There’s people threatening to fight each other but never following through, there’s a clear favoritism of who gets in trouble and for what, and certain people get a pass when others would certainly be held accountable. There’s non-stop drama, quarrels over cell phones, and someone who lords over all the others. If any of this sounds familiar to a high school, it’s also incredibly familiar to Twitch. The latest escapades prove that Twitch is a for-profit high school, as everything from drama over a cell phone to a former Twitch streamer lauding his wealth have happened via streaming platforms in the past two weeks.
The latest proves this more than any other, as what should have been an embarrassing moment swept over a rug has become a monster, now devouring innocents in its path. That drama started a week ago and should have stayed there, but here it is now: the after-effects of Alinity’s wardrobe mishap.
Alinity’s Wardrobe Mishap: April 25
On April 25, Alinity showed a little much of herself live on air, and the internet went insane with it. There were memes everywhere, people angry over her “special treatment” by Twitch, and diverging opinions on the matter clashing as if it were the presidential election. Instead of being accepted as a simple accident, it kept on and on, and was worsened by Twitch’s delayed response to the matter. In fact, Alinity had to ask to be suspended over it, seeking the reasonable 3-day ban many thought she deserved, but only receiving a one day slap on the wrist. This treatment, for something that was an accident, grew worse and worse because of the one day ban. Perhaps it would’ve been better had Twitch not banned her at all.
In the past, Twitch CEO Emmett Shear commented that context and intent were key factors in suspending someone, and while this treatment is justifiable by that logic, many still see Alinity as a spokesperson for everything wrong with Twitch. Reasonably, she’s sick of it and perhaps all of that played a role in what happened today.
Bans Because of Alinity’s Wardrobe Mishap: May 1
A week or so later, two new bans have taken place. As seen above, FaZe Adapt was suspended for 3 days for “sharing or engaging in sexual suggestive content,” but states he had no idea why. He claims his innocence, and it’s certainly nothing like what happened with Alinity. The second ban was streamer Fedmyster2. Someone (not him) had posted something from Alinity’s wardrobe mishap on Twitter as he was scrolling down. It was on camera for all of a second, and he received a ban of 3 days. Many were quick to point out that his ban was quicker and much harder than Alinity’s, although it’s worth highlighting Twitch quickly backpedaled and unbanned Fedmyster2.
But the question quickly becomes why these incidents are treated as such. Alinity is a high-profile streamer but should not be treated any differently than someone scrolling through Twitter or a FaZe clan member, and it’s clear that she’s not happy with being Twitch’s scapegoat on bans. In the above tweet, she calls for transparency from Twitch, and that’s certainly an idea. But part of it is a growing internet culture where Twitch is ground zero: the internet hath become a high school.
Through this lens, Twitch’s actions make sense (in the sense of a terrible high school movie). Twitch is the principal who cares more for the school’s image and profitability than what it’s primary function is (education in school, video games for Twitch). Alinity is the cheerleader, a leading character whose ability to perform racks in for Twitch. Fedmyster2 is the student who unwittingly took part, punished less harshly in reality but punished for optics nonetheless.
FaZe Adapt is just another student, one caught in a crossfire of non-transparent lording over content. It’s unclear what or if Adapt actually did anything, but just like much high school drama, that’s the crux with Twitch. Alinity would have likely not been punished for whatever small or spoken thing it was. The issue here is that Alinity isn’t reportedly happy with her role, and neither are the majority of students (well, fan base).
Operating analogy aside, the very fact that two unrelated streamers are punished immediately to a swifter and more severe degree proves that this culture is diminishing at best. The fact that many see this and immediately think of Alinity (among other controversial Twitch streamers) shows it requires better handling. While it remains to be seen what or if it does anything, the writings on the wall that a more detailed, applicable, and universal Twitch policy is required. Sometimes, a school need to be reviewed to see if it’s doing the best for its students, and it’s clear that class is out for Twitch.
