This Is How Big Oppositelock Is

"PS9" (PS9)
09/08/2015 at 11:03 • Filed to: None

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , this kinja sublog gets 500k unique hits per month from the US, and another 300k from the rest of the world. it also averages 2.8 million page views per month! This isn’t a tiny sublog anymore...

DISCUSSION (100)

TheOnelectronic > PS9
09/08/2015 at 11:07

Probably half of those are TALES FROM THE BLACKBIRD: THE ULTIMATE GROUND SPEED CHECK

EL_ULY > PS9
09/08/2015 at 11:08

well then..... POST RACECARS BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAP!

Kinja'd!!!

deprecated account > PS9
09/08/2015 at 11:08

But how many unique views to just the home page? Does this includes all posts on the blog?

ttyymmnn > PS9
09/08/2015 at 11:11

I thought you were referring to THE NEW FONT.

Xyl0c41n3 > PS9
09/08/2015 at 11:13

Never mind. Found what I was looking for.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > PS9
09/08/2015 at 11:13

Our reach is ever expanding.

Patrick Nichols > PS9
09/08/2015 at 11:14

To be fair a lot is probably the FP’ed stuff and the fact that each one of us probably accesses on 3+ devices (work, home, cell)

Wheelerguy > PS9
09/08/2015 at 11:14

Kinja'd!!!

Wow. For just ONE blog.

Xyl0c41n3 > PS9
09/08/2015 at 11:14

I was entirely expecting the gender ratio to be really skewed, but this is a bit much. Here’s your proof right here, mods, that Oppo is not a welcoming place to women.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

PS9 > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 11:16

Just tried to with your kinja homepage, but nothing came up. I don’t think you can use it like that.

Xyl0c41n3 > PS9
09/08/2015 at 11:18

If you go to subdomains, it’ll list individual kinjas that are making a mark. I’m just small potatoes, though. Heh. :)

Wacko > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 11:21

what, we never sent any women away, most women are not into cars you know? I have mad respect for the few that do. (i still respect the ones who don’t)

but really this is a car blog what did you really expect?

I don’t expect to see many males on a blog about dolls, or clothing or fashion.

Wacko > PS9
09/08/2015 at 11:22

I post and read from 3 different places daily, work, home and cell.

djmt1 > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 11:24

At the risk of starting a shitstorm, is there anything in particular about Oppo that isn’t welcoming? Since if there is we need to start shouting from the rooftops about it.

PS9 > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 11:25

I figured that one out when yamahog left... :(

HammerheadFistpunch > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 11:27

I think this is clear and definitive proof that there are more men on this automotive subculture site than women. Correlation =/= causation.

PS9 > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 11:29

Kinja'd!!!

Not surprised even in the least about this.

Ash78, voting early and often > TheOnelectronic
09/08/2015 at 11:30

And for that one day, it was nice to have the most pageviews of any Gawker subblog.

BReLp7dzHM3ytYsE > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 11:30

I’ll bite. Ever considered that maybe more men are interested in cars than women? Just like more women are into fashion/clothing than men? That’s not saying females aren’t welcome here. This stat just reflects a truth. And I highly doubt that the Oppo community actively pushes women away. To say that is just not true.

Ash78, voting early and often > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 11:30

Still WAY better than Ashley Madison.

Xyl0c41n3 > Wacko
09/08/2015 at 11:33

“We never sent any women away...”

You sure about about that? Are you a woman on Oppo? Do you know many women Oppos? Because I am, and I do. Without fail, every single woman I know on here has felt othered or unwelcome. Most of the women I knew here when I first started are no longer here because of it, because of harassment and sexism. And that comes from users and moderators.

“Most women are not into cars you know?”

Are you so sure about that, too? Maybe you’re just making an assumption. I know plenty of women who are into cars, bikes, etc. who, like I said above, stay away from places like this (or come and then leave) because we are made to feel unwelcome pretty much every single day we’re here.

“I don’t expect to see many males on a blog about dolls, or clothing or fashion.”

Dolls? Really? I’m a grown woman. Most of the users here are adults. Even the ones who aren’t are close enough (we have several Oppos who are high school students). How many grown women do you know that still play fucking Barbie or have fake tea parties with their stuffed animals? Patronizing much?

But speaking of toys, you do realize there is an entire spin-off sub-blog dedicated to toys, right? Live and Let Diecast. Hell, I’ve got several Hot Wheels and diecasts sitting on my desk here at my office. So even if you think toys are a feminine pursuit, they’re clearly not. As far as I’m aware, Groupthink (what Oppo used to be for Jalopnik, GT was for Jezebel) doesn’t have any spin-off blogs dedicated to toys.

And as far as clothing or fashion. Have you not seen the posts on here about nice watches or cool shoes or blipshift shirts? Oppo guys most definitely talk about clothing and fashion all the time. Why? Because it’s a subject area that’s just as interesting to guys as it is to women... just like cars are interesting to both genders, too.

Your comment to me is a perfect example of why women aren’t always welcome on Oppo, because any time one of us pops in here to show interest, we get guys like you telling us, “but cars are guy things. Y’all aren’t interested in this kind of stuff.”

Why don’t you let us decide, bro?

Sam > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 11:34

Women aren’t very into cars. It has nothing to do with Oppo. Jalopnik and Hooniverse both have the same skew as well. Should we round up some women and force them to browse Oppo, Hooniverse, and Jalopnik?

TractorPillow > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 11:37

faulty logic and you know it. I’d be very interested to see the unwelcoming things you speak about. Hell, most of the time you can’t even tell what gender people are on here based on their posting name.

A 190:14 ratio seems about right. I have met very very very few female car enthusiasts in my life, not to say they arent out there or that they aren’t awesome, but it’s just a smaller part of the population.

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 11:40

That is an interesting hypothesis.

To prove that Oppo is not welcoming to women we need to look at some data.

If the gender ratio of first time visitors to Oppo is equal and more men than women return to the site, then the hypothesis may be correct. But then we would still have to consider why the women don’t come back.

If the gender ratio of first time visitors is lower than the 14/190, it might be the case that Oppo is MORE welcoming to women than men.

yamahog > Wacko
09/08/2015 at 11:40

“we never sent any women away”

ha. Hahahahhahahahahha

Yup, I just keep blocking myself because it’s super fun.

BReLp7dzHM3ytYsE > HammerheadFistpunch
09/08/2015 at 11:40

This. Thank you.

TheOnelectronic > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 11:40

I don’t dive deep into every comment thread, but in general, I feel like Oppo is very welcoming to a lot of “non-typical” groups. ESPECIALLY compared to your typical automotive forum. There may be certain problem users (I can think of a few) but overall I can’t really say I see much in the way of sexist views, jokes, comments, etc...

But like I said, I don’t click through every post. Maybe you see things I don’t.

yamahog > djmt1
09/08/2015 at 11:41

I have a rogue mod repeatedly blocking/deauthoring me for no apparent reason, so y’all could start there.

yamahog > BReLp7dzHM3ytYsE
09/08/2015 at 11:43

FALSE

But please, tell me more. You’re clearly the expert on why women don’t come around here.

djmt1 > yamahog
09/08/2015 at 11:47

Wow, just wow. I knew the mods have quite a bit of power but anonymity too that is rather unsettling.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > yamahog
09/08/2015 at 11:53

Srsly? Kinja really needs to track who makes changes to things. And that mod really needs their ass handed to them.

As for the rest... I can only say what others have said, that my personal observations have been that there do tend to be fewer women on the automotive scene. How much of that is down to negativity I obviously can’t say, since I’m on the outside looking in. Then, looking at the the numbers FlowerGirl had, they do seem really low. And obviously if if everyone was friendly you wouldn’t have complaints, regardless of whether or not I’d seen the incident...

On those observations I'm abstaining from further discussion.

BrtStlnd > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 11:54

Can you provide links to hostility/dismissiveness or examples of sexism/harrassment?

yamahog > djmt1
09/08/2015 at 11:55

Yea. Honestly I have no real desire to post here anymore, so I would’ve never noticed if I didn’t swing by to comment on Mercedes/Xyl0/other friend’s stuff every so often.

Xyl0c41n3 > PS9
09/08/2015 at 11:57

Yamahog didn’t leave. That’s a whole mess that’s fucked up all on its own, and is exactly what I’m talking about. Both she and I have been threatened on here more than once.

BigBlock440 > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 11:57

“I don’t expect to see many males on a blog about dolls, or clothing or fashion.”

Wait, you’re saying it’s not fair to assume women are interested in childhood toys and it’s insulting, but then go to point out how men are interested in childhood toys, and you have some yourself? So which is it? Is it ok for men to like toys but not women? Or are men immature for liking toys? Or is it patronizing to assume women might be interested in similar things as men, even though you’ve been telling us that this whole time?

Cé hé sin > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 11:58

Where do these figures come from? If I look at the link I see that the average person here is:

Male

Asian

Is 25 to 34

Has kids

Earns over $150,000

Has a primary degree

Where anyone has got these figures from I have no idea.

Xyl0c41n3 > BrtStlnd
09/08/2015 at 11:59

You’re asking for an entire year’s worth of harassment of just me alone. Much of it on posts that either got removed by mods, removed by the OP, or on threads that have been dismissed.

And I’m just one woman. That’s small potatoes compared to what others have experienced, like some of our trans-women members.

BrtStlnd > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 12:01

I’m just asking for a few examples of what you’re talking about. Any incidents of hostility you’ve seen.

Xyl0c41n3 > djmt1
09/08/2015 at 12:02

Thank you for the solidarity. People like me and yamahog have been shouting from the rooftops about it. Myself for about a year, yama for a lot longer.

Sometimes it’s something really specific, like the time a (now banned) Oppo sent me a gif featuring a montage of women getting facials, and I don’t mean at the spa. I mean, it was a montage of cumshots.

Other times it’s more casual sexism like the replies to me in this thread where guys are asserting, “have you ever thought that maybe women just aren’t into cars?”

Xyl0c41n3 > Ash78, voting early and often
09/08/2015 at 12:02

Snerk. Now that made me laugh. Touché!

yamahog > djmt1
09/08/2015 at 12:03

And mentioning Mercedes reminded me... she had an outright kinjastalker/harasser that mods were reluctant to block, and it eventually required more than one person saying WTF to deal with. Not to mention a ton of blatant transphobia directed at her, which other people apparently don’t think is a big deal.

We’ve been told to flag posts and email mods instead of confronting people in comments. Ok, good plan. Except flags can be cleared by any mod (even the one you’re flagging), and emailing the whole group means that anyone can delete it, and then they’ll gaslight you and tell you to stop being paranoid even though other people will confirm that your email is no longer in their inbox, without any group discussion .

The worst part is how everyone acts like Oppo is such a great community, when in reality, people can be full-on awful to anyone who’s not in the cool bro club, and there’s apparently zero consequences.

Xyl0c41n3 > HammerheadFistpunch
09/08/2015 at 12:04

Right. So, dearest mod... what’s Yamahog’s status? Is she blocked? Is she de-authored? What? What about the threats I’ve received from mods basically telling me to shut up, or else. You and I have had several long conversations about silencing. Shall we start those up again?

I’ll ask you again now what I asked you during those... have you ever considered that maybe a woman Oppo might have better insight into what it’s like to be a woman Oppo, and the difficulties therein, versus a man?

PS9 > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 12:05

WHAT?! That is some bullshit. There is absolutely no goddamn place on this board for threatening behavior. Whoever is doing that needs to be made to leave.

Xyl0c41n3 > BReLp7dzHM3ytYsE
09/08/2015 at 12:06

You highly doubt Oppo pushes women away. Really? I’m a woman, I’m an Oppo, and I’m telling you it has happened to me personally. It has happened to other women I know. It has happened to the ones who are no longer here precisely because they were pushed away.

Xyl0c41n3 > Sam
09/08/2015 at 12:07

Really? Have you ever asked any of us?

djmt1 > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 12:08

Seeing the replies you are getting here I do reckon we might have a problem. People seem to jump immediately to the defence of Oppo as opposed to entertaining the idea that behind all the bunnies and rainbows there might be a rather serious problem.

The worst thing is I have no idea what to do about it. The mods have all the power but it seems that there maybe a dick among them. Times like this I wish Oppo’s golden rule had more weight here than it does.

BReLp7dzHM3ytYsE > yamahog
09/08/2015 at 12:11

I actually just read your post (and the comments) about how you don’t like it when people call cars girly, etc. Also, for what it’s worth, I didn’t even realize you were a woman until I read it. I can speak only for myself here, but I try to treat others how I’d want to be treated both on here and in real life. I’m sorry that you felt that you were driven away by members of this community, but I really don’t see how this community as a whole actively tells women on this site that they don’t belong. I for one, think that it’s cool if a girl is into cars. Different, but cool. Also, I really do like your 1LE. I’m a big fan of yellow paint and black rims.

yamahog > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 12:13

Meh, it’s a quibble. Travis and I had left, then I later realized I’d been blocked, so I’m a bit #salty. Still don’t have authorship for whatever reason but I’m fine just being able to comment on your stuff again.

pauljones > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 12:13

That’s certainly a very telling indicator. That being said, however, I think there is a lot more going on behind the scenes than you are making it seem.

To start with, on a context-specific scale, there is are many considerations to take into account when interpreting that data, as I believe others have pointed out. I’m not quite sure I’d put as much stock in the veracity of Quantcast polling data as I would in, say, a professional medical/scientific study from Harvard.

Continuing on a micro scale, Oppositelock, even way back when it was just OffTopic, has never made any attempt to keep women out. It’s never been a “He-Man, Woman-Haters” club. Now, does that mean that it’s been a place where women would feel comfortable? No, not in the least. For a very long time, there was plenty of reason for women to feel uncomfortable here. The NSFW posts, the attitudes of some of the commenters, etc. There’s no denying any of that. That being said, there has been a concerted effort to clean this place up and make it a more welcome place for anyone and everyone. What that requires, though, is a cultivating a change of attitude and cultural change. This sort of thing does not happen overnight. It doesn’t even happen over the course of a few months or potentially an even longer period of time. It’s something that has to be carefully tended to and cultivated over a long period of time. Knowing that, though, I would say that the change that we have seen here on Oppositelock has been nothing short of astounding. While it may not yet be perfect, and it may have a lot of things still to learn and change, I’m proud of the progress that it has made.

As an aside, Oppositelock also does not advertise itself in any way, shape, or form. We don’t go out there and say, “Hey women, look at all the progress we’ve made!” What change has happened is only visible, and will only be visible, to the community itself. If there are women who would otherwise have liked to participate here but didn’t because of what they saw a year ago, and haven’t come back since, then there is no way for them know. As I said, we don’t market ourselves, and we never will. For an internet community made of almost predominantly of semi-anonymous, sub-25-year-olds that are still lacking a great deal of seasoning and perspective, we’ve done pretty well here. That does, however, present another perspective: as much as we’ve tried, you’re walking into an internet community made of almost predominantly of semi-anonymous, sub-25-year-olds that are still lacking a great deal of seasoning and perspective.

Finally, on a macro scale, that very same change that we are cultivating here on Oppositelock is also occuring in culture as a whole. Attitudes towards women and women’s equality, while still not where they objectively should be, have changed. Unfortunately, it’s also happening a lot more slowly - more slowly even than Oppositelock. While we have seen a great deal of change, we’ve only seen the beginning of it. Unlike the case of women’s suffrage, where it just didn’t take long to see the effects of that change, we’re talking about a cultural change. There are still comparatively few women in STEM jobs because most the people that are in those jobs now grew up in a generation with more antiquated attitudes. As the next two generations start getting out in the workforce, that will change quite dramatically. It just hasn’t had enough time to happen yet. Now that far more girls are raised in an environment where they are encouraged to pursue activities traditionally thought of as solely the domain of boys, we’ll not only get more engineers and scientists - we’ll get more automotive enthusiasts as well.

So, while I appreciate how telling the numbers that you presented are, I don’t think that those numbers tell the whole story.

BReLp7dzHM3ytYsE > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 12:14

Well, I’m sorry if that’s true, but I personally have not seen it, and very much hope I haven’t taken part in it. If you post cool/interesting content on Oppo, you should be welcome here regardless of whether you’re a man or not.

Sam > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 12:14

The numbers don’t lie. It’s a special few that are actually into the whole “reading about cars on the internet” thing.

Xyl0c41n3 > TheOnelectronic
09/08/2015 at 12:17

Hey, thank you for that consideration. I’m not at all saying Oppo is all bad, all the time. I wouldn’t stick around if that were the case. I’ve made some amazing friends here, and have met so, so many people who are, indeed really welcoming. Those people make this place great, and they’re what keeps me coming back. And yeah, the jokes and sexism here aren’t as crude as other places, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. It’s gotten better, though, thanks to people speaking up when they see something.

But still, if you look at the replies to me in this thread... some of them from mods, no less... you’ll see people deny there’s a problem at all. That in itself is a problem.

pauljones > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 12:17

Most of the users here are adults.

While I agree with all of your reasoning, I will note that this particular statement is not quite true. And no, I don’t count all of the high school kids or college kids here as being adults or close enough. It took me a few lessons that I’m not proud of to the seasoning and perspective that I have now. It will be much the same for them.

Xyl0c41n3 > djmt1
09/08/2015 at 12:18

Yup. She’s been getting blocked, and a couple of months ago on a thread Yama and I were both on, I was told, basically, “shut up or else.” From a mod.

HammerheadFistpunch > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 12:19

or...maybe correlation still =/= causation and that perhaps you’re biasing data to draw your own conclusions.

pauljones > yamahog
09/08/2015 at 12:20

That has indeed happened, but that has been distinctly addressed. I’m not justifying what happened or trying to say that you can’t use that as evidence because we had a mod discussion about it and therefore we should just ignore the past. I simply want to communicate to you that that has been the subject of a storm of sorts in the mod group, and it has been addressed.

Xyl0c41n3 > pauljones
09/08/2015 at 12:23

I didn’t mean that in regards to maturity (though, I wouldn’t so quickly dismiss the wisdom of some of our younger members. I’m routinely awed by how smart, kind and compassionate so many Oppos are, high schoolers included). I was saying that in regards to the “dolls” part of the comment. It was an unnecessarily deriding, infantilizing comment about the nature of women’s interests.

yamahog > BrtStlnd
09/08/2015 at 12:24

I’ve had someone tell me I should have acid thrown in my face, people constantly use my gender as a punchline or insult, my opinion is immediately discounted and needs to be “backed up” by a man in order to count, someone once (incorrectly) thought they knew what I looked like and were using that as a means to harass me, people constantly being ignorant (see parts of this thread), etc. etc.

But of course, all of this stuff doesn’t count unless a man sees it and agrees with my assessment. Because inherently, we are to be distrusted.

pauljones > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 12:28

Yamahog is neither blocked no de-authored.

There was indeed an issue with that, and it caused an interesting discussion amongst the mod group. The issue has been dealt with. By the way, I’m not trying to deny that it ever happened or try to say that you can’t use that argument because we’ve deal with it and therefore we should ignore the past.

BrtStlnd > yamahog
09/08/2015 at 12:28

I’m sorry someone said that, there are a lot of idiots and assholes that comment here... I know because I’ve dismissed hundreds of insulting comments directed at me over the last few years from them. I don’t distrust your assessment at all, I was honestly hoping to see what happened so you could have some resolution and some action could be taken to address the problem.

yamahog > pauljones
09/08/2015 at 12:28

Since I’ve also had my authorship revoked in the past few days, I’d say it’s not been addressed, and honestly, it probably won’t be until you find out who’s been doing it and can their cowardly ass. But I won’t be holding my breath for that, and as I’ve said, I don’t care to be here anymore besides to chime in on Xyl0’s/Mercedes’/other folks’ posts every so often.

yamahog > BrtStlnd
09/08/2015 at 12:31

Yea. This is on top of the mod issue discussed in other parts. Someone holds serious grudges against the women commenters around here, and I just don’t have much desire to be here. I still stop by FP discussions though :)

Wacko > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 12:32

i was just making an example girl things for the dolls/fashion( i just noticed with your response what ever i would say, you would of complained about it. I just found something that is more girl oriented), I didn’t mean to offend you. By the way many men/boy oppo’s left too. If you like cars, anyone in my book is welcome. there are assholes everywhere, this is the internet.... I for one am super stoked that you are here.

And most women I know are not into cars,I didn’t say no women at all.

Why don’t you let us decide, bro?

I did let you decide, I never said that you belong in a blog about kitchens and not cars. I don’t give a rats ass if you are a girl/boy/white/black/man in a woman’s body..... if you love everything cars, this is your place. I never said that woman can’t like cars, I’m just stating statistics that men generally are more into cars then girls.(can’t see how that is sexist but you will most likely find a way)

I for one will never push a women away from oppo, and I welcome any one who is into cars here.

TheOnelectronic > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 12:32

I think people don’t see a problem. Like I said, -I- don’t see a problem. I just know enough about these sorts of things to understand that not seeing a problem doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

I think a lot of it is that most of us really like it here, and when someone says something negative about something we like, the urge to defend that thing is very strong. To consider that you may be right would mean admitting that the thing we like maybe isn’t perfect, and that’s hard to do for a lot of people.

Or maybe I just give people too much credit in general, and it’s just people still mad that they took away the T&A posts.

Xyl0c41n3 > pauljones
09/08/2015 at 12:33

Oy, pauljones. *sigh* I have nothing but the utmost respect for you. You’re one of my favorite mods, and I enjoy reading your comments and your perspectives. But...

The NSFW posts, the attitudes of some of the commenters, etc. There’s no denying any of that. That being said, there has been a concerted effort to clean this place up and make it a more welcome place for anyone and everyone. What that requires, though, is a cultivating a change of attitude and cultural change. This sort of thing does not happen overnight. It doesn’t even happen over the course of a few months or potentially an even longer period of time. It’s something that has to be carefully tended to and cultivated over a long period of time. Knowing that, though, I would say that the change that we have seen here on Oppositelock has been nothing short of astounding.

I know. I’ve been one of the most prolific and vocal members offering criticisms over the past year. I’ve been offering those criticisms via both “hey, dudes, this is not ok” type comments to more detailed, nuanced conversations over the long term. I know there’s been an effort to clean this place up because I’m one of a handful of users who have been trying to keep the mods accountable for what y’all profess are the rules of this place. And you’re right, it has been astounding. I’m proud to be a member here. I’ve even had the good fortune to befriend more than one user who at first... well, let’s just say, at first we were at odds. I’m proud that we’re friends. I’m proud of the conversations shared with those users.

PJ... hon... you really don’t have to explain to me the cultural sea change that’s occurring in this country and elsewhere in regards to equality. It’s more than a little patronizing that you are, actually. I know about it already. I’m living it every day. I’m working for it every day.

Like I said, I respect the fuck out of you, pj, so please, don’t do either one of us the disservice of being patronizing.

BReLp7dzHM3ytYsE > yamahog
09/08/2015 at 12:33

See, those kinds of threats are just not right. Just because I don’t see them doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen, but I personally haven’t seen that. Also, like I said earlier, I didn’t even know you were a woman until like an hour ago. And guess what, that didn’t change the way I interact with you. Seriously hope no one is harassing you on here anymore.

Nibby > PS9
09/08/2015 at 12:33

Man, people really like Hummers, Ferraris, and Range Rovers.

Nibby > pauljones
09/08/2015 at 12:34

fun times in #off-topic 2010

pauljones > yamahog
09/08/2015 at 12:37

I take responsibility for the lack of authorship reinstatement. There was a significant storm about what happened, and I took it on myself to be charged with looking out to make sure that that doesn’t happen to you. I literally cannot find out who did in the past - Sam and I have gone all the way up to Gawker Tech to try. Each time you are re-instated, the record of who blocked you gets wiped. I ensure that you were un-blocked, but I forgot to add you back to the author’s list; not through any sort of spite, but just because it slipped my mind. That’s nobody’s fault but my own. You are hereby re-authored. Whether or not you wish to post is up to you.

As for finding out who has been doing it, the trap has been set, as implied above. I’ve been checking constantly on the block list - if you show up again, you’ll stay there long enough for me to go to Gawker Tech and get a tag on who last changed that status. As I admitted to, I did not do so for the authorship. Again, that’s my fault and I accept full responsibility for that. I’m sorry.

Wacko > yamahog
09/08/2015 at 12:37

wait some assholes are blocking you because of being a woman? I’m sorry that people can be that way, I for one would never do a thing like that, and I expect my fellow oppos to act the same way.

I can’t believe that in 2015 people can still act like that. I have always seen women as people, on the same level as everybody else. I guess I was well raised by my parents.

spanfucker retire bitch > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 12:39

Well this has been a rather eye opening and depressing comment thread.

yamahog > Wacko
09/08/2015 at 12:39

You’d have to ask whichever mod has been doing it, since I never received a reason.

Wacko > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 12:39

I still can’t believe that there are assholes that would do such a thing. If there is anything I can do i will, even if i’m not a mod, but I have no respect for ignorant assholes even if that asshole is a mod.

Xyl0c41n3 > spanfucker retire bitch
09/08/2015 at 12:42

Don’t be depressed about it, please. If you want to help, you can easily do so just by continuing to be a contributing member of the community. Thank you for your comment.

pauljones > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 12:42

I’m sorry for having come off as patronizing; that was not my intention.

I’m just as frustrated as can be at this point. I have done everything that I possibly can think of to do to make things better, and I’ve gone well out of my way and started quite a few fights to do so. I know it’s not fixed, but it’s a hell of a lot better than it was. And quite frankly, at this point, I just don’t know what else to do.

As much I can possibly do here, both in plain sight and behind the scenes in the mod group, I’ve done. I don’t know what else I can do.

macanamera > yamahog
09/08/2015 at 12:42

Dude what the fuck?

Acid in your face?

Wacko > yamahog
09/08/2015 at 12:43

I know I gave on mod shit for exposing dirty laundry in your keyholder post. but it was a old post the re-became popular since he responded in it. I think you where banned or left for something. Are you saying he banned you for being a girl? let’s just say it was screwdriverfacefootkick.

Xyl0c41n3 > djmt1
09/08/2015 at 12:43

As far as what you can do? That’s easy: keep being you. Keep being a contributing member to this community. Keep forging friendships with people you like here. Keep commenting. I think I’ve seen your username around here before, but I don’t think we’ve really interacted much before. So, thank you for commenting to me. It’s been a pleasure making your acquaintance!

Xyl0c41n3 > PS9
09/08/2015 at 12:46

It was a mod.

HammerheadFistpunch > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 12:47

FYI - I’m not dismissing the fact that there are issues that need to be dealt with, I’m simply choosing not to add any heat to a raging fire. Honestly, I think my fellow mods are better in writing than I am and can address your additional concerns with more clarity than I’ve been able to do. Believe it or not, I DO hear what you are saying and have no interest in silencing your thoughts, but my failings to communicate effectively in writing have caused consternation on both ends, I think we can agree.

PS9 > HammerheadFistpunch
09/08/2015 at 12:47

Personal experiences tend to create biases. If continued harassment is your experience here, and ‘Shut it or else’ is how authority figures here choose to deal with you, then it’s not hard to see why you’d think you don’t belong here. If someone showed you a piece of data showing how people like you visit the site only in small numbers, you would not be surprised by that.

spanfucker retire bitch > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 12:48

No, depressed at the treatment you, Yamahog and others have had to deal with. I expected better of this community. I don’t plan on leaving or to stop posting (though I rarely post as it is here compared to some others) but I guess it just shows that one can be easily fooled by rose colored glasses.

I had no idea some of this stuff was going on here. This is the kind of crap I’d expect from the FP, and it’s just as inexcusable there as it is here.

HammerheadFistpunch > PS9
09/08/2015 at 12:50

What you say about bias is certainly true, but its also true that the data doesn’t confirm the bias.

yamahog > Wacko
09/08/2015 at 12:51

We have no idea who it is or what their issue with me may be, so I will not do anyone the unfairness of speculation.

yamahog > macanamera
09/08/2015 at 12:52

Yea... about a year ago.

Xyl0c41n3 > TheOnelectronic
09/08/2015 at 12:52

To consider that you may be right would mean admitting that the thing we like maybe isn’t perfect, and that’s hard to do for a lot of people.

For some, the above is very true. Those are the people who I’ve been able to forge some pretty strong friendships with, because, on both sides, we’ve eventually been willing to examine our biases, even if they’re uncomfortable ones.

Or maybe I just give people too much credit in general, and it’s just people still mad that they took away the T&A posts.

For a lot of people, that ^ is very, very true. I don’t lose hope with them, either, though. There have been a couple I’ve come to call friend. :)

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 12:54

Wow, that’s fucked up. I remember a few specific posts from some trolls and the intentional ignorance of a few users (the latter I’d say goes both ways - don’t feed the trolls), but I’ve never really noticed anything systemic and always thought that we were at least somewhat better than most car-related sites. At least people who recognize problems are less likely to be completely smothered like at VWVortex or similar. It seems like while sexism exists over here as it does everywhere, could it be a case of a few specific users being particularly loud or obnoxious coupled with Oppo’s borderline libertarian moderating practices?

Xyl0c41n3 > pauljones
09/08/2015 at 12:57

Ack, pj... I didn’t mean to upset you. I fucking respect you in large part because I know how much you’ve done (or at least had inklings of how hard you’ve been working).

Yes, the comment was a bit patronizing, but I should apologize. I’m sorry. I don’t think I’ve adequately thanked you for your work as a mod. Please let me take that opportunity now.

Thank you. I appreciate you and your work. And I’m grateful for the patience you’ve always shown me. Thank you.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > BigBlock440
09/08/2015 at 12:59

...and here it comes.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 13:01

The latter of which, shockingly, this comment thread is full of.

Xyl0c41n3 > HammerheadFistpunch
09/08/2015 at 13:02

I think that is something we can both agree on. Text, absent tone and body language, is a hard thing to read. I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt if you’re willing to give me the same.

Xyl0c41n3 > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
09/08/2015 at 13:03

No surprise there.

Btw... HI SMORES!!!! How are ya?! :)

Jcarr > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 13:04

Have you ever tried sharing threatening/insulting/inappropriate comments that you see to the main page of Oppo so that everyone sees them?

I’ll admit that I haven’t seen much of what you refer to, but if I saw it or came across it I would gladly fight back against it and do my part to reinforce to the offending individual(s) that their behavior is not welcome here.

Xyl0c41n3 > HammerheadFistpunch
09/08/2015 at 13:04

Also, here’s a heads up: http://oppositelock.kinja.com/lol-1729331740

Xyl0c41n3 > HammerheadFistpunch
09/08/2015 at 13:06

The data is incomplete. It is but a single datum that helps to paint a larger picture. It, combined with the first hand experiences of the majority of female users on this site (some of whom have never actually spoken to you mods about their concerns because they feel they won’t be heard... but they DO speak to other women users), should be enough to substantiate what I, yamahog, MissMercedes, and others have been telling you for months.

LongbowMkII > HammerheadFistpunch
09/08/2015 at 13:07

FYI instantly going to the causation/=correlation route is completely dismissive. full stop. these are personal relationships and feelings, not statistics. you may hear but you’re not listening.

Xyl0c41n3 > Jcarr
09/08/2015 at 13:08

I’ve tried abiding by the rules set forth in the handbook. Then I’ve tried abiding by the rules mods have set forth outside the handbook. But it sucks when the goalposts keep moving.

Jcarr > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 13:11

I hear you. If it were up to me I would say that instances such as these fall squarely in “screw the rules” territory.

Regardless, I support you and all other female Oppos and I’ll try to keep a sharper eye for bullshit.

Jayhawk Jake > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 13:13

Or maybe most women just aren’t interested?

Jayhawk Jake > Xyl0c41n3
09/08/2015 at 13:15

So why don’t you share some examples? Just a handful should do it. You make the claim then when asked to back it up you just make up some reason why you can’t.