SXSW continues to expand outwards, adding all sorts of panels and events to its schedule in an attempt to include every variety of media under its umbrella. This year, they ran a SXSW PanelPicker poll where users got to submit ideas for a panel, and the ones with the highest votes would be included. Two panels that made the cut focused on a controversy called Gamergate, which deals with sexism in the world of video games. For a more detailed explanation, read this.
The issue has been in the news quite a bit lately, so it seemed fitting that SXSW would present a variety of different views with “Level Up: Overcoming Harassment in Games” and “SavePoint: A Discussion on the Gaming Community.” Alas, there will no longer be any discussion, as the panels have been cancelled by SXSW due to “numerous threats of violence.”
Here’s part of the email SXSW sent out to the people set to participate in the panels that were removed:
On the one hand, we are an event that prides itself on being a big tent and a marketplace of diverse people and diverse ideas. On the other hand, preserving the sanctity of that big tent at SXSW Interactive necessitates that we keep the dialogue civil and respectful — so that people can agree, disagree and embrace new ways of thinking in a safe and secure place.
We have already received numerous threats of violence regarding this panel, so a civil and respectful environment seems unlikely in March in Austin. We are strong believers in community at SXSW — and a healthy community sometimes requires strong management. Preserving the sanctity of the big tent is more important than preserving any particular session.
“Preserving the sanctity of the big tent” is corporate jargon for “refusing to speak about anything that might cause controversy or offense.” Not that there’s anything controversial about saying maybe this harassment in gaming thing has gotten a bit out of hand. At this point in our society, there seems to be two things that are really good at drawing all kinds of violent attention: Draw Mohammed events and Gamergate discussions.
The drama surrounding SXSW’s decision is just beginning to unfold, with BuzzFeed announcing they plan to pull all their participants and boycott the festival unless the panels are reintroduced. Vox is making a similar pledge. With SXSW still a good five months away, it will be interesting to see what happens now that the festival has been sucked into the middle of the Gamergate saga.
(via Jezebel)