Anita Sarkeesian has disclosed what she has done with the Kickstarter money
- Thread starter crimsonheadGCN
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crimsonheadGCN
Banned
I never actually thought about this, but it does make sense that she's using this to ger her PhD.
And this obsession has pretty much had an opposite effect. She's become more successful because of it. If people had just ignored this back when the kickstarter was going then she would have just made her original goad and developed the series for her small following at the time.
Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew
Banned
Yep, ethically they should. However, she had to because every non-profit must show their figures. Right?
That doesn't work. It's the kickstarter funds, which isn't the whole of Feminist Frequency's income. And it's been more than 1 year, of course.
Granted I haven't watched every single video she made, but I fail to see how she's doing that much "research". There isn't months worth of work in her content.
The first damsel in distress, for instance, is mostly paraphrasing the wikipedia article, even including some of the exact same pictures and examples.
Oh I didn't know you were referring to backers, that's absolutely fair.
TylerDurden4321
Member
Why do this?? She can't have thought it would make any "where did all the money go?!!!"-doubters shut up, right? Given her experience with internet reactions, she CAN'T have thought that. So why do it like this without listing every dollar (like a non-profit organization has to anyway, right? Just black some names when online publishing)?
Maybe it was just in her original kickstarter promise and now she fullfilled that??
Maybe it was just in her original kickstarter promise and now she fullfilled that??
Lol, no yout don't.
Callibretto
Member
just wondering here, if she didn't expand the scope of the project and just keep her original vision to make the video what she want with the original $10,000, then keep the rest of the fund as profit, does that break any kickstarter rule at all?
I was speaking on the traditional idea of a solution, as that's what I assumed the post I was replying to was focusing on. You know, the usual "here's a problem, and here is a model or way to solve it". I don't really think a commentary on themes of games really promotes a model or way to solve anything for that promotes direct action, so the points you make up to what she'd probably do seem more reasonable and likely; to not make a way to act and follow an order or claim, but to make mindfulness be a theme, to make awareness lead to action. Those are very different things, and I don't think McIntosh has that kind of philosophy of mindfulness, at least based on his attitude about certain things that he's publicly spoke about. You would also see I spoke mostly about him and his relationship to the project, not so much Anita.
She's looking to further legitimize her company as a nonprofit, and nonprofit organizations have to report their earnings.
For those who are about to pounce, a nonprofit organization doesn't mean nobody gets paid, it just means the organization itself doesn't make profits after those people are paid and expenses are deducted.
ForsakenLotus
Member
It's unfortunate that she's been harassed so much. It brings out the worst in our community and makes us look really bad. I personally have quite a lot of issues with her videos, but I don't think it justifies the types of comments and threats she has received.
However, I feel like this was doomed from the start. A feminist with not a lot of experience in gaming suddenly wants to produce a line of videos where she deconstructs lots of games as either sexist, or at least lazy when it comes to women. Basically, she started researching with an agenda, and that has lead to many (maybe even half) of her examples lacking the proper context.
I think that's my biggest issue. If I begin reading into a subject trying to find examples of something I previously thought was true, I'll find examples that only partially fit my idea (or some cases it just appeared to fit when it doesn't), and it sullies the entire effort.
In other words, confirmation bias.
However, I feel like this was doomed from the start. A feminist with not a lot of experience in gaming suddenly wants to produce a line of videos where she deconstructs lots of games as either sexist, or at least lazy when it comes to women. Basically, she started researching with an agenda, and that has lead to many (maybe even half) of her examples lacking the proper context.
I think that's my biggest issue. If I begin reading into a subject trying to find examples of something I previously thought was true, I'll find examples that only partially fit my idea (or some cases it just appeared to fit when it doesn't), and it sullies the entire effort.
In other words, confirmation bias.
Freshmaker
I am Korean.
Standard random Kickstarter rage. AVGN, Spoony etc all automatically draw those kinds of weirdos the instant they actually get funds.
Roran Stehl
Member
Knowing it makes it difficult to keep an open perspective regarding this work. I don't mind what she presents that much but have major reservations regarding his proposals.
Tertullian
Member
I don't believe so.
Roran Stehl
Member
I agree. It would have been way stronger with a point/counterpoint approach. She makes good observations but her analysis and conclusions are made a priori.
Pennywise83
Banned
She improved a lot from her first video; Women as a Background Decoration is a highly researched piece, with also some cool theory behind it, which explained really, really well. You can see there have been a lot of research in doing the video. Also, you can always start from Wikipedia and then expand on those lines looking at plenty of other sources, as she did.
Mr Fahrenheit
Member
Well good on her for actually doing something to try and argue against detractors rather than going on Twitter or xyz news station and saying "look at how harassed I am." A lot of the vitriol towards her would have been lessened if in the beginning she actually discussed things with people instead of blocking anything that even resembled criticism.
Hope this is the start of a trend for her.
Hope this is the start of a trend for her.
0 solutions? Is she supposed to be able to "solve" the problem of improving female representation in games just by having some money?
Her goal is to make the conversation happen, and she's done superbly in turning what was a simmering issue into a boiling one. I personally don't like her videos and I find her a smug, disingenuous person, but I respect that she's on the right side and is having an effect on developers and writers.
blankempathy
Member
Basically some of my issues. I don't dislike her because shes a feminist or whatever people want to call her. Equal rights are always a good thing. The problem is she simply picked a media thats very popular that she knows little about but would give her a lot of exposure. She doesnt seem to care much for gaming. For some of us its a passion and it just seems for her its a passing interest that suits her agenda. So to see her as the face of gaming rights disgusts me.
Still thats no reason for the harassment.
I've backed 41 Kickstarter projects (not this one, though) and only two of those were run by women ... However, in both those situations, people seemed to have an issue with the women making money off the projects -- and, I see that again here. I've never seen that complaint against men.
I just find that odd. It's hard enough for female entrepreneurs to get started, but this double-standard bs is the worst.
Let's be honest, though -- people funded this particular KS to help promote and disseminate a message. The reach of that message has far exceeded the KS goals, even if the actual episodes haven't yet reach the expected count. Have we seen any instances of people that ACTUALLY contributed complaining? Or is this just her opposition stirring the pot? <--- honest question.
I just find that odd. It's hard enough for female entrepreneurs to get started, but this double-standard bs is the worst.
Let's be honest, though -- people funded this particular KS to help promote and disseminate a message. The reach of that message has far exceeded the KS goals, even if the actual episodes haven't yet reach the expected count. Have we seen any instances of people that ACTUALLY contributed complaining? Or is this just her opposition stirring the pot? <--- honest question.
Trickster
Member
I say this having not really followed her kickstarter very much at any point. But I thought her kickstarter was only ever advertised as being for a series of "documentary" videos looking at female representation in games? But now it seems she actually spend money from the kickstarter to start a foundation instead/aswell?
It must be pretty frustrating for someone who runs a web show like that. Everyone's used to watching it on youtube for free so the moment they try to make something that they can't fund themselves, everyone starts freaking out and calling them a scam artist.
One should note HEAVILY, that most PhD programs provide fellowships to their candidates. Anita could have done a cut down version of these videos and published them to almost no one and received a PhD.
If she is using this towards her PhD, good for her, your average thesis doesn't get this kind of attention or effect this kind of change.
Maybe I'll have a look I guess.
I watched the entire first trilogy (which is half her output so far), and quite frankly I thought it was fairly lazy overall.
First because it's the same argument hammered over and over again with no real progression, just giving more and more examples of the same issue, which could have easily been summarized in a fraction of the total time, and then when it's time to analyze the games that do try to go against the grain, the conclusion is that it doesn't really count because there's a long history of the trope. So you're kinda left wondering what's the point in the end.
Hellsing321
Member
They're Gators. Anytime she takes a shit they make it their business.
I sincerely doubt anyone who backed her is disappointed in the outcome. The videos are well produced and really thorough.
From an outside perspective, it seems like this project has been mishandled and delayed.
People who aren't personally invested cannot lend critique?
ForsakenLotus
Member
It feels weird to me, that when I watched a video so many were examples that lacked proper context and were just inaccurate accounts, yet so many people have latched onto them. I wish I knew if it was simply a disagreement on whether her examples are flawed, or if people champion her simply because she is a feminist that is trying to shine a light on a gaming culture that is admittedly not fair when it comes to women in the industry and in games.
There are problems to be discussed, she just chose the wrong facet to discuss based on her experience with gaming before this series. It is a shame.
But look on the bright side, at least she'll be able to make t-shirts and mugs with her fancy new logo on them! Truly this is the American dream.
You have a bunch of 10 to 15 year olds (or older depending on maturity level) and a bunch of individuals somewhere on the spectrum all with keyboards and no supervision.
Sadly, the results are quite expected.
They can but it's clearly not being done in good faith much of the time. Like someone said before, some folks are obsessed with seeing her fail.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
This. Given that she's making public speeches and generally doing other things like dealing with that bullshit I don't care that much
I mean, I wish she released them faster. And she probably would have if....all of this hadn't happened.
Finale Fireworker
Member
Everybody asking for a salary break down is exposing themselves to not understanding how running a show works.
This is her job now. She is going to pay herself to do it. People donating to her Kickstarter WANT her to have their money. Nobody donating to the Kickstarter is unhappy with the product output, because then they wouldn't be donating, and none of them care if she is making money off of her project because OF COURSE she is going to make money off of her project. Why WOULDN'T she make money off of her project?
Even if you don't find her video appealing or valuable, realize that this is a production and she is hosting a show. Consider her an entertainer, if that helps you. Entertainers make money for their entertaining, and yes, they probably make more money than you.
This is her job now. She is going to pay herself to do it. People donating to her Kickstarter WANT her to have their money. Nobody donating to the Kickstarter is unhappy with the product output, because then they wouldn't be donating, and none of them care if she is making money off of her project because OF COURSE she is going to make money off of her project. Why WOULDN'T she make money off of her project?
Even if you don't find her video appealing or valuable, realize that this is a production and she is hosting a show. Consider her an entertainer, if that helps you. Entertainers make money for their entertaining, and yes, they probably make more money than you.
Trojita
Rapid Response Threadmaker
You didn't see the Penny Arcade kickstarter fiasco?
GavinUK86
Member
Who gives a shit about how much she's pocketed, the more important question is why, 3 years later, the goals still haven't been reached and the rewards haven't been fulfilled. Instead of doing these so-called talks around the globe and whatever she gets up to on Twitter, she should be focusing on what she originally promised to the backers.
Robert at Zeboyd Games
Banned
You guys do realize that in most Kickstarters, the largest chunk of money ends up going to the people who are doing the Kickstarter as salaries, right? You're much more likely to get a project done and done well if you're doing it full-time as a job and not just here and there when you have a moment.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
The idea is to show how pervasive these things are. That's why its repetitive, because these tropes and devices are repetitive. Being repetitive is literally the whole point, its supposed to hold a mirror up to a repetitive industry. And multiple prominent developers have said that it has, and have directly cited her work in changing how they think going forward
I'm curious, are you a backer?
I think that's a different kind of backlash.
John Kowalski
Banned
people want to think of the money given to her as charity donations and don't want her to benefit form it
Finale Fireworker
Member
I'm quite certain that nobody who backs Anita Sarkeesian feels that way.
Yup. I backed it and am 100% happy with the results and people flipping out over these figures just make me want to donate again.
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