There's also the question of just what do contributors to the Patreon actually get?  Their fedoras tipped? Seriously, they get to feel like they're contributing to the cause, that they're supporting the brave troops on the front line in the battle against the terrifying and elusive gamergate.  I don't think these supporters are bad people, or even particularly stupid.  I think they genuinely feel like they're doing the right thing, they've just fallen afoul of a new generation of grifters.