Tabletop creators leave X for Bluesky in droves

[RangerWickett]

Ironically the creator who was most in on Bluesky before all this has gone largely silent.

Neil Gaiman has wisely decided that being quiet and unobtrusive is in his best interest nowadays.

Why is it that famous dudes who are accused of sexual assault never respond by, like, admitting they did it, apologizing, and willingly turning themselves over to the authorities, pleading guilty, and serving their time? Maybe they could even use the attention on their sh**ty behavior as an excuse to platform people who are working to end the culture of abuse?

But nah, it's invariably some mix of denial and disappearance, usually with a lawyer trying to cover their ass.

 

[Morrus]

Why is it that famous dudes who are accused of sexual assault never respond by, like, admitting they did it, apologizing, and willingly turning themselves over to the authorities, pleading guilty, and serving their time? Maybe they could even use the attention on their sh**ty behavior as an excuse to platform people who are working to end the culture of abuse?

But nah, it's invariably some mix of denial and disappearance, usually with a lawyer trying to cover their ass.

That's pretty much SOP for criminals. People don't usually admit to crimes. Otherwise we wouldn't need an enormous public court system.

 

[Ryujin]

Why is it that famous dudes who are accused of sexual assault never respond by, like, admitting they did it, apologizing, and willingly turning themselves over to the authorities, pleading guilty, and serving their time? Maybe they could even use the attention on their sh**ty behavior as an excuse to platform people who are working to end the culture of abuse?

But nah, it's invariably some mix of denial and disappearance, usually with a lawyer trying to cover their ass.

It's known, colloquially, as Shaggy Syndrome.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Why is it that famous dudes who are accused of sexual assault never respond by, like, admitting they did it, apologizing, and willingly turning themselves over to the authorities, pleading guilty, and serving their time? Maybe they could even use the attention on their sh**ty behavior as an excuse to platform people who are working to end the culture of abuse?

But nah, it's invariably some mix of denial and disappearance, usually with a lawyer trying to cover their ass.

What's frustrating in this case is that, as far as I know, he hasn't been accused of criminal behavior, just being a (very) gross guy, or what's often now called being a "sex pest."

Owning up to it and publicly saying he's going to therapy, etc., would go a long way with people -- Americans love a reformed sinner.

Sulking in silence is not helping his reputation, although maybe Amazon and Netflix have told him to shut up until the last of Sandman and Good Omens are released and have been out for six weeks or so.

 

[Morrus]

Americans love a reformed sinner.

Sulking in silence is not helping his reputation, although maybe Amazon and Netflix have told him to shut up

Well he's (a) not American but (b) you're right he's almost certainly under a gag order from companies who still need to sell his stuff.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Well he's (a) not American but (b) you're right he's almost certainly under a gag order from companies who still need to sell his stuff.

He's lived in Minnesota, I think, for decades now. I don't know if his citizenship has ever changed.

And he certainly has a huge audience in the US. I wouldn't know how to calculate its size versus his audience back home, though.

 

[Belen]

I never saw the appeal of social media like twitter, FB, etc. I prefer old style boards as people actually talk to each other.

Social media always struck me as “I post about myself. Other people read it.”

It has made a lot of interactions cursory.

For instance, I know what is happening in old friends lives via my wife’s FB but are they really friends any longer? I call folks when I can but never get calls etc.

I just see socials as a cancer that has disconnected people and created a lot of echo chambers.

It’s cool that folks have found a new, more comforting spot. I hope it stays that way.

 

[Belen]

He's lived in Minnesota, I think, for decades now. I don't know if his citizenship has ever changed.

And he certainly has a huge audience in the US. I wouldn't know how to calculate its size versus his audience back home, though.

Never liked Gaiman. I read American Gods and disliked it intensely and have touched nothing of his since.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

What's frustrating in this case is that, as far as I know, he hasn't been accused of criminal behavior, just being a (very) gross guy, or what's often now called being a "sex pest."

Correct, but note in this case the exact kind of and details of the sex-pest-ery is kind of precisely what a lot of his readers thought he was very much against, and what a lot of his work has implied his disapproves of! Specifically an older, wealthy, powerful, slimy man importuning and manipulating young (some barely legal) women, who in some cases he was in a position of power over, others of who were overawed fans etc., into banging him. Also some what looks very much like "sex as rent" stuff (which might be criminal or borderline to it in some jurisdictions).

So I think it's almost more potentially damaging for him than, say, the arguably more serious (and certainly more criminal) allegation (or facts!) against certain other celebs, because rather than aligning with an existing some tawdry or grimy image, they go directly against a more saintly one.

Never liked Gaiman. I read American Gods and disliked it intensely and have touched nothing of his since.

Similar here - I was more appalled and surprised by Warren Ellis' revelations even though they were less bad, because I'd actually liked some of his work! American Gods, as well as just feeling somehow "annoyingly" written (can't put my finger on it), for me felt deeply tired and cliched to me when it came out, in part because virtually every idea in it seemed to have been done with more flair and originality by some 1990s TTRPG.

 

[Ryujin]

Whoops! Wrong thread.