Abuse
Many of the articles in this issue contain discussion and/or specific accounts of assault, rape, stalking, harassment, workplace aggression and other forms of violence. In this issue we explore sexual assault in tech, how systemic abuse affects its targets, and why hiring for diversity isn’t enough to change tech culture. We cover how entitlement leads to abusive behaviors, how serial abusers are allowed to operate in tech workplaces, and some steps that targets of online harassment can take to investigate threats. We discuss how abuse of users is built into social platforms and how games can be forces in anti-oppression. We hear lived experiences of abuse, which is pervasive in our industry. Header image CC-BY eyeliam, cropped and filtered.
Abuse as DDoS
We spend a lot of time trying to counteract attacks on our systems, but often overlook abuses directed at people.
When “I Didn’t Mean To†Makes it Worse
Entitlement and violation in STEM communities.
Making it Past the Lobby of the Meritocracy
What does it mean to have success socializing at hot-ticket events if you can't get past the front door of them?
Other Types of Play: Games and Anti-Oppression
An interview with Mattie Brice on how play is challenging the status quo as a new tool for activism and expression.
Workplace Harassment, Reporting, and the Whisper Network
Anytime I divulge my story to coworkers, I find that they have their own stories of sexual harassment to share.
Investigation Online: Gathering Information to Assess Risk
When we share information, we are building power of our own.
Abuse in the Freelance Industry: I Would Like to Buy Shares in Your Time Machine Business
Sexism, Harassment, Free Labor And How to Make It Better
The Fantasy and Abuse of the Manipulable User
When mistreating users becomes competitive advantage.
Why I Quit My Job at a Prestigious Public Media Company
“Go to HR, deal with that asshole head on, but whatever you do, do not lose your shit. You can’t become ‘angry black woman.’â€
Hiring Isn’t Enough
The true story of a team that tried and failed to retain diverse employees.
