Even the most seemingly wholesome communities have seedy underbellies.

prominent YouTuber admits to manipulating people & doing things to them without their consent. all the notes are messages of support FOR HIM

— Lex (@lexcanroar) March 14, 2014

 Ag. I haven't delved too deeply into this whole situation, but here are the first few links I've come across:

• NYULocal: Sexual Abuse Allegations Rock YouTube Community. "After the Milsom allegations were made public, several former fans of fellow DFTBA musician and British YouTuber Alex Day came forward with accusations ranging from outright sexual abuse to general emotional manipulation and lack of respect for boundaries."
• The Daily Dot: Alex Day and the dangers of YouTube celebrity culture. "In the early days of the community that now combines DFTBA Records, popular Nerdfighter vloggers, and Internet celebrities, there was very little separation between creators and viewers. But with over a million YouTube subscribers, the Alex Day of 2014 is simply not on the same level as your average 15-year-old fan—particularly since the biggest names on the scene have obviously grown up, while newer, younger fans keep joining their audience every day."
• Maureen Johnson: About the Recent Events Concerning YouTube. "Aside from Melissa Anelli, I didn’t see any women speaking about it from entirely outside the sphere of events. And that did bother me...So, because that gap is there, and because I have the benefit of being older—I thought I might widen the focus a little and talk about my own experience and maybe how we got here and where we can go from this point. Because there are many, many places to go."
• Mellow Blueness: at least 9 people tangentially connected to nerdfighteria have been called out as sexual abusers.
• Telling Our Stories: "A community for nerdfighters who are survivors of sexual & domestic violence. Please feel free to submit your story (or use the ask box to go anon), share self-care ideas, tell me about how this situation is affecting you, ask for help -- whatever you need. We're going to get through this together."
• Nephiesworld.tumblr.com: "Yes Alex does do those things you’ve heard about. When I was 17, Alex and Danny traveled 3 hours (seriously.) to my house which is in the middle of nowhere along with a couple of others who were friends with me at the time to stay over. Alex texted Danny something along the lines of “which one do you want” because apparently he got first choice the last time this happened. Yeah, lovely innit." TRIGGER WARNING. 
• Hank Green on Sexual Abuse, Consent, and Culture:
  
   

Comments

[dangermom]

O.o I don't follow the DFTBA thing at all, so this is the first I've heard. Ack. How horrible.

[Lisa is Busy Nerding]

Ack - I had no idea about this either. Thank you for sharing it!

It brings up a whole lot of questions and gray areas regarding emotional manipulation and while I am sickened at it's existence, I am relieved to see it getting the light of day to be discussed and acknowledged as legitimate abuse.

Also, I feel like DFTBA Records and Hank and John Green were respectful and quick in their responses and handled this professionally and sincerely.

Again, ack.