Snark Attack!
Today I almost outted someone on a sewing web site! I was so, so close…..fortunately I came to my senses.This person made a thinly disguised snarky comment on a project of mine, and after giving it some thought, I realized that a better way to deal with my miffed feelings would be to blog instead. There’s really no benefit to engaging this person publicly; it’s also not fair to the site operators or to the tens of thousands of people who go on the site every day. Why should they be subjected to our playground spat?What’s really sad is that I used to have a testy but reasonably cordial relationship with her – we disagreed on lots of things, but hey, I’m a big kid and I will zealously defend to the death anyone’s 1st amendment right to free speech.That said, however, I have zero respect for people who keep their profiles private, who never upload a project and yet just like an untrained dog they leave little poop bombs while hiding behind the veil of anonymity. I’m 99.9% certain this person used to post under a different name, and after several years of reading her posts I’ve come to realize she’s just an angry and bitter person. Alas, I can’t change her – I can only change the way she makes me feel.
So – keep posting those comments on my projects!
Gorgeous Things said,
September 6, 2007 at 12:36 am
I saw that comment today Phyllis. It definitely reflects worse on the poster than it does on you. I’ve always figured that if I’m going to say something, at least I have the guts to put my name on it. After all, it doesn’t take much to figure out who is behind any mask.
Nancy (nanflan) said,
September 6, 2007 at 4:49 am
Just consider the source. I noticed you received glowing comments on the project from people whose opinions we all respect and admire. I’d pay more attention to those as they actually mean something.
Lovely project, BTW.
LauraLo said,
September 6, 2007 at 12:40 pm
I’m not sure what snark/snarky means, nor could I find it in the dictionary, but I think I get the general meaning from the context. Don’t mind that person! Unhappily, there are angry, bitter, frustrated persons who thrive on making other people unhappy or criticizing them unnecessarily. I think that answering her would only provide her with fuel to start a dispute, which she probably would love…
I love your projects and I think you’re great and I’m sure many-many people think the same, so don’t let such a little person upset you!
Summerset said,
September 6, 2007 at 8:09 pm
That’s too bad that someone can’t be happy for another’s success in any arena. Just keep posting your lovely projects and adventures, I for one enjoy them.
Tany said,
September 6, 2007 at 9:51 pm
You do lovely well sewn garments and you share them, along with your knowledge and that is a big thing. Don’t even bother with people that show no respect or recognition.
Gemma said,
September 7, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Quote:”And aside from the Too Much Information issue, and my personal inability to understand why anyone would be interested in reading about home made sanitary protection (human or canine), it just floors me that so few people ever seem to realize that the internet is the most public of public spaces and what you blog about today, or post on a message board, could haunt you for decades.”Unquote
When I read this post recently I was quite taken aback because I got the impression that you were taking a ’swipe’ at someone else, so your recent post now has me all confused as to who is swiping whom. LOL all too funny.
Back to lurking and I am completely innocent, just reading blogs.
Gigi said,
September 10, 2007 at 8:15 pm
I too believe I know who this person is. Her handle may have changed but, sadly, the bitter personality remains. Every time I think I might be ready to return to that site, I am reminded of why I left in the first place.
Marji said,
September 13, 2007 at 12:52 pm
I find it amazing that people have nothing better to do in their lives than try to bring others down.
I don’t have any clue who that person is, I haven’t been around the sewing on-line community long enough to know, but I have to surmise that it is a case of jealousy.
Your work is amazing, and you freely share so much of your knowledge.
Thank you for continuing to post your reviews, comments, and blogs.
BTW, I have to disagree with Gemma, I didn’t think you were taking a swipe AT someone, but rather stating a cautionary view of how public a space the internet is, that hopefully opened some eyes. Maybe the author of the example that you cited saw, maybe she didn’t, but I have a hard time seeing that as a personal snark against her.
Kitnrose said,
October 3, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Was that the “oh, you poor ignorant person” comment? While I was shocked someone would be so snarky, it was also, in it’s own twisted way, funny - it was like Tom Gunn being told that he’s not dressed sharply enough. By someone wearing an appliquéd sweatshirt and bunny slippers. I liked how the other comments went from “very nice, really like it” to “P. dear you are the best seamstress I’ve ever met and ever will meet” after the snark attack. Both are true, it’s just the tone that changed - you have a lot of friends and supporters circling the wagons for you! Please keep reviewing your work (I love to see what you can do and dream of getting to that point someday!) and continue dealing with the occasional snark in your professional diva way.
Supermollio said,
October 18, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Please don’t be deterred from posting your beautiful projects. I learn so much from your reviews! I feel so much affection and respect for you, Gigi, Ann, Georgene, and the other amazing women who share their talent and knowledge online.