So I'm the first person to admit I don't know all that much about auto racing. I'm learning but still, there's a lot I don't know. I will hold my chin up high and admit that. Because learning about something new, generally considered a good thing and I'm getting there. I am. I've only really been caring for the last 4 years or so, really got into last year, so this is all new and I'm well aware that I am that dreaded word...a newbie.
But I do know sports, I do know life, I do know that if you're not coming in dead last, you're clearly not the worst person out there. And I do know that even if you do come in last...you deserve some respect for trying.
Now more to the point, a certain person (and really not only that certain person, a few certain persons over the last few months) have attacked Patrick Dempsey as a race car driver.
And that leaves me with one question...what the fuck?
The person this weekend said that the reason Dempsey Racing qualified so high was because Patrick Dempsey wasn't there (he was off shooting Grey's...which makes me happy and sad all at once). Now, in fairness to said person, we don't actually know if he was saying what other people were saying or if this was his own personal opinion but either way...how does anyone know that? How can anyone actually just make that kind of statement when they clearly have nothing to back it up?
Has Paddy ever qualified second? Well no. Of course last season the team never even qualified in the top 10, and this season it was their first time on the track so we have no idea exactly how Patrick Dempsey would have performed on that track. He may have come in 2nd, he may have come in 10th, he may have come in dead last. No one has any way of knowing because every race and every track and every situation is different (which is one of the things I love most about racing actually). So to just make that blanket statement, that kind of attitude confuses me. It really does.
Because what we do know is Patrick Dempsey is a good driver, who keeps improving.
No, he has never qualified the car in 2nd place before but he has done well. He qualifies the car in a position that is ready for the team to slip into the top ten easily and early on, something he has usually accomplished by the time they do the driver change during the race. He gets the car where it needs to be so Joe can bring it home. He moves the car up in positions. This isn't a situation where he drives the first half hour and gets the car far behind to make Joe catch up, this isn't that at all. He drives laps at a competitive speed, he stays out of trouble, he races a good race. His best qualifying is 9th, which yes, it's not 2nd, but it's hardly something that deserves the insults and attacks I have seen on him as a driver. He has not done nothing so bad that it justifies saying the team only does well when he's not there...considering the fact their best finish with him there was 6th place, compared to 4th this past weekend. I'm just...insulted and flabbergasted that anyone could act like he's a dead weight that drags the team down.
Yeah, we qualified better because Joe is the stronger driver of the two, I don't think anyone would deny that. But Patrick Dempsey has been doing this for what? 6 years? Joe Foster has been doing it for 25. He should be the stronger driver of the two.
As far as I'm concerned, Patrick Dempsey should be being praised for what he's done in such a short time. He may not be the best driver out there but considering the fact he didn't grow up in a race car, that this is all pretty new to him, he's been doing pretty great. Especially since he doesn't have nearly as much time as most of the other racers to practice and train considering his insane schedule with the family, the show, the movies and the cancer center. And yet, he manages to find the time to train hard and work hard and become better. And most people, the actual experts, agree, he's getting better and better. That hard work, that dedication and the passion, that is what should be being talked about, not the fact he's not the best. He's getting there, he's working hard and he's getting there. I have nothing but respect for what he's done, and even if he was coming in dead last, I'd still respect that because at least he's trying, which is more than some people ever do.
No one would be saying this if he wasn't who he is...a movie star, television star and one of the sexiest men alive...if he was a nobody who just happened to love driving, no one would be saying this and that makes saying it...completely wrong.
Not to mention...I'm sure none of the people with their keyboard courage would even say any of this to his face. No. If they got to be anywhere near him...they'd kiss his ass and tell him everything that he wanted to hear. No they stick to the safety of the internet...blogs, boards, and it's just...it's wrong.
The man has worked his ass off. The man does a great job. The man deserves a little respect.
And on a side note...I have nothing but love for Joe Foster making it clear that the team would have done better across the board if Paddy had been there, if Paddy's energy had been there. Because Patrick Dempsey is a huge part of what makes Dempsey Racing what it is, his spirit and enthusiasm and passion and I'm sure all felt it missing this weekend so I'm happy Joe had the balls to stick up for his co-driver/friend and say it. *Sigh* I really do love Joe.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Would you just shut up?
I think the saddest statement that can be made about the world we live in is the statement that people are making in DEFENCE of attacking people on twitter. And not just any people on twitter, people who write the tv shows they claim to love. I'm not even sure what that says about people. It honest to god worries me that this world is becoming this place, where attacking isn't only done but it's later on defended.
Bullying and harassing and insulting is NOT okay. What has the internet done to society that it's now apparently accepted that if you are brave enough to put your writing out there, you should put up with personal insults? How is that okay? How does that even sound okay? It makes me wonder if this is what people like Perez Hilton have done to the world, that insulting someone famous is okay because well they put themselves out there for it. These people chased a dream that's really hard to attain, they worked hard, they put their hearts and souls into things, and what they get in return is insults and attacks on twitter and blogs. Can someone tell me what in this equation actually sounds right?
And don't pretend it's okay to do it to writers because it happens to other celebrities all the time...that doesn't make it right, that just means it's wrong in that case too. (Side note...as I've already been accused of being a hypocrite as god know I'm vocal about my dislike of a certain Grey's actress. I have NEVER actually insulted her. I have said I do not like her acting. I am not impressed by some of her off stage antics such as bad mouthing her own movies and going public with her desire for a better plot...but I have NEVER insulted her.)
There's a difference between criticism and insults. Most writers I know THRIVE on criticism. I know personally when I get a review of someone telling me what they didn't like and why, I'm excited. It can make me a better writer. A while ago someone commented on a fic of mine saying I used the term "Or something" too much in that update, and let me tell you, the next update I watched myself for that and have been doing so ever since. So thank you to the person that said that. Someone saying they don't understand why a character made a certain choice, someone saying they dont like a certain plot and explaining WHY, that is amazing to hear. It means that people are paying attention, it means they care enough to want to help you improve. I have never stumbled upon a writer that didn't welcome some kind of criticism of their work. It's the only way to improve.
But when someone just insults your work on no basis, or even worse, insults you personally, that's not called for. In no world should that be considered okay. They are not putting themselves out there to be insulted and the fact that there's people in this world that think that that's acceptable behaviour makes me sick.I'm sure Shonda and Co didn't expect everyone to love the Post it note or Dead Denny. I'm sure they expected responses saying "I don't think that made sense" or "I'm just tired of Denny" and "Why can't Mer/Der make it really official?". But when it goes past that, that becomes a problem.
And as for the people defending those attacks, as someone said on the ABC boards the other day, they're blaming the victim. These people are coming out and saying that attacks are okay because the writer is on twitter and putting themselves out there. Does that not sound absurd to anyone else? Krista Vernoff has been defending herself on twitter, asking people to stop with the insults and people are acting like she's the one in the wrong. Yes, she has a job because of the fans but how does that equal her putting up with personal insults because of something she wrote? I honestly wonder if people sit back and consider the fact that these writers are REAL people with REAL feelings. And saying they should sit back and take the insults, to me is the equivalent of telling a kid that they should just take being bullied because they have to go to school every day, or telling a woman being sexually harassed to put up with it because she wore a skirt to work. NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO PUT UP WITH HARASSMENT.
As for the other stuff I have seen fans doing on twitter, the demanding explanations as to why something happened, the non-stop posts by some asking for something that the writer may not even be able to give, the people that are expecting Shonda (or any other tv writer) to give them what they want...that's not right either. I have seen so many people say "But why doesn't Shonda write what we want to see?" Who is this we? In no way should the writers pander to the fans. Listen to their opinions? Yes. But their main concern should be staying true to the story they want to tell and the characters they created. While we don't always like it, Grey's has done a very good job at that. To me that's what marks a good writer, not whether or not they give the fans every single thing they want. At the end of the day, a writers job is to tell a story. If you like it, that's great but if you don't, that's not on the writer. They for no reason should have to defend what they did, explain what they did, give you answers to every single question you may have. That is not their job. it is not their job to write what YOU want to see. It is their job to write the show. Simple as that.
As for all the misleading and other complaints...it's part of the game. It's part of the world. Shonda said it was Mer/Der's wedding day but she refused to say if they would get married. People all over buzzed about would they/wouldn't they. Shonda's job is done. Shonda didn't do it to be rude, she didn't do it because she doesn't respect the fans, she did it to make people talk about the show. I know I for one had numerous conversations with friends whether or not I thought they were actually going to do it. I know I heard numerous casual fans talk about it in depth (I also haven't heard one casual fan complain about the bait and switch). if she had said "Oh well they give their wedding to Alex/Izzie" the buzz would have been much lower. I understand why it's annoying. It's never fun to anticipate one thing and not get it. I'm still angry at the Bones people for "Booth and Bones sleep together at the end of the season" and then it being a dream. But it's the nature of the beast and Shonda is hardly the only show runner to do it, she's hardly the show runner who started it. It's not going to stop. Any form of advertisement since the beginning of time has had some form of misleading info in it. You don't have to take it so personally.
The only other misleading thing...the whole "I want my money back from the charities I gave to for two fictional characters on their fictional wedding day"...I'm not addressing that. Because I don't think I even want to consider what kind of person gets angry about giving to a charity. I hope one day they all wake up and realize they're crap people.
Yes, this is long and rambling...but as someone who has been personally insulted numerous times (called a whore, told I didn't deserve to live...) because of my fanfiction I know what it feels like to put something out there and be attacked because of it. My best friend/writing partner and I have left boards to get away from it because it takes all the joy out of writing. The Grey's writers can't switch to get away from it. And they shouldn't have to avoid twitter because of it. So yeah, I get long and rambling defending them and any other writer.
Simply put, if you don't like what's on the screen, take a deep breath and look at the remote. It's usually at the top, a tiny little button that says "Power". Turn the tv off.
Whatever happened to if you don't have something nice to say don't say anything at all?
Bullying and harassing and insulting is NOT okay. What has the internet done to society that it's now apparently accepted that if you are brave enough to put your writing out there, you should put up with personal insults? How is that okay? How does that even sound okay? It makes me wonder if this is what people like Perez Hilton have done to the world, that insulting someone famous is okay because well they put themselves out there for it. These people chased a dream that's really hard to attain, they worked hard, they put their hearts and souls into things, and what they get in return is insults and attacks on twitter and blogs. Can someone tell me what in this equation actually sounds right?
And don't pretend it's okay to do it to writers because it happens to other celebrities all the time...that doesn't make it right, that just means it's wrong in that case too. (Side note...as I've already been accused of being a hypocrite as god know I'm vocal about my dislike of a certain Grey's actress. I have NEVER actually insulted her. I have said I do not like her acting. I am not impressed by some of her off stage antics such as bad mouthing her own movies and going public with her desire for a better plot...but I have NEVER insulted her.)
There's a difference between criticism and insults. Most writers I know THRIVE on criticism. I know personally when I get a review of someone telling me what they didn't like and why, I'm excited. It can make me a better writer. A while ago someone commented on a fic of mine saying I used the term "Or something" too much in that update, and let me tell you, the next update I watched myself for that and have been doing so ever since. So thank you to the person that said that. Someone saying they don't understand why a character made a certain choice, someone saying they dont like a certain plot and explaining WHY, that is amazing to hear. It means that people are paying attention, it means they care enough to want to help you improve. I have never stumbled upon a writer that didn't welcome some kind of criticism of their work. It's the only way to improve.
But when someone just insults your work on no basis, or even worse, insults you personally, that's not called for. In no world should that be considered okay. They are not putting themselves out there to be insulted and the fact that there's people in this world that think that that's acceptable behaviour makes me sick.I'm sure Shonda and Co didn't expect everyone to love the Post it note or Dead Denny. I'm sure they expected responses saying "I don't think that made sense" or "I'm just tired of Denny" and "Why can't Mer/Der make it really official?". But when it goes past that, that becomes a problem.
And as for the people defending those attacks, as someone said on the ABC boards the other day, they're blaming the victim. These people are coming out and saying that attacks are okay because the writer is on twitter and putting themselves out there. Does that not sound absurd to anyone else? Krista Vernoff has been defending herself on twitter, asking people to stop with the insults and people are acting like she's the one in the wrong. Yes, she has a job because of the fans but how does that equal her putting up with personal insults because of something she wrote? I honestly wonder if people sit back and consider the fact that these writers are REAL people with REAL feelings. And saying they should sit back and take the insults, to me is the equivalent of telling a kid that they should just take being bullied because they have to go to school every day, or telling a woman being sexually harassed to put up with it because she wore a skirt to work. NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO PUT UP WITH HARASSMENT.
As for the other stuff I have seen fans doing on twitter, the demanding explanations as to why something happened, the non-stop posts by some asking for something that the writer may not even be able to give, the people that are expecting Shonda (or any other tv writer) to give them what they want...that's not right either. I have seen so many people say "But why doesn't Shonda write what we want to see?" Who is this we? In no way should the writers pander to the fans. Listen to their opinions? Yes. But their main concern should be staying true to the story they want to tell and the characters they created. While we don't always like it, Grey's has done a very good job at that. To me that's what marks a good writer, not whether or not they give the fans every single thing they want. At the end of the day, a writers job is to tell a story. If you like it, that's great but if you don't, that's not on the writer. They for no reason should have to defend what they did, explain what they did, give you answers to every single question you may have. That is not their job. it is not their job to write what YOU want to see. It is their job to write the show. Simple as that.
As for all the misleading and other complaints...it's part of the game. It's part of the world. Shonda said it was Mer/Der's wedding day but she refused to say if they would get married. People all over buzzed about would they/wouldn't they. Shonda's job is done. Shonda didn't do it to be rude, she didn't do it because she doesn't respect the fans, she did it to make people talk about the show. I know I for one had numerous conversations with friends whether or not I thought they were actually going to do it. I know I heard numerous casual fans talk about it in depth (I also haven't heard one casual fan complain about the bait and switch). if she had said "Oh well they give their wedding to Alex/Izzie" the buzz would have been much lower. I understand why it's annoying. It's never fun to anticipate one thing and not get it. I'm still angry at the Bones people for "Booth and Bones sleep together at the end of the season" and then it being a dream. But it's the nature of the beast and Shonda is hardly the only show runner to do it, she's hardly the show runner who started it. It's not going to stop. Any form of advertisement since the beginning of time has had some form of misleading info in it. You don't have to take it so personally.
The only other misleading thing...the whole "I want my money back from the charities I gave to for two fictional characters on their fictional wedding day"...I'm not addressing that. Because I don't think I even want to consider what kind of person gets angry about giving to a charity. I hope one day they all wake up and realize they're crap people.
Yes, this is long and rambling...but as someone who has been personally insulted numerous times (called a whore, told I didn't deserve to live...) because of my fanfiction I know what it feels like to put something out there and be attacked because of it. My best friend/writing partner and I have left boards to get away from it because it takes all the joy out of writing. The Grey's writers can't switch to get away from it. And they shouldn't have to avoid twitter because of it. So yeah, I get long and rambling defending them and any other writer.
Simply put, if you don't like what's on the screen, take a deep breath and look at the remote. It's usually at the top, a tiny little button that says "Power". Turn the tv off.
Whatever happened to if you don't have something nice to say don't say anything at all?
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