Bluetracker

Tracks Blizzard employees across various accounts.

For the normal people that don’t know what this is meant to symbolize, especially a week or so after posting Pepe meme a month ago. https://t.co/umRnRTA3Tq https://t.co/Y93KrdfQbw

For the normal people that don’t know what this is meant to symbolize, especially a week or so after posting Pepe meme a month ago. https://t.co/umRnRTA3Tq https://t.co/Y93KrdfQbw

EladNehorai

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

For the normal people that don’t know what this is meant to symbolize, especially a week or so after posting Pepe meme a month ago. https://t.co/umRnRTA3Tq https://t.co/Y93KrdfQbw

Chadd Nervigg

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez Dude. Kek's meaning is no mystery. It's a fucking WoW reference, ffs.

DevSpacePrez

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@Celestalon @EladNehorai Yeah it started that way, and then 4chan did what they do... https://t.co/DD2clBN1mi You're right that its no mystery, but its not just a wow meme dude.

Chadd Nervigg

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai Yeah, I know, some things get coopted, like poor pepe.

wrathofmog

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@Celestalon @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai If they truly believe this, all that kekW spam in twitch chat must be really upsetting lol

Chadd Nervigg

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@wrathofmog @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai Yeah, the idea that kek is only (or primarily) used by the alt-right is laughable.

wrathofmog

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@Celestalon @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai We are doing all we can I think, it must be exhausting thinking everything you don't like/understand has to be nefarious

DevSpacePrez

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@wrathofmog @Celestalon @EladNehorai That's a pretty bad faith strawman. Its not "everything", its this one thing. Musk has a history of statements that make this more concerning. Not to mention lately he's been buddying up with known incendiary alt-right posters.

Chadd Nervigg

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog @EladNehorai No argument with the negativity toward Musk. But don't spread the false idea that someone using kek is "most often [an alt-right asshole]".

DevSpacePrez

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@Celestalon @wrathofmog @EladNehorai Okay that feels extremely disingenuous. I didn't say that, and you have to really take things out of context to get upset about that. Its pretty darn clear what's being discussed here. Comeon. Jesus.

EladNehorai

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@DevSpacePrez @Celestalon @wrathofmog Exactly. This is about one person and a pattern of behavior. Responded to this discussion here. I’ll also add it’s pretty gross to see this so easily dismissed when many minorities and vulnerable communities are raising these alarm bells. https://t.co/yJdQ9vp9ar

Chadd Nervigg

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog Does this help establish a pattern *for Musk*? Sure. So retweet *that*. Don't retweet the OP here, which is clear divisive misinformation, trying to spread the false idea that anyone you see using kek is "most often" alt-right.

EladNehorai

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@Celestalon @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog I’m the OP and nothing here is disinformation. I linked to the article that provides more context. If you want to parse every detail go for it, just know you’re only helping the bigots.

Chadd Nervigg

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog Your OP said, and I quote, "referencing Kek is most often just a way of signaling to fellow conversants online that the writer embraces the principles of chaos and destruction that are central to alt-right thinking". That is clearly a false statement. Do you see the problem?

Chadd Nervigg

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog If that statement said "occasionally" instead of "most often", that would be a great part of explaining why Musk's use of kek is another clue pointing toward his alt-right thinking. But instead, as written, it's aiming hate at a much larger, innocent group. Please don't do that.

str1cken

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@Celestalon @EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog I guess I'm wondering where you're getting the idea that post-2017 "kek" is used more often as a WoW reference than an alt-right dog whistle? What is your metric for that? https://t.co/MX665PJaUo

Chadd Nervigg

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@str1cken @EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog Sure, happy to explain. Spend 10min in any major Twitch/YouTube stream's chat. It's used *constantly*. The streaming community uses kekW or kekWait all the time.

Chadd Nervigg

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@str1cken @EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog https://t.co/WBEj0jdYgZ

str1cken

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@Celestalon @EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog sorry, so not kek but kekw? am I understanding you correctly?

Chadd Nervigg

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@str1cken @EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog Twitch emotes often have a prefix/suffix. They're variants, or related to different streamers, etc. kekW is the graphical version that is often repeatedly spammed. I believe they have a minimum length of 4 letters for the emoji ones. You'll see kek, kekw, kekwait, all the time.

Chadd Nervigg

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@str1cken @EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog (Also, very few people these days even know the origin is WoW. It's almost entirely known as an aggressive laugh.)

str1cken

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@Celestalon I used to do a show with Mike Rugnetta + Patrick Davison in the late aughts and early 2010s about memes before "meme" was a household word and one specifically about alt-right memes in 2017, so I'm familiar with the history and usage ... 1/2

str1cken

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@Celestalon I decided to hit you up in the interest of clarification on data and context you may have that I don't since you seem very defensive about it but also not alt-right yourself. Surprising combination! Piqued my curiosity. Looking for the best information on a thing like this! 2/2

Chadd Nervigg

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@str1cken Absolutely. Happy to help share the context and make sure the ire is directed in the right direction (Elon). <3

str1cken

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@Celestalon Just to be clear and specific about where you're at, you and I agree that kekw is used on twitch frequently and not as an alt-right dogwhistle, and that pre-2017 kek was an innocuous WoW-referencing "laugh out loud", but we differ on kek's primary usage today, yes?

str1cken

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@Celestalon And so obviously the google trends results strongly suggests that its *current* usage is most strongly associated with the rise of Trump and the alt-right, do you have any data suggesting that actually the *primary* usage as innocuous gamer talk? For my own edification?

Chadd Nervigg

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@str1cken I don't think google trends would see game chat or twitch chat, so it's hard to show metrics reflecting that. (1/2)

Chadd Nervigg

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@str1cken All I can say is that tons of gamers will tell you, it's a very commonly seen word, and there does not seem to be any correlation between usage of kek in the gaming sphere, and the alt-right. (2/2)

carsonmcd

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@Celestalon @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai Are you saying it’s a coincidence that Elon happened to accidentally reference all of these coopted memes along with tons of other not-coopted alt-right dog whistles over the past month? People, politicians who do this know how to stay in a grey area.

Chadd Nervigg

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@carsonmcd @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai No, I am not saying that, not one bit. Elon is terrible. My point is only this: In some people's haste to attack Elon (justifiably), they have accidentally ALSO painted a target on *literally millions* of gamers who use it every day, innocent of any connection to alt-right.

Chadd Nervigg

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@carsonmcd @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai Absolutely attack Elon for his alt-right associations. He deserves it. But we don't need other uninvolved people hating each other for no reason. Don't spread that hate. Spread love.
carsonmcd

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@Celestalon @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai I agree with that. It’s tough to wedge nuance into these conversations. Thank you for clarifying.

Chadd Nervigg

Posted 2 years, 11 months ago (Source)

@carsonmcd @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai Thank you. That "tough to wedge nuance into these conversations" is one of the biggest challenges we face in social media. I see collateral damage hitting undeserving people in all sorts of arguments all the time, and it saddens me. :(

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
For the normal people that don’t know what this is meant to symbolize, especially a week or so after posting Pepe meme a month ago. https://t.co/umRnRTA3Tq https://t.co/Y93KrdfQbw (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607209592819453953">None</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez Dude. Kek's meaning is no mystery. It's a fucking WoW reference, ffs. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607280916099104770">Chadd Nervigg</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@Celestalon @EladNehorai Yeah it started that way, and then 4chan did what they do...

https://t.co/DD2clBN1mi

You're right that its no mystery, but its not just a wow meme dude. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607281177836011527">None</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai Yeah, I know, some things get coopted, like poor pepe. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607281514739568642">Chadd Nervigg</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@Celestalon @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai If they truly believe this, all that kekW spam in twitch chat must be really upsetting lol (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607287386245074944">None</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@wrathofmog @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai Yeah, the idea that kek is only (or primarily) used by the alt-right is laughable. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607288487719632898">Chadd Nervigg</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@Celestalon @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai We are doing all we can I think, it must be exhausting thinking everything you don't like/understand has to be nefarious (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607289271328837633">None</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@wrathofmog @Celestalon @EladNehorai That's a pretty bad faith strawman. Its not "everything", its this one thing.

Musk has a history of statements that make this more concerning. Not to mention lately he's been buddying up with known incendiary alt-right posters. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607295204607787009">None</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog @EladNehorai No argument with the negativity toward Musk. But don't spread the false idea that someone using kek is "most often [an alt-right asshole]". (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607295973952487424">Chadd Nervigg</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@Celestalon @wrathofmog @EladNehorai Okay that feels extremely disingenuous. I didn't say that, and you have to really take things out of context to get upset about that. Its pretty darn clear what's being discussed here. Comeon. Jesus. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607296399179235329">None</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@DevSpacePrez @Celestalon @wrathofmog Exactly. This is about one person and a pattern of behavior. Responded to this discussion here.

I’ll also add it’s pretty gross to see this so easily dismissed when many minorities and vulnerable communities are raising these alarm bells.

https://t.co/yJdQ9vp9ar (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607297872625807360">None</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog Does this help establish a pattern *for Musk*? Sure.

So retweet *that*. Don't retweet the OP here, which is clear divisive misinformation, trying to spread the false idea that anyone you see using kek is "most often" alt-right. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607302195489431560">Chadd Nervigg</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@Celestalon @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog I’m the OP and nothing here is disinformation. I linked to the article that provides more context. If you want to parse every detail go for it, just know you’re only helping the bigots. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607302492643282945">None</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog Your OP said, and I quote, "referencing Kek is most often just a way of signaling to fellow conversants online that the writer embraces the principles of chaos and destruction that are central to alt-right thinking".

That is clearly a false statement. Do you see the problem? (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607304247477161987">Chadd Nervigg</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog If that statement said "occasionally" instead of "most often", that would be a great part of explaining why Musk's use of kek is another clue pointing toward his alt-right thinking. But instead, as written, it's aiming hate at a much larger, innocent group. Please don't do that. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607305784400150529">Chadd Nervigg</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@Celestalon @EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog I guess I'm wondering where you're getting the idea that post-2017 "kek" is used more often as a WoW reference than an alt-right dog whistle?

What is your metric for that? https://t.co/MX665PJaUo (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607522127229628416">None</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@str1cken @EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog Sure, happy to explain. Spend 10min in any major Twitch/YouTube stream's chat. It's used *constantly*. The streaming community uses kekW or kekWait all the time. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607523955530952705">Chadd Nervigg</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@str1cken @EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog https://t.co/WBEj0jdYgZ (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607524195910713346">Chadd Nervigg</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@Celestalon @EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog sorry, so not kek but kekw? am I understanding you correctly? (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607525328205008897">None</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@str1cken @EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog Twitch emotes often have a prefix/suffix. They're variants, or related to different streamers, etc. kekW is the graphical version that is often repeatedly spammed. I believe they have a minimum length of 4 letters for the emoji ones. You'll see kek, kekw, kekwait, all the time. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607528864439472130">Chadd Nervigg</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@str1cken @EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog (Also, very few people these days even know the origin is WoW. It's almost entirely known as an aggressive laugh.) (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607530513866321920">Chadd Nervigg</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@Celestalon I used to do a show with Mike Rugnetta + Patrick Davison in the late aughts and early 2010s about memes before "meme" was a household word and one specifically about alt-right memes in 2017, so I'm familiar with the history and usage ... 1/2 (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607531609045209089">None</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@Celestalon I decided to hit you up in the interest of clarification on data and context you may have that I don't since you seem very defensive about it but also not alt-right yourself. Surprising combination! Piqued my curiosity. Looking for the best information on a thing like this! 2/2 (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607532143760273408">None</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@str1cken Absolutely. Happy to help share the context and make sure the ire is directed in the right direction (Elon). <3 (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607532288568602624">Chadd Nervigg</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@Celestalon Just to be clear and specific about where you're at, you and I agree that kekw is used on twitch frequently and not as an alt-right dogwhistle, and that pre-2017 kek was an innocuous WoW-referencing "laugh out loud", but we differ on kek's primary usage today, yes? (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607533167052980224">None</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@Celestalon And so obviously the google trends results strongly suggests that its *current* usage is most strongly associated with the rise of Trump and the alt-right, do you have any data suggesting that actually the *primary* usage as innocuous gamer talk? For my own edification? (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607533547694489602">None</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@str1cken I don't think google trends would see game chat or twitch chat, so it's hard to show metrics reflecting that. (1/2) (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607544804912824322">Chadd Nervigg</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@str1cken All I can say is that tons of gamers will tell you, it's a very commonly seen word, and there does not seem to be any correlation between usage of kek in the gaming sphere, and the alt-right. (2/2) (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607544915151712257">Chadd Nervigg</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@Celestalon @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai Are you saying it’s a coincidence that Elon happened to accidentally reference all of these coopted memes along with tons of other not-coopted alt-right dog whistles over the past month?

People, politicians who do this know how to stay in a grey area. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607399403253276672">None</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@carsonmcd @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai No, I am not saying that, not one bit. Elon is terrible.

My point is only this: In some people's haste to attack Elon (justifiably), they have accidentally ALSO painted a target on *literally millions* of gamers who use it every day, innocent of any connection to alt-right. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607497952146391040">Chadd Nervigg</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@carsonmcd @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai Absolutely attack Elon for his alt-right associations. He deserves it.

But we don't need other uninvolved people hating each other for no reason. Don't spread that hate. Spread love. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607498625298595840">Chadd Nervigg</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@Celestalon @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai I agree with that. It’s tough to wedge nuance into these conversations. Thank you for clarifying. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607500650925166592">None</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
 
</blockquote>
@carsonmcd @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai Thank you. That "tough to wedge nuance into these conversations" is one of the biggest challenges we face in social media. I see collateral damage hitting undeserving people in all sorts of arguments all the time, and it saddens me. :( (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607501141058936834">Chadd Nervigg</a>)
<hr/>

Tweet

For the normal people that don’t know what this is meant to symbolize, especially a week or so after posting Pepe meme a month ago. https://t.co/umRnRTA3Tq https://t.co/Y93KrdfQbw

@EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez Dude. Kek's meaning is no mystery. It's a fucking WoW reference, ffs. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607280916099104770">Source</a>)

@Celestalon @EladNehorai Yeah it started that way, and then 4chan did what they do...

https://t.co/DD2clBN1mi

You're right that its no mystery, but its not just a wow meme dude.

@DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai Yeah, I know, some things get coopted, like poor pepe. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607281514739568642">Source</a>)

@Celestalon @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai If they truly believe this, all that kekW spam in twitch chat must be really upsetting lol

@wrathofmog @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai Yeah, the idea that kek is only (or primarily) used by the alt-right is laughable. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607288487719632898">Source</a>)

@Celestalon @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai We are doing all we can I think, it must be exhausting thinking everything you don't like/understand has to be nefarious

@wrathofmog @Celestalon @EladNehorai That's a pretty bad faith strawman. Its not "everything", its this one thing.

Musk has a history of statements that make this more concerning. Not to mention lately he's been buddying up with known incendiary alt-right posters.

@DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog @EladNehorai No argument with the negativity toward Musk. But don't spread the false idea that someone using kek is "most often [an alt-right asshole]". (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607295973952487424">Source</a>)

@Celestalon @wrathofmog @EladNehorai Okay that feels extremely disingenuous. I didn't say that, and you have to really take things out of context to get upset about that. Its pretty darn clear what's being discussed here. Comeon. Jesus.

@DevSpacePrez @Celestalon @wrathofmog Exactly. This is about one person and a pattern of behavior. Responded to this discussion here.

I’ll also add it’s pretty gross to see this so easily dismissed when many minorities and vulnerable communities are raising these alarm bells.

https://t.co/yJdQ9vp9ar

@EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog Does this help establish a pattern *for Musk*? Sure.

So retweet *that*. Don't retweet the OP here, which is clear divisive misinformation, trying to spread the false idea that anyone you see using kek is "most often" alt-right. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607302195489431560">Source</a>)

@Celestalon @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog I’m the OP and nothing here is disinformation. I linked to the article that provides more context. If you want to parse every detail go for it, just know you’re only helping the bigots.

@EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog Your OP said, and I quote, "referencing Kek is most often just a way of signaling to fellow conversants online that the writer embraces the principles of chaos and destruction that are central to alt-right thinking".

That is clearly a false statement. Do you see the problem? (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607304247477161987">Source</a>)

@EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog If that statement said "occasionally" instead of "most often", that would be a great part of explaining why Musk's use of kek is another clue pointing toward his alt-right thinking. But instead, as written, it's aiming hate at a much larger, innocent group. Please don't do that. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607305784400150529">Source</a>)

@Celestalon @EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog I guess I'm wondering where you're getting the idea that post-2017 "kek" is used more often as a WoW reference than an alt-right dog whistle?

What is your metric for that? https://t.co/MX665PJaUo

@str1cken @EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog Sure, happy to explain. Spend 10min in any major Twitch/YouTube stream's chat. It's used *constantly*. The streaming community uses kekW or kekWait all the time. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607523955530952705">Source</a>)

@str1cken @EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog https://t.co/WBEj0jdYgZ (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607524195910713346">Source</a>)

@Celestalon @EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog sorry, so not kek but kekw? am I understanding you correctly?

@str1cken @EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog Twitch emotes often have a prefix/suffix. They're variants, or related to different streamers, etc. kekW is the graphical version that is often repeatedly spammed. I believe they have a minimum length of 4 letters for the emoji ones. You'll see kek, kekw, kekwait, all the time. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607528864439472130">Source</a>)

@str1cken @EladNehorai @DevSpacePrez @wrathofmog (Also, very few people these days even know the origin is WoW. It's almost entirely known as an aggressive laugh.) (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607530513866321920">Source</a>)

@Celestalon I used to do a show with Mike Rugnetta + Patrick Davison in the late aughts and early 2010s about memes before "meme" was a household word and one specifically about alt-right memes in 2017, so I'm familiar with the history and usage ... 1/2

@Celestalon I decided to hit you up in the interest of clarification on data and context you may have that I don't since you seem very defensive about it but also not alt-right yourself. Surprising combination! Piqued my curiosity. Looking for the best information on a thing like this! 2/2

@str1cken Absolutely. Happy to help share the context and make sure the ire is directed in the right direction (Elon). &lt;3 (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607532288568602624">Source</a>)

@Celestalon Just to be clear and specific about where you're at, you and I agree that kekw is used on twitch frequently and not as an alt-right dogwhistle, and that pre-2017 kek was an innocuous WoW-referencing "laugh out loud", but we differ on kek's primary usage today, yes?

@Celestalon And so obviously the google trends results strongly suggests that its *current* usage is most strongly associated with the rise of Trump and the alt-right, do you have any data suggesting that actually the *primary* usage as innocuous gamer talk? For my own edification?

@str1cken I don't think google trends would see game chat or twitch chat, so it's hard to show metrics reflecting that. (1/2) (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607544804912824322">Source</a>)

@str1cken All I can say is that tons of gamers will tell you, it's a very commonly seen word, and there does not seem to be any correlation between usage of kek in the gaming sphere, and the alt-right. (2/2) (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607544915151712257">Source</a>)
 
 <hr/>

@Celestalon @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai Are you saying it’s a coincidence that Elon happened to accidentally reference all of these coopted memes along with tons of other not-coopted alt-right dog whistles over the past month?

People, politicians who do this know how to stay in a grey area.

@carsonmcd @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai No, I am not saying that, not one bit. Elon is terrible.

My point is only this: In some people's haste to attack Elon (justifiably), they have accidentally ALSO painted a target on *literally millions* of gamers who use it every day, innocent of any connection to alt-right. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607497952146391040">Source</a>)

@carsonmcd @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai Absolutely attack Elon for his alt-right associations. He deserves it.

But we don't need other uninvolved people hating each other for no reason. Don't spread that hate. Spread love. (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607498625298595840">Source</a>)

@Celestalon @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai I agree with that. It’s tough to wedge nuance into these conversations. Thank you for clarifying.

@carsonmcd @DevSpacePrez @EladNehorai Thank you. That "tough to wedge nuance into these conversations" is one of the biggest challenges we face in social media. I see collateral damage hitting undeserving people in all sorts of arguments all the time, and it saddens me. :( (<a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1607501141058936834">Source</a>)
 
 <hr/>