Statement On Gilson B. Pontes' Failed Attempt To Kill My Platform
Added 2021-03-19 17:08:32 +0000 UTCIt was a nice try, but better idiots haven't killed me yet. Gilson B. Pontes, the terrible developer, attempted this week to have my channel removed by issuing three different copyright strikes over three consecutive days. One day he hit a video, the next he hit three, and today he attempted the final one.
This plan exhibited more thoughtfulness and structure than any one of his terrible videogames.
As of now, however, YouTube has reinstated the videos. The one he tried to claim today was not honored by YouTube for lacking evidence. Initially, YouTube attempted to wash its hands of this situation by saying it was "unclear" if Gilson had been issuing fraudulent claims. In a counter-counter-dispute, I let YouTube and Gilson know that if my videos were not reinstated by the end of today, I was more than prepared to take this to court and even set precedent for the way things should be done IF it came down to it.
I am not sure what spurred YouTube to reverse course, but it was pressure without a doubt that did it. Could have been me or the support my platform has received. Either way, one thing is clear - my channel was going to be killed today because one oversensitive little boy got upset at criticism, and the only reason it's still here is because I had perks others did not.
I had the incredible privilege of resources and the right people at my back. I had lawyers to throw at them, and a history of dealing with this kind of thing. Many others who don't have that, or the platform to apply pressure, are wiped out.
Yesterday was meant to be my day off after an incredibly busy week and a long period of my chronic pain flaring up. What's more, I do not dedicate my life to my job anymore, and certainly not to a platform that has been nothing but hassle on a channel subscribers fled from en masse after I came out as trans. I just wanna have some fun with my platform as I hurtle toward The Void, continue providing content for patrons, and scream at the games industry and media both as I go down clawing at peoples' eyes! I have so much going on, so much of a new life to be getting on with, and I don't have time for boys like Gilson B. Pontes. I have time for *other* boys. Hot men who want it, basically. And also, let's face it, any adult human of any gender or my level of personal attraction. It's been a long lockdown.
The point is, as I've said in the past, YouTube and other platforms will be seen as part of a future problem of mental health issues facing content creators. The sheer stress of dealing with an obtuse, unfriendly corporation like Google is bad enough, but with it comes arbitrarily enforced rules, community standards that have no standard, and a clear protection of certain kinds of content over others. Many of you may have seen the stories of the 20-somethings who are burned out from the pressures of constant content, terrible community management, and endless harassment. Meanwhile, the platforms that benefit most from their efforts do nothing to help them, and actively worsen their situation by creating an unstable and risk-laden work environment.
There will be a reckoning for that one day. I'll gladly back any efforts to pressure platforms into taking their poisonous atmosphere seriously, and I am currently considering the best option to mount it myself if need be. Furthermore, smaller channels need some manner of protection from these fraudulent attempts to screw with their lives and livelihoods. There at least needs to be SOME downside to lying like this, some risk in waving your legislative genitals about.
As for Gilson, I have asked my lawyer to let him know that this scenario is literally the best thing that could have happened... for him. We have all seen what becomes of developers who pull this clownish nonsense, and despite being too tired for this shit, I'm still considering pursuing this further. It'll come down to what's worth doing, ultimately, but I am continuing to investigate LGS Studios and weighing the options.
These developers do not know how much sheer mercy is afforded them by my not being bothered to waste more money and time on their sorry little lives. It's the fact they throw that in my face, like when Scar tried to fuck Simba over at the end and was ate by Cheech Marin and Whoopi Goldberg.
Huge thanks to everyone for being so supportive over the past 24 hours. You kept my mood up to a shockingly high degree, we had a great stream last night which made me nearly do a cry, and spreading the word about what Gilson tried no doubt helped tremendously.
Thanks and see you on Monday. Because Monday is coming.
Love from the Gender Dumpster,
James Stephanie Sterling (The One From That Show You Saw Linked On Reddit Before The Mods Took It Down)
Comments
Good stuff! Glad to hear that this situation ended the right way. Hope you get the chance to have a rest.
2021-03-22 12:45:35 +0000 UTCIf you step to the Sterling, you better be prepared to dance! Now, where's my popcorn?
ThatSwede
2021-03-22 11:54:52 +0000 UTCIt'd be wonderful if Twitch wasn't already headed down the same highway to hell that YouTube is 500 miles down, wouldn't it?
akodorokku
2021-03-21 08:46:00 +0000 UTCThey probably are bad on purpose, but honestly, the whole situation feels more like Gilson was doing a tax evasion/ money laundering and Jim accidentally got too close to calling it out so Gilson freaked and tried to shut the channel down before any tax auditors could chance upon it. Could just be an oversensitive 'artiste' though as well.
2021-03-20 21:25:10 +0000 UTCGodlike Sterling takes home the belt! Undefeated in the Yoo Tube (Square circle?). If money allows, nail him to the fuckin wall.
2021-03-20 17:12:59 +0000 UTCGlad to have you here, James Stephanie Sterling. Thank God for you.
Daniel
2021-03-20 15:07:57 +0000 UTC"Hot honeyball" should be the next random-ass thing Steph uses to address us in their JQ intros
2021-03-20 15:05:26 +0000 UTCI always thought if you do a provably false claim it should go on your channel as a strike in return. Would help to keep people slightly more honest I feel. Or at least temporarily take their toys away when they pushed their luck.
Trevor Bond
2021-03-20 09:49:21 +0000 UTCI guess you could say he failed to commit Digital Homicide against your channel.
Hawkatana
2021-03-20 09:33:31 +0000 UTCThis'll probably just be lost in the churn but I just wanted to say that, as a trans person myself, it made me really happy to see someone I respect so much setting out on a similar journey. It's validating, y'know? This is one sub you'll never be losing. Anyway fuck the cowards who ran when you came out and fuck this guy.
Kaywen Atkinson
2021-03-20 09:32:17 +0000 UTCThank God for James Stephanie Sterling
Metalupis
2021-03-20 08:47:20 +0000 UTCNot defeated by REDACTED. Sounds like Hades.
Stephen Smith
2021-03-20 05:32:04 +0000 UTCLove you.
Andrew Kozma
2021-03-20 04:32:32 +0000 UTCFantastic news! You donβt fuck with James Stephanie Sterling son.
Owen Shadd
2021-03-20 04:14:55 +0000 UTCCan't wait for the juicy jimquisition. Keep strong you glorious bastard
2021-03-20 03:48:05 +0000 UTCGlad you were able to fight it off. I can only hope that creators' issues are finally reaching critical mass for the situation to change (likely through increased regulation and equal access to ad-tech, to allow for viable competitive video platforms to take off and still get social media access). From a different YT niche, Nux Taku, former shock-jock that he is, made a one hour long video touching on the resulting mental health issues upon creators from the algorithm and the arbitrary nature of YouTube's behavior. It's worth a watch if you haven't already seen it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmYc57RIeEE
A
2021-03-20 03:44:59 +0000 UTCI genuinely thought Gilson made these games to be purposefully bad. Like "hehe, lets just make this game where you're killed in one hit, regardless of what enemy you're facing and call it the hardest game ever made." The fact he's pulling some James and Robert Romine shit somehow gives me even less respect for him. Like, he either actually doesn't see whats wrong with making games that are that inept or he's running some form of tax write off scheme through the games and doesn't want criticism on them to be so notorious that people will see what he's doing. I literally can't see his work actually producing fans. I wasn't a fan of yours during the Digital Homicide/Digital Suicide thing (I wasn't even aware of your existence until later that year when I saw it appear on a few "Worst Games of 2014" lists and it mentioned the controversy) but I can imagine that a lot of your fans at the time had the same jaw on the floor "wait, so you were actually PROUD of this?!" reaction to the news of trying to silence you that I had.
shadowbliss
2021-03-20 02:38:06 +0000 UTCHey, Steph Jim, I'm here just to let you know I've been a fan from your early Escapist days, and am currently in the process of rewatching all your videos in order (I'm at early 2016 as of now), but it was only now, after this coward tried to shut you down - again - that I finally took the plunge and pledged to you here. Better late than never, I guess. Hope to be helping support you for a long time to come, and I really hope you decide to go after this latest jackass, because an example is in dire need of being set.
2021-03-20 02:14:59 +0000 UTCYou the best hun. Hurts to see Gilson get you to and hurt you like this. You keep being you and doing a great job, I appreciate it so much, I wish I was a more vocal minority, but the loud ones are the assholes unfortunately. You give me courage and I would hate to see the day you leave youtube, but we'll all be here nonetheless for whatever else you continue to do π
Josh
2021-03-20 01:44:38 +0000 UTCI am glad it worked out. I am an fan of your YT content since years, and finally decided to support the patron. Especially seeing the sad behavior of people jumping ship, because of your comming out video.
2021-03-20 01:17:25 +0000 UTCI'm so glad things worked out for you and the channel. Much love and thank god for you.
Andrew L Butula
2021-03-20 01:03:15 +0000 UTCWe will always support you JSS whether you are on YouTube or on any other platform. Dont let this bring you down β€π€
2021-03-20 00:17:38 +0000 UTCThe loss truly hurts me sometimes. Both the personal time lost, and the many people out there having to smother who they are in order to survive.
Jim Sterling
2021-03-20 00:16:58 +0000 UTCWe love you Jim!!
Aaron Hatton
2021-03-19 23:50:34 +0000 UTCIt's absolutely embarrassing how bad YouTube is to their content creators. Do they even realize they're migrating en masse to twitch? I like YouTube a lot, but only because of the people on it - they better protect them if they want to stick around.
Nate
2021-03-19 23:23:10 +0000 UTCYou are a genuine inspiration to us all. I mean that. And having watched since the first tentative episodes on the escapist, to your poetry slams on the virtues of Milktank, to your legal battles for the rights consumers and critics alike. Whatever you choose to do with your legal options now, know that you have been a heroic force and it does not go unappreciated. I await your next juvenile and crass episode with glee. Bravo, James Stephanie Sterling!
Lawrence Raisch Jr
2021-03-19 23:14:36 +0000 UTCThis is why you are Champion Regent and GBP, not that one (British Pound Sterling), needs to go back into hibernation.
2021-03-19 22:53:30 +0000 UTCFuck Gilson B. Pointless with a rusty cactus. Same with those chickenshits who unsubscribed because you decided to be you. Glad this is all sorted out. Thank god for you, and looking forward to Monday as always!
2021-03-19 22:40:38 +0000 UTCBless your heart Jim!!! Im hoping for the best, which you deserve!!
Paul Kasinski
2021-03-19 21:08:12 +0000 UTCWe haven't all fled en masse, of course. Some of us dug down hard in the ground and said "Nah, I'm home, thanks!" Thank God for you Jim!
Mukalytic
2021-03-19 20:40:15 +0000 UTCStay strong, be you and please find strenght to continue on, without burning yourself out β€οΈ
BlockXI
2021-03-19 20:36:06 +0000 UTCI really do hope you decide to pursue this further. I know it will be stressful, expensive, and just suck in every way possible, but we really do need actual rules around fair use that a precedential court decision could provide. This one is moot, but I think there's a strong argument to be made that it's the kind of conflict that will come up over and over, same as happened with abortion.
Joe Gorndt
2021-03-19 20:18:51 +0000 UTCI'll stand with you to the bitter end JSS! Screw anyone who thinks they can bring you down, you're literally one of the only people who isn't afraid to scream the truth, and me all other patrons are standing right behind you screaming with you
Punky_Plays
2021-03-19 20:18:50 +0000 UTCYouTube is just as pathetic as that guy, because this kind of thing shouldn't be an issue.
Smik
2021-03-19 20:14:33 +0000 UTCFor now...
2021-03-19 20:05:47 +0000 UTCThis guy is just so pathetic
Julia Z.
2021-03-19 19:34:11 +0000 UTCSo happy that Youtube did something *approaching* decency. But, more importantly that you stood up for yourself! Donβt mess with James Stephanie Fucking Sterling, Son!!
Clara Fae
2021-03-19 19:24:34 +0000 UTCI could say more but I think the best way to say it is simply, unashamedly, Thank God For You. You, as you are, doing what you do.
Pete Spicer
2021-03-19 19:15:19 +0000 UTCI am glad your channel is safe. Thank you for fighting the good fight, even when it is difficult.
Maxine
2021-03-19 19:13:05 +0000 UTCGood luck and do what ever you need to do for mental health. Ia sorry you lost support and subscribers for coming out. It's 2021 and people still feel entitled to tell you what needs to be between your legs or how you need to be. I have said for years that the wasted energy and talent spent on racism and bigotry that forces people to be something they aren't is the worst thing about it all. How many brilliant scientists have we lost because we refused to educate Black children or how many terror plots slipped because a Trans person was either not hired or missed something small due to the sheer hostility and pressure from a boss? The lost potential from people who cannot be themselves is staggering and horrific.
Benedict Holland
2021-03-19 18:59:13 +0000 UTCPure poetry! You have a lovely voice on camera, the mic AND the keyboard! I forgot how good your writing is. Keep swinging Steph and knock em' out!
Juicy Jeff
2021-03-19 18:55:08 +0000 UTCWell said. So happy your little nightmare with Pontes is over. Nightmare slain.
JackMagic
2021-03-19 18:55:03 +0000 UTCSo glad to see this update. The stuff you do is important. Thank you for being you. It might sound a bit pompous, but it is a privilege that I'm able to chip in. Maybe sometime, in the long and distant future, Pontes will develop some semblence of self awareness. And on that day, I'll be sure to buy a lottery ticket!
Mike Lee
2021-03-19 18:54:37 +0000 UTCThey know. They've been working out.
JackMagic
2021-03-19 18:54:07 +0000 UTCIn a more ideal world you would be able to rake these kinds of "developers" across the coals and set an example out of them, but understandably the stress, time, and money spent pursuing another lawsuit would be too great a toll. Fortunately, your channel was not taken down, not that there was merit to the copyright strikes anyway. Wishing you all the best, James Stephanie. <3
Serenity β¨
2021-03-19 18:32:38 +0000 UTCIt's a shame that Gilson did this. I was also beginning to look forward to seeing his terrible games and laughing at them, but now he's just a punch line.
scaper12123
2021-03-19 18:29:23 +0000 UTCThey'll be sorry they didn't let you rest. Love what you wrote here.
Sergio Augusto
2021-03-19 18:24:07 +0000 UTCI realise that a significant cost of pursuing this further would be the mental toll on you, and that's not something fans can fix, but I'm sure that you'd get a lot of financial support to go after these guys with a giant purple dildo-bat in lawsuit form. If that was something you felt like was worth it to you. Much love!
Fukata
2021-03-19 18:19:06 +0000 UTCGood! Glad to hear this attempt to shut down your channel failed. That is wonderful news! π
Perpetual Noob
2021-03-19 18:10:31 +0000 UTCI'm so happy this was resolved so fast. I was worried for your channel, sure, but considering how much *work* and stress and effort bullshit like this takes up I was most worried about it dragging on regardless of if you wanted that. If possible take that break you needed π€
2021-03-19 18:08:55 +0000 UTCDo these developers think that if they remove the criticism that the facts will change? The game was shit. Thatβs undeniable.
Faith and Valor have a good month creators. Love all that you do.
2021-03-19 18:07:45 +0000 UTCJim needs to appreciate they've got more punching power than they think... Good work πͺ
2021-03-19 18:01:48 +0000 UTCThe real takedown was the friends we made along the way
DarklordIIID
2021-03-19 18:01:04 +0000 UTCFinally becoming a patron just to say good to hear, James Stephanie! I'm behind you 100%!
Charles Arthur
2021-03-19 17:52:49 +0000 UTCThe commitment to set precedent is at least part of what put the fear in them.
Jathby Dredas
2021-03-19 17:49:30 +0000 UTCThey threatened him with the same song and dance, boss music started playing, Youtube and bad guy decided someone who wants a fight is bad news and went away. Queue music. https://youtu.be/-YCN-a0NsNk (This is a less than nuanced summary, but bullet points as it goes.)
Big Mac
2021-03-19 17:47:56 +0000 UTCMuch love! You're great and I look forward to Mondays because of you. Glad to hear that things are resolved- to the degree they are.
2021-03-19 17:47:05 +0000 UTCI have a mild reading disability, and it's currently causing me some aphasia, but I assume this is good?
Cyberweasel89
2021-03-19 17:41:04 +0000 UTCLove you, Jim, please stop eating those vile sour candies :P
Ben L.
2021-03-19 17:35:43 +0000 UTCHah!
Nate
2021-03-19 17:35:14 +0000 UTCGlad to hear you got through this! Hope that's the last of touchy devs, but... well... let's be honest. Better to hope this is the last one to go this far.
Bryan Gillis
2021-03-19 17:34:18 +0000 UTCGood to hear things eventually (kind of) worked out!
Sarah Alderdice
2021-03-19 17:33:56 +0000 UTCFuck Gilson, fuck YouTube, fuck those transphobic unsubscribers, and fuck chronic pain! Thank god for James Stephanie Sterling! <3
2021-03-19 17:33:43 +0000 UTCMuch love, James Stephanie. I'm so sorry to hear people have unsubscribed after you came out; I want you to know I'm one of those who decided to become a Patreon _because_ you came out. Admire your courage in your videos and in life. Keep going and never give up.
Boudewijn Redeker
2021-03-19 17:32:28 +0000 UTCGreat that it worked out at the end, I hope the basterds gets what coming to them , don't go easy on them!
2021-03-19 17:32:27 +0000 UTCHave you considered also hosting your content on something like Floatplane? It would help protect your online presence from immediately disappearing if YouTube is too lazy to properly sort out false DMCA claims. Though, I do believe they have a minimum first tier of $5/mo at this point, just due to hosting costs. And that doesn't totally jive with your philosophy.
2021-03-19 17:30:34 +0000 UTCYou showed incredible mercy with Pontes and especially DigiHom. When Digital Homicide lost their suit, I would have come at them for restitution.
Ethan
2021-03-19 17:30:29 +0000 UTCYeah buddy!
2021-03-19 17:29:52 +0000 UTCI'm happy that you have prevailed over the absolutely messed up 'thing' that is YouTube's handling of copyright strikes. He could have taken the criticism on board and you know, this time next year release a better game? Either way looking forward to your content :) just don't be so happy that you can no longer be angry ;)
Fermin Ayucar
2021-03-19 17:29:39 +0000 UTCLove you, Jim, wish you the best luck and all the power in the world to combat this.
Inkary
2021-03-19 17:28:06 +0000 UTCAs a fellow content creating James-ish who has no shortage of headaches with youtube and ppl getting pissy at my videos, I just had to become a Patron. I've watched your stuff for over a decade now, and I'm here for the long haul. Fuck Gillson. Fuck youtube. And fuck anyone who stopped watching when you came out. Fuck them with a rusty cheese grater.
2021-03-19 17:27:01 +0000 UTCJust wanted to say I am a long time viewer since the escapist days, and its reasons like this I am happy we get to support you on platforms other than just youtube. Keep doing what you have done, some of my favorite videos are the jimpressions. I just love your honest review style and the fact that you do what you want. Thank god for Sterling!
Zeffy
2021-03-19 17:25:55 +0000 UTCI may not always agree with you but you fight a good fight and that's what counts. Glad that it all was resolved swiftly
2021-03-19 17:25:42 +0000 UTCThe biggest surprise to me is that Gilson doesn't know his games are pure dogshit - I thought he was in on the joke as well!
TwiZted00
2021-03-19 17:25:20 +0000 UTCBeat me to it ><
Ariel Sasinsky
2021-03-19 17:24:26 +0000 UTCJim Stephanie Fucking Sterling Son!
Ariel Sasinsky
2021-03-19 17:24:14 +0000 UTCI wish you did not have to deal with this! Happy to be here to support you in the ways I can!
MeeGeeDee
2021-03-19 17:23:01 +0000 UTCGillson can eat shit
2021-03-19 17:20:24 +0000 UTCI'm still here, still watching you on YouTube (the bastards) and still supporting on Patreon. Love you right back!
Jewelsmith
2021-03-19 17:19:42 +0000 UTCI can't _not_ be a patron anymore. I'm glad you were able to defeat this pest. And it blows my mind people would unsub because you came out. Shitheads.
2021-03-19 17:19:37 +0000 UTCYIPPEE!!! As ever keep doing what you are doing you Hot Honeyball of a Humanbeing!!!
2021-03-19 17:19:22 +0000 UTCThank God for Sterling!
Avatar Juan
2021-03-19 17:18:09 +0000 UTCGlad you were able to resolve all this quickly. Keep fighting the good fight, and thank God for you.
2021-03-19 17:17:31 +0000 UTCHeck hath no fury like a scorned enby. There needs to be some kind of collective YouTube legal fund to hire lawyers to send "down, boy" notices to people like this.
2021-03-19 17:17:15 +0000 UTCI ain't going anywhere.
Chris Dias
2021-03-19 17:16:40 +0000 UTCJim Fucking Stephanie Sterling, son
Nemrex
2021-03-19 17:16:26 +0000 UTCSo passes Gilson Butterworth Pontes III
Thom
2021-03-19 17:15:38 +0000 UTCI'm 101% waiting for your content regarding this, your Slaughtering Grounds saga was absolute gold. Glad you're still on the platform JSS, I have your Jimquisitions on shuffle every night I'm grinding on Destiny, I can even quote alot of your content! Big love!
2021-03-19 17:14:49 +0000 UTCGlad to hear your channel isn't gunna get vaporized Jim. Sorry that you had to deal with such a cuntmonkey like this again. Really hope it gets better for ya. I'll still be here, every week. Someone's gotta call the industry out on its bullshit. Blind loyalty is always going to end badly.
Robert Tempest
2021-03-19 17:14:39 +0000 UTCCongratulations! Get some rest! Take care!
Jesse Miller
2021-03-19 17:14:18 +0000 UTCKilling the game, JSS! Keep doing you
BusinessGoose
2021-03-19 17:13:46 +0000 UTC
