Facing Controversy Speech - Extra Credits

All credit goes to James Portnow and everyone else from Extra Credits. [28/08/2024 Edit] I've had a big shift in my political outlook in the decade since uploading this video, and now have a much better angle at what James Portnow was saying about movements like #GamerGate since I've re-uploaded this speech. Extra Credits continues to be a good show to this day (I never stopped watching, I just for a time disagreed with their take on social justice). I've come to realize a lot of my arguments against them was formed by misinformation I was exposed to and raised around, as well as just a difficulty with grasping empathy towards others due to having been denied any empathy myself when growing up. I'm leaving this video uploaded because it's still a relevant speech, even if I misfired it in applying it towards the majority of feminists (though there is a minority subset it still applies to), and it's still very much relevant when in regards to religion, ignorant parents and many other groups who've adopted a fear-mongering anti-video games platform. I'm also leaving the original description up for posterity's sake. I've never have been, and continue not to be a fan of Internet Apologies for age-old tweets or opinions. People grow and change overtime, life is a series of constant experiences and growth, and this meta-culture of vilifying people into a box based on one small opinion or fraction of their lives is utterly ridiculous. This updated description is not an "Online Apology" towards Internet Warriors. I adopted the stances I did because at the time I did genuinely see feminism as the bully, and I uphold that anti-bully philosophy in how I interact with people to this day. What this description edit is, is me acknowledging misinformation I fell for, acknowledging my error and improving as a result. One does not, and should not feel guilty for every past action, mistake or wrong opinion they've had. We are human, we've all had them and continue to have them to this day. The best one can ask for is a genuine effort to reflect on one's self, acknowledge them when they do happen and move on. TL;DR - I originally uploaded this video because due to the whole GamerGate debacle I felt Extra Credits had compromised on the morals details in this video. I no longer believe that and now understand and agree with the stance Extra Credits took and why they took it. But I'm leaving both the video and old description up for posterities sake. [Original Description] This video unlike most others wasn't made just as an emote. But rather because this was one of Jame's more powerful speeches and pieces of work. One that truly inspired Gamers to stand up and fight for their medium. It's also the same speech however that most accurately reflects the irony & hypocrisy spree they have had of late. So I felt it was appropriate for there to be a video just for this speech specifically if someone wanted to show this specific part of the episode. James and everyone else at Extra Credits have done more than words can describe to improve the gaming industry and community. Having inspire and given passion to countless gamers and developers for a medium that many others made us feel like villians for enjoying. And for that, there will always be a part of me that looks up to and respects them. But the time has also come to admit that those days (at least for now) are gone. They have basically condemned all the same gamers they helped inspire, and our time has come to keep the torch lit. Let us not let there backstabbing break us, ruin us, make us lose hope or faith. For although we lost those that inspired so many, we still carry in our hearts the love and passion for gaming and our fellow gamers. We know the great works gaming has brought, the friendships it has given us. Let us continue to fight for that, push our games forward and push the world forward with the power of gamers. We may face more Feminists, Jack Thompsons and other nutters in our future. But gamers are no strangers to opposition, and although the road may be hard. Although beloved figures may be lost, let us keep our heads held high and march out victorious.