Penny Arcade says, "Rape culture is hilarious!"
Has anyone else been following the Penny Arcade Dickwolf Controversy (as I've taken to calling it)? The whole thing started with this comic, posted in August, which many readers took offense to due to an unfunny rape joke. The argument was revived with new fervor recently, and it's still ongoing. Personally, I'm finding it really difficult to enjoy the comic lately, because of the way this whole thing has been handled.

A better and more thorough write-up than I could ever hope to put together has been posted here.

Edit: Via seiberwing: An interesting protest movement has arisen on Tumblr.
Edit again: A couple of comments have indicated that the Tumblr linked in the above post has malware, so tread lightly.

Edit 3: Via lady7jane: This isn't the first time that Mike has exhibited douchebaggy behavior. "I don't know, Love Systems doesn't seem so bad to me."

Edit 4: Via airawyn and alexa: Jerry responds.

Edit 5: Via number13baby, Mike calls for the discussion to end.

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alexa
2011-02-02 06:00 pm UTC (link)

That was my interpretation of the original strip as well. It wasn't exactly sensitive, but it didn't strike me as making fun of rape in particular. That said, just because I didn't feel initially horrified by it doesn't mean that the reactions of people who felt triggered or offended were unwarranted.

If they'd addressed objectors with a simple and genuine apology--something along the lines of "we never wanted to trivialize rape, we are sorry"--I'd probably have been okay with that.

The treatment of the issue since then, though, has honestly felt like an aggressive and deliberate "FUCK YOU" to anyone who dared question their work, or suggest that making light of rape (in your jokes, or in the way you respond to people with concerns) helps perpetuate rape culture. Just laugh, or shut up! Any other response is not welcome.

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littleshebear
2011-02-02 07:43 pm UTC (link)

If they'd addressed objectors with a simple and genuine apology--something along the lines of "we never wanted to trivialize rape, we are sorry"--I'd probably have been okay with that.

Same here. I find the core joke of the comic quite funny, video game logic is absurd and they don't need the rape line to make it funny. If they'd just apologised this never would have escalated the way it has. The whole thing smacks of butthurt incredulity at the idea of people criticising them. It's like they think they're above reproach.

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	cmdr_zoom 2011-02-03 01:33 am UTC (link)
	"That's obviously not how we meant it, how could you think that, are you fucking stupid??" (Reply to this)(Parent)

lissibith
2011-02-03 03:50 pm UTC (link)

Yeah, this. I don't read PA that often, but this was one of the ones I skimmed through on my latest attempt. And yeah, it made me cringe, not only because the rape thing is totally unfunny but because the joke itself has gotten tired and old. (unless you don't MMO I suppose). It was a screw-up, but hey, everyone screws up. An apology - or even just not saying *anything* about it and letting all the comments from readers stand on their own merits - would probably have us all thinking about something else by now.

But they have to be *right* dammit. And when people who are patently wrong MUST be right, it makes something like this mess.

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