A guy who is unhappy I didn’t post his original comment to Free Range Librarian (which I never saw), and apparently, despite his library degree, didn’t bother reading the FRL Comment Guidelines, laid into me in two emails.
First he said, “Are you slow in getting around to it, or are you afraid to publish something that disagrees with you?” (Well, actually, I was busy donating personal time to helping victims of Hurricane Katrina, when I wasn’t drinking margaritas and reading Harold Brodkey, but no, seriously, “Your call is important to me.”) So I asked, “Who are you, and why do I care?” His reply:
I am just a librarian, a librarian who followed a link to your blog from a link on a blog of a librarian I know and respect.
[I can see your level of respect, since you won’t mention the librarian or the post… Not that I care. I did my research and I know where you came from. I largely ignore the angry-conservative-librarian blogs, which tend to be as boring as they are racist and poorly-written, and–this is what frustrates them most–I won’t give them Google juice.]
As to why you should care, I really think that is a question you must ask yourself. Do you post your blog to foster discussion and debate which of course leads to increased understanding. Or do you post your blog as some type of electronic autoeroticism and binary self manipulation to stroke your ego?
[Let’s workshop this a little. First, there should be a question mark at the end of that second sentence. Second, in that last sentence, I’m not clear what “binary self manipulation” means. Is that with, um, two fingers?]
It seems that you are quite bitter and have no desire to foster reasoned debate. That’s really unfortunate.
[You tell me I’m masturbating online, and then you tell me I’m avoiding reasoned debate? What shall we argue about–how many fingers I’m using to play with myself?]
I’ll not post to your blog again. I don’t want to upset you.
[Honey, you can post all you want. You’re a hoot. I just won’t give you the Google juice you keen for.]
Posted on this day, other years:
- Your OPAC and the Suck Factor - 2007
- Input Wanted from Technology Conference Attendees - 2007
- Excerpt, Essay 13, David, just as he was - 2006
Karen, I just got a similar e-mail after I posted something on my blog that someone found suspicious. When I sent information why I thought the post was valid, and said that I’d be removing the comments (because they didn’t contribute to the conversation, just cast aspersions on my motivation), I was accused of all sorts of things. It was also suggested that I change the “comments” to “write only if you agree with me”. Knowing that you get the same somehow makes me feel better!
Now, now, Karen. You didn’t read carefully enough. He wasn’t saying you’re masturbating. The binary self-manipulation was to stroke your EGO! Although using only two fingers to do it… hmmm, I’m not sure what that would mean. Please continue to post his sendings. You’re right – they’re a hoot.
Only two fingers for my ego ?
What amazes me is these folks don’t think we ever check in with one another… when we’re all online! Like Alane said, we need a word to describe our blogging buddies.
What a relief to see both you, Karen, and Lazygirl get the same vitriolic email communication. I was recently accused of ‘intellectual dishonesty’. Hooray for email. There’s a growing number of personalities (for want of a better word) across the blogosphere and in email lists. I’m all for debate and disagreeance, but some of the criticisms people come up with…!
Humph, “intellectual dishonesty” indeed. The same three or four people trying to stir the pot! Talk about the Big Lie.