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[Up] James Gunn fired for racism, jokes about rape and pedophilia
- Thread starter DryvBy
- Start date
Nymphae
Banned
Another thing I don't get about Gunn's tweets.
It's not even like they're jokes about pedophiles in the same way like lawyer jokes make lawyers the butt of the jokes.
One of Gunn's tweets was like, "I like when little boys touch my naughty place"
Like how is this even a joke? He just makes a tweet implying he actually enjoys this stuff, and we're just supposed to laugh that off? I don't get it, it doesn't offend me personally, but I'm not understanding where the comedy is supposed to be.
At least lawyer jokes, the idea is ok we all hate lawyers, here's a funny way to kill one or something like that. But this? It's just a guy going "I'm a pedo, tee hee *wink*".
It's not even like they're jokes about pedophiles in the same way like lawyer jokes make lawyers the butt of the jokes.
One of Gunn's tweets was like, "I like when little boys touch my naughty place"
Like how is this even a joke? He just makes a tweet implying he actually enjoys this stuff, and we're just supposed to laugh that off? I don't get it, it doesn't offend me personally, but I'm not understanding where the comedy is supposed to be.
At least lawyer jokes, the idea is ok we all hate lawyers, here's a funny way to kill one or something like that. But this? It's just a guy going "I'm a pedo, tee hee *wink*".
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waxer
Member
Jokes don't need a villain.
Why did the girl fall off the swing. Because she had no arms.
His jokes suck by my current standards but I really hate historical blame. Next make smoking illegal and we can track down all past smokers and lock them up for second hand smoke inhalation and polluting people's environment.
At least that's actually hurting someone not just offending a minority.
The only difference to me is current cultural perception.
Why did the girl fall off the swing. Because she had no arms.
His jokes suck by my current standards but I really hate historical blame. Next make smoking illegal and we can track down all past smokers and lock them up for second hand smoke inhalation and polluting people's environment.
At least that's actually hurting someone not just offending a minority.
The only difference to me is current cultural perception.
Airola
Member
https://help.twitter.com/en/using-twitter/retweet-faqs
"Sometimes people type "RT" at the beginning of a Tweet to indicate that they are re-posting someone else's content. This isn't an official Twitter command or feature, but signifies that they are quoting another person's Tweet."
We don't know what it was about, but there was RT before the message and it was aimed towards a certain person. We don't know what the joke there was supposed to be. I would assume it was supposed to jokingly make a claim that other person has said that. Don't know what their history with that type of "jokes" is or if it even was supposed to be a joke.
Gander
Banned
Maybe this is just my side of it and I know people don't agree but I'd say if you are saying offensive things or want to say offensive sayings you don't get to decide how upset or sensitive someone should be about it. To me that's like hitting someone with a baseball bat and telling them how much it doesn't hurt, you don't get to make that call.
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Spheyr
Banned
Or if someone hits someone in the face and that person goes to the ER, it's not your place to judge if he's hurt enough
chaos789
Banned
The line of argument I've seen is that Roseanne actually believes her racist remarks, while Gunn was "just joking". I understand the difference, but I think this is fair game.
I see a lot of lefties complaining that this was simply a bunch of 4chan/alt-righters drumming up shit from the past to cause trouble - which isn't really inaccurate, but at the same time, they weren't the ones who fired Gunn. They simply showed Disney who they were dealing with, and let Disney signal their virtue. YOU ARE NOT FREE FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR IRONIC JOKES LEFTIES
Disney was aware of James Gunn past tweets before they hired him to write/direct GOTG.
You actually think he's a pedophile?
Beyond you, do people actually think Gunn is a pedophile and are majorly offended and clutching pearls, or is this just payback for Roseanne?
DeepEnigma
Gold Member
Damn, lol.
TrainedRage
Banned
Why can't it be both? Clearly he had an obsession with little children "jokes". And he is friends with known pedophiles. I'm not going to give him the benefit of doubt. He was a two faced liar and I wouldn't put it past him to lie about all these "jokes".
sol_bad
Member
Forgive my ignorance, what was Gunn a two faced liar about?
Also, why would there need to be any sort of "revenge" towards Roseanne. Just because political reasons? That is just pathetic.
Did you watch and/or love her show? I personally didn't during the 90's and didn't check out the new show but if I did I would be just as annoyed at that situation as this situation.
It's not about political bias, it's about the love/passion towards the actor/creator.
Airola
Member
You are essentially saying here that words are violence.
But it isn't that simple.
Everyone is ok with a guy hitting someone in the face with a baseball bat getting penalty for it. No-one even questions if it hurts. Even if it doesn't hurt because of whatever reasons most people totally accept if the violent offender gets a fine or jail time or gets fired for it. But most people, I think, still believe offensive words can't really be compared to actual violence. At least not as much as it would warrant same types of punishments than actual violence.
People are just afraid words become treated as if they are punches to the face or as if they are equal to actions.
Like, I'm not sure if someone who has punched a person 10 years ago would get fined or lose work after 10 years time, or that people would think that person is still violent, but it looks as if mere words left on twitter or anywhere else makes you get such consequences and that no-one would believe their integrity because of those words (hell, even apologies 6 years ago and apologies again and then deleting the messages didn't help).
Gander
Banned
Just because something is not physical violence doesn't mean it doesn't hurt or cause mass trauma. If take away someone's dignity, pride, and self respect they may not die from it but they my kill themselves.
I'm not going to get too personal but maybe this will help you see. Do you have a child?
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Airola
Member
Yes that's true. I agree. I've been bullied. Some of the words still have an effect on me even if I try to assure myself otherwise.
But we are comparing obscene jokes with physical violence here. I don't think that's fair and I certainly think obscenity shouldn't be something you get as hard consequences as you would get from physical violence. Sure, those jokes don't fit in all places. A priest telling a joke like that during a funeral should be penalised in some way.
Bullying is obviously wrong, but obscene jokes are not bullying. Well, you can bully with jokes but just as jokes they are not comparable to bullying.
No, I don't. My sister has and I have worked with children in the past. Why?
TheFarter
Banned
It's Hollyweird man. Feldman tried to warn everyone. How it's been, how it'll always be. Long live Brian Singer! /s
prag16
Banned
Gander
Banned
Tom Cruise warned everybody before that. That "Eyes Wide Shut" shit is real.
It's Jeff
Banned
I was thinking about this and it makes sense to a point - until I hit the sticking point that being offended is entirely within the eye of the beholder.
What you actually say can be completely sterile through your own intent but how I interpret it is out of your hands entirely, especially in the hands of an artist. Let's take for example, Serrano's famous Piss Christ. He says he meant, "neither blasphemy nor offense by it." I'll link the wiki below if anybody doesn't remember the piece.
When it's all said and done, he's right. Here's the thing - my offense stems entirely from the meaning that I assign to the symbol of the art, the name, and my association to the sanctity of the image. That hurt - to use your baseball bat analogy - is my hurt, based on what baggage I brought to the experience. I can't in good conscience hold Serrano responsible for my interpretation. I'm asking him to hypothetically imagine the sum of my experiences to gauge my possible reaction to determine whether his language is being used as a cudgel or not... and that's too much for me to ask.
Truth is, I'm not provoked by Gunn's tweets nor Piss Christ for that matter. But unless the artist knows me, my past, or my values, I couldn't begin to ascribe weaponizing or malice to the intent. My two cents, anyway.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piss_Christ
Makariel
Member
If you were to hit me with a baseball bat that's called assault. There are laws against that. Are we really equating words in bad taste with beating someone up here? Because these are not the same, regardless of how you want to spin it. I've been subject to physical violence and to harsh language in the past. Given the choice I'd always pick language over being beaten up. Being knocked out really isn't as much fun as it sounds, and I think you trivialise cases where bullies use physical violence to control and torture other humans. I would suggest a reality check.
Windom Earle
Member
Yes, I am 90% sure he is a pedo for the following reasons:
- Hollywood is pedowood
- "Jokes" on Twitter
- Insanely creepy pics on his instagram
- Good friends with convicted pedophile
- CDAN reporting on him yesterday and pretty much confirming the story
All those pieces in isolation mean nothing, but taking everything together there is barely any doubt for me.
Besides this I think it's funny af to see the left complain about "muh decency being weaponized". Maybe not that much decency to begin with tbh.
mckmas8808
Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
To be fair, my mind has seemed to forget the pedo jokes that he made and I was thinking of the other dumb stuff that he said. When you put it this way........boy it's a tough sell to keep him on.
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mckmas8808
Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
I don't lol. I said I understand why people don't like him, but this is like people blaming Gamergater's for the ArenaNet firing, when it's ultimately the company's fault, not anyone who pointed their fingers.
I'm not familiar with this Jessica Price story you mentioned.
Edit: lol is JP the ArenaNet chick? I'm bad with names lol. I get what you're saying now
It's because people hate blaming corporations. At least in America. It's more fun to attack the average Joe at home for being a leftist, feminazi, or alt-righter than to simply blame\credit the corporation that did the firing.
James T. Kirk
Member
What does [Up] mean?
RubxQub
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I'm assuming "update", as when this thread was created he wasn't fired yet, but then ultimately was shortly after.
James T. Kirk
Member
Ah, OK.
LaughingStock
Member
This whole thing is hilarious. It's specially funny to watch retardera, of all places, defending Gunn. "It was just a joke" LOL
Redneckerz
Those long posts don't cover that red neck boy
The kind of jokes Gunn made aren't what i would classify as jokes, certainly some of the more direct tweets. Again, don't treat Twitter like its your private outlet where such puns are okay or atleast understood by those that know. A lot of The Internet does not and will (rightly) criticize it.
infinitys_7th
Member
All the while crucifying Dave Chappelle and actual comedians for "punching down" nonsense.
Happy1996
Member
The point is everything you've ever posted can be used against you. Especially when you're famous. That's bad and that's not democratic at all, we all have a freedom of speech.
mckmas8808
Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
And people that disagree or don't like your tweets have the freedom of speech to speak out "against" the things that you say publically. It goes both ways. You aren't protected from the consequences of terrible tweets.
Redneckerz
Those long posts don't cover that red neck boy
Agreed. But i never understood the appeal or having the naivety to treat Twitter as a private outlet, when it clearly is not. This happened with Jessica Price, this has happened with Subnautica, and it now happens with James Gunn.
Like, i understand his humour is rather bizarre, but there are tweets that i can't possibly classify as ''oh yeah, that is a joke'' when i don't find it funny at all. Lets just look at two of them.
Tasteless, but the bracketed cite does tell me that this is some kind of skit line from a comedy of some sorts. In any case, this tweet lacks nuance and context. Taken on its own, its just tasteless, but alright. I can see why it is a joke even though i don't find it comical as it is.
Now this one is actually just repugnant. Even as a comedy joke (And i have seen comedies who did a similar kind of skit), i personally find these very low quality. This is the kind of thing Seth Rogen would pick up upon in one of his comedies and its very funny. No. I don't think this works as a joke since its really low balling on the effort scale of a proper joke, and its more that its offensive than anything else. Now, offense/insult comedy is a thing, but even insult roasters like Jimmy Carr or Gilbert Godfried on the CC Roasts know that offensive remarks need a build up and a delivery. This has neither of it. Taken on its own, it just gets worse: It has a lot of sexual undertones and it really isnt the kind of tweet you should write publically. This is something James Gunn should take responsibilty for, remove the tweets, and be understanding that this kind of phrasing is really problematic.
That being said, these were said literally years ago. I don't think it represents the 2018 James Gunn, unless he has made recent commentary to that same effect. I also question why only now this is a scandal, and not back in 2008/2009, when these tweets were made.
EDIT: Reading the Wikipedia:
Now i would say that Cernovich isnt a stranger to digging up old dirt, but i do think its debateworthy how a single person, just by digging up old tweets, can result in Disney firing you. Now, its Disney who has an image to protect (And does so very fiercely), but my main point to it is: Is the way we want to live in a society has to be where a single individual can damage your carreer forever, ofcourse being spurred by media outrage? Where do we allow the media for this to happen, and where do we say stop?
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Happy1996
Member
You're right. Sometimes I think there should be lessons of Internet privacy in the school. May be that people will finally got the idea that all information about them can be avaliable, If the won't be careful.
Redneckerz
Those long posts don't cover that red neck boy
Just because one can publically say a lot because of freedom of speech does not mean you have to handwave courtesy away in the wind that is The Internet.
However, i might have found a lead as to why this was said. Those aforementioned tweets are from 2008-2009. Back in that day, Gunn had a show called James Gunn's PG Porn. Now what is that about?
These tweets may very well be related to that show from back then. Often you see famous people tweet or make references to a certain show or event that they will air or are on. Perhaps this is that? It would provide context to what was said, although it does not excuse that those tweets are poor in quality. If they are PR for that show, i wouldn't watch anyways, does not seem like a show with the humour i would appreciate.
Happy1996
Member
Oh wow. His sense of humor was kinda...interesting.
infinitys_7th
Member
As RLM said, he did make a dark comedy movie where Ellen Page raped Dwight Schrute. . .
DeepEnigma
Gold Member
But it was so gooshy though!
James T. Kirk
Member
*Googles gooshy*
DeepEnigma
Gold Member
It was one of her lines, google the scene.
James T. Kirk
Member
Will do.
Happy1996
Member
It doesn't look like best crossover ever.
mckmas8808
Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
Except we all need to realize and understand that it wasn't this single person that got him fired. It was Disney that fired him and it's 100% their choice. All the one person did was uncover some tweets for the world to see. If there's some here that you don't like, it should be that Disney (a multi-billion dollar corporation) fired a guy so quickly without at least allowing him to make some kind of public statement or apology.
iconmaster
Banned
Forbes contributor sees this as a harbinger of "an unending wave of glorified online blackmail" and I can't say I disagree.
infinitys_7th
Member
Strange how they only see the problem when it starts affecting their own.
I never saw a Forbes article on the backlash against The Last Night, for example.
mckmas8808
Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
I'm pretty sure some other publication wrote about that though.
Hoho for breakfast
Member
It's insane. They say it was just a joke and it was 8 years (or however many) ago...Imagine if Trump or Roseanne or someone they don't like had tweeted that. Would they be saying we should forgive them and starting/signing petitions for them? Of course they wouldn't. It's hypocritical and transparent as hell.
Honestly if Gunn was joking (and I have no idea whether he was completely joking...or half joking, or maybe not joking at all) then whatever. It's not funny in the least and it's disgusting "humor", but if it was intended as a joke then I'm personally not going to crucify him for it. Same for Trump or Roseanne or anyone else we love to hate. I'm not going to scream for Disney to fire him, but at the same time I don't blame them a bit for doing so.
And saying all that must mean that Im alt-right at the very least according to these extremists that are coming out of the woodwork. Even though in the real world I hate Trump, I support Bernie Sanders and anyone that is in line with his stances, I would love for all women to be 100% equal with men, I dont care if youre gay or trans or white or black or red...
It's just pathetic what it's come to. They don't see or understand (or care??) that they are pushing away the people that are 100% on their side on the actual issues.
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Hoho for breakfast
Member
double post
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Valonquar
Member
Just to be clear. Disney is buying 20th Century Fox, who has released 2 Deadpool movies full of sophmoric edgy adult humor often in very poor taste, and obviously not meant to be taken seriously. Disney also just fired someone that brought in over 1.5 billion dollars across 2 movies for some decade old tweets full of sophmoric edgy adult humor, often in very poor taste, and obviously not meant to be taken seriously. Disney did a kneejerk reaction, and sadly there's little chance they will change their minds. Marvel will survive, even if it's slightly less awesome as a result.