As Twitchy reported earlier Tuesday, John Ekdahl broke down into the simplest terms where the whole “learn to code” meme that Twitter is now treating as targeted harassment toward journalists came from. No, it wasn’t a GamerGate thing — it’s a direct reference to President Obama promising to put coal companies out of business and journalists suggesting unemployed coal miners learn to code.
So when waves of journalists suddenly found themselves out of work, they got back what they put out.
It’s especially delicious that the last time we checked in on podcaster Adam Best, he was trying to shame Ben Shapiro over joking about all the teary-eyed TSA stories that were making the rounds:
Wait, aren’t conservatives like you always claiming that it’s the left who mocks working class people?
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) January 16, 2019
Funny that Best brought up mocking working class people, because Joel Gabriel Simonson retweeted this gem of his from 2017 into our timeline.
Stop lying to coal miners. Start training them to code HTML, install solar panels, build wind turbines instead. Sustainable, healthier jobs. https://t.co/cWM0IxzRmD
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) June 19, 2017
Did Best just say that coal miners should forget about their jobs ever coming back and learn to code HTML?
reported
— Foggy Anabasis (@foggyanabasis) February 5, 2019
That’s targeted harassment
— THE_REAL_CH3 (@THE_REAL_CH3) February 5, 2019
Reported for targeted harassment.
— Lord Woodstone (Toss all MAPS out the airlock) (@EricMertz_KC) February 5, 2019
Recommended
???
— Mike Bullard (@bullimusmaximus) February 5, 2019
Is this targeted harassment?
— Mortis (@WitchyDruss) February 5, 2019
This should be reported as targeted harassment! pic.twitter.com/Q6rKquQsBC
— Anton Zilwicky (@antonzilwicky54) February 5, 2019
Hi @TwitterSupport. This tweet by @adamcbest of 6/19/17 is among the many places that inspired others to use it on journalists this year.
H/T @redsteeze
cc @bpopken pic.twitter.com/d9N6SMTUUH
— Yossi Gestetner (@YossiGestetner) February 5, 2019
whoa whoa…."learn to code?" sir please the targeted harassment must come to an end.
— dirty john malkovich Ph.D. (@JWMoons) February 5, 2019
So it is okay to tell former coal miners to learn to code but not former journalists?
— Rick (@rickytwalsh) February 5, 2019
Dear @TwitterSafety
This harasser just told coal miners they should #LearnToCode
Please take action immediately!
— Uneasy Civilian (@HercFamily5) February 5, 2019
This aged well
— Benjamin ?? (@bgamron) February 5, 2019
Reported
— stay positive (@JandEsdad) February 5, 2019
Reported
— Grand Admiral Nick (@admiral_nick) February 5, 2019
Reported.
— Thump (@Thump36635597) February 5, 2019
Did you tell laid off workers to learn to code here?
— Skankhunt42 (@QuitCryingFool) February 5, 2019
Targeted harassment, @Twitter @jack
— Conservadawg (@davidingram68) February 5, 2019
Reported for targeted harassment
— Roller Gator (@gator_roller) February 5, 2019
Such harassment
— R. Daniel Paddock (@UndeadDan) February 5, 2019
@TwitterSafety I’d like to report this tweet for targeted harassment
— Patrick Avello (@PatrickAvello) February 5, 2019
Reported for abuse and harassment
— wario (@Wario432) February 5, 2019
Wow such target harassment! @TwitterSafety do something about this monster!
— Codename Dutchess (@Jimmy_Stick) February 5, 2019
@MotherJones You know what's great about this tweet? Say this in 2019 you get suspended cause of feels.
— Olivia DeHaviland (@okrainer) February 5, 2019
I think you’re in the wrong line of work
— Evets ? (@TheofficialGump) February 5, 2019
John Oliver of Comedy Central fame? Really grade A sources there numb nutz.
— Cajunbaby70 (@Cajunbaby701) February 5, 2019
They can start working in the oil industry since we can’t make solar or wind without oil.
— FlyoverCountry (@CountryFlyover) February 5, 2019
If all coal mines were shuttered today (something I’m guessing you’d be in favor of?) we’d lose just over 30% of the energy produced in this country. How would you replace it RIGHT NOW, TODAY? Do you have ANY plan that could take coal’s place right now?
— Vanns40 (@Vanns40) February 5, 2019
This aged beautifully
— Reality (@youfearreality) February 5, 2019
Related:
OMG, ARE YOU OK?! NBC journo BRAVELY speaks of reporting people for tweeting ‘learn to code,’ tells others NOT to be silent https://t.co/0meGQLbhXW
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) February 5, 2019
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