grandjedi6
Master of the Google Search
Neogaf hears about "Diversity Lounges". Freaks out on the name only without actually reading the details. Grandjedi6 realizes that no one here knows how networking works. /repeat-cycle
PAX To Increase Inclusivity Effort With Roll For Diversity Hub And Lounge
- Thread starter ElNarez
- Start date
Mushroomer25
Member
.... Allow multiple speeches & talks at PAXes past focused on this exact issue?
At some point you have to separate the actions of PAX from the personal opinions & statements from one of the founders.
Fantastical
Death Prophet
Um, it's nothing like that. It's completely optional and meant to be a way you can meet other people that you can identify on a certain level with.
Jim Crow laws were NOT optional and certainly not meant to promote strength among minorities.
Oh, you know, they read the details and thought it was still pretty bad.
Bingo. Considering that Mike goes out of his way to childishly misunderstand LGBT issues, this is their misguided way of trying to make his ongoing mouth diarrhea problem go away.
FlutterPuffs
Member
It's for networking. Hell people with disabilities can set up meeting with game developers to tell them their problems with playing a game the developer make for instance. Scattering it everywhere would make the event a fucking mess.
Welp, I'm out of this thread. The conclusions and assumptions some of you are making so far are amazing.
grandjedi6
Master of the Google Search
Yes because all the people outraging within minutes of the thread being posted read all the details and thought about it before posting.
Me thinks most people either (A) have only read the term "diversity lounges", or (B) don't understand what this actually is.
ElectricKaibutsu
Member
Half of their founders. Gabe and Tycho are Penny Arcade and Penny Arcade is PAX. What upsets people is it seems like Gabe believes that by donating money or holding panels that he can get away with being an ignorant bigot. Whether this is true or not, who knows? Maybe he's turned a new leaf. You can't blame people for being skeptical though.
Mushroomer25
Member
By this logic, PAX wants Tabletop games, Indie games, and League of Legends to fail because they're "sectioned off" as well.
Is this the best way of handling the issue? Probably not. But this isn't some attempt to silence a minority.
Solid Samus
Banned
See, this mentality assumes a lot of things, including
1 that discussions regarding this topic among a convention of hobbyists in an industry becoming more aware and interested in these topics won't come up elsewhere in the convention
2 that this is any more or less 'sectioned off' than everything else going on at PAX lol
3 it's nothing more than base appeasement despite being a staffed info booth with meet n greets, recruitment, several panels lined up, etc.
something like this seems more capable of promoting dialogue within the convention than any other approach I've seen to date
Gentleman Jack
Member
I did not get that sense from the following replies to the topic:
Just people with an axe to grind and no time to read.
Mushroomer25
Member
One of two people who founded the company, and has his hands in about 10 other projects alongside organizing PAX. There's more to setting up a major convention than the decisions of two people.
Bingo.
To see the exact opposite, take a look at how SDCC scheduled the "Women Who Kick Ass" panel - that is to say, they slotted it pretty subversively:
(source: http://www.xojane.com/entertainment/michelle-rodriguez-women-who-rock-panel-comic-con )
The people who need to confront this are the people it makes uncomfortable.
Bullshit. If you read the details you were alone. Most of the comments saw "diversity lounges" and saw "Penny Arcade" and went on the offensive. I really wish it were a requirement that people actually have to read about what they are commenting on, this thread might look a whole lot different.
grandjedi6
Master of the Google Search
...That's not what's happening at all? Do you think they're just roping people off into these lounges and banning conversation elsewhere about these topics? No. These are networking meet ups. Now instead of wandering around in a sea of twenty year old white guys, people of other diversities can have a mutual place to meet each other and trade contact info and converse. Now there are central locations for these conversations to happen instead of being drowned out in the crowd. Now there are meet ups where people can discover that "hey, I'm not the only non-white guy here. There's others like me! Gee, that sure makes me feel better and more accepted by the industry".
IrishNinja
Member
whatever the intention, that's exactly what this sounds like, yes
yes, its called PAX/everything else
amen brother, so tired of the PC movement - i mean what's it actually ever accomplished?
what if some of them read, and still came to that conclusion nonetheless?
I'd like to see him actually recant his childish transphobic bullshit. You know, in a way that isn't "I'm just a gamer and I had a tantrum. Sorry that I got caught being a bigot".
Fantastical
Death Prophet
"Excuse me, if you're going to talk about minority issues can you make sure everyone around you hears it? Thanks!"
Unless they are exchanging panels on minorities in the industry or these lounges, this reply isn't really relevant. Why can't you have both? By having this lounge is the talk about minority issues that I'm sure was rampant in PAX before this lounge going to suddenly stop?
Solid Samus
Banned
but again I doubt that what this proposal describes will be the absolute limit of discussion and panels on the topic that we'll see at PAX.
Heyo_Rockbreaker
Member
"We desire more representation and acknowledgement of minorities within the gaming community."
"At our next convention, we plan on better accommodating minorities within the gaming medium by offering them areas where they can communicate with and meet people who are similar to them, so that they feel a sense of acknowledgement within the gaming community."
"Why are you paying so much attention to the minorities of the gaming community? Are you trying to point them out as different?"
If I'm understanding this situation correctly, I am not understanding why so many people are having such volatile reactions. Isn't Penny Arcade attempting to reduce the chance of minorities within the community feeling different or strange?
"At our next convention, we plan on better accommodating minorities within the gaming medium by offering them areas where they can communicate with and meet people who are similar to them, so that they feel a sense of acknowledgement within the gaming community."
"Why are you paying so much attention to the minorities of the gaming community? Are you trying to point them out as different?"
If I'm understanding this situation correctly, I am not understanding why so many people are having such volatile reactions. Isn't Penny Arcade attempting to reduce the chance of minorities within the community feeling different or strange?
Bobs Big Boy
Member
The idea is in the right direction but why can't the entire expo be a good safe place for having these discussions.
This made me laugh, because it is the most bleak, elegant way it can be described that I could have never quite put into words myself.
This diversity corner thing is kind of.. Missing the point.
Special "safe and welcoming" "safe zones" manned by Enforcers with "safe zone" training is a poor alternative to, you know, making the whole con a safe and welcoming zone.
It sounds like balkanization to people, even if it isn't intended as such. And since it's a PR response designed to buffer the backlash against a founder with foot-in-mouth disease, that immediately makes it a bad idea.
It sounds like balkanization to people, even if it isn't intended as such. And since it's a PR response designed to buffer the backlash against a founder with foot-in-mouth disease, that immediately makes it a bad idea.
Sho_Nuff82
Member
Comparing this to Jim Crow is hilarious.
And by hilarious, I mean a fucking travesty.
And by hilarious, I mean a fucking travesty.
ElectricKaibutsu
Member
You don't think this is directly related to the issues Gabe has been having recently?
I honestly hope this benefits the gaming community but it's hard to believe that the reason for it existing is completely altruistic.
Solid Samus
Banned
so is calling it a diversity corner
Gentleman Jack
Member
Then their comprehension, their ability to express a thoughtful conclusion, or both are impaired.
Mushroomer25
Member
Because it's also an expo for showing off videogames? You can say that the entire event should be a meeting of professional minds - but PAX is a combination trade-show, concert collection, community meet-up, and tournament central. At some point you need to specify a space for like-minded people to congregate, outside of the general chaos.
What PAX really needs is just a "professionals" lounge. Just a spot for discussion - no trailers being shoved in your face, no demos - just an open space where people can hold smaller discussions about larger gaming issues.
IrishNinja
Member
having not attended PAX, i can only go by accounts here & other places - for a while there, it sounded like PA was doing just this sort've thing by discouraging booth girls & other practices. As i understood it, they were already fostering a pretty diverse/solid environment.
then came the dickwolves - more specifically, gabe's trolling a victim community board, then letting it go only to reopen it way later just to remind people where he stood i guess - and the CIS/gender circus a short while back, both of which were poorly handled & could've been resolved but it seemed PA didn't want to, and now we have this. in that context, i think it's logical that many aren't inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt, honestly
assuming your goal was to be insulting & dead-end a discussion: mission accomplished
grandjedi6
Master of the Google Search
Holy shit, please don't tell me you just tried connecting this topic to that.
aspiegamer
Member
Something is very, very wrong with your event if you feel you need separate areas to discuss certain "controversial" social issues and have "enforcers" in those areas to make sure people behave.
Seriously? Diversity referees? Is there a penalty box? 5 minute major? Unsportsmanlike conduct for 15 yards that you have to park farther away the next day? Stop-and-go penalty back in the entrance to get you out of position on your tour? Are there Cards? If you get 2 minor infractions over the event get you kicked out, or might a major gets you out and suspended from the next PAX? Will coaches be supplied to act outraged whenever someone gets called out on being a jackass? Will there be bleachers so people can watch the inevitable moron deliberately trying to cause trouble?
Exaggeration in the applicable meaning? Perhaps, but "enforcers" 1) shouldn't need to exist and 2) shouldn't have to only care about one area where people are granted permission to talk about bad stuff because every-damn-place should be a "safe" place.
Seriously? Diversity referees? Is there a penalty box? 5 minute major? Unsportsmanlike conduct for 15 yards that you have to park farther away the next day? Stop-and-go penalty back in the entrance to get you out of position on your tour? Are there Cards? If you get 2 minor infractions over the event get you kicked out, or might a major gets you out and suspended from the next PAX? Will coaches be supplied to act outraged whenever someone gets called out on being a jackass? Will there be bleachers so people can watch the inevitable moron deliberately trying to cause trouble?
Exaggeration in the applicable meaning? Perhaps, but "enforcers" 1) shouldn't need to exist and 2) shouldn't have to only care about one area where people are granted permission to talk about bad stuff because every-damn-place should be a "safe" place.
Solid Samus
Banned
they're not segregating anything.
discussions and panels pertaining to these subject have and will continue to take place all around PAX
this proposal is an info resource and networking center pertaining to the subject with a shit ton of redeeming factors to it. Seems like an excellent resource for those who are interested in the subject matter or who find it relevant to their lives, or those who are looking to become more considerate and or aware of these things from a business perspective, moreso than just having panels without such a resource being available.
NobleGundam
Banned
"Your kind ain't welcome in des here booth"
"It's right next door"
"It's right next door"
travisbickle
Member
How about special badges they can wear?
Just so we know who is who.
Just so we know who is who.
Gentleman Jack
Member
Explain to me the goal of a post that says "Wow Penny Arcade is full of disgusting morons."
They're proposing segregation to solve the issue at hand.
It is absolutely, 100%, without doubt or question as fucked up as it's being made out to be.
Mushroomer25
Member
Honestly, this feels like the natural step for PAX as an event. It's a dedicated spot for discussion on an issue that they've put a focus on for years now. Yes - if this takes the place of existing talks & discussions, this was an idiotic decision and could be percieved as censorship. But that doesn't seem to be the case.
Solid Samus
Banned
that's completely understandable but it's not fair to make no effort to understand this proposal within the context of PAX's current structure, letting the history of two men involved in the convention justify completely overlooking any potential positives or redeeming factors
grandjedi6
Master of the Google Search
You're jumping to way too many conclusions based on the word "enforcers". It ain't gonna be military police. It's just a generic team for staff detail and probably only exists to chase away the trolls that will inevitably pop up. They're not trying to lock the diversity conversation to one spot; the exact opposite in fact.
While a noble olive branch, I can't see good things coming from this. Not because "THEY ARE SEGREGATING" like some of the knee-jerks, but because of the crowd and audience Penny-Arcade attracts.
I would love to be proven wrong, but I can't see LGBT/etc. events being thrown at PAX in these areas and not attracting dicks like cons generally do for these "bucking the trend" events.
I would love to be proven wrong, but I can't see LGBT/etc. events being thrown at PAX in these areas and not attracting dicks like cons generally do for these "bucking the trend" events.
Black Door
Banned
I heard they're star shaped
ultratruman
Banned
What if this is just a dedicated space for LGBT gamer booths and the like?
It's definitely misguided and cynical when you consider Mike's obvious transphobia. The convention planners are attempting to damage control a serious issue. Mike's week of verbal diarrhea happened and now the diversity lounge magically becomes a thing for PAX? What a coincidence!
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