Gaslighting involves withholding esoteric information and knowledge. This behavior is common in comics, sports cards, and certain professions. Instead of training newcomers, gatekeepers watch them struggle and gaslight them about not understanding a task after seeing it done once.
They fail to explain the task or provide opportunities for questions, creating a toxic environment of gatekeeping and occupational hazing. In such environments, information is hoarded to maintain a hierarchical structure, rather than shared to enhance the collective.
Examples include:
- “Can you tell if it’s a first edition based on the cover?”
- “Gatekeepers: ….”
- “I looked it up. It’s the Italian version, worth $100.”
- “You’re better at comedy than collecting. I needed a laugh. I don’t need your junk. $5 each. Take it or leave it.”
- “I put it all back together despite not seeing it disassembled. A novice couldn’t have done that.”
- “It fell apart when I tested it. I took care of it. We couldn’t afford you wasting half a day guessing. I’m the mechanic. You’re too inexperienced.”
This behavior stems from insecurity. By raising the barrier to entry, the “gatekeeper” protects their status. If they teach newcomers everything, they lose their position as the “only one” who can perform the job or identify rare misprints, making them feel replaceable.
They fail to explain the task or provide opportunities for questions, creating a toxic environment of gatekeeping and occupational hazing. In such environments, information is hoarded to maintain a hierarchical structure, rather than shared to enhance the collective.
Examples include:
- “Can you tell if it’s a first edition based on the cover?”
- “Gatekeepers: ….”
- “I looked it up. It’s the Italian version, worth $100.”
- “You’re better at comedy than collecting. I needed a laugh. I don’t need your junk. $5 each. Take it or leave it.”
- “I put it all back together despite not seeing it disassembled. A novice couldn’t have done that.”
- “It fell apart when I tested it. I took care of it. We couldn’t afford you wasting half a day guessing. I’m the mechanic. You’re too inexperienced.”
This behavior stems from insecurity. By raising the barrier to entry, the “gatekeeper” protects their status. If they teach newcomers everything, they lose their position as the “only one” who can perform the job or identify rare misprints, making them feel replaceable.
by Say_Words April 1, 2026
Get the Gatekeeping mug.The act of running interference of potential suitors (usually in a nightclub or trendy bar) for a woman who is not your significant other.
Friend: Hey were you able to talk to Chelsea on Friday?
You: Absolutely not. Jimbo was gatekeeping again. You know hes basically the Thanos of cockblocking.
You: Absolutely not. Jimbo was gatekeeping again. You know hes basically the Thanos of cockblocking.
by anonymous October 26, 2025
Get the Gatekeeping mug.by Sexymochochocolat June 12, 2022
Get the stop gatekeeping mug.When self-appointed authorities in the gaming community attempt to dictate how others should play, speak, or engage based on personal preferences or perceived norms.
"I prefer playing stealthily in this game."
"You're not a real gamer unless you play aggressively."
"I like using this controller for gaming." "Real gamers only use XYZ brand. You're not serious about gaming."
"I enjoy playing casually for fun." "Casual gamers ruin the experience for serious players. Step up or quit."
"No, it's not a mod/playstyle choice!!! Silent Assassin is cheating, and anyone with half a brain cell is going to think of you as a cheater if you run it."
"Embracing a 'Gamer Gatekeeping' attitude, some assert their words as law in the gaming world, dictating how everyone should play. Disregarding these proclaimed rules may lead to exclusion from the gaming community."
"You're not a real gamer unless you play aggressively."
"I like using this controller for gaming." "Real gamers only use XYZ brand. You're not serious about gaming."
"I enjoy playing casually for fun." "Casual gamers ruin the experience for serious players. Step up or quit."
"No, it's not a mod/playstyle choice!!! Silent Assassin is cheating, and anyone with half a brain cell is going to think of you as a cheater if you run it."
"Embracing a 'Gamer Gatekeeping' attitude, some assert their words as law in the gaming world, dictating how everyone should play. Disregarding these proclaimed rules may lead to exclusion from the gaming community."
by Aboda7m December 26, 2023
Get the Gamer Gatekeeping mug.A woman going back to her first because she doesn’t want to increase her body count. It’s about going out of your way and doing unusual things to maintain the body count digits—like tolerating toxic behavior, returning to the first after dating other men—just to avoid being called a “hoe” and to not sleep with the tenth man. Things like that.
by The Apotheosis September 15, 2025
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