“I’m Not Reading This”
Yet you were “disgruntled” about a story you didn’t read!
This is a good one, people. Do you need a laugh? Then keep reading because I have to share a bit of idiocy with you, courtesy of one goofy chick. A “reader” who didn’t read my story about makeup (the one that garnered several ass-slaps), yet felt the need to comment, regardless.
And here it is, proof that you just can’t win for losing.
“Thumbs down, closing this article before reading to the end because I’m sick of everyone, including you, telling me what to do with my face.”
Wow. Talk about a random jab. This is the type of irrational commentary that I’ve been receiving, of late.
When confronted by a couple of my buddies, here, she responded that she “still wasn’t going to read.”
Then why in hell comment? Don’t read the damned thing and move along! And, if you haven’t read it, why are you so worked up?
What really gets to me, though, is if she HAD taken the few minutes to read it, she would have realized that I wasn’t telling anyone “what to do with their face.” Quite the opposite.
How do you explain this type of “thinking?” Maybe I should be flattered that she took the time to ream me, even though she didn’t read me.
Now there’s a whole new segment of this community. Imagine, people who won’t read us but want to fuck with us, anyway. Medium’s own Fight Club, if you will. (Hey, maybe we can make a few extra shekels by beating each other up.)
Such anger over…nothing. I wonder who else she doesn’t read, yet reams. Does anyone here recognize this comment? Or receive similar responses?
Due to this type of heated commentary, I’ve blocked more people in the last week than in all my nearly three years on Medium. All of them were women, except for one guy, who just didn’t know when to STFU. I’d love to know what his problem with the story was, or perhaps it was his girlfriend or wife who put him up to it.
Blocking is not my preferred method of avoiding the overheated individuals amongst us. But there are times and situations that call for it. Even though I don’t want readers to get the impression that I don’t stand behind my work, or am afraid of confrontation, there’s just no talking to some of them, you know?
It becomes more of a “you jab me and I’ll jab you,” type of thing. An uppercut for an uppercut. After a while, it just feels inane.
However, I feel that I should head off any commentary implying that I think I’m a candidate for sainthood. No way in hell, nor have I ever pretended to be anything other than what I am. A blunt, outspoken, and yes, sometimes overly-judgemental writer who is only trying to do the best she can. Occasionally, I miss the mark because again, I’m not perfect nor am I seeking perfection. Can you think of anything more snooze-inducing?
So, please, “reader who doesn’t want to read me but comments, regardless,” know that I am not telling you what to do with your face, your ass, your genitalia, or any other part of your body. You are free to do as you like, without any interference from me.
And, as I haven’t blocked you, oddly, why not take a chance and actually read one of my stories? Who knows? You might learn something or even, get a giggle. And if you get pissed off again, you always know where to find me.
DING! DING! DING!
I’m going back to my corner, now. Peace.
Sherry McGuinn is a slightly-twisted, longtime Chicago-area writer and award-winning screenwriter. Her short films have screened at The Pan African Film Festival in Cannes (awarded “best short”), the Nashville Film Festival, the Honolulu Film Festival, the Los Angeles Film School, New Filmmakers New York, and New Filmmakers Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and numerous other publications. Sherry’s manager is currently pitching her newest screenplay, “The Month We Fell Apart,” a drama with dark, comedic overtones and inspired by a true story.
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