Faith-based internet

[jhetley]

One thing I keep trying to remember, after seeing rude comments fly back and forth in re Ellison. Another person got tromped for reserving judgment, prior to Ellison's public confession and maybe-penitence. And I reminded myself -- I do not know these people. I have no personal evidence on whether what they have posted is truth or fiction.

I have "known" some of you readers for a period of nearly a decade, without ever knowing your real names or having any proof that you even exist outside of some shadow's imagination*. Anything, anything at all, that you post could be a total fabrication.

I know a _lot_ of people who get paid for inventing stories out of thin air. I admit quite freely that I tell lies for fun and profit.

And I've given up on a certain usenet group because someone has made a habit of posting with forged identities. It ain't that hard.

So, don't believe everything you read on the internet. Okay? Wait for evidence?

*Perhaps Sailor Jim's sixteen-year-old with perky breasts living somewhere in New Jersey.

Comments

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

A: I've referred to the two separate incidents as assault and sexual assault elsewere. On EBear's LJ, I suggested that I would like to see criminal prosecution. That's the victim's choice, of course.

B: Prior to Ellison's "confession", various eyewitnesses to the Hugo ceremony, male and female, expressed strong differences of opinion as to what actually happened on stage. This discussion happened in private SFWA groups, so you wouldn't know about it. As opposed to, say, Live Journal, the private SFWA group gives reasonable proof of identity and these were real-life-reputation people on both sides.