That's the thing: it's not just the industry. Gaming isn't exceptional in this stuff being endemic. It's our entire fucking society which has the problem.
Unfortunately we still live on a planet that doesn't (or can't) take care of most of its population; where money still holds more power than ethics, kindness or collaboration; and that is completely subsumed in problematic power dynamics like structural sexism, structural racism, etc. We live in a savage patriarchy where abusers historically get away with shit.
The reason that we hear more about misbehaviour in spheres like gaming is because it's ENTERTAINMENT. That is, the people in positions of power have constant friction with their consumers, and are constantly in the spotlight of millions.
The horrors that are coming to light in the last two weeks are not unique to gaming. Not unique to ANY industry or culture. It's ubiquitous.
The finance industry? Will be the same.
The logistics industry? Will be the same.
The consumer retail industry? Will be the same.
The food production industry? Will be the same.
But youll hear about it 1% as much. The reason this all seems exceptional is that gaming, like TV and film, is an ENTERTAINMENT industry, which is exceptional like those others in how its power holders are treated. The cult of celebrity means that power holders can become household names - and all their behavior will be in the public eye a thousandfold more.
compare that to any one of the industries I listed above. There have been huge crackdowns on misbehaviour in countless industries, but they're not celebrities so it isn't discussed anywhere near as much. Can you name the CEO of Unilever? Can you name any food production industry Managing Director? because I guarantee you these power-holding people will often also engage in abuse, but we'll never hear about it, because they're faceless suits ignored by most of human society.
Sexual abuse comes from a place of power; and in an entertainment industry like gaming, the power holders are also celebrities who are in the limelight at all times, thus we see their discretions more clearly and intimately. Unlike the anonymous, faceless mass of every other industry on the planet. And as our society becomes more focused on accountability and justice for sexual abuse sufferers, more of these people will be found.
do hope that it eventually begins extending to the less exciting and culturally engaged individuals in every other industry, not just entertainment.
