Flame wars on message boards are nothing new, but I find this particular thread, in which a number of U.K. horror authors argue with each other, fascinating. Understand, I’m not being sarcastic, nor am I poking fun at the authors and editors involved. I’m honestly fascinated by the overall politeness of it all. Yes, the participants display vehemence and anger, but even when they are telling each other to go fuck themselves, they do so politely. And therein lies my fascination. Granted, my only exposure to British culture comes from the month I spent in the U.K. in the summer of 1986, episodes of Doctor Who and Monty Python, the music of Iron Maiden, or evenings spent in various convention bars talking Arthur Machen with Doug Bradley or getting drunk with Tim Lebbon (and Lebbon is Welsh, which in the U.K., is sort of like being from Texas, so that probably doesn’t count). In any case, it’s interesting to observe how it all unfolds. Were these American horror authors, they’d be typing things like “FUCK YOU SHIT-EYES! I WILL EAT YOUR DOG’S RECTUM WITH YOUR MOTHER’S TEETH, YOU BASTARD!” or something similar. I think we can all learn from that, so, kudos to all involved for showing us Americans how it’s done.
PS: I agree with Ramsey Campbell’s comment (in that thread) that many American authors have a tendency to over-promote during convention panels. They do, and that is why I applaud Meteornotes’ suggestion that all Americans be required by law to carry a Taser. But that’s a subject for another day.
Go fuck yourself, Keene!
You said that in your atrocious faux-American “Hank Hill” accent, didn’t you?
Now that was a lot of FUN! I even popped up some pop-corn and cracked open an IBC Root Beer just so I could read it a second time! Dang, I wish American Writers had flame wars like that.
Instead we just get NP flipping the bird and screaming.
You should watch the televised UK Parliment session. Those folks are sometimes brutal, but with sarcasm and a smile. I think it may have been a Monty Python sketch with a mock session where they said things like, “My good friend on the right is incorrect when he states and I say Bollocks to him.”
No, no, I don’t think all Americans should be allowed to carry a taser, but that it should be perfectly legal for ME to carry a taser, and use it whenever I like. Especially at the grocery store.
And there should be more updates about me on this blog. I am goddamn entertaining.
Reading that ‘flame war’ was like watching pacifists wrestle on Monday Night RAW.
I agree with Sheldon, lol
but I gave up after about 50 of the 1,000 posts. Whew!
I hope nobody thinks that all us Brits are that polite to each other when arguing. I’ve got a feeling it’s mainly down to not wanting to get kicked off Mr Campbell’s message board…
People hate me…i’m all over the place….even on Brian Keene’s website.
Hey….can I get an invite or edit your novels?
Meteornotes: Yeah, there should be. Like the fact that you hired shirtless construction workers to dig up your yard in an effort to meet women…
Neil: Don’t tell us that. You’ll ruin the Brit mystique.
Mark: Well, according to the critics, I certainly *need* someone to edit them.
Polite, yes. But also pathetic, and unprofessional considering it’s a public venue. But I guess that’s what the Internet is for, each to voice their voice.
I live in Texas and I love Tim Lebbon, so I extra suck.
Awww,come on now,Texas aint’ so bad.England on the other hand…..