Sexism on other forums

[Ojingeo]

This forum was the first forum I started reading regularly. But because of a burgeoning hobby I have I've started reading and interacting on another. I need to go on this forum because of the information that's available there, and also it's a place to buy and sell stuff.

If any of you are modular synth enthusiasts, maybe you know it: muffwiggler.com.

Not a radio-friendly name. Not a woman-friendly name. Just gross. But then you have these synth nerds with sexist avatars and some stuff that I think is racist towards Asians.

Anyhow, I am up to 80 posts, and I only need 20 more posts until I am allowed to sell synth modules, and then I don't have to interact with the forum so much anymore. But UNTIL then. Jeepers creepers.

As soon as I get 100 posts I might put up an avatar that has "Smash the Patriarchy," or something like that. But if I was a woman, I don't know how I could even deal with it in the first place. These dudes wonder why there aren't more women interested in modular synthesis. 

I'm venting, but wondering if anyone had some ideas for helping a perpetually-immature community get some enlightenment.

[JesseG.]

A muff wiggler isn't  a weird slang name for some internal part of  a synth module?

[not that clay]

I'm always interested in conversion stories, you know, how people made big changes in their beliefs. It seems like there's two kinds: First, people who suddenly realized that women, disabled people, other racial groups are actually people. Usually it's something dumb like seeing a black dad taking care of a baby or having their daughter marry a nice guy who's Muslim or whatever. These people have zero imagination and can't understand anything unless it happens to them. They are idiots.

The second kind are people who have it explained to them over and over again why they're assholes, and eventually it sinks it. These people are also idiots.

Good luck!

[Ojingeo]

A muff wiggler isn't  a weird slang name for some internal part of  a synth module?

It's a reference to guitar pedals. the main guy who started the forum calls himself "muffwiggler." So that's where the name comes from.

"Wiggling" has become a verb that means patching modular synths. So that works pretty well. The name doesn't really bother me much--but the cumulative effect of all the sexism becomes wearing. And I'm a dude.

Funny thing is that the forum members consider themselves to be above a lot of other forums. They all think it has a reputation as being a "nice" forum. And compared to some other forums, I guess it is. Well, compared to some other music-gear oriented sites like "gearslutz." Yes. Gearslutz.

I guess it's just endemic of nerd and 4chan culture. The latest horribly sexist "gaming culture" stuff being exemplars.

It sure puts me off of humanity.

[Ojingeo]

I'm always interested in conversion stories, you know, how people made big changes in their beliefs. It seems like there's two kinds: First, people who suddenly realized that women, disabled people, other racial groups are actually people. Usually it's something dumb like seeing a black dad taking care of a baby or having their daughter marry a nice guy who's Muslim or whatever. These people have zero imagination and can't understand anything unless it happens to them. They are idiots.

The second kind are people who have it explained to them over and over again why they're assholes, and eventually it sinks it. These people are also idiots.

Good luck!

Thank you.

[erg79]

I'm only really one one other forum (WSC.co.uk, a forum hosted by an intelligent English soccer fanzine), and any sort of displays of sexism would get shouted down by others, thankfully.

[Ojingeo]

Just reporting back to say, while I'm back on THIS board, it's a real treat NOT to be on THAT board. I only have to make 9 more posts.

I 'ignore' dudes that have gross avatars. That makes it better. Am I just getting over sensitive in my old age?

[leggacy]

NO! You are being a human who responds as a human would to disgusting treatment.
Sending you all my empathy. Good luck with those 9 more posts 

[Ojingeo]

Thank you leggacy!

I only have one more disingenuous post to make!

[Boogdish]

I used to be a daily user there and now only post when I have a new design to promote.  The name has always made me cringe, but it's sort of an unavoidable site.  I miss electro-music's forums being active, it felt so cold and sterile like how synthesizers should be. 

[Nate from Kalamazoo]

For poorly chosen forum names, I always go to expertsexchange.com (the first word was supposed to be plural).

[Ojingeo]

I used to be a daily user there and now only post when I have a new design to promote.  The name has always made me cringe, but it's sort of an unavoidable site.  I miss electro-music's forums being active, it felt so cold and sterile like how synthesizers should be.

What do you design?

I registered at electro-music--it seemed like a good forum.

[Boogdish]

I design do DIY synthesizer design.  www.bartonmusicalcircuits.com 

[Gleepglop]

Huh. I'm aware of Muffs, but since I'm into every aspect of synths EXCEPT modulars I don't think I ever even signed up there. (GearSlutz still wins for most embarrassing forum name. I use their "GearSZ" forum skin to at least partially cover my shame.)

I'm a little surprised though; all the synthy places I go have their share of synth bigots and "professionals" who believe it's their job to shame anyone with less experience and smaller budgets than they claim to have, but I really can't remember encountering any explicit sexism or racism. It's mostly just gear snobs and guys who type like grandmas.

What kind of stuff are you talking about, outside of user avatars? (I've never seen any avatars there, actually. I wonder if it's because I've never had an actual user account?)

[Carver]

have their share of ... "professionals" who believe it's their job to shame anyone with less experience and smaller budgets than they claim to have

See also: hi fi turntable forums