Anyone hear about the brouhaha at Broadway World yesterday?
Interesting, if you're talking about the actress asking for a shutdown of the chat boards there.
https://pattimurin.wordpress.com/2016/03/10/the-one-where-patti-takes-on-the-chat-boards/
But is anyone with any pull saying people shouldn't be allowed to speak their minds, or are they just saying people shouldn't have the right to be anonymous when they say things?
Well, FJL, as someone who was a victim of very BAD online behavior, I should think you'd know exactly what this is about. If it were me, no one would be anonymous online - everyone would be responsible for the words they uttered. When our little stalker can follow me anywhere and cause trouble and make nasty posts under any number of names, well, it's not good. And the amusing thing is when I call it out then I get an e-mail saying my post has been deleted because we're not allowed to go after other posters - so they can make the snarky post, their post can stay, but mine gets deleted - that is why I will never set foot on Talkin' Broadway again and have told the people who run that board that very thing.
Broadway World is a whole other kettle of fish. I'm sure there are any number of lovely, passionate theater lovers who post there, just as I'm equally sure that there are a handful of utter JERKS who have been trolling there from the beginning. One of them and his cronies has been going after me from day one of that board and it hasn't gotten better a decade later. I proved that last night and for the first time in that board's history, I believe, they took his posts down, banned him for a few days and warned him the ban will be permanent if he does it again. That is a step in the right direction.
Yes, people can post their opinions, say they don't like someone, say a performance didn't work for them - all people are saying is THINK before you post - don't make it nasty for nasty's sake. Don't be offensive because you think it's funny when it's at someone's expense, and don't troll and bully, which is what goes on on that board every single day. Of course Matthew Murray is up in arms and angry about this because he absolutely doesn't want the boards taken down - gee, wonder why? You know, somehow theater got along just fine without them for, you know, EVER, and theater would get along just fine if they all went away now. A handful of these delusional types think that boycotting performers who happen to agree with Ms. Murin (yes, that is what they're suggesting) would mean something. It wouldn't. Get real.
My point has always been - take away the anonymity and you take away the bully people's power - let's see them post their crap under their own names. Well, they can't and they wouldn't. The guy I'm talking about on Broadway World's chat board is the lovely cretin who came after Juliana when we were doing her Juliana's Journal here. He and his cronies were so vile and vicious it was sickening. No one cared. I had to calm Juliana down about it and explain what trolls are and how this guy especially must have no life whatsoever and where his only thrill is doing his business on that board (although I'm quite certain he goes directly from there to data lounge) - it's about time someone called this behavior out.
And what happens when the attacked gives back in kind? What do you think? The attackers suddenly get all whiny and victimy and wonder how people can say such bad things about them publicly. Well, welcome to the world, friends.
So, FJL, what exactly are you asking here?
