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In fairness, that was, I believe, back before we had any idea if Paizo would even acknowledge the controversy. At a time like that, harsh hyperbole is more appropriate. It's also not hypocrisy to change your stance over time as more information comes out.
I wasn't around then, so I don't want to put words in TOZ's mouth, but if even the guy who made the joke about "burn it all down" is now saying he's ready to be patient... if anything, that's evidence that the "Paizo mob" is a lot mellower than people here like to suggest.
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It is certainly interesting that substantive posts that are non-incendiary and respectful tend to remain up, and those that fling copious amounts of fecal mass into the oscillating air-mover tend to be removed.
It is equally interesting that the more offensive posts that break several of the Community Standards get removed, almost as if the rules were being followed.
As well, it is also of a small comfort to see that those who are attempting to derail entire conversations by attacking participants in an active conversation have those derailing posts removed.
One can hope that this will lead to a more cohesive Community in the future, once said Community rediscovers that it is not difficult to adhere to Community Standards, and only requires a few ounces of the strange mortal commodity known as 'empathy'.
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I do want to walk back something I said, because Catulle's right. Here's my corollary: I am not calling for resignations provided I remain able to assume a baseline of good faith of everyone working at Paizo. That said, let's take an example. If the manager who prevented Crystal Frasier from attending conventions was deliberately creating an unsafe work environment for Crystal, as opposed to the clueless penny-pinching I believe both you and I have both very optimistically hoped for, I probably want them to resign, because I don't want abusers to hold positions of power over others.
I feel very awkward saying that, because I try to assume good faith whenever there is a plausible good-faith reading, and to assume the potential for self-improvement wherever someone attempts it... but I also feel a deep curdling in my gut when I look back and realize I may be taking too many pains to be "fair" to the people inflicting the harm.
I want to be on Paizo's side on this, but "Paizo's side" does include Crystal Frasier and the other ex-employees, because she and they are part of "Paizo" to me, too. I don't know enough to take an absolutist stance on resignations, but if certain allegations are true to the extent they easily could be? Yeah, at least one or two people probably need to face serious consequences, and maybe that involves resigning from management positions. Would I "settle for less"? I don't feel comfortable answering that, because I think that's an unhealthy way to look at this. This isn't about fulfilling the minimum criteria for a Happy Kobold Cleaver. This is about winning back trust, which requires the effort be honest and earnest.
Sunderstone, let me be blunt. Have you considered apologizing? Every acknowledgement you've given of your mistake has been prickled with defensive edges like "why didn't you put it in your username". Apologizing is hard as hell, but it's the healthiest way to express, "I made a mistake and you ended up hurt and I regret that."
"I didn't know" is a valid reason to make a mistake. But it's still a mistake, and that mistake still hurt people, and that's a worthwhile thing to care about. Even if you feel they were too sharp in how they reacted, that's their problem and their business. Apologies aren't contingent on you thinking the other person is "in the right", nor are they contingent on a certainty they'll be accepted. They're personal to you.
I actually believe that you didn't know what deadnaming is. I also believe that you didn't know how unsafe the forums have been lately for trans people, how difficult it is for us to trust your good intent, or the toll this news has taken on us in particular. I believe that you didn't mean any serious harm. None of that is relevant to whether or not you should apologize. "I didn't know" is an explanation, but it's not an excuse.
I honestly don't think we're going to deescalate what's going on here if you aren't prepared to take this as seriously as we do. I don't disagree with keftiu on this. You aren't showing that you care more about trans users feeling safe this week than about proving you're in the right.