Venom and supposedly sentient people

[jhetley]

One of the joys of SFWA membership would have to be the feet-of-clay phenomenon -- watching political debate (or any kind of debate, on any subject) degenerate into garden-variety Usenet flame-wars.  People you'd like to admire for their work, revealed as petty vicious beasts, probably the kind who cackle demonically while drowning kittens and pulling the wings off flies...

One of the things revealed by the tone of argument is that some members don't think a particular candidate had any right running for office at all.  Last time I checked, any "active" member could run for office.  No nominating petition required, no minimum standards of character or background.  Could be an active pedophile.

You don't like him/her/it, vote accordingly.  Get a life.

Comments

[otterdance.livejournal.com]

I've been a member since '95, and for most of it I've had to stay away from the blogs. The level of venom thrown simply shocks me. How a bunch of supposed adults can behave that way in public blows my mind. And it seems to be an 'in crowd' thing, too. So I send in my money to get the Bulletin and stay in the directory and support the emergency fund. I also think that they do a lot of good fighting for good contracts, tracking pirates and the like. The SFWA website has some wonderful resources, too. But get involved? No thanks.