Ethics for Cyborgs: On Real Harassment in an “Unreal” Place

Abstract

Over the last two years public awareness of bigoted and sexual harassment in gaming communities has grown precipitously, but a clear understanding of what causes it and what can be done about it eludes us. Using a feminist theory of social structure-as-practise, this paper argues against the popular notion that anonymity alone causes harassment, and suggests instead that the conventional wisdom of “it’s just a game” is at the heart of this problem. This conceit creates a moral landscape that is a mobius strip of reality and unreality, allowing gaming space to be both at once, thus licencing all manner of prejudicial behaviour. In order to make gaming spaces more welcoming, we must disarticulate anonymity from other social practises that constitute the structure of prejudice in online gaming, and develop solutions that address themselves to fostering a normative ethics that is responsive to the distinct, playful features of online gaming, while encouraging players to make moral choices that respect the participation and humanity of women, people of colour, and LGBTQ people.