Hostile environment.

[bladespark]

It's interesting, how knowing one's readership affects what one wishes to write.

Up until today I'd rather assumed that everyone who read my live journal fell into one of three categories. Firstly, personal friends of mine, who read because they care about me and want to know what I'm up to. Secondly, people who don't know me but who are friends of friends and who I might well come to know and like if they stick around. And thirdly, fans who I might or might not like if I got to know them, but who at least admire my work and think well of me. And perhaps I might get somebody who occasionally wanders through, reads a post, but moves on without doing much, so they hardly count.

I didn't have to think about writing to that audience, it's a pretty easy one. I just wrote whatever came to mind. I've never been shy about sharing my feelings and thoughts.

But now I find that I've got a fourth group who are reading at least some of these posts, and those are the people linked here by Goober. They appear to be reading to find excuses to make fun of me, and to look for supposed faults in my personality. (Did you all know that my mermaid picture is sad, and sorry, and they were being kind and benevolent by not bringing up all the "problems" it proves I have? I'm actually quite curious on that front, because I can't for the life of me think what sort of probems posting goofball not-really-nudes of myself would be symptomatic of. If anybody has any ideas, let me know.)

The funny thing is that knowing a hostile audience may well be reading isn't making me want to post any less. (You might notice that by the existence of this post.) It's actually engendered a sort of "bring it" attitude. They're quite welcome to form whatever opinions of me they wish to have, but I'd like to think I'm quite capable of holding my own should another "well meaning" attack be launched against me and mine. *grins toothily* So bring it! Yin, Guardian, Aidan, Aidan, Serapha, Flame, and even Angelcat are all ready and willing just now. I think I've got them outnumbered!

Comments

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[starkruzr.livejournal.com]

CLEARLY you have Goofballnotreallynuditis!!!!

::eyeroll:: It's astonishing how much time some people have on their hands.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

On the plus side? they provide you with interesting targets for mockery and mirth

And yep, they're out numbered *stands shoulder to shoulder with blade*

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

Awwww. Thanks! *sniffles all mushily* It's so nice to have friends.

[techmav.livejournal.com]

It shows you have a healthy self-image and a sense of humor, at least in my opinion. I saw nothing wrong with the pic or with anything you post.

*scritches da dragon*

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

No ideas but I do know that there is a psycological condition that I can't remember the name of but it breaks down to that there are people who really don't like themselves who makes themselves feel better/superior by tearing down others and pointing out any and all faults they see. Since if they can make one in their mind inferior to them then they are the better for it. Rather pathetic if you ask me.

[2dlife.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if there's a name for it other than being a common side effect of low-self esteem.

[chadpanther.livejournal.com]

*wonders what group he falls under* hehe

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

Well, since thus far we've mostly talked business, you would be a fan. *grins* But you seem to be one of the nicer fans. (Some of them are a little, er.... strange.)

[kainhighwind-dr.livejournal.com]

Actually, if it helps, those comments about your other posts they made seemed to have been made earlier on, at the height of their fervor. They only sought out more material after reading his entry to have 'proof' for themselves that 'yeah, he's right, you're crazy!' Not much new has been added since yesterday I can assure you, and it looks as though his and their attention has gone elsewhere.

His journal is full of stuff like that (I don't recommend reading much of it). He does seem to make a hobby of shit disturbing for enjoyment, so you're just another hapless person in his path. Wish I had that kind of free time... of course, I'd use it more constructively...

I personally would behave as though no one were watching, as posting carefully (and admitting to doing so) might just be more fodder to whoever might be watching. Because either they are or they aren't, but I do suspect there are probably then hundreds of people each day viewing my LJ that I don't even know about--who think certain things about me--but that never post to tell me. And to me they simply don't exist. I'm not going to chase around every person who might post something harmful about my character to their own LJ because really, what do they know about me? Words on a journal are not enough, and they are welcome to their assumptions. Just doesn't necessarily mean I admit they're right. ;)

I suppose though there's quite a discrepancy of opinion over whether an 'open' Journal necessarily means the owner should have to be obliged to accept outside postings that are submitted any more rudely than one would speak in person to you. So perhaps that makes a point for having a Friends-locked journal. However, one shouldn't have to be completely private simply because there are rude people out there who think that simply because they CAN post to something they find interesting/annoying/etc, that they SHOULD post.

In short? I'm divided over whether a locked journal or open journal would be the wiser recourse. I'm a private person, though I have become more open with time, and care little for what others think of me these days. However, I have kept certain issues posted privately to friends only in the past, and would do so again in the future if need be, if I felt they were something that passing strangers really ought not to be privy to. It has to be fairly contentious or sensitive information for that to happen however.

Either way, know that those who are important to you are reading, and those you don't even know... well, they're probably reading too. The question is, which do you want to spend your time and energy on?

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

Well, there are always things that I do post privately, of course. But for a long time my journal was locked and friends only, for various reasons, and when I was finally able to open it up to the public again, I really enjoyed it. I like having an open journal, and I don't want to fell I "have to" keep it private in order to keep idiots like this guy away.

[kainhighwind-dr.livejournal.com]

Then I would probably keep it open if it's important enough to you to do so, and keep the really private stuff friends-only, as you're doing. Can't really hurt that way.

Again, I'd just not worry too much about what the rest of the world thinks, and give them a polite turn-down (or ignore them altogether) if you get posts from someone you don't know who has nothing really agreeable to say. That way they really have no leg to stand on if they want to incite something against you, and you've closed any potentially harmful discussions or arguments.

You're doing fine the way you are. You don't let anyone tell you how to live, so certainly don't let the actions of strangers dictate your mode of expression. That's something you definitely have to protect, because it's a part of yourself.

Heck don't even listen to me sometimes! I am often full of sh*t anyway. ;D

[web-dragon.livejournal.com]

I agree with Tech, It shows you have a healthy self-image and a sense of humor.

I firmly believe they were picking on your mermaid impression cause they are jealous. Either they have bad hair or are lacking in the in what would be hidden under it.

On top of that i would bet they don't have the guts to post pictures of themselves, matter of fact I Dare them to!

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

Ah, of course! Jealousy of my perfect sexah hair is the only explanation!

[pet-tiger.livejournal.com]

You know... that guy must lead a very sad life. (And I say that in a pitying tone.)

You can't have much joy in your life if all you do is go around randomly attacking and provoking people on the internet.

I think I feel sorry for him.

[reaverta.livejournal.com]

Not just the ones you listed.

You have no shortage of allies elsewhere too. *brandishes gauntlets*

(Also? Totally awsome hair. That is all.)

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

*giggles* Are you going to start stalking me for my hair?

[reaverta.livejournal.com]

Would that increase my chances of getting to play with it one day?

Er, I mean >.> <.<

[silveradept]

I think they were jealous because all they got to see was hair. (Long, beautiful hair.)

*innocently leans on remarkably well-made walking stick*

Also, and this is unconfirmable, they point to your mermaid picture as a continuation of the syndrome they think you have - that you constantly require affirmation, attention, and approval from other people, rather than being able to stand on your own feet. They think it's gone so far down that you've turned to exhibitionism to get your approvals, and that at some point, if we haven't already, we'll be seeing NC-17 pictures of you as you complain about your body and fish for copmliments.

At least, that's the thing that I could come up with. Because, yaknow, I'd be jealous if a pretty girl said "mermaid impression", only to find out that she knew exactly what she was talking about.