I have seen a good bit of material on the feminist critique of the way that women are depicted in video games and the violence that is directed against them in those fantasies. It appears that some of the enthusiasts want to carry it over into real life,
More threats for critic Anita Sarkeesian: Anonymous email promises ‘deadliest school shooting’
An anonymous person has threatened Utah State University with “the deadliest school shooting in American history” this morning if it lets media critic Anita Sarkeesian speak at the school, according to the news website Standard Examiner. This is just the latest in a string of violent threats lobbed at women involved with the gaming industry.
The anonymous emailer’s threat explained that Sarkeesian is “everything wrong with the feminist woman.” It goes on to say that she will die “screaming like the craven little whore that she is” if Utah State doesn’t cancel the appearance.
“I will write my manifesto in her spilled blood, and you will all bear witness to what feminist lies and poison have done to the men of America,” reads the email.
The emailer goes on to describe his alleged arsenal, which includes a semi-automatic rifle, multiple pistols, and pipe bombs.
This kind of creepy adolescent behavior certainly goes a long way to support the view that such depictions of violence against women actually encourage real violence.