In which Michelle has an opinion

[msagara]

If you spend much time on the internet in writers’ circles, you will no doubt have heard about the Stop The Goodreads Bullies web-site. Set up by anonymous bloggers, it purports to be a site created by concerned readers, readers who are dismayed and outraged by the bullies on Goodreads. These so-called bullies are reviewers. They are generally very

Comments

[joycemocha]

Absolutely shameful. Sad thing is, too many of these people are starting to get practice in doing this horrendous stuff when they cyberbully their peers in middle school.

[comrade_cat]

That's horrible. (As is the stuff chronicled in that link.)

If someone makes snarky remarks in person in public, usually they'll only possibly get that level of venom from 1 person, the one described. Other people may disapprove of the snarky remarks and weigh in, but they're not going to have that same level of venom. This is part of the internet making data more powerful I guess. It's interesting the different ways free speech becomes bullying/threats.

[mtlawson]

My first reaction was "what's good for the goose is good for the gander", but as you pointed out that's not the case.

Makes me wonder what would make the harassers take notice.

[msagara]

My first reaction was "what's good for the goose is good for the gander", but as you pointed out that's not the case.

It seems to be a lot of people's first reaction - which is in part why I posted, fwiw. The question of safety, of threat, of physical danger seems to get lost - and it's the defining one for me.

Goodreads Reviewer Outing

[mtlawson]

Is Goodreads doing anything about this? At the very least the users that are placing peoples names and personal info should be banned. I don't know if there is any legal recourse- a cease and desist letter from Goodreads? Unfortunately, the reviewer's that were victimized are already out on a limb that these horrible people sawed off!

[rachelmanija]

I totally agree. It's stalking, threatening, and harassment.

It would be wildly inappropriate under any circumstances. But it's especially over the top given that the reviewers' crime was to review books on a book review site.

[aberwyn]

I totally agree with you, Michelle. That the reviewers are all women is really frightening.

BTW, I recently read a lot of reviews of Deverry books on amazon and goodreads. A number of characteristics of the books came up over and over -- split time scheme, amount of detail are the 2 I remember. These characteristics were the reasons that some reviewers loved the books and others hated the books. The same things!

My conclusion : reading one's reader reviews is a waste of time and adrenaline. :-)