Read on Twitter
Gatekeeping, trolling, and 'bag-holery have long been mainstays of nerd and geek cultures, from the macro to the minutiae. As soon as people find a place to belong, a subset of them tends to pull up the ladder behind them and make things sucky.
There's a lot of fear in these people, who want to dominate the culture and freeze it in amber. Because they're often shouty, among quieter, conflict-averse people who know what it's like to not be wanted or seen, peers don't call them on their crap.
Speaking up towards these people and protecting the integrity of your nerd-circle is important. If they don't change their behaviors, the shouty gatekeeper will burn the fun out of your group and likely crush the love you have for your nerd-stuff.
Protect your nerdy co-conspirators in a way that shields your tender love for the stuff you enjoy together. A well-placed "What you did wasn't cool" works wonders. A lot of us didn't grow healthy social skills and empathy early, but these things can be practiced.
There are so many ways to enjoy things and to encourage other people to like them, too. The first Dune's been around since the mid-1960s. New people read it all the time.
Be cool, be an ambassador for stuff you like, welcome newcomers, share your lore.
Be cool, be an ambassador for stuff you like, welcome newcomers, share your lore.
People often say "Don't feed the trolls", but I suggest you feed them good, nutritious food for thought. Call them out, let them know what their options are, keep your promises regarding those options, and follow through. They don't have to stay at your table. You deserve space.
This is the start of a very good thread detailing a number of tactics abusers use. https://twitter.com/what_eats_owls/status/1273003064757112832?s=20
