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So you may notice this does not have Patreon credits, and when you get to the end of it I think you’ll see why. While some people will be glad I went this way, I know this will make some people very upset and they would’t want their name on it. Anyone who was a member at the $10 level starting in March we’ll make sure to have their name in the credits in the next video. In the meantime we’ll do… something for the $10 patrons in the next few weeks to make up for this. I don’t know what. I don’t know. I’m tired. Leave suggestions below.

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😌😌😌 taking accountability 😌😌😌 Elevating POC voices: https://www.patreon.com/toddintheshadows https://www.patreon.com/princessweekes instead of haranguing these people, subscribe: Princess - https://www.youtube.com/user/MelinaPendulum [name withheld] - https://www.youtube.com/user/carlos10009 Jenny - https://www.youtube.com/user/JennyENicholson Natalie - https://www.youtube.com/user/ContraPoints Kat Blaque - https://www.youtube.com/user/TransDIYer Sarah Z- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK-GxvzttTnNhq3JPYpXhqg contractually mandated pre-order link: https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/truth-of-the-divine/ Quileute Tribe: Move to Higher Ground - https://mthg.org/ Bisexual erasure - https://web.archive.org/web/20150927184256/http://namebrandlindsay.com/2015/06/26/bisexual-privilege-bisexual-erasure/ Vultures - https://web.archive.org/web/20151116200826/http://namebrandlindsay.com/2009/08/07/big-damn-public-statement/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lindsayellis

Comments

Creamer

yas queen slaaaaaay

Anonymous

Just keep doing your thing. That’s more than enough.

Anonymous

you rock lindsay!

Anonymous

Can't watch it now cause I'm at work. But man... I'm afraid of what this is going to be, and I'm worrying for you when you say you're tired... Is it possible for you to take a real break from the net? Take care of yourself.

Anonymous

We love and support you, Lindsay. Don’t let a bunch of bad faith Twitter nutcases keep you from doing what you love!

Anonymous

My only regret is I am currently at work and can’t watch this right this very second. Your patrons think you’re the cat’s pajamas, Lindsay. We’re here for you! (Especially the gays, we will never cease to stan)

Anonymous

My only suggestion is to sleep Lindsay. Your sanity and health are more important than what any ass hole online thinks (me included). I can live with out my name in the credits for a video lol. Just take care of yourself please.

Anonymous

K and I bumped my membership to the $10 tier

Anonymous

Definitely more important that you take care of yourself instead of having my name in the credits! We will support you no matter what ❤️

Anonymous

Fuck yes

Anonymous

Just take care of yourself! we'll always support you <3

Anonymous

So glad to see this posted this morning! Just upgraded to #passion tier!

Anonymous

The best thing you can for any of us is to take care of yourself! ♥️

Anonymous

They hurt themselves in confusion.

Anonymous

Hugs, sorry the internet sucks.

Anonymous

My name during the credits is just a nifty bonus, not the reason I'm a patron. My monetary support of you is so you can make whatever the hell you want, when you want. So just continue forward on your terms.

Anonymous

You're cancelled? Err... so who cares? Sleep and chill and love yourself, Lindsey.

Anonymous

This is my first time hearing the word halcyon out loud and now I realize I've been mentally mispronouncing it for years. That's what I get for not paying attention to the pronunciation section of those SAT flash cards. EDIT: I Wrote this comment before the segment about the rap video and I am so sorry that happened to you

Anonymous

You posting a new video is the emotional equivalent of when Gandalf came back as Gandalf the white.

Anonymous

John McWhorter, on a recent episode Chris Hayes' podcast, calls this "glee" you describe, "recreational hostility." It's become my favorite phrase to explain Twitter.

Anonymous

I hope you are doing ok!

Anonymous

Nothing but the upmost respect for responding on your own terms

Anonymous

I can’t believe Lindsay actually threatened Addison’s children! The Orson heel turn... That’s the final straw, I can no longer continue to support and thus will end my pledge in 25 years

Anonymous

My Patreon support of you isn't for my name in your vids. It is to support your platform and creativity. Take care of yourself.

Anonymous

This patron needs nothing. Please just take care of your mental health and do what you need to do for you. <3

Anonymous

Your tweet was all darmok to me, lady. Can’t wait to be cancelled so i may also return to the flesh world.

run_away

The point Lindsay mentions about taking tweets completely literally is interesting. Years before JK Rowling decided to be a TERF and ruin everything, she made a tweet saying something like 'well, I never said Hermione was white' to support a black actress who was cast in a production of a play related to her work, and who was getting hate from racists who were upset at the casting. At the time, JKR was getting internet pushback for posting too many posthumous details from HP lore, and many, many people decided to take her tweet about Hermione being black completely literally. As though she was actually saying that she had written Hermione as black all along and was only now revealing it. People sifted through the books and found quotes that reference Hermione being 'pale' etc. and mass posted them as a collage to harass JKR. The tweet is 100% obviously supposed to be cheeky. There is absolutely no way that anyone could think it was meant to be taken literally. Yet people pretended to, in order to generate outrage. When what they were really mad about was that a black actress was succeeding at things. Don't know what the point of this comment is, really. Just the first time I noticed insane, bad faith 'tweet literalism' for the sake of outrage, I guess.

Anonymous

I can't tell if I'm missing the joke or if the name and avatar at 22:07 were supposed to be blacked out

Steven Fann

I was just coming here to comment something about that, hopefully it'll get fixed before going public

Anonymous

"Part 1: Twitter is Garbage" Hmm this gonna be good.

Anonymous

Times like this I'm really glad I get to support, even just a little, content directly, not to rely on the almighty algorithms. I've never had a Twitter account so I don't follow the furore that goes on there, Hope this mess doesn't weigh to heavily on you. Take care.

Anonymous

I only have a twitter account to keep up with the goings on of people/minor celebrities I respect (and also a lot of pro wrestlers). It's fun to glance at the timeline and see what people like you were quipping on, so I can't say I won't miss your brand of snark, but it really sounds like a HUGE drain on the mental health of people who actually have followers, doubly so if you are associated with progressivism/activism in ANY way. I can't imagine what it feels like but clearly it sucks.

Anonymous

Haven't started watching yet but DAMMIT LINDSAY could you and Natalie Winn stop making EXCELLENT MUST WATCH content that's also the length of a feature film? I can't NOT watch these things, y'know. Where else will I get my contemporary media/culture analysis? NOT TWITTER, OBVIOUSLY.

Anonymous

Did you mean to leave in the username for the Discord message of your friend being upset about 2 out 7 writers and 0 directors etc. It's still in the video. I'm not sure if that was intentional or not. Apologies if I misunderstand the "name redacted" that happened prior as just a joke.

Anonymous

This is very good, but I'm sorry this felt necessary.

Anonymous

Went from $2 to $10 after the Twitter stuff. Glad I did it. Don’t worry about the credit stuff. We’re happy to support you.

Anonymous

Okay, had no idea Lindsey was from Tennessee but I’m thrilled. She’s just living her life and gradually destroying the dumb southerner trope as she goes. 💪💛💛

Anonymous

Having watched part one, I am seriously considering deleting Twitter AND Insta. It's not like you aren't telling us anything we haven't already heard a bazillion hundred trillion times BUT there's something about your blunt sarcastic presentation that really cuts through all my reasons for keeping either.... 🤔

Ben

Twitter is a cesspool. It doesn't represent the real world. Stick with us for a while Lindsay.

Anonymous

You are good and you should feel good.

Shiny Skunk

Hey Lindsay, this video is great, and necessary, but... you know, you could probably edit the very personal stuff down even more, you know? You don’t have to get this personal at the behest of people that are very obviously not acting in good faith. You could say “I experienced a lot of abuse and violence in a short span of time,” you know?

Anonymous

Twitter is an unproductive cesspool. For the relaunch of my blog, I am definitely sticking to Instagram and even Facebook because the hollow, vapid, and invariably vindictive direction of most discourse on Twitter. I applaud your efforts to speak out on this and don’t believe Twitter will be changing its vibe anytime soon. Every conversation feels embattled.

Anonymous

It makes so little sense to me how you could be so harassed and hated. I've only ever just thought you were a tremendous creator.

Anonymous

I don't support to get my name at the end of the video. I support because your videos are so good that I literally end up scheduling my day around watching when a new one comes out.

Benedict Marko

Although this is a video I would have been proud to have my name on: The perk we'd wish to get for this month would be to know you get on vacation or have some time off and have the opportunity to recover a little from this nonsensical drama. Stay strong, get well, do whatever is best for your health and your private life.

Anonymous

as a fan of yours for about a decade now, im impressed by how strong and resilient you have been. you're the first youtuber i "followed" as i grew into adulthood. please keep going. your content truly does mean a lot to me, and im sure that that's true for many of your viewers. im so sorry about the literal bullshit that you have had to deal with. this video really spoke to me and the pain i have also felt in things ive gone through in my own life, i even welled up at multiple points. if i could give you a hug, i would.

Anonymous

This was a great video. The part about bisexuality made me cry as a bi woman married to a man

Anonymous

I deleted Twitter the same day you did because of this bullshit

Anonymous

Thanks for making this video, recent time must have been seriously tough. Be well and do what’s right for you. I’ve never twittered but I think your book, podcast and content are all awesome.

Anonymous

Excellent video. It's so frustrating how often the woke mob eats its own. It plays right into the narrative of the right wing and, as you point out, doesn't allow us to have a real conversation with nuance and compassion. Also, I haven't done anything with Twitter for awhile now and it's been wonderful for my mental health. I hope this will be wonderful for you as well.

Anonymous

I commented something similar on the video itself, but I really identified with a lot of the experiences you shared, firstly as someone who experienced similar trauma, and secondly as a bisexual woman. I really hope you are okay, and know that we will always support you ♥️

Diana.H.

I generally don't go to the bother of leaving a comment on Patreon. I'm happy to just give you my money and watch your vids. But this time I'll make sure you know you've got silent supporters out there. I hope you're doing well and that you're taking care of yourself. Also you look really good in that video (sorry if that's uncalled for, it's an honest compliment from one woman to the next).

Anonymous

I'm really sorry that you had to talk about the painful things in your past. You are absolutely right that it's nobody's business but your own and I'm sorry you were forced to include it to help give context to the vultures who are cancelling you. As a sidenote I am a big fan of rent because I have fond memories of my local production in high school but your video opened my eyes to a lot of things that were not great in it. To use your trademark nuance, I like something even though I recognize it has problems. I hope things get easier for you soon. A lot of people love you!

Anonymous

Preach. Be well.

Anonymous

Truly though, you are at least a B-list Youtuber

Anonymous

This. Was. Fucking. LIT. And throw a little salt on the Scorched earth behind you too. I’m so upset at the way we destroy each other while fascism is rising. This was painful, entertaining, and beautiful. Much love to you and your work.

Anonymous

This whole thing, along with some other recent unrelated events really put Twitter in a bad light. It was never in a good light, mind you, but again and again we find that the room is full of rats. I'm sorry that the trash monsters of Twitter came for you (and will probably still continue to come for you. Fuck them.) but I think it's obvious that everyone here in this patreon community loves and supports you regardless. Keep up the great work!

Anonymous

I’m a random guy on the internet, and I appreciate your analysis and humor. Sorry to see you’ve been caught up in this. All the best!

Anonymous

Unlike many of the content creators I started following in the late oughts, you have aged well. Your content has always been thought provoking, and it has grown with me. I am so appreciative for what you put out into the world. I hope that you can take some time and recover from this load of horseshit.

Anonymous

Nothing but love here, Lindsay. I am so sorry you were forced to go into such personal areas all because of these fucking people.

Anonymous

Such a good goddamn video. I’m glad you’ll be okay. Forever a fan of you work

Anonymous

Wow, I didn’t know that I could love and respect Lindsay more than I already did, but here I am.

Anonymous

I'm so sorry, Lindsey. I know there's no reasonable way out of this kind of slog. I'm glad you're taking care of yourself.

Anonymous

Behold: the field in which I grow my fucks. Lay thine eyes on it, and see that it is barren - good on ya!

Anonymous

Sorry you've dealt with all of this. Thoughtful and intelligent video as always. There's a lot of us who really value the content that you create. I only regret it's become such a stressful endeavor. Take care.

Anonymous

That can’t have been an easy video to make and I’m sorry for all the nonsense that you’ve had to endure. For what it’s worth your content has been a godsend over this past year and thank you.

Anonymous

Well this was a great lyric analysis of “shots fired” by Meagan Thee Stallion. Fuck those clout chasers, keep on keeping on. ❤️

Anonymous

This shit sucks. I just hope you're doing well

Anonymous

Take care of yourself, Lindsay! I love your work and admire your courage in sharing this video. I hope that our society can figure out a way to slay the beast because it’s such a pervasive problem

Anonymous

I'm so sorry you had to go through all of this but I'm glad you're back. Lots of love and support.

Anonymous

This was an excellent video and put to words a lot of my feelings about cancel mobs and Twitter.

Anonymous

Sorry all this shit happened to you. Damn well-made video with exellent points.

Anonymous

I'm sorry this happened and keeps happening. I hope you are doing okay.

Anonymous

This one for the history books! What an incredible analysis of the time we live in and now that the opinion industry have been somewhat democratize, how some people use their new found power. I respect you and admire you so much, and part of it its because of the little mistakes and how we were able to see you grow and evolve as person, as a critic and as an artist. I know it's parassocial or whatever but I love you Lindsay Ellis. <3

Anonymous

I was kind of looking forward to this video because I kind of expected it was coming and it was a super interesting one! I was kind of baffled by what's going on when it happened, so I was glad to see some context from your side. Anyway, glad you're doing ok and am looking forward to more videos!

Sata Prescott

Thank you for putting such an effort into not only responding to the bullshit, but using this moment to describe the phenomenon. I don't have good words, really, except to wish you good, healthy rest and healing. And hey, this was a reminder that I needed to actually get back onto Patreon.

Anonymous

That was a great video. I had no idea just how bad the whole “cancellation” actually was. I’m really sorry that you had to go through all that - and the horrible things in the past as well. Thank you for being so open about everything, and kudos for dealing with this whole Twitter situation in such a constructive manner. I hope things will die down now, so that you can focus on the things that actually matter, especially those that matter to you. You’re really strong, you’re funny, smart and just great. Don’t let the assholes get you down!

Ciara O'Hagan

As someone who joined your patreon to support you after the twitter debacle, and who has also gone through sexual assault, I hope you have support around you at the moment. Your videos have been an endless source of entertainment and education for me and the thought that you still had to put in hours of work just to say "hey maybe I'm not the devil" is disgusting. All I can hope is that this wave of support in the comments is a start to washing away a wave of hate.

Sarah Zac

Twitter was a mistake. It's a cesspool, the Pandora's box of the internet that has unleashed so much hurt and cruelty...it sucks, essentially. So, I've never left a comment here before, and I've only been on the patreon for like a month, but...well, years ago, I got to meet you at a convention, and it was one of the highlights of that whole weekend for me. Of all the video creators I watched in high school/early college, you're the only one I still follow. Your videos always just feel so insightful, smart and comedic at the same time, and it's always fun to watch them. I'm sorry the internet is such a shithole, I'm glad you're doing okay, fuck Twitter. You keep doing what you're doing.

Anonymous

This was really hard to watch, and I just want to say that I really appreciate you saying it. I had a similar feeling that I did watching Contrapoints' video on cancelling, which is just this...horrible sinking feeling watching how difficult this must have been to deal with, and how difficult it must be to talk about. I don't know you - obviously - and not to get all parasocial about it, but it still hurt to see you so clearly upset and especially for you to be pushed to talk about something as absolutely Not The Internet's Business as your personal history because of something like this. It's 3am - nearly 3:30 actually, jesus - so I may just be babbling, but. Short version. I'm sorry all this happened, you're incredible for coming through the other side of it, and I hope you get some well-earned self care after this.

Anonymous

Very good, thanks! Just watched it all. I like the analysis of Twitter's toxicity. Also, as a "Patreon credit patron" I don't care, don't worry & take it away.

Anonymous

This video just makes me want to give Lindsey a big consensual hug.

Anonymous

This was very good. I hope you keep doing well. I appreciate all the work and emotion and sincerity that went into this and how hard it must have been to be so open while being targeted.

Anonymous

"Thank you for freeing me of any lingering care I gave to the feelings of malicious, performative bad actors" is the best kind of apotheosis.

Anonymous

Just finished watching. Honestly a really great critique of what's been happening. I'm only sorry you felt like you had to share as much as you did in terms of personal history to provide context for some of the bad faith criticisms leveled against you. I think it might be a weird sentiment to put out, but I'm glad you censored stuff bc people who don't care really don't deserve to know. Hope you have a good one ✌

Anonymous

Knowing what you went through, blacking out your harassers' twitter handles took quite a bit of maturity and restraint.

Anonymous

thank you for being a model of critical thought and integrity. your voice is so important to me and I’ve learned so much from you (and Jenny and Natalie and Sarah), and I wish we could form a little bubble around you all so this bullshit couldn’t touch you. sending you so much love.

Anonymous

It says a lot about how quickly episodes like this spiral, that this happened relatively not that long ago and I legitimately had no idea. This is a phenomenal video and for what my opinion is worth, I am truly sorry that you were swept up in this. It was honestly hard for me to fathom how much more I could respect you as a creator and person before watching this, but it speaks volumes that on top of sharing some insanely personal details to contextualize things about your past (you really didn't have to, but thank you), I genuinely believe the hardest part about this is for you was how the mob moved on to attack your professional colleagues and friends. Thank you for all of your content and insight, I hope that you at least get to have some fun times with the scarf wearing/musical hating man for some decent distraction. Also, the editing and use of comic sans in this is masterful.

Ed

All the best, Lindsay! As for what to do for the $10 backers, I think you came up with the solution in your vid: you clearly have to do a post titled "Contractually Obligated" that's 5 seconds of you saying, "Thanks for being here," followed by 5 minutes of Patreon credits. :D

Anonymous

I am pleased to hear that you'll be fine.

Creamer

thank god you're still going make content. ;-; the world NEEDS your videos

Juan Borla

I can think of nothing to say or do to make this in any way better. Your work has been literally mind-changing and helpful to me personally. You've talked about things I love, things I didn't care about, and things that it turned out I should have cared about and now do. There's nothing much I can do to pay that back except express my admiration and appreciation.

Anonymous

I'm sorry you had to go through this. One of the things I've always loved about your content (sorry Kaveh) is that you dive below the surface into the context below. I feel like I come away from every video having learned something. When all this went down I knew there had to be more there because your content always has context. Take care of yourself. ♥️

Anonymous

I don’t usually comment on things, since I was scared off social media all the way back in 2014, long before the internet became what it is now, and due to a general social anxiety that makes writing stuff online a nightmare for me personally. However, I just wanted to say something, since this video really affected me. I don’t know you Lindsay, we’re never met and never will, but the content you have produced has really meant the world to me. I’ve enjoyed your stuff for so long and as so many different people ive been - as I’ve gone from first seeing your stuff back in the dinosaur age of 2013 to watching this video today. You’re insights have probably affected me more than any other content creator I can think of. Sorry if this sounds creepy, but you mean about as much to me as a stranger can mean to another person. I genuinely wish you the best, through all of this. This video really did rock me a little. I don’t go on Twitter, so I never really thought about what’s been happening to real people. I knew about the diet nazis, and was appropriately disgusted, but it’s like you said - if you admit cancel culture is “a thing” then that just gives the Right something to attack us with. I just assumed this was like the James Gunn thing, it’ll blow up for a while but once the truth gets separated from the sensationalism then people get their jobs back. But no, this is abuse, plain and simple. It’s using the deeply terrible world we live in as an excuse to just be more horrible to each other. I’m really sorry for all you are going through, and everybody else in your life who is hurting from this as well. From one stranger to another, I genuinely hope you live your best life. Not because I want more content from you, but because you deserve it. You don’t deserve to live a life of fear anymore. Nobody does. Thank you for everything you’ve done. It means more to me than you’ll know.

Anonymous

wow, I came to say pretty much exactly what someone above says: that was a hard video to watch, especially with regard to airing things that are NOT-THE-INTERNET'S-BUSINESS-IN-THE-SLIGHTEST. The "Beast" is truly horrifying, and made more so by the fact that you and other thoughtful creators seem to be constantly on this sisyphean struggle to stay ahead of the bad-faith-woke-brigade. Thank you for creating ~content~, you never owed any of this to anyone.. You're awesome.

Anonymous

Wow that was quite a video. I'm sorry it's come down to this. I support you and have since the first time I saw you as Nostalgia Chick long ago. Please look after your mental health, this too shall pass.

Anonymous

This was difficult to watch in more than a few places so I can’t imagine what it was like to write and film, much less go through this kind of public shaming in the first place — I was relieved to see that for as much as is possible you’ve put this incident in its place and will go on producing content — I actually shouted at the screen for you to make the Mulan video because “I would watch the shit out of that”, so I’m glad you’ve only been emboldened by this flood of tactless, barefaced abuse — in the meantime, take care of yourself and be well I’m a fan of all you do All the best

Anonymous

I just bumped up for $2 to $10. Please keep doing what you do.

Anonymous

I think twitter is just a very effective megaphone, and that there has always been a human need to express one's opinions for all sorts of social and political purposes, as widely as possible. Fifty years ago, people would still have been engaging in similar discourses, but just limited to the options available to them, i.e. gossiping, or writing letters to the local paper etc (TLDR: I don't think it's twitter's fault that people are frequently awful and stupid and like to be heard.) (That said, twitter appears to be a social platform that is little more than the worst of youtube comments, and they actively promote that)

Anonymous

From what you describe Twitter‘s company motto should be „Homo homini lupus“.

Anonymous

I am so sorry that this has happened to you. I want you to know that I have been watching your video essays for many years and I am always excited when a new video is released. I feel that watching your content has made me better informed and I always learn something or get a new perspective. I appreciate that you put so much work into them. I really hope you continuing making videos. I think you have a unique voice that is important to be heard. Thank you for taking so much from a small group of nasty people. I don't know how I could handle so many people being so nasty when they have never met you and have no idea what they are talking about.

Anonymous

Thank you for being great! I just became a patreon after a year or two of watching your content. I just get so sad to see people tear down someone like you, who communicate some really great values throughout your content.. take care of yourself. 💕

Anonymous

I was in tears watching this. I’m so angry that people have done and are doing this to you, and Jenny, and Natalie and others. You are all such much and amazing women and I love listen to your insights. Thank you for everything you’ve shared!

Anonymous

That was some intense discussion. And I want to say you don't owe us anything, but at the same time I hope this brings you some form of peace. Thanks for sharing your perspective again. I hope you're doing better.

Anonymous

Your video got me to join your Patreon. I am terribly sorry this happened to you. Your video was really hard to watch but know that you have had my undying support for years. I have always seen you as a model and have strived to work harder in order to become half as smart and knowledgeable as you are. Keep being awesome and take as much time as you need to heal from what probably was a very difficult video to film. xx

Anonymous

Heyo, I just watched the new video and gave my two cents (or dollars) to this cause. I can't believe some people spread hate like that and I stan Lindsey until the world ends. My first Patreon thing ever, and this is my personal f-u to all those haters. Love and support! Thanks for the awesome content!

Anonymous

Controversial opinion: Twitter can get bent. I've been off that cesspool for years, glad I haven't ever looked back. Sorry that you've been dogpiled yet again, hope your life gets better being off it :)

Anonymous

The part where you talked about what it feels like to be a bi woman in a straight relationship is the truest thing I've heard in my life and it meant a lot to me, so thank you very much for putting it into words. I'm so sorry that you had to talk so much about your private life and some of the most painful experiences in your life to contextualise years old stuff that gets dragged up my the mob. It is truly scary that the wokescold mob uses the exact same tactics as the nazi mob, but doesn't have the self-awareness to realise this. I hope you are taking good care of yourself and please know that we love you!

Anonymous

I just wanted to share this podcast about dissecting the Beast. https://fuckingcancelled.libsyn.com/

Anonymous

This is what real bravery and character look like. To be assailed by so much vitriol and to emerge on the other side -- with your sense of humour intact -- is damned impressive. Much respect, Lindsay. Keep standing up for yourself, for LGBTQ+, for POCs... and for rational discourse.

Anonymous

Sorry you felt like you needed to delve into so much personal stuff. Also sorry you went through that. <3

Anonymous

You changed one mind: I've boosted my Patreon contribution to you to 10$, because I want my name in your videos. And I'm going to seek out a bunch of the other creators you mentioned and give them some Patreon love, too. Fuck the haters. (Also, you didn't mention this, but I suspected part of the dogpiling was the asshats reacting to your Omegaverse videos. You definitely pissed them off with that first one, and I doubt doubling down in the second eased their minds. I hope you never have to deal with them anymore.)

Anonymous

I felt your pain and anger through the video. Please take good self care and be well.

Anonymous

I am reminded of the famous quote of Cardinal Richelieu, four hundred years ago: "If you give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest of men, I will find something in them which will hang him."

Anonymous

You're brilliant.

Anthony

sucks to have to put trauma on display like this in response to a milquetoast take

Anonymous

Extremely sorry that you ended up being pushed into disclousing your trauma to get some twitter assholes off your back

green

just watched this video on YT, realized I wasn't yet supporting you on Patreon, came here and joined the $10 tier. much, much empathy, care, and support to you, for all you do. <3

Anonymous

As an early adopting Twitter user (2006) who wiped my account a few years back and felt SO much better for it, I wish all my fave creatormakers would do this. It's no longer of any publicity value and is just hurts the psyche of everyone involved. For those who can't quit for reasons, try setting your language to something you can't read (I went for Japanese, other alphabets are availablew) so you're never sucked into the Trending vortex of doom.

Elysia Fields

Me too! Pre-ordered her book too. (Also, I *loved* the Omegaverse videos. They were glorious.)

Anonymous

I've never joined twitter, mainly because of situations like those you describe here. My skin is just not thick enough. I'm truly sorry for the harassment that you have received during your career in social media. I felt like crying while watching your XOXO presentation a couple years ago, and I feel the same way again now. I hope that you can heal from this.

Anonymous

If it's any consolation, the attempted cancelling of Contrapoints last year also reminded me I had been meaning to subscribe to your Patreon when I was in a good place and I had just gotten my first big girl salaried job that year. So I know it's not much but it brought me here (in time for Axioms End).

Anonymous

I think The Beast is just Shirley Jackson's Lottery

Anonymous

Sending you and the ones close to you affected by all of this (whether friends, family, colleagues, etc) lots of love, positivy and kind vibes ❤

Elysia Fields

Thank you for your honesty and candor. You're one of my favorite content creators, and I always enjoy your thoughts. I can relate to parts of your personal story, and how you cope(d) with the tough stuff. You're a light in the darkness that often is social media, but I'm glad to have found you

Anonymous

Hey, was Todd’s name supposed to be censored in that PM? You mentioned that you were withholding the name to protect his identity, but the screenshot still says ToddInTheShadows.

Anonymous

I've tried to search my own twitter for shit I KNEW I tweeted, spent 20 minutes searching, and gave up. I can't even imagine having the patience and time and rage, I guess, to fuel a search of the magnitude with which some of these people undertake to dredge up this stuff. I would never want to be that angry at someone who had done a bad tweet. That's what block is for. Why would I give up more of my time to someone who made me so angry? I think influencers and youtube creators are victims of change in this instance - they are celebrities, but also not in a lot of people's eyes. For a lot of folks, they are faux celebrities, posers or social climbers. But they really are no different than any celebrity - only most of the influencers and youtube creators had to start from scratch whereas "old money" celebrities have a built in system of nepotism that keeps them coming up from the families of media royalty. And I think because of this feeling that youtubers and influencers are somehow lesser, or undeserving of their platform, the schadenfreude over when these folks make a misstep is so much worse. There are parties and celebrations, because folks see these new money celebrities as just like them, only they aren't noticed, and people like Lindsay are. That's my armchair psychiatrist take anyway!

Anonymous

Lindsey, I just want you to know if your ever see this. You are such an inspiration to me. Your strength, character, poise and charisma are awe-inspiring to me and you are without a doubt my most favorite and most admired YouTuber. I wish you all the luck in all of your endeavors.

Anonymous

Just finished watching it. You are an amazing person. Nobody should have to go through what you went through, but unfortunately this is the shitty world we live in. People will go through this again and again. But as you said, you will survive. I left social media at the start of 2020. Not being on facebook was liberating. I found a community at Board Game Geek. Some people posted links to tweets, and so I was on Twitter for a while. It is a garbage dump; a cesspool. I deactivated my account recently. I want nothing to do with it. I will ever remain supportive of you, however. Keep doing what you do. I respect your opinions and love your thoughts and comments. Stay safe and healthy. Try to relax and, well, don't forget to be awesome. :)

Anonymous

I’m still crawling through the video, but I’m so deeply sorry that you were forced to disclose such heavy trauma in the face of all this. It’s just not fair. I want to say though how much I appreciate you describing how white people often weaponize poc as a monolith and how alienating that could be. I’m an Asian American who dislikes ATLA and has no interest in Raya, and it just riles me to see white people use people like me as a shield to harass and abuse others.

Anonymous

Honestly I deleted my twitter after this incident. It was the straw that broke the camels back - if I’m on a platform because of creators I like to follow (Lindsay, Jenny and Sarah all being on that list) and constantly feel bad because of people who tweet bad faith nonsense at them (don’t get me started on when Jenny Nicholson dared to -checks notes- buy a printer), are any of us really benefiting from that platform? The hits of dopamine from Bean Dad jokes just can’t outweigh the constant bad faith and negativity at everything anyone does

Anonymous

You forgot the mic drop at the end.

Anonymous

I'm really sorry you had to go through all of this. Not just the recent harassment, but everything you talked about in this video. I really hope things get better for you. You deserve better.

Anonymous

Oof. What a time to be Extremely Online, eh? This was so nuanced and well-said. I hope you're doing ok.

Anonymous

Don't feel obliged. I'm just glad to see you post. We pay money because we want to support you -- or at least I do. You're not our entertainment mule.

Anonymous

All I can say, that I've said before, is I love you.

Anonymous

Lindsay—you are literally the only YouTuber I follow. My partner teases me constantly because of how excited I get when I new video or podcast of yours drops. I think your essays are brilliant, insightful, nuanced, original, and hilarious. Watching this video made me cry. I just admire you so much. And it is horrifying to watch you walk through this abuse. You do not deserve it. And Yet you’re out here making yourself so vulnerable to teach us dumb idiots on the internet a lesson about our impact and about empathy and bullying. It’s powerful. Queen queen queen we Stan for all time! I am a forever supporter. And “do you all like Rent” SLAYED me. This bullying is all a set up by Big Rent. I very selfishly hope you keep creating content because I legitimately learn from it and adore it and you. Take care of yourself. We (Patreon) are behind you.

Anonymous

I am sorry you had to deal with the Twitter thing. This is a boss response though and I applaud you for the strength of it. You touched on a lot of personal issues that no one should have to talk publicly about. My roommates and I have watched your channel for years and love it. It's my favorite on Youtube and I feel it necessary to express my support. So, thank you Lindsay for being you.

Brady

Don't worry about doing anything to "make up" for this. I don't support your patreon for the perks, I just enjoy your work. You have a great team and support network~ This was definitely difficult to watch, and I'm sorry you had to bring up so many traumatizing events from your past in making this as well. My hope is that once I'm vaccinated I'll be able to pick up my copy of your next book and get both it and Axiom's End signed at some point. I truly and thoroughly love your writing and video essays

Anonymous

Lindsay, thank you for getting through the miles of exhaustion. Thank you for still harnessing your strength and intelligence to show how you feel about things. Thank you for calling out Twitter .... as in the FUNDAMENTAL way that Twitter and other social media is making things worse. I recently scaled down my Facebook account (and not for the first time) because the bad-faith outrage even among people I love is too much. If I had half the following you do, the accompanying lynch mob would've driven me to suicide by now. Whatever happens, I know you're trying your best in a media landscape that fails to do the same, and you have my respect.

Anonymous

I have already typed and then deleted three responses to strangers on Twitter about this. I hope you continue to not care and just continue making videos about stuff you find interesting, and we can continue to pay you for it.

Anonymous

Glad you are still making content. Do what you have to do.

Anonymous

Lindsay- the day you were canceled I bought Axiom’s End, so I guess today I’ll preorder the next one! I still can’t understand how any of this happened even having watched it unfold in real time. No one deserves that sort of treatment, and while I’m happy for the content (it’s nice to see you!) those people didn’t deserve this explanation. Take care of yourself (is there a way to say that and not sound condescending? I mean it in the nicest possible way) and truly fuck the abusive shits that clearly need hobbies. I’m so sorry this happened to you, I will never understand what motivates a mob to destroy anyone like this, let alone someone who is so kind and sweet and funny. Thanks again for the video. You’re my literal fav YouTuber, and I’m not going anywhere.

Anonymous

I am behind this 100%. No one deserves abuse. When I heard you'd deleted your Twitter, I knew it was because you'd gotten a dogpile of hate and didn't want to deal with it anymore, but I didn't know it had gotten this bad. I completely understand you not wanting to deal with it anymore, especially over something so trivial. The part about your "sins" was beautiful. I personally separate the art from the artist and am a tremendous fan of your work. I hope you never stop making videos (even if only for patrons) and expressing yourself the way you do. I'll always be interested and I'll always watch them. That said, I feel a lot of empathy for you as a person and I hope you find peace with the general populace. I'd hate to not be able to see your output anymore. Thank you for this video. It really humanized you for me and served as more smart and funny content from one of my favorite creators. Fuck everyone who can't treat you with respect. They don't deserve your talent or your attention.

Anonymous

This video, taken together with Contrapoint's video on being cancelled, are two of the strongest indictments of the culture of performative outrage that infects social media. I'm really glad you both chose to speak out, in detail, about your experiences, and I'm so sorry you had to go through that.

Anonymous

This is such an ridiculous situation but this is such an important video about the effects of Twitter "culture". It's sad that you've had to talk about your personal life and history, I hope you're doing okay ❤

Redmess

Great video, Lindsay, and I don't mind at all. I hope we can put this behind us soon and we can go back to fun and interesting videos on movie theory and such.

Anonymous

Thank you for making this video, Lindsay. I’ve been a fan of yours for years and will continue to support you.

Anonymous

Thank you for taking the time to tell your story

Anonymous

I've been following your work for a long time. You've taught me a lot about story structure, movie tropes, tolerance, and a lot of other things that I can't think of right now. I don't say much, but I've been here. I see the work that you do, and am motivated talk about stories in the same way. I think, "If Lindsay can do it, I can do it too." Just know that I support you, and I'll still be here.

Anonymous

Solid video 👍 I'm so sorry that you had to disclose so much personal stuff.

Anonymous

I'm on a different timezone and I don't check twitter every day so I had *no idea* this had happened to you. Holy shit! I hope you know that there are infinitely more people who love you and your work than those who don't. For as long as creating content brings you hapiness, I hope this shit never puts you off, and I hope you're ok. Thank you for your courage.

Anonymous

Just became a Patreon even after watching your videos for the last couple years because of how much shit you had to endure. Thank you for this and I hope the Twitter mob rots

Anonymous

I also wanted to add *AS A BI WOMAN* that I’ve never heard it put so well or so succinctly and I did not see that coming. Thanks as always for your piercing insight. ❤️

Anonymous

Thank you for explaining in-depth for those of us not in the know – even going back to the history of the word “cancel”. After watching this whole thing on YT, I, too, am tired now. Thank you for being a top-tier fake celebrity (better make it clear this is a joke because you called yourself “not a real celebrity”). Please take care of yourself in any way you can.

Anonymous

Thank you for all your hard work and incredibly thoughtful videos! Your work is thought inspiring, insightful, and all around fantastic. (I was hoping to get a synonym for fantastic starting with "in", but can't win 'em all.)

Agonarchy

Good but painful video. You continue to have my utmost respect. It takes a lot to grow from your mistakes, big or small, rather than excuse them. It is especially so when people are trying to push you into being defensive about them, rather than approaching you with sincere concern.

Curt Clark

Your videos have been important to me for over 12 years now. I've been a Patron of yours for nearly as long as I've had a Patreon, and that's not stopping any time soon. When I saw you had deleted your Twitter, I felt relief for you. Even seeing a fraction of what people have put you through has been heartbreaking. I don't know how you've taken it, year after year, with such fortitude. You're not completely without supporters, is what I'm saying.

Anonymous

So on point. Thanks. Also, the double flip off at the end is the highlight of the year for me in all the categories.

Anonymous

I’ve always found your work insightful and fun and it’s undoubtedly made me more thoughtful about the art and media I consume. I hate that you’ve had to go through so much crap, but I’m glad you’re here

Anonymous

I'm glad you spoke your truth and I want to honor how open you were with both your story and your emotions, which I'm aware you could have edited out if you wanted. So, thank you, as a relatively newer follower (and only two month old patron), it was quite the history to go through and I'm grateful you shared it. Onto the requested suggestions for my trusty $10's worth of demands....err suggestions: Option 1: it's really not that big of a deal to not be in the credits of an incredibly personal video and it needs be remarked, we'll all live to see another video. So: do nothing. Option 2: Have a tequila fun night on youtube live and do a 10$ tier "ask me" thing; however, forcing us to submit questions in advance so that it doesn't go off the rails since....*gestures widely at newest video* ....things can go awry... Option 3: make a patreon only, 10$ tier mini video talking about the second book coming out and some behind the scenes or what not.

Anonymous

Tumblr was both my first introduction to some of the most influential progressive writers (queer theory, anti-racism, you name it) and people who like to talk about them, AND to people co-opting that language and the empty hide of leftist ideals to... score internet points about ships. I thought I had this social media dynamic pinned, but watching the response to your tweet in real time got under my skin in a big way. I don't even mean the parasocial, "someone is being unfair to a person I have a one-sided attachment to on the internet" way. It recreated (on a smaller scale) that same sense of powerlessness that a lot of events in the world have been making us feel. Watching a lie, fuelled by emotions you can understand but not do anything to ameliorate, spread in real time hurts in an existential, even spiritual way, even when it doesn’t hurt in a material way. I will occasionally post here or on Youtube, and then usually return to delete my comment a month or so later-- that's my social media presence. But in March I made a reddit account JUST to talk to other people about our feelings toward Twitter and the way social media has shaped information behaviors. We discussed a lot of the same points you make here-- especially the insidious malice of white people co-opting the language and performance of social justice to soothe their own emotions. It's nauseating, and has seeded an even deeper distrust toward what people claim to represent or believe online that I had before. The fact that you are only now mentioning real life traumas to contextualize some of your publicly-observable behavior speaks to how long and how hard you have resisted the pressure to use those experiences as social capital online, how long you have tried to retain the privacy and dignity those experiences deserve (yes, including the dignity of using humor how *you* want and *you* need to deal with your own experiences in private). There is a bottomless hunger for "authenticity" and "context" that is really just an appetite for pain, or worse-- for the opportunity to discredit pain. I remember when the phrase "oppression olympics" first started circulating on tumblr to describe this feeling that sharing trauma was obligatory. Just one more way to crush complexity down to shorthand-- “should I believe this person? Well, which boxes on the form do they tick?” Humans boiled down to a series of hashtags, and then whether or not you’ve seen those hashtags is called, “doing due diligence and research on the people you choose to promote on your platform”. Words that should carry weight stop meaning anything at all... it’s just noise. I’ve worked for nonprofits and local government my whole adult life, where the naming rights thing can get very icky, so I have never cared about my name showing up in videos-- but I would have had no problem with it being attached to this one. Especially “No Becky-- not to you.” Screw cheap grace and the facsimile of grace.

Anonymous

This was hard to watch. When I heard about the reason for the cancellation I was like "but Honest Trailers did a whole joke about it but I don't see people screaming at them. Hmmm." I really love your video essays, the time, care, knowledge and humor you put in them, and I'm sorry this kind of behavior is what you got in the end.

Anonymous

I hope you are doing well Lindsay. Some part of the videos were so painful to watch, the pure hatred of twitter... Thank you so much for your insightful work, analysis and honesty.

Anonymous

My heart tears for you and what you've been forced to go through. I think you are going to emerge with a reconfirmed strength; more so than I would. That doesn't mean that there won't be times of doubt and sadness ahead, but these too shall pass. If you ever need to borrow some liver to make it through, just let me know. I only regret, that I have but one liver to lose. I think it is telling that I've spent longer than I should wondering if bastardising that quotation is a form of cultural appropriation or insensitivity. Which then got me worrying about the Persian Sufi phrase above it. This is why I rarely post anything online; quick comments take too long or risk too much.

Anonymous

This was really, really difficult to watch. Thank you so much for saying all this, thank you for not apologizing for things that were horribly bad faith, you do not deserve this.

Anonymous

That was really powerful and insightful, thank you for unpacking this like you unpack so much other stuff for us.

enchantedsleeper

I think she knows that. If I had to guess, I'd say she left it in to make a point to the people who do watch this about exactly what it's forced her to dredge up and relive. And no, she still didn't have to make it public but *gestures at video* I think she's all out of fucks at this point. And maybe it will make some of the marginally more self-aware people think twice about their actions in future.

Anonymous

The worst thing about the internet now is that there are no good places to put your feelings. When you're 16 and it's barely a new century, there's LiveJournal, which has its pitfalls, but at least it's mostly contained and even BNFs are doing numbers in the hundreds instead of millions. This new parasocial dystopia is garbage and I hate it.

Anonymous

I'm really impressed with this video. Not only the careful breakdowns and self introspection, but that you were able to make it in the midst of this twitter tidal wave of human vitriol. Very well done!

Anonymous

I think about this and talk to Formerly Extremely Online friends about this a lot. Like, where are the kids going to go to fail? What do "learning" and "growing" mean if even failure requires perfect performance of a script?

Anonymous

A phenomenal video as ever Lindsay. I'm truly glad to welcome you to the "Twitter is never worth it" club. You'll find membership here much happier than elsewhere, blissfully ignorant of the screaming shitshow eternally taking place on that hellscape. It's so terrible the shit you and others have to go through to get to this place but it's all downhill once you arrive.

J. Francis

I'm only about halfway through the video and have to finish the rest later, but it's exhausting knowing that so many of the people whose work I enjoy have to constantly fight against bad faith interpretations of their every actions and be met with Twitter mobs for everything they do. Twitter sounds like a nightmare. I love the work you do and hope that you and Natalie Wynn and everyone else who endures this bullshit is able to put it behind you somehow. EDIT: All right, I had time to watch a bit more and I must say, as a bisexual man your comments around the 52 minute mark are ones that resonated with me a lot.

Anonymous

I have nothing to say other than this is a thoughtful, nuanced piece of analysis and I am so sorry for the pain you've gone through and deeply impressed by your resolve in the face of it. I remain a dedicated fan whose understanding of media and the world is better for your perspective.

Anonymous

Dear Lindsay, I feel you didn't have to include the list of sins: it's nobody's goddamn business why you said certain things and I'm sorry you feel like you had to disclose things about yourself that are very personal. To quote a meme I saw somewhere on the internet: If there's anything I've learned from video games, it's that when you start meeting enemies, you're going into the right direction. And to quote another semi-inspirational meme: If you gather enemies, at least that means you stood for something.

enchantedsleeper

There's a lot to say about this video that has already been said better than I could have expressed it, but one thing I feel like mentioning, as weird as it might be to fixate on this, is that Lindsay's comments about bisexuality are my exact experience as well. When people were circulating the "receipts" for Lindsay's cancellation I read the original tweet she made and thought, 'She's right, though.' And maybe it's not everyone's experience but that simultaneous erasure-and-privilege has been the dominant part of my experience of being queer and is the reason why I still feel weird around Pride Month and expressing Pride and am only slowly now (7-8 years after I even came out to myself as bisexual) figuring out how I really feel about being queer and want to express that. Which is all to say, Lindsay, that I appreciate you going there. Me, too. And for everything else I'm just so, so glad that you're around and that I follow you. 💜

Anonymous

Watched the video and had to subscribe. About halfway through the video I began feeling what you later describe as the hopeless and feeling of powerlessness that social media engenders in those who desire to act in good faith and the fact that this is eminently exploitable by those who don't. I wanted to do something so, to help in whatever small way and decided to finally join your Patreon. My friends and I think you are so awesome and whenever you release a long video, I'm almost always wishing it was longer (although I know you likely wish this one didn't have to be so long). I'll be looking forward to watching your future content (and re-watching past content of course)!

Anonymous

Honestly, I late night found that blog post she wrote a couple of years ago and finally had to admit to myself that I was bisexual and the reason I wasn't coming out to myself and to others were those exact feelings of privileged and erasure

Anonymous

I subscribed to your Patreon on the back of this video. I was considering it before but this pushed me to it. I love your essays and I need them in my life.

Anonymous

Well, that was harrowing to watch. I started supporting you on Patreon when I learned you "got cancelled", because I knew you most be getting terrible amounts of harassment and this was the only thing I knew how to do which might have a positive effect on the situation. You've been a source of inspiration for me ever since the days of "I remember it because the guys don't", which is ultimately why I'm here, but no-one deserves the Beast, not even [insert name of enemy here].

Christopher Oliva

Hoping for healing for you and everyone involved. ❤

Anonymous

Guess I'm not alone in taking the plunge and jumping on the Patreon bandwagon after being informed of your cancellation. Not because you need it (patrons are OVER 9000! *crushes scouter*). I've been thinking about whether or not I should continue supporting some other cancelled youtubers like Abigail and Natalie and your video helped make the case for me.

Anonymous

Love you essays. I watch them like I watch a well viewed Sitcom (PnR or Office)

Anonymous

Love the video! All of this is so spot on... except for the fanfic thing. As usual, your understanding of and way of talking about that space makes _me_ feel like _you_ feel in this video. That's why that (also heavily female and bisexual) space has such an "et tu" reaction to you when you look at what is essentially our gamergate and "both sides" it. It's a profound failure of empathy.

Bryan R. Powers

Your video inspired me to finally become a Patron after following your career for so long a time *and* finally deactivate my Twitter account after debating doing so for months. I truly have no words for what you've gone through, both in the short term and long, but I hope you find your way to a bit more peace in your life, however it may come about.

Anonymous

I'm not on Twitter so had no idea what that your last message was about - thanks for explaining. Ain't no one need that shit. Sorry you had to drag your life into your work in this way. You keep making what you want to make. I'm not paying you to make me feel good. You've been awesome in the past and one should encourage that.

Anonymous

I joined the Patreon after this video after a long time of being a fan. It was tough to watch, and it's amazing that you were willing to share things you did. I've never regretted being a fan of yours, and the least I can do is support you here.

Anonymous

I just finished watching this. I am utterly horrified by the abuse that you've had to endure, and heartbroken that this is just the latest barrage of hate and abuse directed at you.

Anonymous

Honestly, I don't feel like I need anything extra, just continue being you, your analysis is amazing, your frustration is justified.

Anonymous

I've been a patron off and on for years, most recently off. This video convinced me that it was time to return to on. I'm so sorry for the shit you've had to put up with, recently and otherwise. None of it was deserved. None of it would have been deserved even if everything the Twitter Mob accused you of was true.

Cristeal

I'm glad you're not taking a break on your videos! From your last Patreon post, I was worries you were going to go on a hiatus. When we first started dating, our mutual enjoyment of your channel was one of the first connections I had with my new fiancé. After years together, we still drop everything whenever anything new you and Contrapoints comes online.

Anonymous

I’m so sorry it had to come to this, Lindsay. Your strength and resilience dumbfounds me, and the pain you’ve experienced to get here left me in tears. Thank you for your time.

Anonymous

Jeepers, you make the scariest videos! :)

Anonymous

I want to express a sentiment but it sounds so cringe but I do intend it completely sincerely. I cannot believe how brave you are. (How brave? #sobrave) Facing down an angry mob and then responding with such thoughtfulness and poise. I was exhausted on your behalf just imaging what you were going through in late March. There were moments when I would randomly remember, “people are trying to cancel Lindsay Ellis” and I’d feel my stomach drop because the thought of being constantly bombarded like that made me feel sick. If I were ever in a similar situation you would find me locked in a closet weeping for the rest of my life. And yet here you are, doing some of your best content in the face of it. Could never be me... and that is why I now throw my monthly $10 at you. Good to have you back 💖

Anonymous

Only an hour into the video, but I had to break for RL reasons and wanted to post a query here. Other than (1) beint a patron here, (2) subscribing to her youtube channel (and (3), voting for her new hugo nomination), what can I do to help? I want to send some support to Lindsay, what can I do? (ok, (4) buying a copy of Axiom and giving it to my daughter along with a 'Team Lindsay' button, doing that too)

Anonymous

The pain coming off this video made me cry, I can't imagine what you are going through. I've never been on twitter, but from the creators I've followed who've left they all seem more content since leaving. Your work continues to amaze and I look forward to whatever you do next; I'm sure I am one among many who will gladly continue to support you and your team. Please take care of yourself and take any time you need.

Anonymous

I just bumped up my donation. Every minute of this video is necessary. I want it to be mandatory viewing before someone's allowed to use the internet. I'm so sorry you're going through this ridiculousness. I can't believe the "woke left" keeps falling for this same s**t, every time. We naturally eat our own, but sometimes I wonder if we're being pushed to do it.

Anonymous

Holy crap this is hard to watch. I had to take several breaks throughout because it's just very sad that people think all of this is entertaining and exciting to do to someone. I know you say you'll be fine, but I still feel like anyone subjected to this kind of thing just adds it to the burden they have to live with - and I say this from the bottom of my heart, I'm so sorry that your opinions are fuel for a fire you have no control over. I hope your exit from Twitter gives you some relief.

Anonymous

I just subbed to your Patreon. Your content has made my examine my own privilege and helped me be a better person. I've never been on Twitter since I don't like the short form conversations, but between Contrapoints and now your cancellation I just think the whole platform is rotten. On any sane platform the kind of messages flying that you posted on your video would be taken down by the platform for being abusive. Hoping you are doing okay.

Anonymous

Despite being constantly shit on for new reason x, you still continually put out thoughtful, entertaining, and resonant content. This is why even over a decade later, you are still one of my favorite creators. Please don't forget how many people out here appreciate and value what you do and put forward.

Anonymous

Unless not making up for the no names in the credits makes you feel deeply and genuinely uncomfortable, I'd prefer you not do more to make up for it. You're still in the middle of an awful situation, I don't want to add to that stress.

Anonymous

Lindsay, I'm not sure that "thank you" is appropriate cause I don't think you owed this to any of us. But I will forever appreciate the honesty and vulnerability you bring to your content, and am genuinely grateful to have that kind of precedence set by a creator I admire/am inspired by.

Anonymous

Thank you for modeling self-acceptance and rejecting shame! I'm doing some serious work in that department lately, and you are an inspiration.

Anonymous

I’m so frustrated at how you’ve been treated and I hope getting this video out made things feel better. There are serious, overt and covert racists bigots and awful people in the world who are actively working to maintain a disgusting, systemically racist status quo and the fact that people focused rage on you, someone who is CLEARLY TRYING YOUR DAMNDEST to do the right thing (even when it’s uncomfortable) is infuriating. They’re wasting their time but also they’re wasting MY time because they could have been focusing all that energy on actual growing global fascism??? Anyways, You talking about your assault just about brought me to tears and I do appreciate that you talked about getting through it (as a survivor of similar stuff it’s so helpful to laugh so you don’t like...wither away) but also they deserve none of your time. I’m pissed that they made you feel like you had to bring it up. I already knew you were a decent person who made kickass content but now I’m even more convinced and I’m bumping up my subscription. Bravo.

Anonymous

wasn't your patron before due to no particular reason but I am now, fuck twitter dawg you'll be better equipped in your head without it

Anonymous

Keep doing your stuff Lindsay. You are a force of un-fucking in this world.

Philippa K

Love your work Lindsay, I've followed your stuff for years and you're one of the most insightful and eloquent media critics I know. Do what you need to do to preserve your health, take care of yourself 💖💖💖

Anonymous

Just increased my monthly. This level and analysis, research and nuance in your videos has helped me shape how I perceived and critic the world. I deleted twitter, so never even saw the original tweet, let alone the pile-on Glad to see you aren't giving up!

Chelsea Watson

I agree - I picked the $10 level because that's how much money I wanted to contribute, not just because I wanted to be on the credits

Anonymous

I have never related to something so hard as when you described your “Rape” folder. I also have one for clippings and paperwork, but I put (ironic) gold star stickers on it. Like I got a A in 3rd grade and not... ya know... raped. That looked hard and I’m sorry you had to do that.

Sophie Cleverly

I find it hard to find the right words (being a writer somehow makes it harder to say things exactly right?) - but I hope you're doing ok, as much as possible. I was someone who got "cancelled" offline back in the day and I live in constant fear of it happening again. Your courage in speaking up about this has helped me to feel more confident in getting help and trying to learn to care less. And tweet less. Or not at all... Love ❤️

Anonymous

I've been watching your videos since the dark days, and they've helped this adhd-er power through just so many of my qualifications. You where also the one to have really introduced me to the concept of critical thinking, (my most highly marked essay was even about Starscream and I'm proud of it) and I've been able to navigate this world with so much more perspective thanks to you, Angelina and the team. This is a babbling way of saying, as powerless as we all are, you've improved my world and I don't think I'm alone in that so thank you. It really hurts seeing you come under fire again and again, and I know that's only seeing a small part of it. I don't think I'll ever tire of your output but I'll also never begrudge you if you ever choose to cancel us all and walk away into the sunset. I'm already a lowest tier-patreon but the welfare of you and your crew is never a price I want to see paid. You've done so much good and it's always been enough.

Anonymous

I didn't know you were from Tennessee! (Obviously same, still there though.) This video really hit me at a time in which I'm examining this in my own field, and I really appreciate the thought you put into it (as always).

Anonymous

Just as an observation to bounce off your own: I think part of why people overreacted to your tweet is because you drew attention TO the idea of influences. I come from the exact same perspective you do: I'm a writer (though not nearly as successfully published), and everything I've ever produced is, in one way or another, a reflection of things I've experienced or consumed. To me, your tweet read as an acknowledgement of those influences. But The Public Mind doesn't get that because The Public Mind doesn't realize that this is just part of storytelling. "Someone who works in the creative arts is someone who comes up with everything COMPLETELY ORIGINALLY! A creative person lives in a vacuum and then just magically invents entire worlds in their heads! (Because obviously you could know things about history or human nature or physics if you had never been exposed to them.) If you copied a single idea from anywhere, that must be plagiarism!" And, ummm... no. Copying from one place is plagiarism; copying from everywhere is called research. Good writers research. But too few people understand this. ...And that's a context that could never have fit into 240 characters, so, here we are.

Anonymous

Damn. This made me emotional in ways I didn't expect. Beautifully done, loved every second, what a great response! Everything was on point, from exposing the spiteful ridiculousness of the mob, to the attitude, to the lipstick (dang gurl)! I have always respected the hell out of you, but the way you turned this awful meaningless ugliness into something so raw and powerful honestly has me floored. Real talk, as another woman carrying sexual trauma with me in my personal baggage, how you presented that part of everything was stunning and scarily recognizable. I can't even imagine what it'd be like to have the shape of my breakdowns or coping mechanisms from when things were still fresh known to the people around me, let alone the entire internet. I'm so sorry (and frankly, disgusted) about everything the internet has thrown at you, both now and in general, but that one hit me on a whole new, personal, level. I've been a happy viewer of yours since your very first video, but this inspired me to finally up my patreon pledge as I can afford it better than when I originally joined. Thank you for being you and doing what you do, and I'm so glad to see you back in action and as okay as can probably be reasonably expected. Stay safe and never let the bastards grind you down.

Anonymous

Stay safe, Lindsay. I think it’s safe for me to assume that this community appreciates and respects you.

Anonymous

Even if you feel the video was selfish in some way (I did what I wanted to do and I didn't threat model and I didn't blah blah blah), at the end of the day, I'm a patreon because I support YOU. This is plenty for me. The important thing is that you take care of yourself! I'm Inspired by the way you stand up to people and systems, it's exhausting work and you don't have a lot of people with you in waters like these. Take a vacation! I'll still here. That video was work. You're a fun and engaging creator but you're also a human who deserves nice things.

Anonymous

Commenting for anyone who made a mental note to donate to the Quileute Tribal Council but then forgot by the end of the video, like I did! There’s a link in the video description.

Anonymous

This video gives me a lot of emotions, but mostly just pain. Thinking about the path that one has to take to get here, it hurts to just think about it. The emotional journey culminating in the creation of this video is the nightmare of someone who is already in hell. I hope Lindsay is okay, like she says. I hope she has some good pillars in her life. As such, my suggestion is: be okay, Lindsay. Do a thing you enjoy. If you really feel like you "owe us" something, maybe post about it. Literally nothing would make me happier about my contribution to this patreon than to see you post simply "I had an amazing day and I feel fantastic!"

Anonymous

I'm glad you're going to be okay. I would be sad to see you go away from creating and honestly rewatched a bunch of your essays because they are just that good.

Sideshow Bob Stepping On Rakes

Personally, I've been trying to have tough conversations with (online) friends when I see them joining in on a dogpile. God knows I've done it, and I really want to try and make other people a little more conscious of whether what they're doing is ultimately helping or harming their community.

Anonymous

Thank you for all that you do. I’m sorry this happened to you.

shirou14

I just noticed you mentioned a DM from a friend, but didn't say their name to protect their privacy, but then you showed the comment and the name and icon were there. Not sure if that was intentional. Just letting you know in case it's not.

Anonymous

I just finished watching the video and came here to support on patreon for the first time. I'm sorry for this experience. It must be awful to deal with this all the time, year after year.

Anonymous

I sure wish you hadn't been through the stuff that gave you this perspective to share, but now that you have, I really appreciate hearing what it's like.

Anonymous

Watching this video really made me step back and think about all the times that I have engaged in a Twitter pile-on. I know that it's the height of privilege to not consider the consequences of my actions until it affects someone within my bubble. But I will definitely try to be better in the future after watching this. I also read your old blog about bi-erasure and it really helped put into words a lot of the internalized issues that I've been dealing with better than I could ever describe before. As always, thank you for the thought provoking content.

Anonymous

I'm just baffled that any of this happened or that this video got made. I think Lindsay is smart and capable so I trust that she is responding reasonably to the psychological experience and career incentives of microcelebrity. But I was at a loss as to why the good video essay lady needs to recap her traumas to me because of this madness. Then I got to these comments and see all the people saying they'll give additional money now I'm concerned it's maybe some unhealthy parasoical bonding thing between the audience where Lindsay thinks she needs to defend herself because of us? This is all insane and I do not want to contribute to the incentive structure that encourages it any way. Take my money and continue making good video essays on movies.

Anonymous

I love you. Thanks for all of your videos. Great of you to create such an insightful video out of dog shit. You are a great content creator and I hope to see even more video of you now that you are free from the haters

Anonymous

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. This is the kind of hate parade that has kept me out of local politics. And I'm not going to pretend that's any kind of loss to the world or something, but I wonder how many progressive voices never step into leadership roles for fear they'd be crucified for something stupid they said in college, or something taken out of context, or something entirely manufactured purely to undermine their credibility. I feel like this is less of a consideration for people on the right, who even before Donald Trump would often wear "being offensive" as a badge of honor.

Anonymous

Man, that was a big dose of reality. Reaffirmed what I already felt about my relationship with twitter (specifically the fact that I don't have one, and will continue to not have one).

Anonymous

I am so sorry that you have had to bear your soul like this. You deserve to keep private what you would like to keep private. I hope you're feeling a little better, at least some catharsis.

Anonymous

Thank you for this! You’re an incredible creator.

Anonymous

Piling on with the love, take care.

Anonymous

This video is so good it's gonna make me mass-delete my Twitter. Thank you for making this video. It could not have been easy for you, but I see its value.

Anonymous

The way you showed yourself as vulnerable in this vid proves how amazingly brave you are. You inspire me and thus keep making my life a bit brighter with each video. To see you hurt like this saddens me deeply.

Anonymous

I just watched your video. I'm so sorry for you that you have once again to put up with bullies, and supposedly ones that are on the "right side". But I'm also impressed that despite everything that regularly happens to you, you manage to create some of the best videos and book(s) I've watched and read. Thanks for every great piece of content you've been providing us with for years! :)

Rork

I can't stress enough to tell you my """love"""" of your work, as I started to watch your videos since you started, you know, somewhere. I would be very sad if I only have news from time to time via your novels. I don't know you, you'll never meet me and it's perfectly fine. But I think that it's very important for all people who watched your videos for years to continue to have news from you this way, and watch essays, sometimes (because I like that) your thoughts about a movie, a book or a show you just watched/read. So please continue your videos, and as you're not on twitter anymore, to make more videos that are not essays, or very 'prepared', but smaller things available only for your patrons. No joky joke or things that could only be understood by real friends irl, but friendly videos about things you want to share with people who want to follow you because they think that what you say is interesting and relevant and just like... who you are. (sorry if my english is bad, I'm french. Hope to be understood well, though)

Victoria Borges

This is such an important piece. Like a lot of others here, I'm simultaneously horrified that you felt you had to make it, and really grateful that you did. This sort of thing-- particularly the appropriation of antiracist rhetoric by white people in order to score points against other white people (and sometimes actual POC!!) in unrelated arguments-- has been happening more and more, even in the smaller online communities that my friends and I are in. And I really think it's true that the pandemic lockdown has made it worse. It's also true that this culture has created a lot of fear-- I myself have stayed away from creating things because I know I have cringe stuff in my internet past and I know I don't have the resources to defend against all the doxxing and slander that could happen at any time. And I know I'm not the only artsy nobody who feels this way; what probably saddens me the most about the Twitter Mob Threat is all the voices we don't get to hear from, all the art we'll never get to see, because it's just not safe to be a creative leftist in public. Anyway, while I'm on my little soapbox I'll also say that I've been a fan since the dark ages, and your work really means a lot to me, both as an aspiring creator and as a refuge from film theory academia. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Anonymous

Long-time subscriber, first time patron. Here to support!

Anonymous

I have been a fan of yours for years, I love your work, I admire how you have grown and changed as creator. We met once, years ago, in a fan meet up, and I just remember how surprised you looked that people showed up to it! (common expression on the faces of creators coming to NZ, no-one thinks they have fans this far away) you remembered my (not then but now current) partners name, despite them being too shy to talk all evening, which meant a lot, (I am terrible with names, so was very impressed). If you ever visit again and have anouther fan-meet nearby, I shall buy you a beer, but you'll have to tell me which one because I do not drink and have no concept of what counts as quality. Strength and hope going forward.

Anonymous

Lindsay, I love your work. I am a fan since the Pocahontas video on Channel Awesome. I would've never imagined that you will be hated this much on the internet. Call me naive. I'm deleting my Twitter account :)

Rob

Your video did remind me of why I generally stay away from social media. Thank's for that! Also you somehow managed to be depressing and funny at the same time. I enjoyed your video essays for quite a few years, but this one convinced me to join your patreon

Anonymous

Lindsay, I've been watching your stuff for some time now. Keep up the good work. I was never on twitter, always found it a cesspool and echo chamber. I enjoy your essays, please keep it up!

Anonymous

I've been a huge fan for nearing a decade, but finally got off my *** and became a patron just now to show you support best way I know how. Feel like this video landed the triple backflip you needed to. Both acknowledging and apologizing for wrongs, but finding a non-death penalty way to take on that burden, as well as being able to address "cancel culture" without being a boomer about it and undermining legit criticism & social justice. Here here!

Anonymous

I just signed up today after years of being entertained and educated by your content. The reason for this is I noticed you have Transformers Animated Starscream on your shrine, and I approve of this decision. In all seriousness, thanks for all you do and I hope you're well. You're the best at what you do.

Anonymous

Today I learned the phrase "threat modeling." Even without knowing what it was, and having no real audience for my creative endeavors, I've been doing the same for quite some time even in small-time personal social accounts. I can't imagine the exhaustion of doing it all the time, given the scrutiny you receive. You called it "self -defense, not discourse" (paraphrased), and that seems apt for much of what happens through social media channels. Thanks for the thorough dive into this, and sorry you had to unearth a lot from your past in order to to address your critics. Keep up the insightful work, and be well.

Anonymous

I'm not a $10 subscriber but how about a simple live chat or live podcast of Musicalsplaining? That would be dope.

Josie

I was glad to hear you say you'd be fine, Lindsay. I've been worried. I'm looking forward to your future videos/books/whatever else you decide to do! Also, I was thinking about joining twitter prior to this mess --thank you for pulling me back from the brink lol

Anonymous

I love everything you do and when I saw that ridiculous shit go down on Twitter I deleted the app. Thank you for so comprehensively articulating this real problem, and so fantastically rising above it. I can’t even imagine the depth of fucking pain this absolutely shitty behavior has brought to you, and you’re strength and resolve in not capitulating to it and interrogating it is very inspiring and makes me admire you all the more so. I’d certainly had my qualms about this phenomenon, even before Natalie’s video on the subject. It reminded me of a maxim that had echoed in my misanthropic head since around 2009, that there is no greater license to cruelty than the presumption of righteousness. Of course, at the time, I was thinking about Bush-era right-wing evangelicals. Holy shit. This is such a fucked up time. Thank you for arguing for nuance and good faith. Such efforts are sorely needed in this time. And of course I’ll always look forward to reading and watching anything you decide to produce because you are among the most thoughtful, intelligent, entertaining, and funny creators I’ve ever had the pleasure to follow. P.s. I purchased both pins from your feud with Natalie and promised one to my platonic soulmate. They chose yours because they liked your video more (a bit to my chagrin). So, in terms of pins, I have have to say I’m Team Natalie at the moment. But I’m always 100% with both of you all the time. Thank you for all the wonderful things you do. They all make me happy.

Anonymous

"what have I done to you? are you Rent fans?" sprayed fucking coffee out my nose. You'll be hearing from my nostrils' lawyers, obviously ;)

Anonymous

I felt so much pain in this video and it makes me very sad but thank you for bringing this important topic up. If it wasn't Twitter perhaps it would be another platform.

Anonymous

I just want you to know I enjoy your videos, and I am throwing a couple bucks your way. In any event I am sending positive thought waves in your general direction.

Anonymous

OMGGGG she had an NZ meetup??!? But but I'm in NZ and wasn't there!! 🤣

Cory Capron

Just when I thought I had run out of reasons to feel bad about voting for you to become the official Nostalgia [Cringe] and work for those garbage people all those years ago... Goddamn. Totally didn't know about that one. And then there's everything else. I can't even... This flies so far past "Don't let the bastards get you down" territory into full on need Kris Kristofferson to blast through the wall like a Stagger Mountain Tragedy singing Kool-aid guy here to wreck all the blood suckers level BS. Leave no RENT fan standing! Seriously though, I'm so, so sorry you are going through this. Have always loved your work and wish you the best.

Anonymous

OMG! LE is a human being! It doesn't get any worse than that! Looking forward to more videos! But twitter? No, no, no, don't be a twit!

Kyle Rudy

This video is so much more explanation than anyone deserves. It's also so much more wit, and craft, and raw emotion. Exceptional work. I look forward to whatever you produce next wherever you produce it, with the hope that you are given occasion to produce it from a place of joy rather than suffering.

Anonymous

I just want to hug Lindsey. It would take thousands of words to justifiably express more than that.

Anonymous

I've followed your for over a decade at this point (which wow I've gotten old). It really has been wonderful watching you grow as a video creator, and the depth of your analysis. I really don't get any of this, and it all feels like a good reminder of why I've started off twitter and most social media. But it did convince me to join your Patreon.

Anonymous

As a 10 dollar patron, what I suggest you do for me is take good care of yourself and create whatever you want whenever you want. I wish you all possible fortitude and thank you for much illumination and fun over the years.

Anonymous

All of your videos are 🔥. Thank you for all your thoughtful and insightful content!

Anonymous

I deleted my fucking Twitter when all this went down. Was the total last straw for me. This video is a much better explanation than any of those silly bastards deserve. Take care Lindsay.

Anonymous

THe fact that there are people refusing to watch this and understand what happened just proves your point, I love your content and hope things get better over time.

Anonymous

Hey... I've never been into Twitter. But I too have written a book. I'm really close to publishing. There is always a chance that people will not like my book. I don't know if I've done enough "threat analysis". Would you recommend writing under a pseudonym? Would that even help?

Anonymous

Hi Lindsay, I know it doesn't mean a lot coming from some rando, but I think you're the bee's knees!

Will Banning

Always been a fan, now a full patron. Screw twitter! Loved all your videos. I hope you keep doing what you're doing for as long as you love doing it!

ChalkyChalkson

Hi! Sorry to hear what happened to you - rejoined after allocating funds elsewhere for a while, assumed you might have seen a hit to your numbers here

Anonymous

I've been a fan for a long time. Now I'm a patron. Fuck the beast. Thank you for your work, it's awesome.

Anonymous

Fuck all of the haters. You rock Lindsay!

Anonymous

I've never been the subject of huge harassment campaigns like you, but I was on a queer TTRPG podcast for about two years, and during that time, there was at least one (possibly more!) person who took it upon themselves to inform everyone that I was, in fact, A Bad Person, and demand that all my friends apologize for knowing me. If you've never gotten to try it, truly nothing compares when it comes to making you feel like you are poisonous, and doing actual damage to people by virtue of simply knowing them. All this is to say, this was a really good video that resonated with me a lot, and I'm so sorry you had to make it. I'm glad you're going to be alright. Please take care of yourself.

Anonymous

Been watching your vids for a few years now and I have to say this was so powerful and unrelenting I went through pretty much every emotion I know, and happy to say my first patreon account is for you! Fuck those feckless thugs you do you and thanks for all the quality, thoughtful material!

Anonymous

Great video. I'm really tired of people who know full well criticism against them is in bad faith performatively admitting to some perceived wrongdoing in order to placate the good faith people observing from the outside who might otherwise buy into the bad faith trolling.

Anonymous

Been following you for a long time and I'm also sorry you were forced to make this video. I've been through a lot of crap (coming out, a few suicide attempts, unwanted subject of attention) and what got me through was a few good friends. I worry a bit about your alcohol intake and hope it's watered down :P, but I hope you are ok. No one deserves what you are going through.

Anonymous

Graceful and articulate as ever. Water off a ducks back girl x

Anonymous

Thank you for that. Appreciate the reminder that we're all actual humans with our own experiences that shape us and aren't necessarily anyone else's business. Hope it was cathartic. Keep being the best you.

Anonymous

Sending lots of love Lindsay. Hope you're taking care of you.

Anonymous

Hope you're doing okay. It's not much, but we're paying patrons now <3

Anonymous

I joined Patreon recently, but have been watching your videos for a while and have really enjoyed them. Glad to support you, and preordered your second book, too! (but that's cause the first one was so good, and didn't know it was available until you mentioned it, so .... yeah.)

Andrew L Butula

Anyone else miss that the "whiskey" was called Writer's Tears? For a few minutes there I thought you had the tolerance of a goddamn viking. Beautiful video Lindsay, I just wish I'd signed up to your patreon earlier.

Anonymous

Increased my support. It’s not much but I just wanted to show my continued support. So sorry you have been dealing with all this hell.

Anonymous

Sincerely sorry for everything that happened to you, and I'm glad that you're saying you didn't lose anything from it. This video got me to support you on Patreon. I don't know if it was because I felt bad for what happened to you, or if I just wanted to put my money where my mouth is regarding supporting creators who actually say something meaningful and sincere. My suggestion for a future video (for my self-interest in all honesty), play a video game, any video game, and talk about what you think about it. I've always been curious about what you think about the video game medium, given that your channel primarily concerns itself with film and television. I would love to know how you feel about it even if it is something you don't think you could provide a meaningful opinion of it, which I understand. Although given that Gamergate came up as a sore subject in this video, I would understand wanting to stay away from anything related.

Anonymous

I’m so sorry you were put in a position where you felt the need to make this. Take care of yourself.

Anonymous

I have no idea if you read comments here, but i have finally gotten around to supporting you on Patreon in light of this nonsense. You are a freaking treasure. I haven't logged on to twitter for a bit so i missed all of it. But this video . . . oh my god, this video. I laughed. I cried. And I'm so sorry you had to expose yourself like this since you've never really made very many personal vids and mentioned that things are (correctly) NONE OF OUR BUSINESS. We're your fans, not your friends. But as I said on YouTube, you are welcome in the Bi Club, as you've always been. Thank you for acknowledging the invalidity that bi men go through too. Love your work and can't wait to see more of what you do best. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go buy a "Team Lindsay" pin if they're still available.

Anonymous

Now #TeamLindsay even has the better cancelling video than that other team. Going to wear my pin with pride. But seriously, I am glad you are going to be okay. Take care of yourself. I am looking forward to supporting more great work from you. Including the next book!

Anonymous

Thank you for doing what you do, Lindsey. 🤘And I hope you didn’t have a headache after all those shots. 😳

Anonymous

Same here! I never felt like contributing to patreon was worth my limited income, but damn..seeing all that bullshit caused by Twitter made me feel like it was worth rewarding her for saying what she said.

Anonymous

I'm really bad with what to say with something like this but just know you have a lot of people that really care for you. I've looked up to you since I was in high school (now v much a working adult) and I've just always found you so funny and so intelligent and give off the same energy I really hope to give out. You're videos undoubtedly always make me laugh, think, and then laugh again and completely changed how I consume media (along with all of your other friends that are also getting this weird backlash for some reason)! Thank you so much for speaking out, I wish it wasn't even necessary in the first place but I think you did a really good job. Love your videos so much and can't wait to see what a you free of the shackles of twitter creates!!

Anonymous

So, was a bit unaware you were going through this.... hope this was helpful, cathartic, and somewhat beneficial for you? Side note---as you have mentioned the Dresden Dolls, Amanda Palmer's "There Will Be No Intermission" is worth listen for further healing purposes? Best of luck with future endeavors on Twitter and other postings... we all seek to ensure we educate ourselves and reflect from past indiscretions. So yes. This was a good thing and worth the watch. Thank you.

Anonymous

Long time fan, but this video convinced me to join your patreon. You showed your weakness, hopefully we can give you strength!

Anonymous

I like your videos very much. My brother works in film (for John Green actually!). I was never really into it (I’m a bad person and watch most thing on my phone) but I really enjoyed learning new things by watching your videos. I started talking to my brother more because of this and we text a regularly now (before we would only interact on Christmas). That’s meant a lot to me during the COVID times. Thank you, I hope you are well.

Anonymous

Your videos are some of my absolute favorites. Always inciteful and entertaining without ever coming across as pretentious. This video feels important, it's such an excellent analysis of a real issue in our society. Thank you for even making a response to a bogus scandal a truly fascinating, moving, and informative piece of art.

Vladimir Barash

Lindsay, I'm sorry. This is terrible, and I am very sorry this happened to you. I wish for you to be able to get past the trauma and the abuse, even though I know it will never truly go away. And I wish more than anything for the abusers to stop, even though I know they never truly will.

Anonymous

I've been watching your videos for a few years now, and I just wanted to say how much I appreciate them. I always learn something new and find your perspective on things nuanced and insightful. Thanks for all you do, and I'm sorry you've had to go through this insanity. Take care.

Anonymous

I want “whomst” merch. Thank you Lindsay. I can’t say anything as well as you. So just thank you.

Anonymous

This video was absolutely brilliant. Thank you for making it, although I’m so sorry you had to.

Anonymous

Like others, I've been a long time fan, but this finally pushed me to join your Patreon. I've really appreciated your video essays for making me aware of media trends that had always kind of been in the back of my head, but I'd never fully thought about. Whatever you end up doing in the future, I, and plenty of others will be, for fatigue and lack of braincells to seek out better phrasing, jazzed as hell to see it. Take care, and I hope you're able to have some time for yourself, cause you deserve it. <3

Natalie Arnold

Oooof. That was heavy. Can I send you some soft animals to hug in addition to my monthly payment? You probably could use those more. (Also what do you mean it's been 13 years I've been watching you since the start and I'm not that old wait how does time work)

Anonymous

Excellent video as usual. Been a fan since the CA days and this is one of, if not the most emotionally impactful videos I've seen of yours. Really hit me hard. Thank you for doing what you do, and I can't wait to see what the future has in store. Much love!

Anonymous

Glad you're doing well. Great video.

Anonymous

❤❤❤

Anonymous

We had been meaning to bump our contribution for a while now, but off the back of this we ABSOLUTELY had to. I don't think I've ever seen anyone describe this with the level of intimacy that this essay has. Thank you for sharing the story, and thank you for connecting the dots. And, y'know, for also being self-aware and reflective and challenging the idea that we should all know everything of your life. all of that is just some real adult shit. I know this must have been so hard to put together, and I want you to know it will stay with me for a long time.

Anonymous

So you created an apology video, in which you’re driven to drink, feel unfortunately compelled to bring up uncomfortable details of your private life to defend yourself, and yet are still being flippantly dismissed on social media by people unwilling to engage with its content? Are you suuuuure you’re not a celebrity? Glad you’re back.

Steven Gibson

You contract should require that you be referred to at all times as The Indefatigable Lindsay Ellis. Great video.

Anonymous

This was a very well done video. And yes F*** Twitter. I'm preordering your book after watching

Anonymous

I've been thinking about this incident since it happened way too much, compounding off lingering anger and frustration from past incidents. I'm really grateful for the end of the video where Lindsay puts into words some of the same conclusions I've come to in a way where I hope maybe some people will absorb it, even if they only take it in subconsciously while continuing to think of themselves as righteous. A corollary I've thought of in the past few days has to do with the way people seem to perceive "content" producers as powerful. Everyone assumes that if your work is being seen you're somehow rich, the "I work for Duck Tales" effect. Some of it is a lot of the people on social media are young and poor with no hope of any career more stable than maybe someday being hired by a grocery store. I think those folks (I know many people like this) resent people who make things because they want to be doing more but don't have the energy. That's definitely a real contingent. But even people who should know better engage in this, and I think it's because to acknowledge that Lindsay has no real power is to admit that the power of the Twitter mob is meaningless. To admit that nothing she's said has the power to directly hurt someone is to own that nothing they've ever said has the power to actually help. That feels bad to admit because we live in a society that devalues things like art and storytelling already and Twitter is a place where words can feel like they matter. And our feelings do matter, but not as much as action matters. Part of why I have been so furious these past few weeks is that people put so much energy into cancelling Lindsay but they never show up when it's time to knock doors for your local state rep or help college students jump through hoops to get registered to vote. If people actually cared about anything real at all I wouldn't be the only person at every town meeting. I am so sad and so angry at humanity. PS - Book contracts that require you to have a social media account are BS. Please hire someone else to do that if you can.

C

Longtime fan. Glad you made this video because you talked about a lot of serious stuff that needs to be said more and more these days. The Beast is a good term for it. But sorry about all the shit that led to you making the video. Thank you. And fuck those diet-Nazis.

Anonymous

You will continue to have my support, and you honestly are an inspiration. I got my shirt and my pins. I will proudly wear Team Lindsay and Team Natalie. You're the kind of person these people should aspire to be, that I aspire to be. Thank you for being you, lady. Take care of yourself. Get hugs.

Anonymous

So I thought I had seen a lot since being on the internet since the elder days, but this shit....this broke my heart. Like always, however, you’ve managed to spin gold out of straw and have been insightful, witty, and done it all with a face beat for the gods. I can only applaud express my heartfelt sympathy. To better days ahead! P.S. the Tati references are f**king sending me. I can’t. I see you girl.

max_rbmc

I just wanted to say that this was (and I'm 10 min. from end) a refreshing apology video that apologizes for some things, and not for the things that don't need to be apologized for. (and if you care, I actually initially also mis-interpreted your tweet, but between your March 27 post here and some other stuff I read, I got the context and suddenly it made sense.) Also thanks for having Natalie's back.

Anonymous

I have loved your work for years. This video made me throw at least a meager bit of money to you to finally support it. I am sorry you went through all of this. I appreciate your honesty and candor in what was likely a very difficult video to make.

Anonymous

Twitter is trash. It's a somewhat pleasant, floating layer of actual good humor floating on a sea of the performatively woke and the performatively unwoke screaming at each other. And, though I hate how it happened, and how you were forced to do so, you shared some powerful, vulnerable stuff, and I commend your courage in doing so. My support for you will not dilute in any way. Even if you ARE from Tennessee. (That's a joke, y'all).

Alistair Struck

Just adding my voice here. You're funny, talented, insightful, and kind, and we're here to support you! Thanks for fighting oppression's narratives and awakening critical thinking in media.

Anonymous

The best way I could think of to offer my support was to join your Patreon. I've enjoyed your essays for years, no matter what others who don't even watch them may say, so here I am. Keep doing what you're doing, or don't. Whatever makes you happiest is fine with me. PS. I haven't used Twitter for at least a couple of years. One day I sat down and considered whether it made me feel better or worse about myself and the world, and afterwards I stopped using it altogether.

Anonymous

Lindsay, I want to put my support here too. Though the last year has been ridiculous and sometimes hard to bear, during it I found your videos and your commentary and humor and insight not only kept me entertained and distracted but also engaged in a level of discourse I was badly missing in isolation. Please accept my sincere appreciation. You're awesome.

Anonymous

I think you should dedicate several weeks to napping and worry about us much, much later. Jesus Christ, I'm sorry.

Anonymous

I hope you know that how much we support you and love your work. The shit you and your friends have gone through in the last few... well, internets, is just... FUCK. Please take good care of yourself and don't worry about us... we're here for you. With our dollars, affection, and appreciation for all that you've done. <3 <3 <3

Anonymous

I just wanted to add my voice to the support on here. I've been watching your videos for 10+ years and I can say my life is genuinely better for it.

Anonymous

Been a fan for almost a decade and decided to finally comment to say your work has been important to me. Your videos balancing humor, nuance, and scathing critique have entertained and enlightened me. I hope to see more from you. But, I understand if you decide that you've done enough. You endured far more abuse than any person should for your beliefs. (Also decided to donate to you as a middle finger to the fascists that want to tear us apart. Fuck 'em)

Anonymous

Just upped my subscription to the $10 level. Put my name on anything and everything you want, or don't, whatever. Just keep doing your thing.

Anonymous

I can’t think of another YouTuber I would watch an hour an forty minutes of , but I’m so glad I did. Like so many times I’ve watched your videos I learned something I didn’t know. I hope that you continue to create so that so can continue to learn. Thank you for all that you do.

Anonymous

Nice to learn about what happened. I'm blissfully unaware of Twitter most of the time, and I hope your life improves for its absence. I think you've done a great job of laying out some of the maladaptive behaviors that social media, and especially Twitter, can encourage. I agree that the hypervigilance and for any missetep has a big negative impact on many progressive and / or marginalized communities. It's a shame, but I don't know how one would go about improving it, aside from moving to better avenues of communication. Maybe something that doesn't purposely strip context. Context is so key to how we understand everything. I'm also increasingly convinced that social media in general is (perhaps unintentially, thanks to prioritizing profits) designed to destroy communities and the social fabric. It's all too easy to exploit social behavior until people become hardened, cynical, and switch instead to asocial behavior to avoid being exploited and abused. You could even way it's a self-propagating behavioral shift. The original social behaviors are fundamentally what holds real communities together. Without them, we're just a mess of individuals, trapped in a shitty system together. All the easier to control, I guess, but a lot less useful and powerful than real communities. Anyways, good for you. It's the classic War Games, "only winning move is not to play". You have to just accept that some people will chose to be upset with you. It isn't useful to listen to those people, or try to please them. It's just harmful.

Anonymous

I supported your patreon for 2 years previously, and been following your work since 08 cause honestly, you are a great, insightful content creator. I don't use Twitter much so I missed the debacle but I watched your video and 100% decided to get back on the support. Can't let the trolls win.

Anonymous

I've always enjoyed your work (even the "chick" phase). I hope you continue at your own pace. I'm rooting for you.

Cristina Anderson

A very well done video! I love your work and fuck twitter im glad that you are free of it! Continue being awesome Lindsay <3

Anonymous

"I don’t know what. I don’t know. I’m tired. Leave suggestions below." can you do an entire video on pro/anti-shipping because I am _fascinated_

Anonymous

I have been moved emotionally, but perhaps more importantly for the short term I've been moved to support you at the higher passion tier. I support you 100%.

Anonymous

That was so hard to watch.. I am disgusted that get bullied again. I guess people are shit no matter the side of the fence they stand on. Anyways, I really wanted to tell you that I follow many youtubers, but you are the only one that whenever I see you posted a new video, I know I will make time in my day to watch, even if it's the end of the semester and I am in it way over my head and said video si almost 2 hours long. You always have this amazing way to analyse subjects I never even thought about in a profound enough manner that it will open my mind on new things, while at the same time managing to keep it entertaining. Fuck haters, all of them, you are the best, don't change!

Anonymous

I've had similar fears of how prevalent this phenomenon has gotten over the past few years. It's both validating and terrifying to hear it laid out like this. I'm hopeful that with you and others talking about how toxic it is, more people will listen and we can change course but I am so sorry that it had to get this bad in the first place. Please take care of yourself. ❤️

Anonymous

Chic's guitarist is Nile *Rodgers* - their music isn't totally my style, but he's a frickin' fascinating genius and I've whiled away a few fascinating hours just listening to people interview him! Plus there's a beyond adorable video of him interviewing The Roches on VH-1's "New Visions Folk" while looking extremely 1989. Oh yeah, and the cancel thing. You're cool. Hang in there and put good into the world.

Mister Joshua

I'd have been happy to have my name on it, but it understandable. Real mess all around. But as for "making it up to us" at the ten dollar level? I think we're fine. If you win the lotto, maybe mail us a few ounces of that writers tears. I'm sure it was mostly a prop, but damn that is a good whiskey.

Anonymous

Adding another drop of positivity into what I hope is becoming a very full barrel for you. The viciousness you have suffered is unimaginable. You did not owe us, or them, or anyone, anything, and yet you were able to create something meaningful out of a whole lot of bad faith, vile, aggression. I am deeply sorry for all the pain you have suffered, and communicate to you the depths of my gratefulness for the nuance, kindness, and rigor you bring to your work. We are not friends; we will never meet; regardless, please accept my goodwill and thanks and support. It's all I can offer from this side of parasociality. xx

Anonymous

I'm genuinely sorry this happened. By way of a virtual hug, I've just upped my Patreon tier. Whatever you make, we'll be thrilled to watch it!

Anonymous

You're a great content creator, please don't lose sight of that. You (and everyone) deserve better treatment than you've received. I think it's plain, simple sexism at work. A GIRL....ON THE BOY INTERNET?! Sigh. Well, the manwich trolls will always have the hot dog face gif, I suppose. Know that you have many, many fans of your work, and we don't need you to explain yourself in any way other than the work itself. Death of the author, and all that.

Anonymous

Raya? Ray-seen it...when it was called Avatar. I feel that's the essence of the infamous tweet. One of my favorite jokes (D..Spade on SNL on Casino). I'm sorry you've had to deal with all this sh!t. I can't even imagine. Loved the video, love all your videos. Keep doing what you do.

Anonymous

I'm sure you will not read this but, from faraway Barcelona I wanted to say that you have my axe, or my bow or my whatever. I saw this unraveling with you and Contrapoints, also with Princess Weekes and it still baffles me to which extent the left will cannibalize itself. As you said, diet nazis must be sleeping soundly. It warmed my heart to see Khadija, TLJ or Sarah Z comment on your video about the insanity of it all. I too have suffered from *undisclosed* and joking about it has been extremely helpful and cathartic. If you want to leave hellscape twitter forever I’m sure a lot of people will follow you to whichever social media you find less toxic. I’ve just upgraded my patreon tier because fuck it at least get some money out of the whole absolute shit you’ve been through and going through, I’m sure it doesn’t help but it makes me feel I’m doing something. Lots of parasocial love <3

Anonymous

Honest suggestion: Keep doing what you're doing, you've handled this beautifully (not that I think there should've been anything to "handle" in the first place). I've been wanting to say this for weeks but like seriously -- you don't need Twitter (or any internet hivemind) to define your success or failure, sooo many people exist entirely outside the Twitterverse and we're here for you & you only. I know you know this but I hope it helps. That said, I think this video is nothing but proof you're made of industrial-grade titanium steel. As a 20 something chick I aspire to be as eloquent and grounded and collected as you someday. Thanks for everything, keep on keeping on <3

Anonymous

So sorry you had to go through this. You have my sympathy for so many reasons. Keep up the excellent work and hopefully the haters won't pull you down.

Anonymous

Is there a writing trope name for the horrible bargain you strike when you produce a really excellent piece of work out of suffering? I love this video and it will nourish me much as your videos with happier inspirations have. Thank you and I'm sorry. "As content creators our behavior online turns from due diligence into threat modeling" "Every thought is a hostage situation" So well said. One of the major bummers about all the Beast Enforcement Efforts (especially by the danged whites) is that there ARE people doing helpful activism out there and it sure as shit isn't this. It SAPS time and energy from activism. It punishes or prevents collaboration with ideologically impure but influential people. It replaces activism for privileged progressives, excuses or erases their own biases. It dampens earnest discourse. It demands that you spend your production time combing your work for Sin instead of on something more useful. And goodness knows how many potential creators who would have ACTUALLY contributed a marginalized perspective never started creating in the first place because of it. I'm sad for anyone victimized like this and I'm also sad that we've shown this savvy, progressive, energetic new generation that running women off of Twitter is better politics than vote canvassing. It's like you said, admitting that it's bullying for sport is almost better, because when you get to pretend it IS activist work then the devastating waste of time and human energy is compounded, is supported, by an addictive (but ultimately unsatisfying) sense of righteousness. And, shit, I get it. Unsavory alliances made to get legislation passed don't feel good the way trashing an unsympathetic online villain does. I can't imagine much I'd like to do less than go knock on PEOPLE'S DOORS like a SERIAL KILLER and try to talk to them about local elections. I'm infinitely more likely to read multiple damning screenshot drama threads in a day than I am to do a single Americans of Conscience Checklist item. It's hard out here and anything that's social and easy and almost pleasant that we get to call politics feels amazing. But in addition to diverting energy that real movement work needs, this shit just isn't emotionally nutritious and even if you do it with glee it can start to feel like Against is your only meaningful option when it comes to political stances, people, or art, and that's exhausting and depressing. It truly is the CinemaSins of leftist engagement strategies lol Let's not forget that in your compelling, careful, accessible work you have done WAY, WAY more for The Cause than any of these screenshot-compiling shitgoblins are doing. It's frustrating not to be able to form a bold movement identity around the concept of nuance haha. But, uh, if it's not too awkward for you to have it phrased this way, Team Lindsay.

Anonymous

It is obvious to anyone who watches Lindsay's videos that she is a thoughtful person who means well. I don't always agree with her, but I always enjoy the thought she puts into her work. I'm upping my pledge. Seriously, the haters can go f right off.

Anonymous

Once, I was inspired. Now, I'm sad, and tired. And if that's how *I* feel after just *watching* this, I can't even imagine what you've been going through. I'm no writer, I'm not good with the words, and I can't figure out how to send whiskey or ice cream or a big soft puppy through an Internet comment box (maybe it's an API thing?) so I'm at a bit of a loss for what to say or do. I hope we (as a community and as a species) can learn to do better by each other, before it's too late. I hope you are feeling loved and supported and valued. I hate that you had to make this video, but I'm thankful that you did, and I admire your wit, strength, and courage more than ever. Maybe I'm coming around to feeling inspired again (albeit still very sad, and very tired). We do live in a fundamentally unjust world, but it's a better world for having you in it.

Anonymous

Between this and the lupine-kerfufle I'm definitely invested in this drama. For real though, I think Lindsay did a lovely job of addressing the long standing tendency of progressive twitter to blow its own brains out trying to self correct itself. Bravo and keep up the good fight. I'm still waiting on my next Whole Plate episode though Lindsay. >:(

Anonymous

This was really affecting. I read Jon Ronson’s book a few years ago, and I remember being appalled at the vicious mob mentalities on display, and the real-world consequences for their targets (or indeed, their collateral damage). It certainly made me re-examine my own behaviour. I’m so sorry you had to go through this, and I can’t imagine it being easy to produce this video either - but kudos to you for not letting the bastards grind you down. Sending love and support from Singapore ❤️

Anonymous

Sending you lots of love and support. I will miss your voice on Twitter, but completely understand. And I hope you still keep making content (sorry, Kaveh) because it is truly, truly appreciated and wonderful. ❤️

Adam de la Cruz

As someone who is technically the target of some of your "sins" (Asian and Autistic), it really is frustrating to see my identity be used to attack others when ACTUAL issues that bug me are straight up white washed by the "progressive" spaces that are often hateful against my own kind ironically enough. And as someone who is from the same internet generation as you, it is disheartening to see "progressive" spaces get infiltrated by bad faith actors who clearly no different from the gamergaters, the stalkerish fans, and all the other nasty internet communities of past year and watch as they get seduced by diet nazism and not realizing it. And as a fan back when you were known as a different name making videos that have aged poorly because we all didn't know better, I salute you and glad you finally decided to say "fuck being polite" and let it out. Yeah, it probably won't do anything in the long run but sometimes an hour-length tequila influenced "Fuck all yall" is what we all need and you definitely earned a few for all the shit you have received.

Anonymous

I am so sorry that this has happened to you. Again. These are bad faith attacks and in no way, shape or form deserved. You should not have to defend yourself like this. I see that this has been hard for you, and my heart goes out to you. I know it makes little difference, but I will gladly continue to stand behind and support you.

Anonymous

waaaaaaaaaiiit . . . . did you intentionally make this almost to the SECOND the exact same length as Contrapoints????? Please tell me this isn't a coincidence. I love this!!!

Anonymous

Well, this is the video that pushed me over the edge into direct financial support (well, not counting the book pre-orders). I should stop typing, erasing, and retyping this message at some point. You didn't deserve what happened to you. I don't think anyone deserves the stuff that happened to you. I'm so tired. My very existence is literally being aggressively legislated into oblivion and the people who say they are on my side can't be bothered to give a shit because they are too busy attacking somebody who has repeatedly used their platform to defend people like me. It's infuriating. I'm furious on your behalf. I wish I could afford to support you at a higher level, but I just really wanted you to know that I appreciate the work you put out and the obvious effort you put into being a decent human being.

Anonymous

That was exhausting. Thank you.

AppleSnaps

This video... omfg. I finally became a patron today because a thumbs up didn’t feel like enough.

Anonymous

As hank green said: This is a @thelindsayellis appreciation post

Anonymous

This video is terrific and so are you

Anonymous

Considering how much I enjoy your videos, I should've become a supporter sooner, but I guess like many others this one finally pushed me to do it. Hopefully it helps.

Anonymous

I've been wanting to make a Patreon account for a while anyway, but your last video convince me ^^ I wanted to show you a lil support. This is a shit storm and you don't deserve it. Hang in there, you're one of my favorite content creator.

Anonymous

Just joined to support you! Should have done it a while ago.

Jake Sullivan

joined to support you as well. go Lindsay! Greetings from Switzerland

Anonymous

I think it was the right choice. Look after yourself, Lindsay.

Anonymous

Thank you for sharing this video. It can't have been easy, and I really appreciate it. I have enjoyed watching your videos since 2009 myself, and I witnessed a lot of the previous apologies you mentioned; it's a shame the internet has such a selective memory. Crossing my fingers that this decade will be the one where people start to remember that almost everyone online is a human being and therefor fallible and capable of change.

Murray Sutherland

I hope that you still have a "doing what you love" feeling for video essays. All the best.

Anonymous

I've never had a Twitter account and after watching this I can safely say I will never be getting one! Glad to hear you are carrying on making CONTENT.

Anonymous

Thank you for your video. I hope you're allright. I've enjoyed watching your videos since the channel awesome era and I wasn't aware of that shitstorm until yesterday. Bravo for the essay

Anonymous

Hi Lindsay, I really hope that video was helpful and/or cathartic for you! I hope you’re in a good place! 🇮🇪

Anonymous

I trust you will be fine. I'm just sorry that you have to deal with this sh-... stuff instead of making the content you're interested in.

Anonymous

Actually, I'd be proud to have my name on this video -- well done! And not saying this was the only reason for all the vitriol directed at you, but I can't help but wonder if a certain author/fanbase you critiqued last year deliberately targeted you (or at least encouraged the hate) in retaliation?

Anonymous

I’m so sorry you’ve had to deal with this nonsense. I hope you’re keeping well

Anonymous

Lindsay, I am so sorry. I am sorry *this* is why you are talking about what happened to you openly. It was hard for me to talk about what happened to me with people I *knew* and *trusted*. I can't imagine how it must feel to be revealing your history because of the actions of all these absolute low-lives. You didn't deserve this.

Anonymous

I’m sorry that you’ve had to deal with this trash for so long. You’re a brilliant, talented author, researcher and essayist, and it’s always a pleasure to see you on YouTube. I hope this comment will help, even a little. Take care.

Anonymous

You are *UNDISCLOSED F-WORD* amazing.

Anonymous

I joined Patreon after seeing this video on Youtube, because I truly hate the amount of shit you've been getting ever since you 'joined the internet'. It's also an ultimate reminder to me that I'm happy I never joined Twitter and that I still don't understand how something like this ever got so powerful. Anyway, I'm glad to support you this way, your content has always been entertaining and inspiring and I really think we need your nuanced analyses in times like these!

NativeRunner

Great video. I really appreciate you trying to find away to make the public discourse better. Your logic and writing are impeccable. Thank you for always making the world better!

Blue Gemini

Honestly thank you SO much for how candid you were. I just rewatched Natalie's Cancelling video yesterday and honestly she was SO measured and deferential in that video and it's really refreshing to see how honest and blunt you are about this whole thing. You have not deserved the YEARS of harassment, abuse, threats, and pain that online vultures of all varieties have caused you. ANY time you've said something that made me feel the slightest bit uneasy (which is literally MAYBE twice, if that) I've always given you the benefit of the doubt because I know from your work that you are a kind and empathetic person who means no harm, and are just as fallible as every other human I could write my own essay on how disgusting the behavior of people on twitter is, but suffice it to say that of the many sins of the twitter mob, the one that is most unforgivable is that their constant harassment (almost always of marginalized people) is masked in the name of social justice, which is just plain and simple gaslighting. And the people hurling the abuse KNOW they're gaslighting and they do it anyway. And as much as they probably deserve it, I hope those people never have to endure the pain of someone digging through and scrutinizing every single thing they've ever said or done for perceived morality breaches that can be weaponized to attack a person they've already decided to crucify JUST FOR FUN. It's a disgusting example of human cruelty at it's lowest and I'm so fucking sorry you've had to endure this for so many years. The fact that it was even NECESSARY for you to talk about your own sexual abuse in order to deflect claims that you yourself were making light of other people's sexual abuse is revolting. Back in one of your earlier videos you showed a clip from Maleficent where she wakes up without her wings, and Angelina Jolie very effectively plays this is a "morning after rape" scene, and you said "I get it girl." And I just nodded my head and understood what you were saying. You shouldn't have had to go through the laundry list of unpacking your own abuse to quell the twitter mob and honestly I'm furious that it was necessary in the first place. I can go on and on but please know that anyone with half a brain can see that you have always created content in good faith, that you are an intelligent and empathetic person, and that you have NEVER not for a second deserved ANY of the harassment and abuse that's been leveled at you. I will always support you, just as I will always support Natalie, because I believe what you do on Youtube is genuinely good for the world. I will always support you, Lindsay, and I hope you're taking some time to be kind to yourself and surround yourself with support ❤️❤️❤️

Anonymous

I'm so sorry that you've had to experience people weaponizing one of the worst experiences of your life against you for over a decade now, nobody deserves that. I'm glad that you have a support system of people to lean on. Also, I'm one of your $10 patrons, and I wanted to say don't worry about feeling like you need to make it up to us or anything. I'm not a patron of yours just to get my name in the credits of your videos, I'm a patron because watching your work genuinely brings me joy.

Anonymous

So much of what you said struck home for me, a person who had the smallest possible amount of social media attention on GOT-critical tumblr. I loved your point about "the beast" because it becomes so easy for leftists to say "cancel culture doesn't exist, just do better" and move on from there when there is a rather clear and obvious pattern of what's been happening, bodies of work be damned. It's textbook cases of bad faith engagement, and it is exhausting. Thank you for summing up so much of this cogently and thoughtfully; you may think it may not change minds but if just one person steps back from Twitter dogpiles as a result, it will be an inching in the right direction.

Adam Greene

Whelp, this is the video that got me to finally sign-up. Gracious, honest, and absolutely brutal at points. It's a masterclass in how to genuinely apologize without allowing yourself to take blame and responsibility for things you aren't responsible for. It made me want to fight every single person that has tried to use some of these "gotchas," which is a sign of how Twitter has also twisted how I react to things in a distinctly negative way. For us white folks, there is a lot in this video that we need to listen to, learn, internalize, and try to put into effect going forward. Incredibly powerful video. Thank you for this.

Anonymous

This is an incredibly powerful video. That you had the strength and courage to turn even this horrible experience (after so many others in your life) into something that educates and makes many people think in new ways is a testament to what a truly valuable and extraordinary person you are. No, this won't alter the world today. But I do think it will do good. Stay strong.

Anonymous

I have been a fan of Lindsay Ellis since the days of Channel Awesome (before finding out how much of a horror show that was for many of the creators there.) As soon as I found out about that, I went on the hunt to find all of them and support them. I have loved LE's content and have always eagerly awaited for her new content. This video shows a strength...that some folks have never had to tap into, and others have to don everyday just to get through the day. Hearing everything you have experienced (that was talked about in this video) humanizes LE deeply. This isn't me saying she wasn't ever human but as someone I looked up to as a symbol and goal...it was refreshing to experience that the person on the screen is in fact a human...just like me. :) Thank you...so very much LE. I (among so many others) have the utmost respect for you. I'm sorry I'm late to this Chez Lindsay party but I'm here now, and here for good!

Anonymous

The only thing you would ever owe us is taking care of yourself first. You are a wonderful human.

Anonymous

I'm at the part where you talk about living under the 'shadow of the beast' and that's a HUGE reason why I've not got (ahem) my own content out there. Absolutely terrifying. Yes, I get that I don't have anything profound to say, that I may not add in any way to human culture or any kind of discourse but regardless (and you could argue that having something key to say / add to the collective human journey etc is something determined by your audience and not necessarily you, or at least that's what can occur - going from something you put out there to something put on you ), it's blood chillingly TERRIFYING.

Anonymous

"I'm also increasingly convinced that social media in general is (perhaps unintentially, thanks to prioritizing profits) designed to destroy communities and the social fabric. It's all too easy to exploit social behavior until people become hardened, cynical, and switch instead to asocial behavior to avoid being exploited and abused." I agree wholeheartedly. It genuinely seems either the creators of these platforms have no understanding of how friendships and social circles actually work, or the entire framework is just malicious and purposeful. As they tend to get more cash the more random stranger names they throw into your face, I lean toward the latter. How weird that Google+ looks slightly better in hindsight. Unwieldy and redundant, but I'm suspecting what with the Circles they had at least something vaguely resembling a better idea.

Anonymous

Thank you for this, Lindsay. This was one of the most powerful videos I have seen in a while . I don’t spend much time on Twitter, so I missed pretty much everything apart from the aftermath. In truth, your video made me reconsider how I act on line (though I’m not into “outing racists”). Your video put into words things I’ve been thinking for a long time.

Anonymous

Oh and please keep creating content! I don’t give a fuck about Twitter, but I’ll gladly continue to support your work

Anonymous

Also want to add something that just stuck me off your last line and observation of the video: karma. Side-note: This term has been appropriated (and I say 'appropriated' in a NEUTRAL sense) by the West (surprise, surprise) to mean a broad sense 'what goes around comes around' but always in a negative framing. It actually means both - good deeds and bad deeds. But anyway, many of these people who get on their high horse enough to feel absolutely compelled to tweet vitriol from said saddle are also quick to dish out things like 'karma, bitch' when they never see the irony of dishing out hate and fully expecting it *not* to come back to them one day. O-k....

Anonymous

This is an excellent video, Lindsay. I appreciate your honesty (parts of it were genuinely hard to watch), but you describe something that I, and no doubt many others, have struggled to put our fingers on. I scrapped a lot of my online presence once I saw how toxic some circles I was in were getting. The straw that broke the camel's back came when someone I knew called a stranger out on a vaguely homophobic joke. He tagged her employers demanding she be sacked. I saw a friend of mine actively try to get someone working on minimum wage fired, someone he doesn't know, during a pandemic AND a homelessness crisis. How on earth is that helping anything except a desperate need for Twitter engagement? As always, you remain a thoughtful and engaging creator.

Anonymous

The only thing I can think is how many of the most aggressive, most unreasonable people are actually the same Diet Coke Nazis under fake accounts? They can't run you (or any other women) off as they are, but by making a claim to being a voice of color they give their words weight they would otherwise not have. I feel like real POC are too busy being upset about actual problems to worry about you making a poorly worded tweet about a megacorporation's product. Yes, some of your older stuff is really awkward now. But I think that's true of anyone who was online 15 years ago. We are different now than we were then, and who would we be if we weren't.

Anonymous

I don’t feel like it’s necessary to comment, but this was the most incisive video I’ve ever seen. Props to all the work you ( your liver) and team put into this.

Anonymous

Nuance, and irony, is increasingly a lost art. Fantastic video, I'm glad you're going to push on and keep creating, regardless of the mob,. though I'd never have blamed you for retiring after all this mess. But I'm glad you're staying around☺️ you kick ass. Peace out.🕶️

Anonymous

My headcanon is that the scorned omegaverse lady wrote the Twitter thread of your sins to smear you.

Anonymous

You are a quality human. Thanks for doing what you do

Anonymous

Amazing video. As always, thanks for the laughs, the thoughts, and the feels that your work always gives me. Stay strong and take care of yourself. You're awesome!

Anonymous

Wow, what a miserable situation. I'm so sorry you went through that (again). Been thinking a lot lately about how the combination lack of any real or good accountability mechanisms/living in the abuse machines that are social media have shaped our brains for the worse. Also I somehow missed all of this happening even though I live on twitter.

Anonymous

New patron here, specifically because of this video. I've watched your content ever since the sillier CA days, through youtube, and now the heady PBS 2hr long video essays on fanfiction plagiarism. You've brought a nuanced take to everything, and what is refreshing is you've allowed your view and opinion to be flexible. Where others might double down and adopt something as a character trait, you've examined it on a deep and existential level to come to a new conclusion. This is why I think your work is important. The ability to look back on the dogpiles of the past and say "wow, things were shitty back that that even I was dragged into it" says something about the human experience, especially when we're all so obsessed now with living an ethical life, and the right is so willing to shove it in anyones face should they fail publicly at a task which is objectively impossible. I think you've been on the right side of things far more than wrong, and if not today then tomorrow you'll get it right or take ownership of whatever problem that may be. Please consider my donation the equivalent of buying you a pint for a job well done. Sláinte!

Anonymous

Never joined a patreon before, but I've very sorry this happened to you. Here's my 2$.

WJ ZAV

Don't worry about my Patreon credit. I became one of your Patreons because I like your content and want to support it and you. Having my name at the end is just the icing on the cake.

Anonymous

Been watching your vids from the beginning. Sorry you have to go through this and felt the need to put so much on display. The least I can do is to join your Patreon.

Anonymous

Just wanted to voice my support. You are an outstanding talent. "There's life for you. Spend the best years of your life studying penmanship and rhetoric and syntax and Beowulf and George Eliot, and then somebody steals your pencil."

Anonymous

Have joined your patreon on the back of this video. I appreciate your commentary and role as a public thinker. So, umm, take my money, I guess? #memes

Eva Kenieva

So glad to see you continuing to make videos. To show that tweeters haven't changed, one tweeter who had never heard of you saw the title of your video and went on a rant about anti-maskers.

Anonymous

I have enjoyed every video and finally want to show my support in a different way than the YouTube like.

Ravnholt

I enjoy your work. I applaud the sheer guts to make that video as a giant fuckyou to the twitterati and just for calling Natalie Wynn out as the whore she is I'm raising my patreon XD But genuinly Lindsay, I am sorry you got dragged like that, again. =( I hope you bounce back, tougher and sharper.

Anonymous

Upped my subscription, you keep being you. *salute*

Anonymous

New/Late patron. aka: I should have joined years ago. I caught wind of the gleeful celebration of your cancellation and got off my ass. For all your essays have done for me, I am sorry late in coming. Thank you for your voice. Thank you for this essay. Thank you for supporting Natalie, Abigail, Harry, Jenny and others. Got me to get off my but and support Princess Weekes, Todd, and frankly Bob too. ;P

Anonymous

It breaks my heart to see how beaten down the internet has made you time and time again. I wish I could relieve the burden even a little. Hopefully the money does that. I've been here since the beginning. I'm still here now, and I'll still be here in the future. You are not alone.

Anonymous

people being sh!theads on twitter is just bullying for people who weren't actually big enough to bully in grade school. they judge you for being less than perfect because hurting you makes them feel better. you are amazing. stay away from the dumpster fire that is twitter. sorry you've been going thru this crap.

Anonymous

I've upped my tier to increase my support for you ❤️

Anonymous

Absolutely amazing video. Hell is other people. I'm sorry you had to go through all this and relive some of your worst life experiences in the process. I've never been happier to be able to support you (shamefully modestly) on Patreon.

Anonymous

I commented on the youtube video under the name "Mattie O" but I know you probably don't read youtube comments, as that is the sensible thing to do. I wanted to say I'm really so very sorry you had to share your story and the story of your roommate. No one should ever feel as though they have to share those events and I'm so saddened to hear it happened to the two of you. I had never even heard of the video in question but I understand the cathartic nature it may have brought in its creation. I know from experience the healing process is long, complicated, and filled with confusion and pain; but I hope you, and your roommate have been traveling that road to healing and are doing well. Please be well. I hope you move past all the bullshit and issues as peacefully as possible. Thank You for Your Time.

Anonymous

Signed up today after really enjoying your videos for a long time and your wonderful book. I can't even imagine how toxic living even the slightest public life is right now so here's raising a glass to you in support.

Anonymous

We love you Lindsay!

Anonymous

Lindsay, I have been introduced to you in the last few months. I love your takes and your critiques and have been often putting your videos on in the background. The latest video was hard to watch because of the abuse heaped on you and how abuse impacts all of us. As a person who has been navigating through abuse in my life and learning how to establish boundaries, I really loved this video. You admitted where you went wrong and also stood strong against the abuse that has been happening to you. It is honestly refreshing to see a person stand in that difficult middle ground. Thank you for your video and I look forward to seeing what else you make in the future. <3 <3

Rachel

This is an amazing, important video, and honestly was one of the more difficult things I've watched. I am sick thinking about that these awful people forced you into a position where you had to discuss that trauma (also Todd's race), but I also completely understand why you had to do it. I can't begin to imagine the courage it must take to do that, and honestly to be a woman on the internet at all. I truly hope this video was cathartic for you and that it will be as freeing for the real Lindsay as Lindsay EllisTM vowed it would be at the end. You deserve peace after all the wonderful things you have put into the world. I said this in March and I'll say it again now: I love your videos and I will deeply miss you if you decide to retire from YouTube, but you don't owe us a damn thing and you should do whatever is best for you.

Rachel

Also thank you for explicitly standing up for Natalie, Jenny, Sarah, Princess, and Kat. I don't think the importance of that act can be understated, and I also know it's harder than it seems when the threat of chain-canceling is so real.

Anonymous

That was so raw and powerful. I'm so sorry you've had to endure all of this. No job should require you to answer for every questionable action you've done in the past. You're doing a great job. I hope things get easier

Anonymous

Lindsay fan for a long time. This was the video that made it important enough to finance. Keep doing what you do.

Anonymous

Hello Lindsay, Thank you for not giving up despite the bad-faith actions of the insignificanti. Your content is as necessary to our culture as it is a riot to watch. Your style, by its existence and accessibility, spreads the gospel of nuanced critical thinking. I wish that meeting your financial goal on Patreon were somehow analogous to you having academic tenure. Thanks again!!

Anonymous

This video made me a patron, 'cause I just love your videos so much and it's about damn time

Anonymous

Just wanted to add my support in here too. You’ve done so much to make the basics of critical theory and film language accessible to someone with very little background in that material (like me!). I appreciate all the work you’ve done, and your videos have really helped me appreciate the media I enjoy in a new light. I’m sorry about all the garbage you’ve been put through, and I hope you’re doing okay (or at least as okay as can be expected).

Anonymous

Take care of yourself!

Anonymous

Oh, also, if you haven't seen "I may destroy you" by Michaela Coel with HBO and the BBC, do. It's expertly crafted semi-true drama exploring the ins and outs of trauma, coping mechanisms, social media, sexuality, race. It's just very well done, watchable, horrific, and at times hilarious. I think you and others here would get likely a kick out of it.

Anonymous

Canceling shame -- such a powerful way to put this. I have learned so much from all your videos and I'm really happy that this hasn't meant the end of it. With all the critique about Twitter, one thing that might be worth considering is a Discord community, at least for your Patreon subscribers. Bias alert: I work at Discord. But, one thing we're pretty proud of is that you can build a community that is healthy and effective at engaging in ways that aren't prone to this "public mobbing" that happens on public social media sites. Anyway, I wish you the absolute best and look forward to continuing to learn so much from your videos and broaden my own horizons about the themes and elements that go into making media. Thank you!

Anonymous

Twitter is the shithole of humanity that is designed to bring out the worst in people. Horribly bullshit really. But the video was insanely good and tackled important topics.

Anonymous

So I finally watched your video in just one straight time, couldn't stop. I'm light years of all this Twitter drama and had no idea what was going on... Well I still don't really understand why the duck this all went dog drop. Anyway, I just wanted to express you my support. Watching your videos and reading/listening to your book really made some of my days, made me smarter, or happier or more tolerant in a lot of ways. Thank to you I also discovered Contrapoint, which also made me much more aware about subjects I even ignored existed till now. Just thank you.

Anonymous

Love your work, thank you and appreciate it. Don’t let anyone get you down for long. Glad to see so many good comments here. We all have your back!

Anonymous

❤️❤️❤️

Anonymous

Lindsay Ellis: a nuanced person in an unnuanced time.

Anonymous

Lindsey - you're a goddess. This is more than anyone could have expected, could have asked for or requested, it's amazing. You serve as an inspiration to us, and I'm glad I can be supportive of you - the whole of you, not the caricature that people use against you.

Anonymous

Also became a patreon as a direct result of this whole ordeal, like many seem to have. I hope you receive some much needed peace soon.

Anonymous

This video was painful to watch and I can't imagine how painful it was to make. Been watching your stuff since the Nostalgia Chick days and I desperately wish I could do more to help you. But I also understand that this is something you've had to and still have to endure on your own. Take care of yourself and do whatever you need to do. We'll be here.

Anonymous

Fuck yeah, Lindsay. Great video. I am incandescently angry that you had to make this, and so so sorry that you had to go through all this. But this video is amazing and I'm so proud to be a supporter of yours.

Anonymous

Not gonna pretend I'm anything more than just another stranger that gives you money and watches your content, but thank you for everything you do.

Anonymous

I wasn't even aware there way any sort of drama, and was just happy to see the new video email. Great video, shameless it up.

Anonymous

The same happened to me. I discovered Contrapoints, Princess Weekly and feel so much smarter and happier now. I really do not understand what's going on, but your message is exactly what I feel, so I wanted to double down on that. Thank you Lindsay for what you share with us <3

Anonymous

Lindsay, I support you even more now. I joined your Patreon because I loved your wry media commentaries, the depth of your knowledge, and your polished presentations. I bought and read your book, and look forward to reading the sequel. When I opened your video, I was uninformed of the Twitter frenzy against you. You did the right thing: you blocked them. Block them all. Blocked the whole platform. I thought at first you were gracing us with humor about all the hassle, ("Writers' Tears?" I Googled it--actual qwacked it with DuckDuckGo--wait, you mean there's actually a whiskey by that name? It wasn't a joke? I guess you were actually drinking that much, then?) And I admire you much more, because you were forthright. Although you were hurt and enraged, you admitted to past mistakes people had been using against you, you explained your regrets, and apologized appropriately. That was more of a courtesy to your detractors than almost anyone could've manage in the same circumstance. As the video went on, I realized this wasn't just a hassle you were laughing off. It was an ordeal. And I felt so sorry for you. You not only showed us your pain and outrage--with dignity--but as you reliably do, you gave us the big picture and made it about all of us, the dread everyone has in the Internet Age. I think you're a national treasure myself. And yes, please, do take care of your liver. In fact, love your liver. And I'll continue to catch every video you post.

Anonymous

This video made me so angry on your behalf. Twitter really is a dumpster fire. It also inspired me to become a patron, so... yay? :-) You do some amazing work Lindsay. Thanks for being awesome and don't let the assholes get you down.

Anonymous

Hello Lindsay. I have been watching your videos for years, but this recent situation and your elegant and beautifully worded video finally convinced me to open up my wallet and support you through Patreon. I an very sorry that this happened to you in such a horrible way. I am looking forward to your future endeavors and wish you good health and safety in all your adventures.

Anonymous

Count me as another longtime viewer who's joining the Patreon fold. You're smart as hell and I admire your courage. Thanks for all the great content and parasocial company over the years. We're all with you!

Anonymous

It would be inaccurate to say I rage-joined your Patreon after this Recent Unpleasantness but it certainly rhymes with my reasons. Very glad to be here and supporting you and joining the silent “social justice discourse online is broken and we can’t talk about it” crew.

Anonymous

Lindsay, thanks for all the awesome videos, and thanks for being you. Til all are one.

Anonymous

I love you. I love what you do, I love how you say it, and I love the tenacity of your convictions. Don't let these people bring you down. You are insightful. funny, and worth following. That's why I join you now with full patronage. Don't stop. You're too amazing to let this get you down.

Anonymous

Lindsey, I just really appreciate you and all that you do to inform, entertain, enrich, and encourage your audience through your creative work. I really love your intelligence, strength, beauty, and sense of humor. Thanks for being a bright light in a world that needs you!

Anonymous

I dislike the implied priviledge that I'm granted by being a member of a patreon, but your latest video really motivated me to in any way contribute to people that I value, yourself included. I just wanted to reach out and say that yes, you will be fine, but in the wave of X number of humans turning against you for whatever reason, it can be helpful to have Y doing the opposite.

Anonymous

I get the sense that a lot of your critics project onto you. They paint you out to be a perfect example of the kind of people that they hate just so they can have a target to attack, and they dig for anything that can be "proof" that you're that person.

Anonymous

Have watched you for years, but finally signed up on Patreon to support you after all this bullshit. Love your content! Stay strong! #galpals

Anonymous

[Edit] So I posted this before I saw the whole video, and wow, you really just bore a good chunk of your soul on here. Damn. You have my respect, big time. Reiterating, fuck the stone throwers. [/Edit] Not that you need telling, but, nah, fuck them. They forgot how to experience that sweet, flawed, human experience. ~We gotta be gods, and fuck you for not upholding yourself to those expectations! Cuz, y'know, we all exist outside human error and live like saints. But not you, you're trash~ Ok but srsly love your content, glad you're not letting the [Twit]ter collective bring your shit down. Hoo-yah!!

Anonymous

I'm yet another person who's been watching your content since forever (2008 right after you became the Nostalgia Chick, you, Todd, and Rap Critic are the only ones from TGWTG I still follow) and became a patreon because of this video. It was one of the most powerful videos I've seen in a long time. I don't have much to say about this that you and the people who commented before me haven't already said, I just want to show my support. I've also joined Jenny's patreon because the thought of this hate mob using fake tweets to go after the least threatening YouTuber on the planet sickens me. It's like a group of seal clubbers celebrating their victory by trying to beat some bunnies to death.

Anonymous

Yet another person who is a long time watcher new patreon. This video was intensely human, and I hope you're doing okay.

Anonymous

Long-time watcher of your video essays. They always struck me as much more insightful and well thought out than the vast majority I would stumble across on youtube. I love the video essays. They are wonderful. I'm also a huge fan of Musical Splaining. It's one of my favorite podcasts, and I am grateful that you have been able to continue it despite the plague years.

Anonymous

Didn't know about any of this until it was acknowledged in this video.

Anonymous

The backstory behind the Rape Rap brought me to literal tears. I hope this video brought you catharsis.

Jack Holmes

Just now getting around to watching this. This was incredible and raw and human and surprising and I thank you for sharing it. I know you say you'll be fine, but all the same, I am concentrating and blasting Good Vibes in your direction. <3

Anonymous

Correction: it's 3 seconds longer, cos anything ContraPoints can do our queen can do better

Anonymous

To Lindsay: fan since 2015 and hard as this was to watch, it really was a masterpiece in honest, good faith online discussion. Good on ya. To everyone else: I'm glad you watched and thought about this. The internet is rough right now, but I'm confident we can make it better if we think critically, have these hard conversations, and do our best to be good faith actors. It might take... decades... but every video like this is a step in the right direction.

Anonymous

I think the big mistake is thinking that there's anything that would ever be enough for the woke crowd, but there isn't. The goalposts will always be moved. If there wasn't someone problematic it would be necessary to invent them. I ran in leftwing political circles, spent a lot of time thinking that there was some scalp one could offer up that would finally make them call off their dogs, but there just isn't. It's a fool's errand to attempt to please them. The only way to win is not to play, to simply treat them with total indifference.

Anonymous

Been a fan of yours since you first posted on the website that shall not be named and I hate that you had to make this in an effort to get people to leave you alone but it is so well said! Whenever you see people getting mad at someone, it's hard to not fall in line and agree, when I first heard everyone calling you this horrible racist and your twitter deleted I thought that something had happened that I had missed. But the more I tried to dig into the situation the more it just didn't make sense. Not to say that that behavior is deserved by most people, but I just mean I was trying to understand why people were reacting with that level of vitriol and I couldn't. This kind of backlash over small slights makes me nervous to keep creating content out of fear that I might some day make a miss step as well and I totally agree with you that it is bad for discourse.

Anonymous

Been a recent lover of your Youtube channel (certainly covid era on), but this video is why I joined your patreon to show you further support. Much love, appreciate you. Fuck those harsh assholes ugh. Sorry, not a very deep comment, other's had already said my thoughts better.

Anonymous

I'm here in hopes that my dollars can offset some of the fucking awfulness circulating. I have appreciated your insightful, intelligent, and witty videos/video essays for a while and I loved Axiom's End. You are inspiring Lindsay, and I would hate to see that marred by the monstrosity that is the lovechild of mob mentality and twitter.

Malini Correa

Started supporting you on here because I love your work so much and just needed to somehow show you that the real ones still support you! This video was amazing and powerful.

Zeffy

I have always loved your work, and I figured it was about time I start supporting it. This video is probably one of your best, it's just a shame what has to happen for it to exist. Keep on keeping on!

Anonymous

What happened to you was unforgivable and because you're you, you turned it into the best and most informative video essay I've seen in a very long time. You'd deserve support even if you hadn't. You're one of the best educators on the internet working today. A few years ago you opened *my* mind to all sorts of shit when I was in the middle of getting caught up in the whole "anti SJW" thing. I was honestly, like, two more fake tumblr stories short of becoming fully indoctrinated into the diet nazis of whom you spoke in your video. You did it by being evenhanded, doing your research, having a sense of humor, and putting a human face on shit I'd up to then not cared enough to understand. You are a goddamn hero and you've done both measurable and immeasurable good for me specifically and for the community in general.

Anonymous

Thank you for being fully human online, even though you knew you didn’t have to. 21,000th YouTuber or not, my world at least would be a poorer place without you posting. (And that Thanksgiving video was soooo important to me.) You’ll always have my ten bucks.

Anonymous

This video has left me speechless. Thank you for making it. It ment allot toe to hear you articulate your thoughts on the Beast. I've a tiny amount of followers and no reach but there are still some things I'm afraid to show on my socials cos I'm worried about the reaction. For example, I'm fat, so I rarely post photos of myself cos I know what happens to fat people online. I can't begin to imagine the amount of anxiety you must have just trying to exist online. Take care of yourself.

Anonymous

IIIIIIIIII drive a Honda Civic!!

Anonymous

Truly great video. I was immediately reminded by the title not of the concept the toxic woke leftists use but of the song by Future. Not something done by other people to you, to try and reveal something about you. But BY you to give the those garbage folk -diet nazis and woke scolds alike- that big middle finger. Breaking your silence, but not to apologize for transgressions that didn't exist, to stop cowering before a self-righteous, indignant mass of hypocritical posers. Bra-fcking-vo

Anonymous

This video is so beyond what I could have expected. I respect the decision to go this route so much. I discovered your channel around 2017 I believe; it was one of the first times I started watching things other than shortform Youtube content. I had no idea video essays were a thing, nor that I had just stumbled upon the gold standard with the RENT video. That video changed how I viewed art and how I understood film language, as well as media theory and art-in-context. Your work has specifically helped me sharpen my voice as a writer and director; the things I learned from your analysis helped me develop the central thesis for the production of my favorite play I directed two years ago. Your channel has been one of the voices that have inspired me to do what I love again after burning myself out in undergrad. I find it pathetic that this mob mentality has come to a head in this way. I think I am deleting twitter. I've spent the past several years searching for a way out and I think I'm realizing it's just got to fucking stop. Good on you for such a strong video. I think the world has much to learn from the way you and your team construct narrative.

Anonymous

Lindsay, your videos got me through suicidal depression in college, and helped me find the courage to pursue my dream of writing and animating. I'm so sorry that you had to go through all this nonsense, trauma, hypocrisy, and double-standards. I hope you have a very robust support network in your personal life, as well as support from your fans and colleagues. You deserve the best, and I hope better things await you around the corner. <3

Anonymous

I'm so sorry about all the awfulness you've been through, Lindsay. My little corner of the internet has always been brighter because of your videos and this was strangely cathartic as just a woman on the internet and as someone who was somewhat "cancelled" and ostracized (though of course not on the same scale) after I refused to stay silent about my own sexual assault. I can't really articulate the rest of my thoughts in a way that everyone hasn't already said, but im sending support and good feelings your way (and more money once I'm employed again, ha) <3

Anonymous

I had to listen to this line several times it resonated so much with digital life... and I'm not even on Twitter: "It is the height of dishonesty to suggest that the kind of atmosphere where everything is taken in bad faith leads to a more just world."

Oathian

This is my favorite drama channel

Oathian

But for real, super fucked up... I have watched your videos forever and I have learned so much from you! I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. The internet, amirite? 😔

Evan Vercellini

This was the most powerful, thorough and entertaining explanations of why it is important to make positive assumptions of others' behavior that I have experienced. It works on SO MANY levels. Y'all are awesome and your perspective is needed in the shitstorm that is the internet / YouTube. Side note: thank you for affirming my decision not to be on Twitter.

Anonymous

I’ve watched this three times (YouTube) and each time I can’t help but stand in awe of you. You are the definition of “do not harm, but take no shit” and I respect that. I hope you are doing ok- your eyes look so sad, I want to crawl through the screen and give you a hug. Since I can’t do that, I’m sending you a virtual hug.

Adventuress

This was so difficult to watch. I wouldn't blame you for just backing away from it all. Thank you - and again, thank you for putting into words the emotional weight - "The Beast" - that has been growing is so many of us. It helps mentally to know that I'm not alone and I hope it helps you to know you're not alone either.

Anonymous

Hi Lindsay-- I just finished watching this. It took me a few days to go through it because I found it overwhelming at points. I have not been publicly shamed in the way you have but several of the events and experiences you described echoed experiences I've had in my own life, so I'm sure you're hearing this from many people, but you're not alone. I was moved a number of times throughout the video, the pain on your face was so plain to see. I think this was an intelligent way to approach and address what happened and I love that you didn't apologize when you didn't feel remorse (and had no reason to!). I feel like the left has entered some kind of death spiral at times and it is hard to feel hopeful. Critiques like yours and Natalie's on canceling make me at least feel like there are other people watching this go down who are like, this is fucked up and symptomatic of other wider issues. I really value the work that you do, I find it inspiring and I'm really happy to hear that you're moving forward giving less of a fuck-- that is exactly what I decided to do in my own life as well. Your authenticity is what makes your work meaningful, please keep following your star. I am really sorry this happened to you and I'm sending you all the good vibes.

The Overthinker

A prompt, efficient, and professional response to some twisted weird people. I am picking up what you are throwing down, and at a certain point, I think around the time where she cursed the haters, Lindsey smiled in a way that made me shudder. If you were going for 'I am terrifying underneath', ya nailed it.

Anonymous

After watching that, I'm starting to think that letting alt-right trolls goad progressives into attacking each other might not be good for progressive causes.

Anonymous

Lindsay, as a $10 patron I am looking forward to you making it up to us for not including our names in the credits of your latest video. Suggestions include: You take care of yourself. Don't let the trolls get you down. Stay off twitter, it's a sewer. Stay brilliant, and please keep making brilliant video-essays if you're up for it. Ignore the trolls (I know, easy for me to say, but please don't let them get to you.) Follow Wil Wheaton's advice: never read the comments (he was getting online harassment before there was an internet, it's good advice). Stay classy.

Anonymous

I've never posted onto here before but I agree with basically all of this. The amount of toxic behaviour that video makers get (especially women) is staggering and the majority of these people should fuck off forever and are not worth anybodies time or money.

Anonymous

I've just watched the video, so this is just a quick reaction. I've never been more proud of supporting anyone through Patreon. Thank you. Thank you for not making this about you, and instead taking the time to untangle this mess. Smarter people than me will watch and integrate this into the discourse. All of this is more steps toward us moving beyond the dog-piling and infighting and outrage. And we'll be better equipped to call out this nonsense when it occurs.

Anonymous

I've never heard it referred to as positive assumptions! I didn't know if there was a term for it, this is perfect, thanks!

Anonymous

Literally signed up to voice support. I hope it helps to contunie the work.

Anonymous

I am grateful for your ability to not just grasp but formidably wield nuance and complexity and commend you for your unwavering efforts to stand up for critical thought and considered analysis. This whole brouhaha* has galvanised me to feel like a thing that I can do is support your efforts more by becoming a Patreon patron rather than forever fretting how I could add my own voice into the toxic mess of, as Simon and Garfunkel put it, "people talking without listening". It's at times like this that I like to take solace in the misrepresented wise words of the Borg Queen: "You are an imperfect being created by an imperfect being." The hive mind has spoken and judged you human. I'd take it as a compliment. 😉 * I had no idea my phone's spellcheck would know how to spell brouhaha, but it did, and that pleases me. Insignificant detail.

Anonymous

Finally got the chance to watch your video, decided to give you some money because damn you deserve it for putting up with that garbage.

Greyson

longtime fan, follower, etc... been watching your career for over a decade... first time I'm giving money. After watching your latest video I felt I had to absolutely give ya money. Lindsay, you're the best!

Anonymous

Here literally because of that video, I like you, I like your videos.

Anonymous

Wonderful video!

Anonymous

Like a boss

WJ ZAV

I love this. You could have doubled down and claimed that you did nothing wrong, you could have faked a heart-felt apology, you could have remained silent and wait for everything to blow over and then pretend that nothing happened. But you decided to acknowledge where you did make mistakes, explain how certain things came to be but also stood your ground where you really didn't say or do anything wrong and threw it back into peoples' faces who got outraged over nothing. You perfectly described how the Left is eating its own and that marginalized groups often have diverse opinions. And the feeling of powerlessness when you see all the bad in the world and how certain people in power get away with things where we individually being very little able to do anything against it. But how harmful it still is to haunt any opinion that may be misread of supporting a racist or dangerous movement. All in one video where you tie it all up to say "Fuck you" to those rage mobs. I became a patreon because I loved your insightful, entertaining, informative and well researched video essays. But after seeing how you resolved this in a tough and brutally honest way, without being afraid to show vulnerability, I gotta say, I really respect you as a person. This may sound cheesy but I will still say I can only dream to one day become as brave, smart and grounded as you are, Lindsay Ellis.

Anonymous

I know I've commented before but . . . This really really really really is the most perfect response a person could give. I'm sure it was agonizing for Lindsay, who has always been a very private person, to be so . . . as SHE puts it "authentic." I guess that's her "penance" . . .

Anonymous

Tbh I don't know how sites like kiwi farms have survived this long. Sigh.

Anonymous

Personally, I just became a Patreon contributor Because of this video, though I've enjoyed the channel for years. Lindsay is a class act, so screw those showing their ass at her. Don't lose yer moxie, kid

Anonymous

Lindsay, after watching this powerful video (and honestly missing most of this) I decided to finally support you here on Patreon. This video is truly a master class in how to handle a difficult situation and I'm in awe of you. Keep doing what you're doing. We love you

Eileen Nguyen

Can I just say... I don't follow you on twitter or stalk your real life or write fanfiction about you because, like, I have real friends and family who know me and love me and deserve that energy more than some woman I've never met and never will meet except by accident - but I've been a patron for a few years because I believe in paying for the things I consume and I've watched most of your videos multiple times because I like them. And I still do! And I never thought you said anything particularly racist? Like, in the list of complaints I might make about you, if I cared enough to, "racist," just doesn't come up. Which, of course, is not to say that you aren't since racism is built into our society, but it doesn't register in your actual work that non-Extremely Online people see.

Anonymous

I just have one comment, despite the fact that I'm on your side: You shouldn't say that you're an uninfluencial blogger number 13 thousand something AFTER in September saying that you're one of the biggest creators on Patreon and that Google took time to analyze DMCA takedowns aimed at you. You obviously are a big deal:) And this cancelling nonsense needs to stop. It just boxes people into an impossible position. Even reasonable people with centrist views are forced to the right of their believes because of the insane public reaction to the mildest misstep.

Anonymous

I've been watching and enjoying your videos since like...2009? But this video convinced me to become a patron. Thank you for your honesty, introspection, and integrity.

Anonymous

Became a patron to join in on a "Lindsay Ellis is good actually" chorus in hopes that it convinces you that you are more than just a Honda Civic owner! Also to balance out the troll negativity with positivity and praise, but mostly the Honda thing. Seriously though, know you are appreciated and you are one of the best creators dancing on this edge between realness and 4th wall breaking sarcasm.

Anonymous

Been following your channels on & off for a while and I've just watched the whole thing, and I was shocked to hear about your college experience. I hope you're doing OK and I wanted to congratulate you for making this video, I think there's a lot of things in there that needed to be said and that you've really gotten to the root of the issues with platforms like Twitter. I wish you all the happiness and success you deserve. The mob leaders were clearly just jealous. ;)

Anonymous

It's wonderfully considerate of you to be thinking of your Patreon credits. For the record, I would be proud to have my name listed here.

Anonymous

I come way after everything, but I just want to show my support, and say that your video response is just perfect. I cannot think of anything to add or remove. It is true to reality, true to yourself, balanced, everything. And please keep on taking care of yourself. Cyber-bullying and gaslighting can be extremely harmful to mental health (and liver), even months after the fact. You can without a doubt be proud of yourself.

The Existential Shrew

I've just been selfishly enjoying your videos for awhile and this one is why I finally pledged. Creators really go through it, I've gathered, but this one... Wow. Dude, to hell with these damned haters. I hope you keep doing what you do. But take care of you. I love you so much.