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[slothsocks]

Oh hey, stop being a coward and post with your main account.

Hey man, I'm just a longtime lurker, looking to chime in for once. Thought this article I've been thinking about all week was relevant because this seems really gross, and yeah, it's probably true, but calling for denouncements? Needing game folks to make clear and loud stands about this? I don't know.

 

[Master_Funk]

Yes, please leave Ben alone. He's made his statements and I know if I found out one of my best friends was a sexual harasser, i would also need time to process it before elaborating.

 

[Puck Beaverton]

dying at how one tweet did this

 

[Oxymoron]

Have the McElroys said anything?

The McElroys work for Nick's employer. I'm sure there was a stern conversation with a lawyer or higher-up somewhere telling them to zip it.


e: Just saw your edit. Yeah.

 

[Incandenza]

I feel like an awful lot of people in this thread are asking questions already answered in the OP

 

[ZeoVGM]

Throw him in the electric chair. Never wait for the facts.
#imwithher

Do you perhaps want to go into detail with your actual thoughts rather than using passive aggressive sarcasm to make light of a very serious situation?

(Or would you rather just stick with the shit posts?)

 

[Ozigizo]

There is an amazing documentary on Netflix about a man who does just that. It's called Accidental Courtesy. Here's the description:

Daryl Davis, a black musician who befriends members of the KKK and other white supremacists in search of the answer to his question: "How can you hate me if you don't even know me."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7fh5J_mo5E&t=1s

Lol, not this again. One or two cases doesn't make it possible in all cases. You shouldn't have to try and talk to someone who's belief system is that you don't deserve rights.

Nobody owes them shit.

I'm not even going to bother past this. It's been discussed ad nauseum on off topic.

 

[TheMrPliskin]

He didn't call anyone a liar at all...

Thing is, no matter how much we believe or don't believe or how angry/sad/dissapointed/disgusted it makes us feel, when people are accusing him of harassment - and it's so far only accusations - it isn't unfair to ask for evidence when people are accusing.

Usually it's very difficult to prove anything (for example if it only happened face-to-face), but people in this case are referring to concrete DMs here. They've already said A, they should say B to end any doubt that might be.

Of course it looks really bad for him now, with so many chiming in with their own confirmations, and it looks like this is all true (and all the hate justified). I'm just saying it's not beyond reason to ask for someone to actually provide what they say they have. Not necessarily for everyone to see, but maybe to someone who can verify? People are calling for him to prove his innocence - that's not how it works at all.

Man internet is a dangerous place. Put some tweets out their and most people will believe it's true with zero background check. "Such big coincidence so it must be true", this is a very dangerous mindset.

I don't know if it was their intent but posting that in a thread like this comes across as trying to wash away the claims of the victims by saying "you can just make anything up and people will believe it these days". So yes, posting that type of comment at least comes across as trying to put forward the idea that the victims are lying.

And why do the victims need to be the one to provide evidence, especially when any evidence that they provide is going to open them to receiving a potentially life altering level of harassment. The victim is harassed, feels pressured into staying quiet, they finally get the strength to say something and then they basically get waved away with "well you don't have proof so I don't believe you". Why should the person coming forth after a horrible experience need to provide evidence, the person being accused it just as capable of providing evidence to prove their innocence aren't they?

 

[BTA]

I feel for the people surrounding Nick that are now forced into a messy situation due to no fault of their own. I wonder how Griffin is taking it.

I think it's worth pointing out that Griffin and him aren't like... collaborators on personal projects. They're co-workers who work for a pretty big company in the grand scheme of things. It's not like they're not friends, and I would like to see something said eventually, but Griffin can't easily say shit about him like Matt and Ben can.

To be clear, this is much more relevant to some stuff I've seen on Twitter than on here due to the frame of reference involved, but it sorta feels like some people see them as friends who make videos together than people who are paid to make content for a website.

 

[ScientificPizza]

My friend did a shitty thing and now my life is a fucked up hellscape?

A little over dramatic? Do we need to go to extremes to prove how upset we are over something?

That is not what he is saying, and the fact that people
are being so nitpicky over Ben's tweets when he's said he's having a hard time with this is incredibly gross

Fuck Nick Robinson. You don't get the benefit of the doubt in situations like these

 

[ClayKavalier]

I feel for the people surrounding Nick that are now forced into a messy situation due to no fault of their own. I wonder how Griffin is taking it.

And it is a messy situation. All of his friend's and coworkers who so loudly and publicly speak out about social issues look like hypocrites if they fail to speak out when one of their friends contributes to the issues they write about. They don't need to drag him through the dirt, but at the same time staying completely silent doesn't look good.

I don't envy people at all who live such public lives for the sake of writing and making video games about media. I'm sure all the attention is fun when it's positive, but then a coworker or collaborator has something like this blow up and thousands of people are demanding your take.

 

[Bobo Dakes]

I agree totally with what you are saying actually, people are calling for his head though, saying there should be consequences such ad firing other than social consequences. Im all about social consequences for douchebag guys, especially emo/enthusiast types who pollute the culture with alpha male culture.

What are social consequences?

If the allegations prove true, which women at Polygon (or in the industry in general) are going to feel comfortable working with him (apparently several of women didn't feel comfortable already). Which men will feel comfortable working with him? Why would your super public job that requires collaboration, within the company and externally, want you around if that's the case.

No one is "calling for his head" or trying to ruin his life, we're just pointing out what Polygon is likely to do and why.

 

[Vanguard771]

I don't know if it was their intent but posting that in a thread like this comes across as trying to wash away the claims of the victims by saying "you can just make anything up and people will believe it these days". So yes, posting that type of comment at least comes across as trying to put forward the idea that the victims are lying.

And why do the victims need to be the one to provide evidence, especially when any evidence that they provide is going to open them to receiving a potentially life altering level of harassment. The victim is harassed, feels pressured into staying quiet, they finally get the strength to say something and then they basically get waved away with "well you don't have proof so I don't believe you". Why should the person coming forth after a horrible experience need to provide evidence, the person being accused it just as capable of providing evidence to prove their innocence aren't they?

Because "presumption of innocence" for the accused is considered a human right.

 

[benny_a]

the person being accused it just as capable of providing evidence to prove their innocence aren't they?

No they aren't.

Let's play a game. I accuse you of sexually harassing me via NeoGAF PMs.

How do you prove that you didn't do that without involving the mods administrators that can check database entries?
And Twitter or Snapchat or whatever aren't going to just hand you data over from other accounts just because you ask.

Lack of outgoing PMs in your Outbox via a screenshot isn't going to convince anyone.

--

There are real and understandable reasons why these victims of this alleged abuse are very reluctant to post anything about this but to say Nick can just prove he didn't harass is just dumb.

 

[Nottle]

Pretty awful news. Hope someone gets to the bottom of this and if true he gets some sort of punishment.

Searching his name on twitter brings up some pretty problematic results... people blaming him because he's a white Cis male... smh. He's potentially a scumbag, but twitter is just being dumb.

Hoowfully people stay safe and we get some proof.

 

[AntraxSuicide]

I'd imagine in an industry like games media, where the people in it seem to survive by the skin of their teeth, someone like Robinson who is perceived as having "made it" can exert that kind of authority without even having to be explicit about it, especially when the targets are women in such a male dominated industry. This is why acting this way, if it's true, is so shitty. You are putting your peers in an industry that is so fucking hard to break into in such a fucked up, awkward (at best) position.

To add to this, remember that journalists in this industry get their information from sources who work in the industry, and those sources are almost certainly dudes, frequently problematic ones. Sure, other journalists may be willing to hear any accusations, but if someone like Nick starts trash-talking a woman to a bunch of industry people, then that can be a huge problem for the woman's career.

I really love the McElroys, and given their discussions on a variety of things like this, I can't imagine them being okay with it.

 

[Stairouais]

That does explain a lot about reactions from his stupid Starfox tweet.

 

[schwabdizzle]

Throw him in the electric chair. Never wait for the facts.
#imwithher

Sums up this whole thread. Seriously what happened to innocent until proven guilty. Hear say wouldn't even hold up in courts.

 

[Alpha Phoenix]

Polygon has nothing to do with this lol

While I agree Polygon has nothing to do with it, it's their name that people will still remember about this story, not Nick Robinson's. If I were in their shoes, I would make sure this situation is dealt with as wisely and justly as possible before it's too late.

 

[Gold_Loot]

The McElroys work for Nick's employer. I'm sure there was a stern conversation with a lawyer or higher-up somewhere telling them to zip it.


e: Just saw your edit. Yeah.

As someone who has worked with Human Resources, I can tell you without a doubt that this is the case. They're going to have investigations, interviews with Nick , interviews with other associates, as well as the alleged victims in this case. Nick will have the option to cooperate, or face strict consequences ( or both )

All of this will take days, if not weeks. Don't get on the Polygon guys or his close friends in the field. They are likely mussled and stressed enough as it is.

 

[benicillin]

I see many still don't understand that women don't randomly come forward and lie for no reason. You should probably believe them.

 

[Punchy4486]

Because "presumption of innocence" for the accused is considered a human right.

In a court of law.

Public opinion is different (not to say better).

 

[Clarkus Darkus]

Games on this site barely get much feedback anymore, Yet threads like these trigger everyone, Even without the total facts.

Didn't take long for it turn around into blaming white males.

 

[JStein0222]

Throw him in the electric chair. Never wait for the facts.
#imwithher

Ah yes, this is what the situation calls for.

 

[wamberz1]

Fuck this tool

And also fuck twitters character limit, makes reading this shit a chore

 

[BiggNife]

Throw him in the electric chair. Never wait for the facts.
#imwithher

Yeah all of these people just made up these allegations because they like Overcooked so much

IT'S ALL A CONSPIRACY MAAAAN

FALSE FLAG FALSE FLAG

 

[Nitpicker_Red]

A "hard" stance is just symbolic, yes it does make people feel better or inspire people, but a precautious or diplomatic stance does not make someone "weak".
Some people just don't want to become symbol-bearers for other people's ideas.

 

[SuperSah]

Only over at fucking Polygon would this happen

Spoiler

no, but fuck this guy

 

[BTA]

Sums up this whole thread. Seriously what happened to innocent until proven guilty. Hear say wouldn't even hold up in courts.

As always: this isn't court. This isn't something that would even get dealt with in a court. It turns out human relationships and trust are more complicated than that.

 

[Sheentak]

One of the people who brought this to attention said they don't want nick to lose his job as his more of a creepy dude than a sexual harasser.

There words not mine

 

[JusDoIt]

This is very disappointing.

 

[Neptonic]

One of the people who brought this to attention said they don't want nick to lose his job as his more of a creepy dude than a sexual harasser.

There words not mine

Too bad he's probably going to

 

[Bahorel]

One of the people who brought this to attention said they don't want nick to lose his job as his more of a creepy dude than a sexual harasser.

There words not mine

Did they tweet this?

 

[schwabdizzle]

As always: this isn't court. This isn't something that would even get dealt with in a court. It turns out human relationships and trust are more complicated than that.

This whole burn at the stake is ridiculous. Some dude probably sent some pictures to some females whom all may or may not have been gaming journalists and probably fired on them hard and now people are saying he was sexually harassing them. Maybe this dude is a sex addict like Tiger Woods. I just feel until the facts are out there, then this is hardly a story. Fuck, even Bill O'Reily didn't get this much attention.

 

[clearestblue]

This whole burn at the stake is ridiculous. Some dude probably sent some pictures to some females whom all may or may not have been gaming journalists and probably fired on them hard and now people are saying he was sexually harassing them. Maybe this dude is a sex addict like Tiger Woods. I just feel until the facts are out there, then this is hardly a story. Fuck, even Bill O'Reily didn't get this much attention.

Females? oh okay...

 

[Exodust]

I have it on very good authority that these very same people throwing Nick Robinson under the bus(who deserves it, he was a blowhard before we even knew he was a creeper) have covered for another friend of their's in the past. So I wouldn't put too much stock in them condemning his actions.

Basically, an industry that's very good at attracting socially awkward dudes will probably be full of socially awkward dudes who have no idea how to approach women and will cover themselves from being called out for creepy actions. Let this be a lesson to you next time you decide to take part in a cult of personality for glorified VJ's.

 

[Vlade]

This whole burn at the stake is ridiculous. Some dude probably sent some pictures to some females whom all may or may not have been gaming journalists and probably fired on them hard and now people are saying he was sexually harassing them. Maybe this dude is a sex addict like Tiger Woods. I just feel until the facts are out there, then this is hardly a story. Fuck, even Bill O'Reily didn't get this much attention.

Poes law?

 

[BiggNife]

This whole burn at the stake is ridiculous. Some dude probably sent some pictures to some females whom all may or may not have been gaming journalists and probably fired on them hard and now people are saying he was sexually harassing them. Maybe this dude is a sex addict like Tiger Woods. I just feel until the facts are out there, then this is hardly a story. Fuck, even Bill O'Reily didn't get this much attention.

What the fuck are you talking about, Bill O' Reilly got like 200 times more attention than this and lost his fox show. CNN and the New York Times covered O' Reilly and I bet no one at either of those places know who Nick is.

And posting unsolicited pictures to women still counts as harassment.

 

[ZeoVGM]

This whole burn at the stake is ridiculous. Some dude probably sent some pictures to some females whom all may or may not have been gaming journalists and probably fired on them hard and now people are saying he was sexually harassing them.

That is sexual harassment.

 

[TheMrPliskin]

No they aren't.
Lack of outgoing PMs in your Outbox via a screenshot isn't going to convince anyone.

--

There are real and understandable reasons why these victims of this alleged abuse are very reluctant to post anything about this but to say Nick can just prove he didn't harass is just dumb.

And just like how me sharing a screenshot of my PM's outbox isn't some guarantee of my innocence neither is a victim sharing what they received. It should be, but a number of the people that ask for proof will find some convenient excuse as to why the proof isn't enough and to get to that point a victim has to sacrifice their anonymity.

 

[Kurdel]

Oh noooo not Nick

Fucking hell

 

[Sheentak]

Did they tweet this?

https://twitter.com/ali_west/status/893339560050143232

https://twitter.com/ali_west/status/893339586277060608

https://twitter.com/ali_west/status/893339669961859073

https://twitter.com/ali_west/status/893339719844712453

So it sound like dudes a creep but no one wants him to lose his job and career but idk

 

[ScientificPizza]

This whole burn at the stake is ridiculous. Some dude probably sent some pictures to some females whom all may or may not have been gaming journalists and probably fired on them hard and now people are saying he was sexually harassing them. Maybe this dude is a sex addict like Tiger Woods. I just feel until the facts are out there, then this is hardly a story. Fuck, even Bill O'Reily didn't get this much attention.

You literally just described sexual harassment and then dismissed it as not being sexual harrassment

 

[Shaanyboi]

This whole burn at the stake is ridiculous. Some dude probably sent some pictures to some females whom all may or may not have been gaming journalists and probably fired on them hard and now people are saying he was sexually harassing them. Maybe this dude is a sex addict like Tiger Woods. I just feel until the facts are out there, then this is hardly a story. Fuck, even Bill O'Reily didn't get this much attention.

The fuck are you even saying?

 

[Marcel]

This whole burn at the stake is ridiculous. Some dude probably sent some pictures to some females whom all may or may not have been gaming journalists and probably fired on them hard and now people are saying he was sexually harassing them. Maybe this dude is a sex addict like Tiger Woods. I just feel until the facts are out there, then this is hardly a story. Fuck, even Bill O'Reily didn't get this much attention.

Using Tiger Woods as your example is like turning in the shovel you're using to dig yourself a hole and hopping into an excavator. But judging from your other posts you obviously don't even understand what sexual harassment is.

 

[bananafactory]

You literally just described sexual harassment and then dismissed it as not being sexual harrassment

Earlier in this thread we had someone say sexual harassment isn't illegal so there's no problem

 

[ScientificPizza]

Earlier in this thread we had someone say sexual harassment isn't illegal so there's no problem

nothing surprises me anymore

 

[BTA]

https://twitter.com/ali_west/status/893339560050143232

https://twitter.com/ali_west/status/893339586277060608

https://twitter.com/ali_west/status/893339669961859073

https://twitter.com/ali_west/status/893339719844712453

So it sound like dudes a creep but no one wants him to lose his job and career but idk

The better answer is that this is literally in the OP.

 

[BillyMaysRIP]

I don't know about other people, but I always thought it was common sense that anything sexual with colleagues, industry-peers, etc was off the table. Trying to fuck everyone in your work ecosystem is any easy way to get professionally ostracized.

All this stuff seems to confirm my general suspicion that Nick is pretty idiotic. Any time I end up stumbling onto his #content, I almost always regret the time I spend with it. It's not that it wasn't funny, but that his style of comedy doesn't have anything to say - just completely vapid, like a post-modern Jay Leno.

 

[benny_a]

And just like how me sharing a screenshot of my PM's outbox isn't some guarantee of my innocence neither is a victim sharing what they received. It should be, but a number of the people that ask for proof will find some convenient excuse as to why the proof isn't enough and to get to that point a victim has to sacrifice their anonymity.

As long as we're in agreement that both parties can't prove guilt or innocence.

Purely from an analytical point of view in general providing evidence favors the acuser in the sense that something specific can be provided.

The acused can't just out of thin air prove that something intangible or many intangible things didn't happen.

--

In this case this wankery over proving guilt and shit is completely unimportant because it isn't one vs. one. It's a bunch of people vs. one. And a conspiracy to take down Nick is less likely than Nick just being not socially aware how to express his horniness with strangers.