I should clarify; I don't think Shay was threatening me or would stalk or RPS me against my wishes. (I seem to be one degree of separation away from having met her in RL, via someone else on my f-list, so I'm perfectly happy to extend some trust there, even if I had been more worried by the discussion here.) I do think her tone in that last paragraph was intended to intimidate; the condescending use of "my friend" and dismissal of my arguments by fiat leave little doubt, she was trying to intimidate me into leaving the argument. I also have past experience of people posting their fantasies about me in public forums and people outside the community finding those posts, and it's a situation I find intimidating. The combination of a desire to intimidate and the suggestion of a situation I find intimidating felt threatening, although I don't think it was her intention to threaten. I just don't like continuing an argument under those circumstances.
And, precisely as you say; the baggage we bring with us affects how we read what we read. Some percentage, however statistically small, of celebrities being written about will have had bad experiences with the situations in RPS as young men, and will be reluctant to admit that, either publically or privately. A writer has no basis on which to say that they clearly don't mind because no lawyers have been brought in. Lawyers are not a preventive measure against transgression, and legal action isn't the guaranteed next step of someone feeling their rights have been violated, particularly not when it feels personal.
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Date: 2005-03-17 01:35 am (UTC)And, precisely as you say; the baggage we bring with us affects how we read what we read. Some percentage, however statistically small, of celebrities being written about will have had bad experiences with the situations in RPS as young men, and will be reluctant to admit that, either publically or privately. A writer has no basis on which to say that they clearly don't mind because no lawyers have been brought in. Lawyers are not a preventive measure against transgression, and legal action isn't the guaranteed next step of someone feeling their rights have been violated, particularly not when it feels personal.