In just one day, I have received threats of physical violence and an actual curse, both transmitted over the Internet.
Now, I am fully aware of having myself generated enough hostility online to light up several baseball stadiums if not an entire city.
But it’s interesting how loosely words are used these days when launched digitally; it’s as if everyone is on the brink of a nervous breakdown, exploding with unmediated anger at the drop of a hat.
Here’s an email from one of my half-sisters, who is around 22 and who I barely know:
Bitch let’s talk face to face and see if you will say anything to my face? Your old as hell and if I am pregnant and your harrassing me well I can send my friend to go see you and make sure you never bother me again time and place Joann to meet up if you don’t want to meet up keep your pussy mouth closed. Emails are pathetic lets meet up your so tough let’s see how really tough you are.
Naturally, I came back with ‘Blah blah blah restraining order.’
My family! Can’t kill ’em, can’t have them killed!
Meanwhile, over on Facebook, I posted a link to a story about the Eagles of Death Metal, performing this week in Tel Aviv. I saluted them for their fearlessness. I know I don’t have to explain what I meant by that, so I won’t insult your intelligence.
This started a spirited exchange about Israelis and Palestinians.
People went back and forth, citing their feelings, which grew heated, and before too long Jews were called Nazis. You probably know how this goes. Is there a Godwin’s Law adage about how any conversation not supportive of boycotting Israel results in the comparison of Jews with Nazis? Or is this just an example of Godwin’s Law?
I want an adage called Wolf’s Law!
How about this for Wolf’s Law: ‘Anything typed and sent into cyberspace will likely result in threats or insults.’
Back to the Facebook thread, here’s what an otherwise lovely person commented:
A greater collection of self serving morons I have never read before…
stay in your ivory towers …may one day ….what you dismiss in your
foolish judgements of the teller ..may in rain on you
the blood of innocence to be your eternal stain …
Because I gave props to the Eagles of Death Metal??
I don’t want an eternal stain, I’m a fucking Jew, alright? Maybe I should get a business card that states this.
Thoughts on Internet hostility? Or ideas for Wolf’s Law?
Art by (c) Beth Hoeckel
How about “Anything typed and sent into cyberspace WILL result in threats or insults.” What do you and your pussy mouth think about that? You think you brave enough to face me in person over changing your law?
Sorry.
Very interesting post, Sister Wolf. I have many thoughts, most trivial and one important. I’ll save the important one for last. First, that dude (or dudess?) who was writing that Anti-Zionest (aka “Anti-Semitic”) stuff on your website who you call an “otherwise lovely person” cannot be such. Lovely people don’t speak like that, ever. Second, how do you have a 22-y.o. “half sister?” Just speculating, but did your Father marry a below-40 year old woman at age 60 and have a child (or who already had a young child or your Mother do so)? Not sure how this happened, maybe none of my business. Third, even though this post is not about fashion, thank goodness you take the fashion beat since I know nothing about it and care even less. Since someone has to do it I suppose, I’m glad and thankful that you, Sister Wolf, do so.
Finally, and most important and apropos to your post, I’ve believed for a long time that Internet commenting (ie. Twitter, FB) is like a Rohrschach Test that reveals people’s true personalities and feelings, etc. Part of it is the anonymity part and when one’s true name is used, then impulsiveness part (eg. “On the internet, no one knows you’re a dog” (and you can be racist, anti-Semitic, misogynist to your hearts delight). Sure, sometimes we write or say something in haste or emotion that we don’t really mean and then regret, but over many posts one’s true nature is revealed (as John Lennon sang, “One thing you can’t hide, is when you’re crippled inside.” And of course the nice peoples’, the truly lovable peoples’, personalities come out too (eg. they never say anything mean or critical, or at least do it in a very measured, even-handed way).
I asked my Cousin who is a Communications Professor if there have been serious papers and studies about my theory. After all, I can’t be the only one who “discovered” this. He said, yes, many, though I haven’t seen any.
Any way, Sister Wolf, keep up your hard-biting, “Godammit I’m Mad” posts (and FB posts) as they help us see our friends and neighbors as they truly are.
Religion should just fuck off and take all the fools who follow it, with it.
Wow 22 and typing like a 12yr old reprobate. I sincerely hope she isn’t with child.
Am coveting the Wendy brandes no class ring and am considering adopting “Pedicabo ego vos et irrumabo” as my own personal mantra. Especially in the office. You are amazing.
I’m with Suspended. I hope she isn’t pregnant. Maybe we can all chip in and get her tubes tied.
‘Your old as hell’ what?
And what about it?
Low-hanging fruit. Couldn’t resist.
The level of lunacy is astounding.
I don’t think I am quite at the misanthrope title…yet. But I can honestly say that ever since I started reading this blog, I have a better understanding that I am not alone in thinking people are fucking idiots. I can’t take it. We kill elephants and rhinos and let your stepsister procreate??? The horror.
wow, just wow, the grammar alone from the half sister is telling and predictive of the writers ignorance…….is this truly your half sister or is this just a reader you refer to as a half sister…….and no words for the concert thread fiasco. Geeeshhh!