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Snark

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Tuesday, 11 December 2012

Snark


Last night I read the most hateful thread I have ever seen on the internet. The thread is posted on a snark site called Get Off My Internets and the subject of the thread is Australian bloggers, specifically Australian mothers who blog.

The authors write anonymously and unleash a barrage of attacks on well known and by current definition, successful bloggers using terms such as 'crazy', 'low-class', 'nauseating', 'vanilla', 'bitches' to attack them.

David Denby, author of the book Snark (2009)*, describes this type of engagement as a "bad kind of invective - low, teasing, snide, condescending, knowing...Snark attacks individuals, not groups. Snark is teasing, rug-pulling form of insult that attempts to steal someone's mojo, erase her cool, annihilate her effectiveness, and it appeals to a knowing audience that shares the contempt...It's all jeer and josh, a form of bullying that, except at it's highest levels, beggars the soul of humour".
Image source
What's interesting about this thread is how well versed the authors are in the content of the blogs they attack, indicating that while they consider these bloggers and their content with contempt, they remain an engaged audience.

 These women narcissisticly consider snark their art form and in their process overlook their own faults to identify and highlight those of others. So lets turn the spotlight on you shall we...

 Character is what you do when no one is looking. That you post anonymously, that you fail to stand by your words, that you take cover from the consequences of your actions says you have none and even you know it. Your words are not powerful, they are merely a mask for your own fear and envy.

 Ironically, you will strengthen the very people you have sought to undermine, as they will refine their own character on your spite, because character is built through trial. May you recognise your impact in the honesty and courage of their words and may you find the inspiration to expect better of yourself.

Denby, D. (2009). Snark: A polemic in seven fits. New York: Simon & Schuster pp. 1, 2, & 4;


Labels:

posted by Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye @ 21:19   34 Comments

34 Comments:

At Tuesday, 11 December, 2012 , Blogger Tegan Churchill said...

I've said it a few times on twitter but I just can't understand the need for 'hate' reading. If I don't like something I click away and never go back to it again. I don't keep coming back and I certainly am not as well versed in them as these women appear to be. What is ironic is that they talk about some bloggers mentioning them in twitter and say 'why do they bother if they hate us so much', isn't that exactly what they are doing to the blogger. They are going to their site just so that they have something to bitch about. Pointless if you ask me.

 
At Tuesday, 11 December, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

Could not agree more Tegan. Honestly the whole thing confuses me. And why invest so much energy in spitting hate? Is that really what you want your life to be about?

 
At Tuesday, 11 December, 2012 , Blogger MummyMoo said...

I suppose some people need to attack others and highlight faults just to feel good about themselves. I think in this instance, best to adopt this thinking: "If you are not worth it, they won't be talking about you." :)

 
At Tuesday, 11 December, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

So true MummyMoo!

 
At Tuesday, 11 December, 2012 , Anonymous Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad said...

Bravo! Well said. I have zilch time for Snarks. Why do people feel it's ok to bully under the protective shelter of an annoymous title and the cover of the internet. To pull down individuals, albeit, ones they don't even know and ones who wish them no harm. Being a sad negative Nancy can only evoke nasty karma surely? Imagine what these people could achieve if they put their energy to good positive use. We could all do without them that's for sure.

 
At Tuesday, 11 December, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

My thoughts exactly Vicki. I see no point in this kind of behaviour. Is it really that hard to project some good into the world, or if you can't do that at least withhold the negative?

 
At Tuesday, 11 December, 2012 , Blogger Karen Williamson said...

I read it last night too, and it confuses me as to why people spend time writing this stuff, I don't see the point. It is funny how they seem to know soooo much about the bloggers they hate, I wonder how much of their days are spent hate reading? I don't even have enough time to read all the blogs I like, nevermind the ones I'm not that into. I think they need a new hobby!!

 
At Tuesday, 11 December, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

Could not agree more Karen!

 
At Tuesday, 11 December, 2012 , Blogger Lara at This Charming Mum said...

Thanks for highlighting this issue Bree. As the others have said - if you don't like something, don't read it. What a shame people have nothing better to do with their time than snark?

 
At Tuesday, 11 December, 2012 , Blogger Annaleis Topham said...

Why do people have so much time for hate? I barely have time to worry about dinner let alone someone elses life and then to do it so vehmenantly.

 
At Tuesday, 11 December, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

Such a waste of life energy.

 
At Tuesday, 11 December, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

Agreed Annaleis!

 
At Tuesday, 11 December, 2012 , Anonymous Cybele @ BlahBlah Magazine said...

A great topic. It's really interesting, because there have always been snarks, bullies, whateves, yet now they have a platform to speak on outside their living rooms. In the same way bloggers are able to form communities in a way we never have before. I want to get all hippy and say - where there is light there must be dark.
The big question is, what is the best way of dealing with it. Ignore? Confront?
Thanks for getting me thinking,
Anonymous ; )
Cybele
X

 
At Wednesday, 12 December, 2012 , Anonymous Shari said...

I read some of it too and was really saddened by the venom. It's just so unnecessary.
x

 
At Wednesday, 12 December, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

It seems is single purpose is to cause hurt. What a fine legacy to leave.

 
At Wednesday, 12 December, 2012 , Anonymous 10 % Inspired said...

I saw a program on the phenomenon of Trolling from a psychological perspective and the general theory seemed to be that it really was a kind of psychosis... they literally can't stop. Many of them feel alone, neglected, like they have nothing else in their lives etc... the sad thing is that most of the bloggers these women are ragging on would have been more than happy to share their time and their friendship if the opportunity had been offered.

I know a big part of why I started bloging was to find a connection. To feel however tenuously like there were people out there who could understand me, help me, and that I could offer them something in return. They're not helping themselves, 30 seconds of high from tearing someone else down and then they're back to feeling the same way they did before, which just drives them to do it again. It's so sad and stupid and self defeating.

 
At Wednesday, 12 December, 2012 , Blogger Kylie Purtell said...

Yeah, I read that thread last week and couldn't believe it. Fair enough if you don't like someone's blog, but they are just plain mean and cowardly for not using real names.

 
At Thursday, 13 December, 2012 , Blogger Pride In Photos said...

Bree...these two make an awesome pair. He is so happy!!! Love that Ned has been around a long time. Thanks for sharing.
Laurie

 
At Thursday, 13 December, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

He is rather gorgeous isn't he!

 
At Thursday, 13 December, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

Agreed.

 
At Thursday, 13 December, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

I agree, it is sad. But it is also no excuse. And you are right, they have lost the opportunity to be embraced by a supportive online community.

 
At Thursday, 13 December, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

Dear Anonymous lol. It is hard to know how to deal with it, I think most often ignoring it is the best thing, but sometimes there is a place for constructive confrontation in the hopes that they may actually question their behaviour. Highly unlikely, but worth a shot from time to time.

 
At Thursday, 13 December, 2012 , Blogger EssentiallyJess said...

I'm actually hesitant to comment here, because I think it puts us all on the radar of that particular website.
We all need to vent from time to time, but there are nicer ways to do that than some of those comments.

 
At Thursday, 13 December, 2012 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

I don't consider that venting, I consider it malicious bullying. As for putting my blog on their radar - couldn't care less, but I respect the right of others to refrain from comment for this reason. Thanks for stopping by Jess.

 
At Friday, 14 December, 2012 , Blogger SarahMac said...

Holy crap. I don't think I can even bring myself to read that site. Snark is the devil's work.

 
At Friday, 14 December, 2012 , Blogger Mummy Manifesto said...

I saw that site after a few people tweeted about it. I admit i was a bit shocked at some of the things written. I think the majority of people think that these people see this as their 15mins of fame, attention whatever. It is a shame that these people are so negative about others but the true readers of the blogs mentioned will standby the blogger.

 
At Friday, 14 December, 2012 , Blogger Mrs BC said...

That site is insanely bizzare! What is up with those people? I just cannot understand a hate fest of this level, it beggers belief. Have you seen the hate sites dedicated to The Pioneer Woman? I stumbled on them by accident and was absolutely gobsmacked.
Seriously, don't these people have anything better to do with thier time and energy?

xx

 
At Friday, 14 December, 2012 , Anonymous Jane @Hesitant Housewife said...

I read this too, it comes across very immature and spiteful. Obviously they think this kind of behaviour makes them powerful, but really, everyone outside of their little group just think they are sad and a bit pathetic.

 
At Friday, 14 December, 2012 , Blogger Catherine Rodie Blagg (Cup of Tea and a Blog) said...

I was so full of rage when I first heard about this, but after cooling off a bit I've come to see it as just pathetic women with nothing better to do than slag off others. I'm not giving it my energy, there are plenty of lovely things to read about instead :-)

 
At Friday, 14 December, 2012 , Blogger Cooker and A Looker said...

When you throw dirt, you lose ground! I'm not going to visit the site or read the comments, I don't like inviting those kinds of people into my head!

 
At Friday, 14 December, 2012 , Blogger Kim-Marie said...

I don't have the time to read all the blogs I do love and enjoy, let alone all the new ones I might like too, so I certainly don't have time to waste on snark. I read it once and felt like I needed a shower! Such effort dedicated to finding out people you don't like? I don't get it. Luckily, I'm too small to catch their attention :)

 
At Friday, 14 December, 2012 , Blogger themodernparent said...

Nasty stuff. I guess it is best just to ignore. It is obviously the attention that they seek.

 
At Friday, 14 December, 2012 , Anonymous Jayne said...

I read through it too. Really, they know more about the bloggers they supposedly hate than I do about the ones I like! Life's too short.

 
At Friday, 14 December, 2012 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I consider it malicious and hateful bullying too Bree. I agree with Jess , so I post anon. I came across it a few weeks ago. Some of them claim to be bloggers. Sad. It left a very sour taste about blogging for me.

 

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