Saturday, March 15, 2008

Beyond Pathetic

Welcome to the age of internet bullying and harassment. Used to be, you had to be in physical proximity to really get pushed around...

Nice to know the reach of the internet now allows people to be assholes to everyone around the world.

When I started At Central Booking, one of the things I did was create a comments policy. I'd had enough personal experiences with flame wars and nonsense: the point of the new site was to augment Spinetingler and promote great books and authors.

Part of the reason I did it was that I knew someone was imitating me on a forum. (I'm not linking to it, because I don't want to give them any more attention.)

Today? Today, I learn someone has set me up with a profile on a dating site, and used my real e-mail address to do it. I haven't actually seen the profile, but apparently women find me attractive. I guess I should be flattered I have cross-gender appeal.

The next time someone complains to me about authors who are impossible to contact they're going to get an earful. Nobody should have to deal with this kind of bullshit. I mean, seriously: don't these people have anything better to do with their time? From someone snidely hiding behind the veil of anonymity at Crime Zine Report to be an ass (prompting me to limit comments to prevent anonymous remarks) to those who blatantly spread lies, online and in print, well...

But I'm flattered that I'm so important to some people the only way they can feel better about themselves is to harass me.

That's probably all from me until Monday. I have a busy family weekend planned... and the concert last night was great. Barleyjuice put on quite a show. I love celtic rock, so on that note, Rawlins Cross:

12 comments:

Randy Johnson said...

You said it. Some people have such low esteem that belittling other people is their only way of feeling good about themselves. It's been going on forever. Forget it and just go have a good time this weekend. See you next week.

Stephen Blackmoore said...

Wow. That's just sad. And cowardly.

Enjoy your week with family and good times and remember, whoever this person is they are small-minded, petty, probably ugly with bad teeth and halitosis, maybe rickets, too. And balding. Nasty case of psoriasis, I'd imagine.

Smells like haddock.

And he has a small penis. That'll show 'em! Of course, if it's a woman, well... probably still has a small penis, come to think of it.

Have fun out there.

angie said...

Jeez, who can follow Stephen's comment?!

Just think, in the time it took someone to do that, they could have written a page in a novel, eaten a couple of lovely sweeties, gone for a walk, washed those filthy dishes, or, y'know, something vaguely productive.

That's just...pathetic.

Steve Allan said...

And you didn't link to your new "profile"? But hey, it's nice to be popular. Right? And it's nice to knwo that if you ever switch teams, you'd do OK. :)

Christa M. Miller said...

Clearly it is someone who cares so much about your well-being that they just didn't want you to be lonely.

And no, no one can top Stephen's comment.

Hope you're having a lovely weekend.

DC said...

Hi, just found your blog and couldn't agree with you more. Cyber-bullying and such actions should be condoned! These people only act this way because they are faceless in their actions. If this was a 'face-to-face' event then I bet the bully would not even attempt any of the things you have mentioned. Internet annonymity, a blessing and curse.

Brian Lindenmuth said...

Hey guys, just here for a second, but thanks for all the laughs. Yeah, indeed, who can follow Stephen's comment?

And I am glad to know if I ever switch teams, I'll have options. ;)

dc, welcome. You said it - a blessing and a curse. Sometimes, you just have to learn to roll with it...

(And this is Sandra, btw... borrowing a computer)

Anonymous said...

That is beyond pathetic. As Angie said this person could have been undertaking some productive activities in the time it took them to harass you. What morons!!!!

Richard Cooper said...

One thing never changes, the assholes of cyberspace are a constant source of evil plots for new stories

Patricia said...

a) Wow.

b) What Stephen said!

c) Joan Rivers says that she knows she is back on top (of the entertainment business) when the digs are rampant. A sign of your fame? (albeit a crappy sign)

Daniel Hatadi said...

I have a whole bunch of swear words ready to go here, but I doubt that will help anyone and you might not even approve the comment!

Well, yeah, you probably would.

The only thing I can add that is that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.

Oh, and one more thing: what bloody dickheads.

Eileen said...

I can't believe someone would do this... although if it makes you feel any better I would totally go out with you.