The bad behavior of Russ Pitts

[Houseman]

Russ Pits, Editor in Chief of Escapist Magazine , and Vice President of Enthusiast Gaming, has been behaving badly as of late. Since he cannot be criticized on his own site (See Rule 1 of The Escapist's Code of Conduct), I would like the opportunity to do so here.

Russ, if you see this, TRIGGER WARNING, this post will contain criticism, something you obviously cannot handle like an adult. You might want hit that little X and go back to your own site where such things are explicitly disallowed.

The Context: Enthusiast bought The Escapist and brought back Russ Pits in his current role. His first statement was to announce that he was leaving politics at the door .

The Event: Shortly after the Escapist site was revamped, an article was published with the title of "I'm a Transgender Woman Because of Video Games". Predictably, many people in the comments pointed out that this is not "leaving politics at the door".

One user in particular objected that this was an "intrusion":

After a brief back-and-forth in which MindTheGap attempted to express his viewpoint, Russ became condescending, prompting another user to come to Mind's defense:

Russ' response, shutting down the conversation:

Now, here's the kicker. See that deleted post? That was MindTheGap asserting that Russ was indeed attacking him, including calling him an idiot in the process, posting the gif that Russ himself used on Twitter while doing so:

Yes, whether or not Russ called someone an idiot is "not a debate". Because it's a fact.

Welcome to the new Escapist, where you can't criticize or "sass" moderators or content contributors, but where the Editor In Chief can be condescending and call you an idiot over twitter. And if you attempt to point any of that out, he'll delete your comments and threaten to ban you.

 

[Ogoid]

I wish I could say I'm surprised.

Mr. Pitts' behavior on display here is the precise reason why I bailed on The Escapist... though I'm sure the "good riddance" feeling is wholly mutual.

 

[Arnox]

An article link was broken. I fixed it for ya' though.

Some of the comments in that article though... And man, Russ is acting SO unprofessional at what he's doing. I mean, I kind of am too, but the difference is, what I say as a user on this site, and what I actually do as an admin are completely separate. In fact, I sometimes think I should probably just leave this account for official duties and use another account for just commenting.

I was so, so scared to click on the comment section in this article.

Da fuq? This reminds me of the "Internet Hate Machine" scare with Fox News.

-

(sigh) When ever I see these types of confess/testimonials I roll my eyes.
Despite walking through you own internal struggle at key point of the game
industry releases you own lack of self awareness has cause you to fail to see
or come to the logical conclusion in your own essay. You were Role Playing in a
Fantasy setting. A key observations in this narrative I would have though.

As you state in your own writing, "...feminine coming of age...",
you choose to identify the Games culture interpretation of an artificial social
construct of 'feminine'. There are so many issues here I doubt I have the
patience to enumerate them all and the nuance inherent in each. So in much like
your confessional I'll board brush.

Lets start with some key concepts and words: Sex is binary, male/female,
genetically irrevocable without a very fringe exceptions like hermaphroditism
or disorders in sexual development.

Now whether you choose to conduct yourself or conform to the social norms
that identify you as feminine, masculine, neither, or/and all is choice. Good
on you for whatever you choose.

Now lets get some hard observations out of the way. Unfortunately the
majority of what is identified as 'feminine' in most cultures has been
relegated to passive behaviors and personal/physical weakness. I agree that it
sucks and deeply wrong to try and prescribe these to females just because they
are female, and we should try and do something about it on a social level.

But you took it in a different direction. You don't want to transform what
is 'feminine' but embody it. You want to conform to the social norm of passive
weakness and literally emasculate yourself on this alter of the social
construct of 'feminine'.

And videos games are the inspiration of your self realization? The whole
'art is an imitation of life and life imitates art' thing is only true in so
much of the narrative being described. These are fictional stories in fantasy
worlds that will never and probably should never exist. They are but a facade,
skin deep in creation and necessity. A magic trick is interesting only while
the illusion exists, once it becomes 'real' the glamour fades and the stuff of
dreams evaporates. This escapism nice for a short while, but it is
irresponsible to try and live in it forever. Like a renfaire player living in
the park quoting Shakespeare to joggers and the homeless long after the event
has packed up and gone.

But do as you wish. I would caution you against doing permanent damage to
yourself. The advancements in surgery and medicine are amazing but it is only a
facade.

Russ didn't do anything to this comment in order to have it "stand as an example." So we have inconsistent moderation here as well. Just complete rookie admin mistakes everywhere...

 

[Samtemdo8]

I am seeing a list of people that are viewing this thread and one of them is listed as a "Guest"

So mabye its actually Russ? :(

 

[bluegate]

Par for the course, isn't it?

Haven't the people at the Escapist always had a mentality of I'm right, you're wrong, lalalala and if you disagree then whoops, you're banned.

 

[Arnox]

I am seeing a list of people that are viewing this thread and one of them is listed as a "Guest"

So mabye its actually Russ? :(

I don't think he'd touch this site with a 10-ft. pole.

 

[Signa]

I am seeing a list of people that are viewing this thread and one of them is listed as a "Guest"

So mabye its actually Russ? :(

We have bots and other visitors showing up all the time. It's a bit wishful to hope it's Russ. It needs to be Russ though :)

Hi Russ! Here's what non-censored opinions look like! See anyone dying in a bloody pile of viscera yet? No? Well, I guess there is no harm in letting people talk, now is there?

 

[Samtemdo8]

Par for the course, isn't it?

Haven't the people at the Escapist always had a mentality of I'm right, you're wrong, lalalala and if you disagree then whoops, you're banned.

Compared to other forums I have visited, I always found the Escapist to be a bit more authoritarian and strict with its moderation.

I mean in other forums I get suspended when I actually go as far as to insult someone. I got suspended once in the WOW forums for calling a guy a Fucking Manchild for basically bitching about whatever bad things Blizzard and video games publishers at large does.

Here I feel I have to be careful of saying anything, even making a single word post that gets to the point can get you banned there.

 

[Arnox]

You don't have to like it. You don't have to read it. And you certainly don't have to comment on it.

Invalid. If you want to stay in business (and the Escapist IS a business or else nobody gets paid), how people view you is at least a bit relevant.

 

[Houseman]

Par for the course, isn't it?

Haven't the people at the Escapist always had a mentality of I'm right, you're wrong, lalalala and if you disagree then whoops, you're banned.

That's what I find the most disappointing. When I first came to EscapistMagazine, I was looking for community. When you have a separate tier of people that are treated like gods and cannot be criticized or questioned, it ceases to be a community.

This behavior will always hurt the people who engage in it, because the users that you don't respect will leave. Less users = less money. You think that the user called an idiot is inclined to support the Escapist? Or the person who defended him? Or anybody else who saw that exchange and said "man, that guy's a jerk?"

But they won't realize this until it's too late, because they convince themselves that they're righteous, and that the ends justify the means.

You don't have to like it. You don't have to read it. And you certainly don't have to comment on it.

Invalid. If you want to stay in business (and the Escapist IS a business or else nobody gets paid), how people view you is at least a bit relevant.

Yeah, that.

But hey, the only people who don't like it are either bigoted alt-right nazis or russian bots, m i rite, and who needs their money?

 

[Arnox]

The bulk of all online media outlets, gaming developers, comic book readers, cosplayers, nerd culture in general are gay and transgender people.They speak a language in their creations that have deeper meanings to those that are born to understand it.

Everything in this life is political, even attempting to stay apolitical. Please note this before commenting again. Thank you.

Fucking hell. This comment thread is like a train wreck. I can't stop reading.

And they're still actually employing Yahtzee with this attitude? Are they for real?

 

[Signa]

The bulk of all online media outlets, gaming developers, comic book readers, cosplayers, nerd culture in general are gay and transgender people.They speak a language in their creations that have deeper meanings to those that are born to understand it.

They have it backwards. The bulk of all online media outlets, gaming developers, comic book readers, cosplayers, gay and transgender people are in nerd culture.

 

[Monoochrom]

I think it's pretty damn pathetic, but I am not surprised, this is how the Escapist has always been, it's just a bit more blatant. That they have a crippling fear of criticism or transparency with their community has always been rather obvious if you pay attention, though actually writing up that criticism is VERBOTEN is a new level of pathetic.

There are people, even in said comment section, including Russ making statements that the Escapist was subject to some kind of alt-right takeover. Think that over for a minute, ask yourself, just how entrenched would someone have to be in their ideology to think that the eternally, clearly left-leaning Community even approaches having been taken over by the alt-right at any point in it's History. That's essentially saying that a bunch of complaining liberals and Zontar are the essence of the alt-right xD

Plenty of ignorance of basic reality. The entire argument that a article about being Transgender is non-political is senseless. Regardless of what one may personally feel on the matter, for such a article to be non-political, it would first have to be broadly accepted by society that such a Identity is even valid to begin with, something that is clearly not the case. Which, I would like to remind everyone, has nothing to do with whether the person exists...which is strangely often used as a counter argument, as if the sheer existence of the person validates their view of themselves and the World (which is also strangely not applied to the person they are arguing against, so they must be aware of the senselessness of the argument).

Truth is, nothing suggests that running a business is something Russ can be entrusted with, I see plenty of small things that will ultimately boil over into another characteristic escapist shitstorm. Ultimately this can only go down 2 ways, either Russ will inevitibly be shown the Door...again OR he'll latch onto the Site until he's given it the rest and it dies.

This is supposed to be some kind of Phoenix from the ashes situation, weeks, no months if not over a year in the making, yet the code of conduct has mistakes in it. Despite all that prep, the grand architect of this revival doesn't seem to have much planned at all beyond enforcing his personal politics and going on a little power trip...because antagonizing Users and declaring yourself without fail will clearly not have negative reprecussions and will attract tons of Users...especially the kind that make good, functional communities.

 

[Arnox]

I think it's pretty damn pathetic, but I am not surprised, this is how the Escapist has always been, it's just a bit more blatant. That they have a crippling fear of criticism or transparency with their community has always been rather obvious if you pay attention, though actually writing up that criticism is VERBOTEN is a new level of pathetic.

There are people, even in said comment section, including Russ making statements that the Escapist was subject to some kind of alt-right takeover. Think that over for a minute, ask yourself, just how entrenched would someone have to be in their ideology to think that the eternally, clearly left-leaning Community even approaches having been taken over by the alt-right at any point in it's History. That's essentially saying that a bunch of complaining liberals and Zontar are the essence of the alt-right xD

Plenty of ignorance of basic reality. The entire argument that a article about being Transgender is non-political is senseless. Regardless of what one may personally feel on the matter, for such a article to be non-political, it would first have to be broadly accepted by society that such a Identity is even valid to begin with, something that is clearly not the case. Which, I would like to remind everyone, has nothing to do with whether the person exists...which is strangely often used as a counter argument, as if the sheer existence of the person validates their view of themselves and the World (which is also strangely not applied to the person they are arguing against, so they must be aware of the senselessness of the argument).

Truth is, nothing suggests that running a business is something Russ can be entrusted with, I see plenty of small things that will ultimately boil over into another characteristic escapist shitstorm. Ultimately this can only go down 2 ways, either Russ will inevitibly be shown the Door...again OR he'll latch onto the Site until he's given it the rest and it dies.

This is supposed to be some kind of Phoenix from the ashes situation, weeks, no months if not over a year in the making, yet the code of conduct has mistakes in it. Despite all that prep, the grand architect of this revival doesn't seem to have much planned at all beyond enforcing his personal politics and going on a little power trip...because antagonizing Users and declaring yourself without fail will clearly not have negative reprecussions and will attract tons of Users...especially the kind that make good, functional communities.

Perhaps the most frustrating thing about all this, or at least for me, is that a majority of the Escapist's forum users will not come over here, no matter how great or functional or free Sanctuary is. It seems many users will complain but when you give them a valid alternative that is, actually in many objective ways, better than the site they're currently on, they'll just ignore it in favor of the familiar. Makes me want to pull my hair out.

 

[andersonnnunes]

Perhaps the most frustrating thing about all this, or at least for me, is that a majority of the Escapist's forum users will not come over here, no matter how great or functional or free Sanctuary is. It seems many users will complain but when you give them a valid alternative that is, actually in many objective ways, better than the site they're currently on, they'll just ignore it in favor of the familiar. Makes me want to pull my hair out.

Never heard of this guy or that site before. It is not uncommon for forum admins to think of themselves as gods and do whatever they feel like doing to other users.

Eventually people will vote with their feet. For example, r/brasil is heavily censored and people started moving to r/brasilivre (think of it as country name + "ree" from "free"). Some guerrilla marketing might speed up the rate of change, like it did in this case, but many people washed there organically.

If the alternative does not exist, using client-side scripts to block these admins on their own forum is kinda satisfying too.

 

[Arnox]

Perhaps the most frustrating thing about all this, or at least for me, is that a majority of the Escapist's forum users will not come over here, no matter how great or functional or free Sanctuary is. It seems many users will complain but when you give them a valid alternative that is, actually in many objective ways, better than the site they're currently on, they'll just ignore it in favor of the familiar. Makes me want to pull my hair out.

Never heard of this guy or that site before. It is not uncommon for forum admins to think of themselves as gods and do whatever they feel like doing to other users.

Eventually people will vote with their feet. For example, r/brasil is heavily censored and people started moving to r/brasilivre (think of it as country name + "ree" from "free"). Some guerrilla marketing might speed up the rate of change, like it did in this case, but many people washed there organically.

If the alternative does not exist, using client-side scripts to block these admins on their own forum is kinda satisfying too.

The problem is, people need to know that that alternative exists. And if the main site/forum is too big, they can just block any attempts to advertise a competing site. Another issue for us personally is that we don't and will never advertise ourselves using targeted spamming or anything illicit of the sort. I think we can and should be better than that.

 

[Elijin]

Hot tip:


The general nature of 'we're objectively better than you on all fronts' and the generally superior, but wanky, design of the place doesnt do much to attract.


Watching you guys complain about the escapist being blind to their own faults, while simultaneously labelling issues with your own user base growth as an external factor has some real throwing stones in glass houses vibes.


You could have chosen to brand this place as a casual hangout for discussing videogames, movies, politics and whatever else takes the fancy. Instead you choose the edge that it current is. Sure, it might ultimately be a casual hangout for those things, but to the new visitor, that's obscured by all the posturing.

 

[Monoochrom]

Hot tip:


The general nature of 'we're objectively better than you on all fronts' and the generally superior, but wanky, design of the place doesnt do much to attract.


Watching you guys complain about the escapist being blind to their own faults, while simultaneously labelling issues with your own user base growth as an external factor has some real throwing stones in glass houses vibes.


You could have chosen to brand this place as a casual hangout for discussing videogames, movies, politics and whatever else takes the fancy. Instead you choose the edge that it current is. Sure, it might ultimately be a casual hangout for those things, but to the new visitor, that's obscured by all the posturing.

While I'd agree with you that the branding here is poorly thought out (and I WILL be opening a Thread about that soon) don't you think it's kinda sad that this is all done by a hobbyist with 0 financial backing and yet Russ Pitts, a supposed professional who should easily do better...hasn't?

Also, what edge? Me thinks you've spent too much time at places like the escapist if you think being able to speak one's mind equates to edge xD that's laughible.

 

[Elijin]

I wrote out a bunch of shit, and the forum deleted it because in spite of selecting 'keep me logged in' it logged me out. So much for that fucking superior forum. Then wouldnt let me post, because I had already done it (watch the original turn up in like 20 minutes, and this be a double posting clusterfuck).


Anyway, now Im significantly less motivated, so here's a lazier version of what I said:


Freedom of Speech being the cornerstone of the site's online presence just paints a picture of Alt-(direction) communities being assholes. The cornerstone should be community. A place where all are welcome and you're not going to be turned away for having different beliefs. A place to hang out and engage with people.


The cliche Subforum naming and the tagline of the website...


The whole place has a general appearance of intellectual superiority and edge. Add to that the discussion about how objectively better the place is, but the userbase just being too comfortable in their routine and habits to see the light...


:jerkoff:

 

[Houseman]

I like the edge. I think that if we were branded as "A place where all are welcome...", we'd be the same as the 1000s of other sites that claim the same thing. The edge makes us slightly different, in my opinion.

 

[Monoochrom]

I wrote out a bunch of shit, and the forum deleted it because in spite of selecting 'keep me logged in' it logged me out. So much for that fucking superior forum. Then wouldnt let me post, because I had already done it (watch the original turn up in like 20 minutes, and this be a double posting clusterfuck).

I've certainly never had that problem here, a problem that, since you don't seem to know, could be on your end.

Freedom of Speech being the cornerstone of the site's online presence just paints a picture of Alt-(direction) communities being assholes.

Translation: I think in Stereotypes.

I guess you also assume that members of certain ethnics groups are all criminals, right?

Or is what you wrote here just incredibly stupid?

The cornerstone should be community.

Cool. That's also pretty much what it is. Escapist doesn't have a actual Community by the way.

A place where all are welcome and you're not going to be turned away for having different beliefs.

Which is a criticism that can be applied to the Escapist, not here. We don't turn anyone away. We just also don't protect them from backlash if they say stupid shit.

A place to hang out and engage with people.

Which we do, often in the chat. Maybe you should stop talking out of your ass? So, where does that sort of thing happen on the Escapist? In the endless political Threads that the usual suspects start?

The cliche Subforum naming and the tagline of the website...

And that is edgy....how?

I mean, clearly I don't really agree with you, so maybe you should stop pretending that your feelings are self-evident or some stupid shit like that.

The whole place has a general appearance of intellectual superiority and edge.

We are intellectually superior to the Escapist. We don't have to ban dissent, we can actually deal with people without having to muzzle them. I don't agree with your "Edge" whining.

Add to that the discussion about how objectively better the place is, but the userbase just being too comfortable in their routine and habits to see the light...

That applies to 1 part of that Userbase, yes. The other consists of Users that are waaaaaaaay too pussy to come here and have their views challenged where their biased Mod friends can't protect them.

And the best point, YOU are here. If this were the Escapist, the Rules would allow for banning you for the criticism, so yeah, blow it out your ass

:jerkoff:

 

[Elijin]

Im going to embrace the spirit of the website here:


You're a dumbass.
I didnt say any of those things were absent. I said the presentation and branding of the site should focus on those qualities.


I'd go into more of what you said, but after thinking it over, who cares?
You're treating this as a vs issue. Im not defending The Escapist. Im pointing out the silliness in sitting in your glass house pretending your userbase problem is some outside factor this place has no part in. Essentially, I think it's a pretty sad state that in the trend of forums closing or dying, the options are down to examples like here and the 'pist. At least the 'pist has the excuse of being a bloated corporate entity run by someone who actively resents its userbase and sees no problem with enforcing rules he doesnt follow (and flaunts that).

 

[bluegate]

Freedom of Speech being the cornerstone of the site's online presence just paints a picture of Alt-(direction) communities being assholes. The cornerstone should be community. A place where all are welcome and you're not going to be turned away for having different beliefs. A place to hang out and engage with people.

Kind of agree with this, always thought that the "freedom" angle was pretty eye roll inducing and wholly unnecessary. A bit like those dumbass 'Murcans who think that their country is the only one with "freedom".

The "freedom" aspect would be better experienced through the actions of moderation on the forum rather than by a post stating "We have freedom on our board!", more often than not this kind of message attracts trolls and edge lords who are more interested in being an edge lord rather than being part of a fun community and it makes people hesitant to come because they'd expect a bunch of edge lords being edgey just because they can.

 

[Elijin]

Freedom of Speech being the cornerstone of the site's online presence just paints a picture of Alt-(direction) communities being assholes. The cornerstone should be community. A place where all are welcome and you're not going to be turned away for having different beliefs. A place to hang out and engage with people.

Kind of agree with this, always thought that the "freedom" angle was pretty eye roll inducing and wholly unnecessary. A bit like those dumbass 'Murcans who think that their country is the only one with "freedom".

The "freedom" aspect would be better experienced through the actions of moderation on the forum rather than by a post stating "We have freedom on our board!", more often than not this kind of message attracts trolls and edge lords who are more interested in being an edge lord rather than being part of a fun community and it makes people hesitant to come because they'd expect a bunch of edge lords being edgey just because they can.

Funnily enough, the original post said almost the exact thing about the freedom being something that is made evident by rules and moderation practices, but it was eaten by a glitch.

Reading through, the original post mentioned a lot that I either glossed over or left out in the second attempt since, in my own head, I had actually already said it.

This website is mostly just a regular hangout place. The focus should be on that. First impressions matter, and this place makes a bad one.

 

[Monoochrom]

Im going to embrace the spirit of the website here:


You're a dumbass.
I didnt say any of those things were absent. I said the presentation and branding of the site should focus on those qualities.[


I'd go into more of what you said, but after thinking it over, who cares?
You're treating this as a vs issue. Im not defending The Escapist. Im pointing out the silliness in sitting in your glass house pretending your userbase problem is some outside factor this place has no part in. Essentially, I think it's a pretty sad state that in the trend of forums closing or dying, the options are down to examples like here and the 'pist. At least the 'pist has the excuse of being a bloated corporate entity run by someone who actively resents its userbase and sees no problem with enforcing rules he doesnt follow (and flaunts that).

Aw, I love you too, shithead.

Turns out we don't actually disagree much. I don't think Freedom of Speech and Information is much of a Theme for a Forum either, I just don't consider that "edgy". Refering to that as edgy is kinda troublesome. Infinityshock was edgy, in other words a Dipshit who liked to write Nigger a lot for no reason.