Comments on: Dear Teddypig

By: Louise van Hine

Louise van Hine — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:53:14 +0000

I tend to think he puts the “func” back in, myself. It isn’t very often that people who are virtually strangers to me say things about my little Sunday morning missive like:

That comment was the freaking Pulitzer Prize of all comments I have read so far! That comment came with a standing ovation followed by an AMEN!

That was definitely funky.

It is true that Ann put into a comment on DA that “I too suffer from mental illness” in an attempt to reach out to fellow troubled author and publisher Kira Takenouchi. So taking her at her word could not be considered “speculation.” And if she didn’t want others to factor this revelation into their reception of her public persona, she probably shouldn’t have overshared so spectacularly.

By: Cat Grant

Cat Grant — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 01:55:37 +0000

You’re one of the people who put the “fun” back in “dysfunctional,” Teddy. ;)

By: TeddyPig

TeddyPig — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 01:09:55 +0000

Which is a good thing because I for one am a personality disorder.

By: Cat Grant

Cat Grant — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 23:13:47 +0000

For the record, there is a difference between a personality disorder and mental illness.

By: kirsten saell

kirsten saell — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:31:43 +0000

@Emily,

I don’t actually think the truth/accuracy of Cat’s assessment is “beside the point”, although I understand why you find public speculation of that sort distasteful.

But I do know if I had been aware sooner of the possibility of a mental illness at play here (and not just asshattery), it would have changed the way I dealt with Ann online. Instead of engaging her when she crossed my path and offended the everloving crap out of me, I think I would have mostly ignored her. In fact, as my perceptions of her have changed, I’ve certainly tried (not always successfully) to stay out of any discussions of which she’s been a part, that I don’t feel passionate about, or that I don’t have a personal or professional stake in.

And regardless of whether the label is accurate, Cat’s assessment isn’t going to be news to anyone who’s been around here for a while.

By: (a different) Laurie

(a different) Laurie — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:42:34 +0000

I’m so glad you saved all these comments TeddyPig. It’s easy for people like Ann Somerville to act self-righteous and indignant, and then when their poor behaviour is pointed out, they try to run and hide as Somerville did by deleting her post. This isn’t a case of shodenfreud on my part, although I did find some justice in her being cut from Samhain after she was publicly rude to the publisher’s authors and head editor. It’s a lesson about good behavior and treating others with respect no matter where people stand on issues. To quote Ivanhine, “Didn’t you understand that you can’t shit in the same place you eat?”

I just hope she takes this lesson to heart and learns from it. Not only will she be a happier person, but she will find more success because her writing is actually very good. While divas can get away with rude behaviour as long as they bring in the money, she’s not that good a writer for publishers like Samhain to take a risk on for the sake of profit.

By: TeddyPig

TeddyPig — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:31:42 +0000

How does something you seek to cure equate to nationality, sexual disposition or religious belief?

I have problems with organized religion mind you but I would not equate it to mental illness. I have been HIV+ since 1990 but that is just part of my life experience not “who I am” or “what I am”. I do not blame my behavior good or bad on it nor do I hope anyone else does.

I do though think Ann has acted irrationally.
I just don’t assume illness is really part of it but that is my opinion.

By: veinglory

veinglory — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:25:50 +0000

@Teddy — so if I mention my mental illness (sexuality, nationality, religion) that makes it fine to use it as ammo based stereotyped understanding of what everyone in that group does? Sorry, if that is the code of conduct then I agree with Laurie.

By: veinglory

veinglory — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:22:27 +0000

As it is I make a pretty good psychologist.

If the point to have respectful discourse it is more important that people do right, then they prove thet are right. That they don’t cast the next stone, not who cast the first one.

By: Cat Grant

Cat Grant — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:09:43 +0000

@veinglory – The truth is beside the point? In that case, I think you’ve missed your calling, Em. With that attitude, you’d make a great politician.