Muzman on 15/9/2011 at 19:02
OK it's only a small corner of youtube, but it could be potentially amusing.
The Skeptc-o-sphere on youtube has always been a font of interesting battles. The nastiest of which was Thunderfoot and DPRJones versus creationist kid VenomfangX. Skipping to the end; the slanging match escalated to the point that VFX basically orchestrated a false DMCA flagging campaign against anti-creationist videos. Since youtube spinelessly errs on the side of caution in these things, any DMCA claim means videos are taken down and, sometimes, channels closed first, claim assessed later and the system is basically automatic.
Filing such claims also, at the time, netted the claimant the private information of the channel owner in question too (which, if you are a partner, is quite a bit). Perfect for leaking to unpleasant people with too much time on their hands.
Then he accused DPRJones of promoting statutory rape, if not outright paedophilia.
Streisand effect war ensues, counter claims filed. VFXs home address, school, church etc become public information too. The books are opened on a fundraiser VFX held, which was cancelled and most of the donations not returned. The law gets involved. Channels and videos get restored. Sean (VFX) takes a little break from the internet for a while.
This is unlikely to be quite as interesting, sadly, but anyway. The other day venerable science youtuber (
http://www.youtube.com/user/potholer54) potholer54 (retired science journalist Peter Holford) posted the latest video in the nominations for the annual Golden Crocoduck award (a prize given for the worst creationist drivel in the year).
This one concerned UK 'tuber Amenakin and creationist women in general. Amenakin's channel is mostly concerned with videos on Islam for girls, the latest in hijab fashion and reviews of skin cream and makeup. But for some reason thought it would be an idea to have a crack at criticising Darwin in one clip.
Yeah. Muslim, female, youtube. Trouble. Naturally all hell broke loose; potholer gets accused of being sexist and racist for criticising her at all and another swathe turns up to show how sexism and bigotry is really done on this here internet.
Potholer posts another video to point out he's actually being consistent in his snark and scorn across all his targets, to largely similar results.
Then Amenakin herself finally discovers the fuss and... files DMCA claims against the videos to have them taken down.
It could be interesting to see where this goes anyway, if you like that sort of thing.
Here's mirrors of the original videos (which may get mole whacked soon enough).
(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkQlCxzwId8) A Salute to Creationist Women
(
http://www.youtube.com//watch?v=WVtvkkM337s) Stop Whining (directed at commenters)
I hope the original comments sections are preserved somewhere as they were quite something.
Trance on 15/9/2011 at 21:45
Thanks for linking potholer54; I had completely forgotten his username when I was looking to revisit that channel a few days ago. His videos are the most consistently well-researched and well-presented stuff I've watched on Youtube, owing to his long career in journalism (where he also picked up that great BBC reporter voice).
Damn shame to see that DMCA abuse is still being committed even after the backlash against VenomFangX. Still, the situation got sorted fairly rapidly once Thunderf00t worked to get the videos restored. Most of what happened after that were legal actions against VFX. It probably doesn't take much time or effort for potholer54 to get Youtube staff to review the DMCA claim against his videos, and they'll probably be back up pretty soon.
Unfortunately, Title II of the DMCA basically necessitated Youtube's policy of prompt removal of videos upon receiving an infringement claim -- to do otherwise would violate the expectations placed on it as a "safe harbor" OSP, which might lead to Youtube itself potentially being prosecuted for copyright infringement perpetrated by the service's users. Fortunately that same section of the DMCA provides for the counter-notification system Thunderf00t made use of to get his videos back up.
Shug on 16/9/2011 at 01:30
VENOM FANG EXXXXXX
It's fascinating seeing Internet wars, I must say.
SubJeff on 16/9/2011 at 10:31
Sign of the times, eh? The internet really has changed our lives.
june gloom on 16/9/2011 at 18:32
And yet some things never change.
Forever420 on 17/9/2011 at 04:10
This link was like a portal, to an eloquent poetry of hatred and ignorance the likes of which is as a gentle turd caressing through my consciousness.
My brother, thee has just made the day a bit less happy.
Briareos H on 17/9/2011 at 09:26
Can you clarify what you mean? Right now I can only interpret your post as saying that potholer54 is hateful and ignorant.
Vernon on 17/9/2011 at 14:16
Quote Posted by Forever420
This link was like a portal, to an eloquent poetry of hatred and ignorance the likes of which is as a gentle turd caressing through my consciousness.
My brother, thee has just made the day a bit less happy.
lol
Nicker on 17/9/2011 at 15:30
Quote Posted by Briareos H
Can you clarify what you mean? Right now I can only interpret your post as saying that potholer54 is hateful and ignorant.
I think he's talking about the Grays, of whom VenomFangX may well be a hybrid member.
SubJeff on 18/9/2011 at 13:29
Quote Posted by Forever420
This link was like a portal, to an eloquent poetry of hatred and ignorance the likes of which is as a gentle turd caressing through my consciousness.
My brother, thee has just made the day a bit less happy.
Don't try so hard, it'll come out better.
