should lead to a rule about certain tweets being banned. Despite thread history, you really can't prove anyone's intentions if they just post a tweet without comment. I would hate to see any potential discussion stifled due to people fearing the rule and not reporting what people have tweeted (especially if that rule leads to account bans). Even though I greatly disagree with a lot of what Elizabeth Simms and Leigh Alexander say, I sure wouldn't want to see their opinions filtered out of this thread.

 

[Myggen]

Just heard about this controversy, How many women applied?

That's of course never going to be public knowledge.

 

[Antiwhippy]

Regardless, I don't think anyone foresaw such a massive shitstorm when the announcements came.

 

[Mesoian]

That's of course never going to be public knowledge.

In fact, if we ever did know, it would be a massive failing on someone's part at CBSi.

 

[njean777]

No one outside of GB knows.



Yeah, I feel bad for Dan and Jason. People on twitter calling them bad hires because of traits they have no control over. That's straight up bullying.

But, eh, they're receiving a warm welcome otherwise and this will all blow over in a week.

The most hypocritical part is that most of these people would turn around and be against bullying when they themselves take part in bullying. It is all just so hypocritical and sad at the same time.

 

[sneaky77]

Until this week GB had 5 full time members.. seems like the wrong site to use as a poster boy to try to prove some sort of point.

 

[Jimmyfenix]

So Scott lowe formerly of IGN is now the Communications Manager at Activision. It is strange how some game journalists move to PR

 

[Brashnir]

So Scott lowe formerly of IGN is now the Communications Manager at Activision. It is strange how some game journalists move to PR

somethingsomething Game journalism at IGN is PR somethingsomething

 

[Jimmyfenix]

I feel bad for Dan & Jason as well

 

[PBY]

The most hypocritical part is that most of these people would turn around and be against bullying when they themselves take part in bullying. It is all just so hypocritical and sad at the same time.

You can't just make blanket statements like that man.

Bullying is wrong. Not everyone who is disappointed by the hire is bullying. Shit, I'm not even disappointed by the hire. These dudes seem okay, if a little vanilla to me. Rather, I just lament that the hire represents a larger problem w/ the industry. The hire can be symptomatic rather than the actual problem, but either way it just perpetuates a real issue.

 

[dan2026]

Can someone clue me in as to whats happening on Giant Bomb?

I gather they've hired new people and there is some controversy?

 

[TheBaronOfNA]

Regardless, I don't think anyone foresaw such a massive shitstorm when the announcements came.

I didn't foresaw freelancers journalist taking issue. I thought GB was niche enough in its own way to be tacked as an representation of gaming journalism.

 

[WrenchNinja]

Because you want the best person for the job, regardless of their race, color or creed. We'll never know who the other applicants were, but stepping over the best qualified candidate to specifically hire someone who is a different color is not only silly, it's bad management.

Because it involves dismissing people based on traits they have no control over.

I understand why it has to happen but it doesn't make it any less weird, and it only has to happen because way more weird (fucked up) stuff happened in the past/happens elsewhere (outside of the job).

It implies you aren't looking at at persons talent but only trying to fill race quotas, it's discrimination.

It shouldn't matter what a persons race/gender is, their talent is the thing that matters.

None of that sounds weird. Minorities have the deck stacked against them in the hiring process. Seems like the thing to do instead of acting like we live in an ideal world where the most qualified person is always being hired and they just happen to be white.

 

[Branson]

Let me get this straight as I'm still not sure what the issue is. People are upset because the new hires are white guys and not a woman or a black man because of diversity? Is that a simple way of putting it? Because I'm so confused right now as to what is going on in here currently.

 

[Pops Maellard]

Can someone clue me in as to whats happening on Giant Bomb?

I gather they've hired new people and there is some controversy?

From what I understand, Giant Bomb didn't hire someone who is a racial minority or Leigh Alexander, and some people got upset?

 

[TheBaronOfNA]

Let me get this straight as I'm still not sure what the issue is. People are upset because the new hires are white guys and not a woman or a black man because of diversity? Is that a simple way of putting it? Because I'm so confused right now as to what is going on in here currently.

Pretty much.

 

[BigAT]

These dudes seem okay, if a little vanilla to me.

 

[EmCeeGramr]

I've been posting in these GB threads for years too, and I find this a better place to read about site happenings than the actual site's forum. This includes controversial tweets from controversial people too. I want to know what people are saying about one of my favorite video game websites, both the positive and negative things.

Apologies if I'm backseat modding a bit here, but I don't think you assuming the worst of the posters in this thread should lead to a rule about certain tweets being banned. Despite thread history, you really can't prove anyone's intentions if they just post a tweet without comment. I would hate to see any potential discussion stifled due to people fearing the rule and not reporting what people have tweeted (especially if that rule leads to account bans). Even though I greatly disagree with a lot of what Elizabeth Simms and Leigh Alexander say, I sure wouldn't want to see their opinions filtered out of this thread.

The moderation staff for GAF as a whole already frowns on threads being made just because a person tweeted something controversial. Derailing the thread over one person's opinion, when the intent of posting said opinion is obvious regardless of what you think, is not helpful. The decision is final.

 

[Antiwhippy]

It does feel weird that what is actually a pretty happy occasion can be wrapped up in such a massive issue, where a relatively small company finding some stability or that some people found new jobs is not even the point now.

 

[Lombax]

In an attempt to move on, here is a photo of Brad with a beard.

I think Brad looks good with a beard, do you?

 

[daydream]

In an attempt to move on, here is a photo of Brad with a beard.



I think Brad looks good with a beard, do you?

Nope, think he looks sharper without it.

Also, the first thing I think of when I see that picture is 'Quake', for some reason.

 

[Zornack]

None of that sounds weird. Minorities have the deck stacked against them in the hiring process. Seems like the thing to do instead of acting like we live in an ideal world where the most qualified person is always being hired and they just happen to be white.

Well, yeah, but that doesn't make it any less weird. When you get right down to it you are dismissing another person because of their race. That is a terrible thing to do. On the micro level it's a travesty. But on the other hand I understand that simply reducing the amount of racism in society doesn't magically fix socioeconomic discrepancies

I'm okay with it and understand why it has to happen but I still think it's weird.

 

[Jimmyfenix]

In an attempt to move on, here is a photo of Brad with a beard.



I think Brad looks good with a beard, do you?

It is bringing me flash backs to that RE outbreak video review.

 

[stump sock]

In an attempt to move on, here is a photo of Brad with a beard.



I think Brad looks good with a beard, do you?

Pro-Bradbeard

 

[Branson]

Pretty much.

Hmm. Ok.

All I want out of these new hires is chemistry between the rest of the crew. Dan seems like a good fit from the Wrestling podcast and I'm not sure who the other guy is.

 

[eznark]

The beard flaunts the fact that Brad is not a woman and really highlights the lack of diversity.

 

[hamchan]

The moderation staff for GAF as a whole already frowns on threads being made just because a person tweeted something controversial. Derailing the thread over one person's opinion, when the intent of posting said opinion is obvious regardless of what you think, is not helpful. The decision is final.

I'd argue that some of the tweets posted in this thread aren't really derailing but since the decision is final I'll just leave it at that and move on.

I'll just say thank you for reading my posts, and I hope the GAF moderation staff does consider the feedback of its users.

 

[Mesoian]

None of that sounds weird. Minorities have the deck stacked against them in the hiring process. Seems like the thing to do instead of acting like we live in an ideal world where the most qualified person is always being hired and they just happen to be white.

That's not false, but it's downright irresponsible to hire someone of (x) decent because we don't have a lot of people of (x) decent working here. I mean, if they hired Hip Hop Gamer, for example, would that have been a decision you would have felt great about?

 

[TharpDaddy]

In an attempt to move on, here is a photo of Brad with a beard.



I think Brad looks good with a beard, do you?

Ehh, i prefer beardless Brad. Jeff looks better with a beard. We need Drew to grow a beard.

 

[chogidogs]

The beard flaunts the fact that Brad is not a woman and really highlights the lack of diversity.

Bearded ladies are not a myth. I've seen it!

 

[Myggen]

This is the day GB gets more money on their budget. Hope they buy something dumb.

 

[Mesoian]

This is the day GB gets more money on their budget. Hope they buy something dumb.

Bacon Food Truck Quick Look.

 

[stump sock]

I think the only GB member who doesn't benefit from facial hair is probably poor Rorie. over the winter when he neglected to shave it just looked kind of patchy. Drew with stubble > clean-shaven Drew.