There is also basic sociology to consider. Geeks are often socially inept; I mean, most of us are introverts who spend a vast amount of time in other worlds. So, intentions can be easily misunderstood. Women mistake good-hearted flirting or awkward comments for something more nefarious. They take things personally when that’s not the way it was intended. Men then feel rejected or attacked, and they take it out on the whole gender.

I am not saying that bad things don’t happen, or that these reports should be minimised or dismissed; I think we have a responsibility as a community to weed out sexism and racism whenever it appears. I am saying that I don’t believe it is a fair assessment to say that this negative behaviour is the norm or to paint all of my fellow geeks—middle class, white, maleness aside—with the same, tarred brush.

No seriously don’t recall it.

Has there ever been a brawl at an SFF or games convention?

My experience is that, yes, sexism and racism is a problem, period. It is a problem in geek culture but also in our culture. Right now geeks are in the spotlight and they’re getting some attention, but in general (and this is in general) I have found geek culture overall less sexist and racist than larger culture – but the areas that do exist can go just as deep as mainstream culture. Merely taking a look at how we tolerate sexist and vile activities in the sports community, or from entertainers, shows we have problems.

That being said, I think geeks can and should address the sexist and racist problems in our culture – that’s our responsibility and we’ve got those “depths” that get pretty vile. This guy just didn’t help.

In fact, to be brutally arrogant, I want to see us do it because maybe we’ll set a good example.

I see a lot of stories online by women who have had really shitty experiences within geekdom, with the implication that those experiences are near-universal, and there are places that are very hostile environments for women. Then I think of the gaming conventions I attend and the women I know through them, and wonder if it’s the same subculture at all.

Maybe there are all sorts of horrible things going on outside public spaces that I’m just not aware of.

Damien certainly didn’t score brownie points with me, and I am a female geek who was so nerdy that I didn’t even realise I fit the caste until I got older. As a female geek-nerd, I don’t feel under represented, and I certainly don’t need to be championed. I would like more games to offer female lead character options and armour choices that fit the gap between “exactly what the guys wear” and “two shells, a string, and a bit of mesh”, but that’s a different issue and I actually do understand why the choices are as they are.

I think mostly I am struggling to understand the purpose of the article, beyond inflaming and making non-points.

For one, I have a problem with any assertion that seems to want to impose an artificial structural change upon a culture. Western-world geeks are mostly white, middle class males because that is how it has evolved; other classes and races developed different interests or, as in the case of the impoverished, couldn’t afford the luxury of comic books and geek pursuits. Our heroes are mostly white, middle class males because our heroes come from a time when that was the standard, but they aren’t all that way. One of my favourite heroes is Drizzt Do’Urden, and he’s black and not even human.

Then there’s that whole thing about young, white men being useless, being raised to believe that they’ll be millionaires, and that they are having a tantrum because they won’t. Where is this happening exactly, and how did I miss it? It’s gÇ’u pì. Being white, middle class, and male is not the lowest difficulty setting. Perhaps more doors open, but there are also a lot more expectations and obligations that come with that open door. White middle class men are under more pressure to ‘perform’, not less. Geek culture is their escape from that, and everybody deserves an escape, so stop pissing on it.

And, don’t get me started on the writing “hard truths of the male identity” bit. Does Damien understand what geek culture is and it’s purpose? We don’t board Serenity, venture into Fangorn, or quest to become dragonborn to tackle hard truths, we do this to escape from them. Hard truths are for another time and place, and they will be shoved upon us without a doubt, so leave them the hell out of my SF&F.

In my opinion, geek culture is still predominately white, middle-class male because that is the class/gender/race that it appeals to most. As the appeal widens, the dynamics will change. Artificially imposing that change will destroy the culture.

I guess the bottom line is that I just don’t see a purpose in shaming the average geek for being what he is. Other than clicks and infamy for being a dick, what purpose does it serve?