Maybe we file this in the category of "what in the hell is goin' on?"
I know that makes absolutely no sense now, but it will in a bit. At least I hope so. Bottom line, I got a hate email a couple of days ago, and the following is exactly what it contained:
Edward,
I will keep this short and sweet. There are very accomplished writers here at Gather who are much more deserving of attention and respect than you. They are writing and exploring deep subject matters, subject matter far more important than anything you offer for our collective reading pleasures. Personally I find it abhorrent that someone who writes about what candies you prefer, Elvis Presley, and Dairy Queen products has any readership at all. You may be well educated, but you are less than smart to think that anything you offer has any lasting value. You glorify taking the easy road, the avoidance of controversial subjects, and are rewarded for it with a large audience. It disgusts me, and frankly, you disgust me as a person to.
Want to do Gather and humanity a favor? Develop paralysis of the hands soon.
Sincerely,
One Disgusted
Of course, the sender couldn't be traced and there's the usual fake name supplied. Even so, my mind kind of reels a bit at just who could send something as hateful and mean as this. Life is just too short, you know?
I'm a positive sort, though, so y'all will be glad to know that I wrote this person back a missive that went as follows:
Dear One,
I got your email, and to say I enjoyed it was an understatement - what brilliant, inspired something!
You're right, I am kinda a literary slug, and it seems that I'm developing an audience by writing the very literary crap that you so eloquently described. Go figure. I'm guessing that in a nation that likes to have fun, as witnessed by the pet rock, Pee Wee Herman, and the Rubik's Cube that there's a place for me in it as well. And ain't I glad!
Just to let you know so that you'll be on the watch-out, I have future articles coming out about high-level stuff like BB Bats, American Idol, cleavage, and more. None of them are socially redeeming, in fact, if anything they will categorize me even more as a first-rate literary boor. Or maybe it's "bore." Damn that spelling, and I'm too vain to use da spel chek!
I would stay here and write more, but it's difficult with this fastly developing case of hand paralysis that I'm mysteriously finding myself afflicted with. I can only hope that it will travel through my hands, into my keyboard, through my internet connection, and right into your computer where it will settle into your bladder right after you've consumed a large Diet Mountain Dew. Oh darn, I'm sure you don't drink such a low-brow type drink, well, maybe after you've enjoyed your Perrier quaff for the day.
I'm not mad at you, but I am greatly enjoying busting your ass here. And please be advised that your email has just become the subject for my next article on Gather.com. I'm a fair guy, so it's only right that your work be exposed to my audience, I'm betting they'll be thrilled!
Sin-beerly,
E3
Okay, okay, I know I should've been more mature about it. And I also know I'm playing right down to this person's level. But dammit, I feel good right now and I make no apologies for it. People like this person deliberately want to be hurtful, if they didn't they'd just ignore me and read other stuff. The fact that they chose this particular route tells me that they wanted to be cruel and mean, so I don't feel a damn bit bad about sending this response to them. I may feel bad about it later, but right now my groin feels lighter than ever, and that's always a good sign.
Fellow Gatherers, I'd say more but I've got to finish this article about Big Macs that I'm trivializing my time away on!
Later gators!
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 193
Keep doing what your doing. Personality is not taught, one just has it!
Have a great day!
I feel sorry for him/her.
Thanks for le comments!
E3
They reminded me of some of the stuff they tell me, your an exciting writer by compare, but ah well-American Idol, are you kidding everyone but me that I know, likes that- I just don't watch TV too much and probably, admittedly wouldn't watch that. hm
Wudduz a girl have to do to get some disrespect around here?
I guess I just think that in this world there are plenty of people who pontificate on politics, major world issues, religion, and the like. I just want to have fun, and I make no apologies for it.
Now where's the Captain Crunch?
E3
If I had to compare what you write to so many of the other "blogs" on Gather, I'd say you're above average in content, writing ability, and interest. I haven't disconnected from you yet. Your folly is amusing... and it is totally YOU. I can picture a man who finds the mundane things in life pleasurable, without real meaning, because not everything has to be.
That email you received is reminiscent of a couple of years ago, when thoughts like that were expressed almost daily, and people rebelled because it was harassment! (That email was harassment!)
I will NOT BE WHIPPED INTO SHAPE by people like that! If this is still going on I will take a stance against it once again, and not participate in the activities that promote creative writing on this site! I will support the writers, when they concentrate on the task of improving themselves and quit attempting to convert this entire site into their personal utopia.
I am glad you haven't taken it badly, like many on here would. No use sniveling over a few spoiled apples.
E3
E3
I can tell that you are 'take the high road' type of man, but sometimes it feels so good not to. I think your return missive was of 'breaking the sound barrier' quality and well deserved. I hope the person read it whilst sipping their tea with their pinky up in the air and aspirated it into their lungs.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was of the opinion that Gather is here for everyone. Just because I may not care for someone's writing doesn't mean they don't have the right to be here. Time to move on, read something else, and above all, SHUT UP.
Smoochies,
E3
You are getting hate mails and I'm being stalked. I'm sure not by the same person though, considering we live about 1000 miles apart. Besides, my stalker isn't intelligent enough to compose a complete sentence.
Smoochies right back at ya' !!!
I would say this letter you received smacks more of superiority than jealousy. There are some people on Gather who apparently feel they get to decide what is acceptable in terms of content and spend most of their time arguing with other members, making personal attacks (which violates the TOS), and even correcting spelling and grammar errors. Personally, I think none of those things add any value to Gather, regardless of the subject matter being discussed.
If I'm not interested in some content, I don't read it. There are days when the feeds get a little top-heavy with "Name A Word That Starts With...", "How Do I Get More Points?", or other such stuff, but as long as the content doesn't violate the TOS, any member has a right to post whatever they want.
Sorry you had to deal with that; I would have been angry if I'd received it.
Great post, and I tend to agree re your superiority comments,
E3
I think whoever wrote to you think they are better than others.
As far as writers go there are many different kinds.your post brighten up my days.I see nothing wrong with humor,but many do.They should just not read what they don't like.I don't think they should go around judging people.
Keep your post coming.
I'm sorry you had to receive this letter, but look at the positive reinforcement you are receiving because of it.
I used to work at a company with a guy who was highly educated and very lazy. He ended up getting fired as a result of his lack of productivity. Shortly after, my boss started getting "anonymous" emails at home taunting him, containing veiled threats. The sender even bragged that his identity could never be discovered. My boss contacted the police and the Internet provider was very happy to provide the identity of the individual. Wasn't he surprised when the cops knocked on his door! And more surprisingly, he was a computer major in college!
E3
I was very upset about it. I, like you, responded but not as well as you did. I just said, "I have no idea what you're talking about," which was true. When she learned her mistake, her apology made no difference to me. She was a fool to send it in the first place.
and big smoochies to you my friend!
I like fun - I love y'all!
E3
You were/are always getting into the darndest predicaments , and now you've gone and gotten a bluenose prig upset!! Hey, nice work. :-)
And I forgot to say before - I enjoy your writing. There's not a thing wrong with it; you're funny and entertaining and your writing never gets in the way of what you're saying - which puts you in the small minority here..
Keep up the good work, my friend, and folk like that will fall in the deep hole we all call
"sad life"..........'nuff said! :)
One is probably not even "suthern"!!!
I'd say if this is the worst "threat" you've received on Gather you are pretty lucky. For a little perspective, I've had people threaten to track me down and slit my throat.
Block the sender.
It always amazes me that hateful letters like that usually don't contain the name of the author. If they are really that upset by your writing, and it caused them enough discomfort that they would put such venom in print, wouldn't you think they would have the strength of conviction to put their name on it. It's easy to make fun of. or be hateful towards someone if you know they won't know who it came from. In my opinion, if you don't have the courage to put you name on it, you shouldn't be sending it.
P.S. I never dignify any of this kind of hate mail crap.
You'd think a person with a Gather account would just leave the insult as a comment instead of going to all that trouble. I'm surprised that this upset anyone enough to post an article about it, that so many are 'outraged' by it, and especially that people are trying to convince him that the sender is jealous. When I tell people I dislike their work (as I do often), that means I dislike their work. I think that's probably what the person who sent the note was trying to tell this guy.
I agree with you that the sender isn't jealous -- rather, feels superior, yet not brave enough to put those words to an orange-outlined Gather comment box. Ed seems more amused than upset. Me, I'm going to work and forget about the whole thing.
- that takes it to a really nasty level, in my opinion. Beyond dislike of work. That is a personal attack.
There are no rules or laws in life as to what one must write about. Different people have different tastes in what they enjoy reading and you ought to write what you enjoy writing about!
Seems to me it isn't only your good writing that attracts people to your articles, it is also that you have a much friendlier personality than this person does.
Personally I think it is pathetic that this person who wrote to you feels the need to hide like a coward by being anonymous. Actually I find it amusing! :)
Just keep being you and have a fun time!
You must be getting more attention than they are.
Why should anyone care if you don't like what someone posts, unless it's abusive? And why is it so important to some to have to tell others they don't care for someone's choice of content if it's frivolous in nature? It's not hurting anything.
Are you suggesting that Ed made up a story to post with a false email sent to him? You seem to be questioning his honesty.
I also like cleavage, but I don't know what a "BB Bat" is. You also lost me with American Idol -- I'm all over addictive TV, but that one seems to take MAJOR commitment so I avoid it. Consider me, henceforth, among your readership.
I'm taking a rare serious moment, here: Wishing "paralysis of the hand" on anybody who writes (whether professionally or simply for fun,) is one of THE sickest things I have ever heard in my life, and it honestly gave me a chill. In the grand scheme of things, unless my kids were in immediate danger, there is nothing out there that could happen that would make me put my hands in jeopardy of any kind (unless, I was, like, on Jeopardy! and winning hundreds of thousands of dollars.) I have nightmares about using the use of my hands. If "One Disgusted" ever wants to take off their mask of anonymity, I'll be waiting for he/she/it...
plan=plain.
Amen, Sista!
This came to your website but it was from a gather member? Are you sure?
I would just ignore it.
Some people get off on this kind of stuff.
I'll tell you what really bothers me about that email, it is the attitude within it that created chaos on Gather over two years ago, and people fighting for their right to post what ever pleased them, and not a literary group.
I thought those days were GONE. So much so, that I was willing to give serious writing another chance, with the understanding that if I feel like it, I can still post frivolous content without feeling harassed by some asswipe who feels that degrading others is copacetic.
I didnt read all the comments but kind of skimmed them. But I saw the one that said something about a yahoo account and Ed's website.
Thanks for clearing that up.
Y'all look - this didn't get me down, and certain aspects of it I laughed at - that's why I wrote this article. We should never let jerks like this get us down, no matter what. In the end, I'm going to be who I am, and anyone else can draw whatever conclusions they like.
Smoochies to all and thanks for the many comments!
E3
And we're reading yours, not theirs(?) Ha. You must have better smoochies.
E3
I respectfully disagree with this point. If the person wanted to be hurtful they could have written an article and posted it for all to see. Instead they chose to inform you of their feelings via a private email. I have emailed people with my thoughts a few times but not to be critical of them. Sometimes I have something that I wish to share but feel it need not be shared with all of Gather.
If I were the person who wrote that letter to you I would have been doing so to inform you that I would not be reading your articles. Not sure what the point this person was trying to make since they never mentioned not reading you again.
I am on Gather to read about how other people feel about life in general, read interesting stories and be entertained. I would say your posts fall into the entertaining category.
I was told I should lose my legs and eyes, now someone is going after your hands. some just have a lot of mental issues. guess they are jealous because they cant write and their net content is not getting viewed.
I have not been too active the last few days and today I desperately needed to catch up with my friends here. I read the above exchange of ' literary status on Gather' and I, as an academic, feel insulted by the interloper on a parade enjoyed by hundreds here and thousands elsewhere --I am sure. I hope that the shallowness of one self-proclaimed literary upper-cruster will not avert your attention from those of us who work and enjoy academics and classical literature.
I proofread and edit academic writing and enjoy the classics yet, without a good sense of humor, I know that I would grow; not only, old and wrinkled quite fast, but also become miserable and angry towards the rest of society. Therefore; I look forward to more humor from you in a writing style which IS academic and CALSSICAL from the view of one who is aware of American literature, which does include ‘Great Southern Humor’. Aside from the history of Southern humor, I respect those who are good and the few who are Great at humor like you. Please continue to write and brighten the world where we read and smile and share some laughter.
You know that we love you Ed.
Thanks for posting to Writing Reservoir.
You keep writing and we will keep reading, and your lovely hate mail writing person can just ......póg mo thóin :>}