ESSAY: My RSVP to Anonymemes--Just Sayin' No

[evelynvaughn01]

Did you know this was a thing? I didn't know it was a thing.

Anonymemes.

Blogger X creates a journal and invites others to post-anonymously-about a shared Internet community. Emboldened by virtual invisibility, participants complain vehemently about everything from over-eager moderators to which fics get the most comments authors are attention

Comments

[arabian]

I haven't read all the crap spewed against me, but I've gotten enough of the gist. And yeah, this particular person is basically going through major real-life issues where fandom (and a niece/nephews) is my only joy. Not anymore. And I'm pretty much done. So, I guess they won. Go them!

Ah well. Such is life, and the internet, I suppose.

[evelynvaughn01]

I'm glad you didn't read "the crap," Arabian--you were only one of a large number of targets that I saw, even just by skimming the first page--and it was ridiculous, showing-off, trying to one-up each other on how much the posters disliked things. If it helps, the wiki site I found/cited noted that being hated in an anonymeme is actual a mark of status. Apparently, some people complain if they aren't villified!

However, I'm very, very sorry to hear that you're going through major real-life issues. Please let me know if there's anything I can do. FWIW, I from all the "huh what?" responses to your goodbye post, I get the feeling that whoever it was on that anonymeme did NOT representt he bulk of the Paradoxers. Those of us who matter will welcome you back anytime you feel it's worth the effort.

[spaceanjl]

Well, obviously I'm with you on this one. The cowardice, hypocrisy and general sheer unpleasantness of the whole thing made me recoil. I glanced at it, mildly revolted, and stopped when I saw my name

[evelynvaughn01]

Ditto and Ditto. I've already clutched at your leg and bewailed your absence enough, especially since I understand exactly why you aren't posting on Px. This is why I couldn't keep my mind from chewing on this and finally spitting out an essay. I teach college age kids who sometimes don't "know better" (even when they should), who've often led sheltered lives and really don't "get" how much others might be going through. Not an excuse, by any means, but at least an explanation and perhaps a teaching moment.

It helped my mood to quote/misquote Firefly a couple of times.

I just wish I had the guts to post a link to this on the Paradox page! Maybe I'll develop them over the day.

[tygermama]

I could not agree more with your views on this anonymeme negativity nonsense.

If you don't like something, stop reading/listening/watching. The internet is a free space, no one is making you do anything you don't want to.

If you must rant, own up to your words.

*hugs* Thank you for posting this.

[evelynvaughn01]

Thanks, tygermama. I'll admit, I posted this before going to bed and had NO idea what kind of response I'd have when I woke up. You've relieved me. I'd like to add to your "stop reading/listening" comment that this matter changes a bit when there's malice behind the posting. Even when someone wisely stops reading/listening, that doesn't make knowledge of the malice any less hurtful, not just to individuals but to the community (even those who don't know about it and just "sense" that they've been left out of something--that's hurtful too!). Hence my dislike of the anonymeme.

[anonymous]

This happened on another community I'm part of, and yes--it is very hurtful, and yes--it is very destructive. I can only imagine how much worse it would be when it is one's work that's being trashed. Anonymously.

On another note--you are responsible for my getting absolutely nothing done this week! I followed your link here from TWOP, and then followed your link from here to Paradox, and my mind has been completely blown. I am enjoying the S/P fanfic so much! (I hope none of the authors of my favorites re-think their contributions, because I am DYING to know how a few of these stories come out!) So thanks.

Janelle :-)

[evelynvaughn01]

What a dilemma! Am I ashamed for having led you to a week of getting nothing done? Or am I tickled that you got to enjoy so much great S/P fanfic? I'm hoping most of the continuing stories end up, well, continuing. But I do realize that a great danger of fanfic is the Story The Just Goes Away :-(

See ya' on TWOP!

[anonymous]

Oh hell no, don't be ashamed--I don't get much done on a good week, either. ;-)

[anonymous]

Should have read the comments before leaving my comment--Spaceanjl, yours is one of the stories I am totally loving. Will you still be posting updates at Paradox or do I need to look for your story elsewhere? I am extremely new to LJ and haven't figured out how it all works yet.

Janelle :-)

[spaceanjl]

I'm on fanfiction net under the same handle, all my stuff is over there too. :) I'm glad you're enjoying it.

I have everything to date on my LJ, too, but I can't work the thing properly either. *facepalm*

[anonymous]

Oh good, more stories to get lost in! I very much admire how you write Sheldon--he is a hard one to get right, but you do.