Dear Lord of The Post... Part 2 (827 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.7 on 51 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Razor <Jeremy_21117.at.hotmail.com> (View user info) at 2004-03-08 11:19:46 EST
I feel that I owe you (and everyone else I suppose) an explanation for my behavior last week. In order to get there, I have to tell a story. I ask that you hear me out rather than getting partway through this and responding.
Picture this:
You've always been a huge fan of fantasy ever since you were a little kid. When you were in first grade, while other kids were working on words like "cat", you were leafing through a copy of The Hobbit. At nap time, you were curled up with a copy of Piers Anthony's "On A Pale Horse".
Since you can remember, you've always wanted to be a writer.
At age thirteen, as a seasoned reader of many fantasy series, you decide that the biggest difference between immersive fantasy and crap is that the greats always have a large and detailed world to work within.
So you sit down and you write a creation story. Gods, races, history, you name it. You keep expanding on the world as you get older, replacing childish writing with more mature offerings.
When you're nineteen, you create a roleplaying campaign set in that world with you and your friends. You work with each person to develop a character, and the campaign ends up lasting for two years. As it goes along, you come to realize that the characters can take the place of other characters you had written into the history of the world, and you steer the story in that direction. Eventually, girlfriends and work and all the shit that occurs in real life brings the roleplaying campaign to a halt... amicably.
You have used the characters and story YOU invented multiple additional times in other scenarios and situations in the ensuing years. In fact, the name of the character most dear to you is your login name for most of the things you do on the internet... it's even your yahoo id. (On a side note, it was very unusual behavior for me to name myself Razor and not Arideth on Ubersite, no idea why I did it.)
One of the guys who played in the roleplaying campaign is your best friend. He falls in love with someone, marries her really quickly, moves to Arizona, cuts off contact with everyone he knows, and disappears.
You move on with your life, sad that your best friend is gone, but shit happens.
Years later, you suddenly hear back from him. His dream marriage has fallen apart, he is moving back to Maryland, and what's more, he's writing a novel using YOUR CHARACTERS AND STORY and wants you to read it.
Now, he was your best friend for years, and you were hurt that he just cut off the friendship with no explanation. You are hoping that you can be friends again, so you don't freak out about it... you treat him with kid gloves and say you're eager to read it and that you want to discuss it when he gets back.
You read the chapters he's written, quiz him on the story. It's written rather poorly, but he has a decent imagination. You both start discussing the direction you had imagined the story going.
One thing leads to another, and suddenly the next thing you know the two of you are co-authoring the novel.
You pour your heart and soul into it... this is the story you've always wanted to tell. You've had the base plot concept for a six novel saga in your head, and you merge your old ideas with your new ideas. You spend countless nights sitting around until three in the morning trying to reconcile plot holes, picking over poorly written sentences, adding new work. You're working so hard on it you're not getting enough sleep to function your best at work.
Meanwhile, your friend is barely writing. He's fucked up still from his divorce.
Six months later, you've written chapters and chapters of a novel... writing, rewriting, writing more, coming up with plot, fleshing out the details.
Your friend, who can't stand to be alone, is now dating a girl who used to be a close friend of yours but whom you've had a falling out with. Guess what happens next?
That's right... your friend cuts off all communication with you and decides its his novel after all, even though at this point 90% of what is written and 95% of the characters, plot, etc. is stuff that you invented on your own without his help.
You have to resort to a combination of very thinly veiled threats and outright, bald faced, bullshit lies about wanting to still be friends to get him to even sit down with you to discuss it. Even so, it takes MONTHS before you can sit down and do it.
You bitterly work out what is yours and what is his. He gets everything that's been written, along with a number of characters that you invented by yourself. After all, you were working on it together right? A 50/50 split should be how it's done, right?
Six months of my fucking life spent writing this novel... and that six months is only the active writing of the novel itself... the gods and prehistory and so forth I started writing when I was thirteen years old... that's more than half my life ago.
If you ignore the terrible pain of your best friend stabbing you in the back and just examine the theft of the ideas and words themselves you'll understand that I'm a little sensitive right now when it comes to someone stealing my ideas... whether it's actually occurring or in my paranoia it just seems to me to be occurring. I want to share myself with the world. But I am tired of getting burned, whether in perception or reality.
Now, to shift gears momentarily...
Whether anyone agrees with me or not, I see a lot of idea theft on Ubersite. Real idea theft, not this UberPulp/Uberia situation. It's something that has bothered me for awhile, and I've posted about it before. I wish that people wouldn't do it, but there's no stopping it and other people don't seem to mind, or at least they are not vocal about it. I guess maybe I'm oversensitive on this topic.
Let's shift to Wednesday of last week now...
I quit smoking the day beore. While that hardly excuses anything, it does help to understand what might put me in a bad mood. In addition, I was running a fever of over 100 degrees and the heater at my work was stuck in the "On" position, and our office was almost at 90 degrees. This was the night after the "Heimlich" I pulled on my sick daughter... I had had maybe three hours of sleep.
So what happened... I am so drenched with sweat I'm sticking to my office chair... I don't belong at work but I have stuff that needs to get done so I am here... and totally nonproductive. I saw that Uberia tribute post and an irrational rage welled up inside me so deep and so strong that I cannot explain it... at least not any better than Herman Melville once did.
I yelled at my Uber Friends, they told me to stop. I wasn't listening. They counseled me to at least be reasonable. I wasn't listening. I spewed a load of black, pestilential bullshit from the depths of my injured heart and it happened to land on a completely innocent bystander.
Lord of the Post has been the picture of a gentleman despite the utterly unfair things I did to him. He has communicated with me over email, and has made it quite clear that he had never seen UberPulp when he started writing Uberia.
Not that it would matter if he had... people have made me see that community fiction is something that isn't unique to Ubersite... I can only plead ignorance that I thought it was. When I wrote that post, I was really screaming about what happened with my friend, only I didn't realize it at the time. It felt like a nightmare replaying itself again, and I didn't take the time to stop and look at the obvious differences in the situations. In fact, I didn't take the time to use common sense at all.
I would like to offer up my aplogy to Lord of the Post in specific, and the Ubersite community as a whole. My behavior ill fits my picture of myself, but after all, we're all only human.
This whole situation has been very cathartic for me. I would like to thank SpikeGoddess and bart in particular for taking the time to be patient with me and help me realize that I was allowing the pain of a recent betrayal to cloud my judgement and that I was speaking from the past and emotion rather than the present and logic.
Once you know that something is clouding your judgement, you can be on guard in the future. I promise that I won't let it happen again.
In conclusion, Lord of the Post, you have my utmost respect as a gentleman, and I apologize from the bottom of my heart for the wrong that I did you.
User Reviews
Submitted by mystiamoon (user info) at 2004-04-23 00:38:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Fabish (user info) at 2004-03-17 19:14:57 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
What a relief.
Submitted by Heimdallsman (user info) at 2004-03-17 00:59:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Sorry I missed this when it was posted.
Really well said. You have character. Not that many around here do.
And a big +2 for "On a Pale Horse". That whole series was kick-ass.
--HeimdallsMan
Submitted by PeopleAreStrange (user info) at 2004-03-11 18:45:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
With friends like that who needs enemies
Submitted by triliad (user info) at 2004-03-10 15:19:41 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
*wipes away a tear* Man...that was...beautiful.
Seriously, that was one of the best-thought-out apologies I've ever seen, and the tide of public opinion here seems to be in your favour.
Submitted by itchy (user info) at 2004-03-10 08:14:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
This just in . . . . I am a slacker. Haven't had the chance to look into that whole "copy right law" thing yet. Buying house and car + kid = no free time. More as this story develops.
Submitted by SpikeGoddess (user info) at 2004-03-09 14:13:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
*This* is the man of greatness that I know and love. Glad to have you back, and I'm sorry for your shitty week.
SpikeGoddess
Submitted by Deisangua (user info) at 2004-03-09 10:58:59 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
You have to respect someone who can admit it if they've come to their senses.
Especially when compared to people who defend their idiocy to the last ounce because, well, it's theirs.
Submitted by Nator (user info) at 2004-03-09 10:42:49 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Dude, Vanilla Ice sucks.
Submitted by Phinch (user info) at 2004-03-09 01:26:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
razor, i don't know if this will help now, but in the future, if you take a hardcopy of what you write, and possibly a burnt cd version, and mail it to yourself certified mail, and do not open it, it will provide you with a legal proof of ownership with a legally dated seal. I'd sign and date each page of the document and get a witness to do the same as well.
sure it may not help you now, but it might be a good idea for the future.
Submitted by Can_Always_Trust_A_Liar (user info) at 2004-03-08 23:58:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
The elequonce in which to wrote this deserves a +2 and a true "Kicker of All Asses" on its own regardless of the content. But, the content also deserves a +2 because of how well you dealt with the situation.
What your friend did to you was horrible and had I any advice I'd give it to you, but all I can say is, Fuck 'em.
Glad you're feeling better though.
PS - Piers Anthony kicks very much ass, though I'm a fan more of the Apprentice Adept and Xanth serieses rather than Incarnations of Immortality.
+2 indeed.
Submitted by iddqd at 2004-03-08 23:32:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
i look forward to having a look at your next attempt.
Submitted by chipolatte (user info) at 2004-03-08 23:03:22 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Well, I'D make out with you.
Submitted by lordofthepost (user info) at 2004-03-08 21:51:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
What your "friend" did to you was bullshit. I think you should rally with a few of the below posters and find a way to give him a taste of truth with exploring a bit into those intellectual property laws.
As far as an apology, you really didn't need to apologize but I definately accept. I still respect you like I have respected you before, you spoke your mind and made your peace. I look forward to your future uberpulp posts and future writing.
Submitted by Scott_James (user info) at 2004-03-08 19:49:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
This is better, Razor. You may emerge from the doghouse. Not that you were really in it in the first place. I mean, how could you fit?
What?
Submitted by jonukah (user info) at 2004-03-08 19:47:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
<sniff> That....wa-was...be.beaut.....
WAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
<sigh> Lets get some pink goo and make some toasters dance! YEAH!
Submitted by Razor (user info) at 2004-03-08 19:36:26 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Interestingly enough, this whole little thing has given me a great idea for a story.
Two ideas, in fact. +2 for ideas.
Submitted by Kristen (user info) at 2004-03-08 17:13:02 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
This is sweet.
Submitted by Razor (user info) at 2004-03-08 17:09:15 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
poly, I'm not apologizing because anyone thinks I should.
In fact, I don't recall anyone asking me to.
I'm apologizing because real men apologize when they need to. Some friends helped me see the error of my ways and when I realized that I had wronged someone, I apologized.
Submitted by Murphy1844 (user info) at 2004-03-08 16:40:20 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
With this history in mind, your behavior seems almost justified. Good post, Razor...
Murphy
Submitted by polyamorousaj (user info) at 2004-03-08 16:40:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I'm really conflicted here. On the one hand I want to give you a +2 because this was well-written and I know where you're coming from. On the other hand, this is an apology. C'mon Razor, you can't apologize. Never apologize for anything! If you write something, there's a reason you wrote it, and you have your reasons. You shouldn't feel the need to apologize just because people on a website think you should. I honestly wish you hadn't apologized.
+2 for a personal subject.
-2 for an apology.
Submitted by jimbo (user info) at 2004-03-08 15:52:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Now, THAT'S a fucking apology. Well done.
On the intellectual property topic: If you can document that you had the germ of your ideas prior to your involvement in the collaboration, you'll have no problem from a legal standpoint.
On a more practical note: The book is not yet finished, correct? Keep writing it on your own. He's a slacker, right? He hardly writes, and his stuff isn't that good? Finish the book on your own, and shop it around to the various people you're supposed to shop these things around to. If your book is better, it'll get picked up and published before his, yes?
Just one man's opinion. I'm no lawyer.
Submitted by ugaly (user info) at 2004-03-08 15:43:59 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Sounds like your friend had a stick implanted in his anus. +2 because you apologized, even though you only really needed to Lord of the Post. Things happen and you have to take it out on someone, but atleast you realized where your faults are.
Submitted by shadow (user info) at 2004-03-08 15:09:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I did not understand the situation with your *ahem* our friend until this post. Now I see why you were so angry with him. I didn't know about the *ahem* girl until now either. strange what it takes to get people to open up sometimes.
btw, I ran into him a little while ago at the double T on 40 west. he seems to be doing ok, aside from following a pattern of bad decisions... but we can talk about that later
Submitted by Judoka (user info) at 2004-03-08 14:30:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Well done Jeremy. On a side note, I suggested much the same thing as itchy to Jonukah.
Submitted by DavyJones <davjones.at.iastate.edu> at 2004-03-08 14:22:37 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
You should have just written: "I was going through some shit, and in a bad mood, my humble apologies for being a dick." Your sob story is just that, self pity doesn't look good on anyone, and everyone has problems.
Submitted by Anansie (user info) at 2004-03-08 14:11:39 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Did your "friend" try to publish the novel?
Submitted by Anansie (user info) at 2004-03-08 14:11:08 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Buttons (user info) at 2004-03-08 14:02:08 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Nicely done, Razor. If it means anything (which it probably doesn't), you have my respect.
Submitted by whataefag (user info) at 2004-03-08 13:52:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by JMG114 (user info) at 2004-03-08 13:47:57 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Fight the good fight, Arideth.
Submitted by itchy (user info) at 2004-03-08 13:44:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Hey,
I'm thinking that you could have a pretty awesome case here. Keeping in mind that I haven't looked at my intellectual property stuff in about six years, but I'm thinking if you have documentary proof that a character or concept was created by you on such and such a date, then you are in pretty good shape.
Also keeping in mind that I'm not licensed in Maryland and basing this only on faint recollections from law school. I'll look at some of my old notes tonight to see if I'm completely full of shit or not.
On a side note, much respect for the apoligy. You are a good man, man.
Submitted by Razor (user info) at 2004-03-08 13:21:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
funny how an attack on someone can generate well over a hundred replies, while the apology barely goes noticed.
Submitted by Dlove (user info) at 2004-03-08 12:49:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Even though I said otherwise, I went back and read all of the UberPulp that you've posted. It's great writing. You should focus some of this passion you feel about others "stealing your juice" into your story and continue to post it.
Despite what people think, nobody is original. Everyone gets something from someone else. The only way you can say you are truly original is if you are locked in a room by yourself from the minute you are born, where no human contact happens. If you come up with something in there, by yourself, never having seen or heard anything else, what you produce is 100% original.
A lot of times people think they have invented or thought up something that no one else has, but you get so much exposure to so many different things, your mind can't help to incorporate it into your ideas. Yeah, it's frustrating to see someone else use your idea, purposely, or non-purposely. I don't know how many out there are fans of Linux, but look at that concept. Their purpose was to create open source software. Linus Torvald comes in and gives it the kernel that it needs, creating Linux. Richard Stallman gets pissed at some awards banquet, and tries to tell everyone to call it GNU Linux or some crap like that, so he can get credit. How can he be pissed when his initial intentions were put to use? Ok, I ramble on about geek crap.
With so much stupid shit posted on Uber, just enjoy the good stuff, let's not knock it. I'm glad you came to your senses though. Props for that. Keep on with UberPulp, I'm hooked on it now and want to see it to completion.
Submitted by hendrixjrr (user info) at 2004-03-08 12:38:30 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I recently attended a seminar on intellectual property rights. It seems like you got hosed and this bitch could be screwed.
Did you friend ever get his book published?
Submitted by Razor (user info) at 2004-03-08 12:36:49 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Itchy, I have tons of things.
Submitted by Falconer (user info) at 2004-03-08 12:32:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by bart (user info) at 2004-03-08 12:21:49 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Nicole3 (user info) at 2004-03-08 12:16:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by firefly (user info) at 2004-03-08 12:15:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
Submitted by itchy (user info) at 2004-03-08 12:05:19 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
You wouldn't have happened to have kept any of the "stuff" from your old role-playing games would you? Preferably anything with a date on it? Old notebooks, that kind of thing. . .
Just thinking here . . . Mmmmmmm, intellectual property law.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2004-03-08 12:04:49 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I am pretty sure that you are the first person in history to fly off the handle at an innocent by-stander over something that someone else did in the past.
So I guess what you are saying here is that I cannot name my baby Annie?
Kidding jebus everyone relax I am not having a kid, the world is still safe.
Submitted by Phinch (user info) at 2004-03-08 11:41:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
you are a good man razor.
glad you are feeling better.
Submitted by reallybored (user info) at 2004-03-08 11:39:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I would have stabbed my "friend" in the neck with the nearest sharp object after he pulled that shit on me.
Submitted by Razor (user info) at 2004-03-08 11:32:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Actually Bob, I was reasonably popular because of a stunt I pulled two weeks into school involving a pep rally and climbing on top of the basketball backboard and getting in big trouble with the teachers.
I should have been a nerd, but I wasn't. Well, I probably was, but I wasn't treated like a nerd. My friends were mostly the slackers and troublemakers, and I slacked and made trouble with them.
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2004-03-08 11:30:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I admire the fact that you had the guts to admit that you've made a mistake and how you wore your heart on your sleeve to do it.
You must have been a dork in school.
Submitted by Ainkara (user info) at 2004-03-08 11:27:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 for the appology. Pride can be a bit of a bitch to swallow sometimes.
Sorry for what your 'friend' did to you. That's pretty fucked up.
Submitted by satchel (user info) at 2004-03-08 11:25:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by smokymtcsw (user info) at 2004-03-08 11:25:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Now you can get back to the important stuff I mentioned last time, like philosophical musings. I find that I cannot write a novel because I want to borrow too much from Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, the Enders Game trilogy and Stephen Lawhead. I think you would probably enjoy his sci fi stuff. Okay take care buddy.
Submitted by Tom (user info) at 2004-03-08 11:24:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Can we all have a big hug now?
Submitted by smokymtcsw (user info) at 2004-03-08 11:23:46 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Wow...glad you worked through this Razor!