Some people ….

… really need to get over themselves.

For some time now, the two authors of a blog on the topic of fractal art have been making disparaging remarks about the ethics of certain well-known fractal artists. Oddly enough, many of the ‘accused’ are people they had themselves invited to participate in the blog in the first place. Interesting to see how it has developed from a group blog to being the sole – and heavily moderated – domain of these two people. Their MO has been pretty consistent: initial and insincere compliments to commenters who disagree with them for ‘keeping the discussion civil’ which, as soon as it becomes apparent that the commentator is far too intelligent to be swayed by their pathetic line of argument (I use that term loosely) and unsubstantiated claims of ethical wrongdoings, turn to invective and the adding of another name to the list of “Those In The Wrong” ™. This is frequently followed by cries of “it was only satire” or “don’t you recognise irony when you see it”: the traditional claims made since the dawn of BBS and USENET when the author is so far down the hole, they can no longer see the light at the top ;)

I was greatly amused, not so long ago, to find myself being told I was ” part of a sick online “community” where cliques and in-groups try to control and bully everyone who’s different, or thinks differently, than they do.” I’ll admit I was irritated by the content and tone of all these posts but that statement has had me rolling in the aisles with laughter ever since.

Now they’re talking about themselves as “Whistle blowers” and making references to “dictatorships” and “power to punish”(Overinflated egos? Shurely shome mishtake. Ed.) in the same breath as referring to their “many silent readers”. It’s time to get out the Dansette, blow the dust off the vinyl and play an old song, sung to the tune of “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean”:

The Lurkers support me in e-mail
They all think I’m great don’t you know.
You posters just don’t understand me
But soon you will reap what you sow.

Lurkers, lurkers, lurkers support me, you’ll see, you’ll see
Off in e-mail the lurkers support me, you’ll see.

The lurkers support me in e-mail
“So why don’t they post?” you all cry
They’re scared of your hostile intentions
They just can’t be as brave as I.

Lurkers, lurkers, lurkers support me, you’ll see, you’ll see
Off in e-mail the lurkers support me, you’ll see.

One day I’ll round up all my lurkers
We’ll have a newsgroup of our own
Without all this flak from you morons
My lurkers will post round my throne.

Lurkers, lurkers, lurkers support me, you’ll see, you’ll see
Off in e-mail the lurkers support me, you’ll see.