Mediaminer wank or how not reviewing protects the reader
(Note: Much of this was originally visible and has been moved to a locked forum, but anyone can join. I'm copying some of it here, but will post screen caps of the comments later.)

It starts out as a fairly decent, civil, and otherwise unusual conversation on the Mediaminer.org forums regarding an essay on reviews written by Lady Macbeth. Psychlone enters the fray and disagrees with the MM.org policy which allows authors to "Not accept unsolicited critiques" and tells everyone who doesn't want to get anything other than praise to "grow the *beep* up." Sueric, famed for not accepting "unsolicited critiques" takes offense and tells Psychlone that they aren't seeing the whole picture, obviously the reason to not accept "unsolicited critiques" is because it protects the critics. This "brave act of self sacrifice" is echoed by other posters.

Angelica Pierce responds, advising that she disagrees and that not letting people respond to public writing is not allowing them to express their opinions publicly. Others agree. DQBunny steps in and calls Sueric out on her deleting reviews, which prompts Sueric to move the thread from the main page link to "Arguments." Later they moved several other people who disagreed to "Arguments" as well, thus making the whole page seem out of order, and a little random.

Psychlone, living up to their name, turns their opinon around and agrees with Sueric that it's private space and some people are sensitive. Things go back and forth, my personal favorite part is Sueric reminding us that there is one concrit review that she has not removed.

This was where it seemed to stop, as the conversation was fairly polite (including a call from Psychlone for everyone to get along). Other mods (SilverArmada) and (WolfintheNight) civiliy weigh in on the topic, but it is Lord Aaron who decides to change the thread from a review debate to making it all about the persecution of Sueric by the other members. Other members who clearly don't know what the topic of their own thread is.

You are all so off topic it's making me sick.

Clearly.



No, do you think published writers like Anne Rice or Laurell K. Hamilton will change how they write if one person sends them a letter saying 'i think the latest book you wrote was...' Really, MANY people send their favourite authors complaints and suggestions just to make themselves feel better. The author could give a rats ass.

Somehow, I remember something a little different about those two and if they care about their readers opinions.

And what the hell is this? Are you daft? What part of "Sue does not want concrit, so bugger off already" do you not understand. She does not care if one person out of 100 does not like her work, it is not possible to get everyone to like everything an author writes.

She has reviews removed to prevent flame wars, if their contents has concrit... she never asked for it in the first place.

Inusaga takes offense, and does her goodbye cruel world mediaminer post, citing greener forums as her reason.

Quoth Aaron the Mod: Goodbye, Fool

Very nice way to talk to any of your members, but given past history of MMO forums, not a surprise. He also drags Del Kaiden (another IY BNF) through the mud.

Yes, this Del is an IYFG mod among other things (behold the power of google) but also seems to one of Sueric's peers in writing IY fiction. Here is betting he just doesn't like Sue because more people like her work.

Lady Lark closes the thread and threatens possible actions against those involved for going offtopic. In the arguments forum.

I also do not want to see this spreading to certain journal fen communities or livejournals (And Yes I am watching). Again, it is in violation of rule #4 and I will be enforcing it this time - to everyone. I don't bloody care if you are a mod on this site or not. --Lady Lark

As I am only a member for entertainment viewing purposes, I'm going to be just a little amused if I'm banned for this.

Edit: Either deleted or the mods have locked the thread so only they can see it. Screencaps will go up when I get home