> Don't apologize for what was none of your doing.
This is veering on off topic, but when people say they are "sorry" for something that happened to you they're not apologizing - it's an expression of empathy, not guilt.
Re:The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect (1994)
by throwanem on Tuesday June 03, 2025 @04:16AM
(#44167658)
I am aware such empty expressions of sympathy are often understood and frequently explained in the way you describe. I have learned to judge people's behavior before the account of it that they give. You are correct that is off topic. Let's waste no further interest.
Re:The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect (1994)
by barry-cotter on Tuesday June 03, 2025 @05:24AM
(#44168020)
Please stop trying to impose your frame of victimhood on people who reject it.
Re:The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect (1994)
by throwanem on Tuesday June 03, 2025 @05:30AM
(#44168064)
I appreciate your intention, but please do not start trying to defend me. I will not take it as the act of an ally. Your own frame of victimhood is no less hazardous.
Re:The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect (1994)
by throwanem on Tuesday June 03, 2025 @11:12AM
(#44170950)
Excuse me; I meant to refer to the McMartin preschool trial. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/McMartin_preschool_trial
I still don't think it is more fair to characterize either of the story's sexual dynamics as more poorly written for the sake of fetishism. If you're going to tab the author and more importantly the audience with being problematic in consequence of one but not the other, there still remains work to achieve the goal, because as I noted in a nearby comment the writing is mediocre at best, invariably didactic and workmanlike, frequently an outright slog. This is true in all sex scenes also, no more one than any other.
> I'm sorry you had to go through that.
Don't try to speak to that. You don't know how. The point is that you don't know how and I would like you to stop trying. It makes sense to me why people would become uncomfortable when they are titillated by writing that deliberately strives to titillate, but you're supposed to think about it, not call for a book burning.
I'm pretty sure no one here is anything like my father, who never knew shame for anything he did. I'm pretty sure the author of this mediocre but nonetheless compelling work of high-concept science fiction is nothing like my father, also. I don't blame him disappearing given the fundamental misunderstanding he must have known his work would meet. He must have known it would cause a moral panic among people afraid of being accused of not caring enough for victims of pedophilia.
But I am the genuine article, a "victim" by anyone's standard though I will not wear that term other than for argument, and as such I hereby confer permission to talk about the work, rather than how embarrassing everyone finds it to have had a phase of fascination with what, honestly, is chickenshit. Honestly. I could tell you about the reality but it has made people retch before and I know no ill of you. This is your pass, and everyone's. This thread has been blessed. You all can chill.