Forbes Activist Paul Tassi Simps HARD For Alyssa Mercante...

Paul Tassi: The Moment I Lost Faith in a Forbes "Journalist"

He used to be respected. Another one bites the proverbial dust.

There comes a point where giving someone the benefit of the doubt becomes impossible - and when it comes to "journalists" - that point comes fast. That moment has now officially come with Paul Tassi.

For a long time, I tried to approach his work with an open mind. Despite the occasional eyebrow-raising article, and wonky take... I was willing to see if he could bring a fair, nuanced perspective to gaming journalism. But in recent months, it's become more clear that he’s absolutely no different at all than most other journalists in the gaming industry: He's an activist, subtly pushing a woke ideological narrative while shilling for the very machine that suppresses dissenting voices. It's all one big club, and apparently.. we're not in it.

A Recent Interaction Unmasks Paul Tassi

This whole situation came to a head during a recent Twitter exchange. It all began when Paul Tassi downplayed criticism directed at Kotaku, a "gaming" site long known for pushing woke ideology, attacking gamers and protecting their own - at the cost of integrity.

Here's how it started:

Paul Tassi (@PaulTassi) posted:

"This idea of Kotaku as some big games journalism boogeyman at this point is weird. The site has been cut to what, like four full-time people constantly dealing with clueless private equity management. Just move on."

In response, I pointed out:

"Paul, the people that work there are terrible human beings. Attacking gamers constantly, and supporting editors that go after people in their private life for daring to have said opinions. They have made the bed. Now lay in it. Zero sympathy."

The Petty Retort

Instead of engaging in thoughtful dialogue or addressing the substance of any fair critique, Paul took the low road, predictably - with:

"Aren’t you the guy who made like 500 videos about Alyssa?"

For context, yes, I've covered Alyssa Mercante quite a bit, not out of obsession but to report on her actions that harm the gaming industry and community. My audience deserves transparency, and if a journalist's behavior warrants discussion, I'm not going to shy away from reporting it. This, you'd think. would already be known to someone who supposedly works as a journalist for a corporation... Highlighting her problematic stances isn't harassment—it's holding those in power accountable for their actions.

I quote tweeted that and said:

Imagine doing your job reporting to your audience information that they’re interested in hearing.

Imagine doing the slightest bit of research, discovering any time I covered her was spotlighting how she was hurting the very industry that supports your paycheck.

Just Imagine.

A Block Instead of a Conversation

My retort ratioed Paul so hard by the greater X community that instead of acknowledging that ...perhaps... he misjudged or oversimplified, he just instead blocked me. It's a classic move in the playbook of industry figures who can't stand up to fair criticism. But it didn’t end there. I posted this after he blocked me:

"@PaulTassi did you really just block me for an extremely fair clap back? Holy shit you’re weaker than I gave you credit for. That’s some SERIOUS beta cuck energy you’re exuding. Learn how to take an L properly. You’ll be a lot happier in life, I promise."

It’s one thing to disagree, but it's another to silence a fair counterargument because you can't handle the heat.

What This Says About Industry Journalists

Here's why I canted to cover this in: This situation is the PERFECT microcosm of how the industry operates. Mainstream game journalists always pretend to tout these so-called values like diversity, inclusivity, and equality, but only when it's convenient or aligns with their personal beliefs. True diversity of thought? No chance. Not in the slightest - Journalists like Paul Tassi thrive in an echo chamber where any dissenting opinion is met with mockery, belittlement, or outright blocking. When they are in the wrong defending their buddy, in this case - former Kotaku employees like Alyssa Mercante, it's even more noticeable.

Paul concludes with responding to me behind a block like a real puss:

I forgot blocking doesn’t even do anything now

This interaction, petty as it may seem on the surface, is actually deeply emblematic of the insidious rot in games journalism today. The moment someone dares to call out industry figures or major outlets for their hypocrisy, they become the target. It’s very telling when the response isn’t engagement or discussion - but a retreat behind the safety of the block button.

I knew Paul was weak on social media, so I always approached him with kid gloves in the past - this way, it'd easy to expose him for who he truly is deep down. This was unfortunately... way too easy to accomplish here.

The Industry’s Greatest Joke

Diversity? Inclusivity? Equality? The reality of these DEI 'words' are nothing more than marketing terms thrown around to satisfy audiences and uphold a façade. Real inclusivity would mean accepting that there’s room for different viewpoints and that not all criticism is baseless hate... ESPECIALLY here.

The sad truth is that as long as the industry is populated by "journalists" like Paul Tassi, who can’t handle being called out and can’t stand up to genuine conversation, these principles will remain a joke—an inside one at that. Only those with the “right” opinions get the pass. The rest? Blocked, mocked, and ignored. Activists can't stand for truth. It goes against the very foundation of hitting their intended target.

Until real change happens, this is the industry we’re left with: where the "journalists" reporting on our beloved games are more interested in playing gatekeepers for their activist 'buddies' than the actual real truth-tellers out there.

Take a long look in the mirror, realize you're wrong, and reevaluate your approach. Until then, kindly get bent, Paul. You're no better than the rest of these losers populating the 'professional' games industry. It's pathetic at this point. It really is.

~Smash