What I learned from being linked from VampireFreaks.com

Wow. The past few days were, um, populous here at Gluemeat.

A single link off the main page of VampireFreaks.com (VF.com) pointing to a recent post I made in regards to the lameduck rhetoric that’s been going around in favour of shutting down VF.com gave my site it’s biggest influx of traffic in, well, ever.

But this is far from one of those vanity posts where I post a screenshot of my hourly stats and snap my suspenders in pride. I mention it mainly because of the buckets and buckets of comments the post became host to, as VF.com users poured in to add their thoughts to my own, as any good blog exercise should be. As such, it was quite interesting to read how members of the community feel about the whole situation.

Many lauded the site’s cohesiveness and how well it’s run, clamouring the great job that owner “Jet” is doing with it. Some even mentioned a few results of the monitoring that the site runs to ensure the protection of its users. It’s a subject I would love to hear more about.

There is indeed a great sense of community among the members of VF.com. Most members talk about “we” when they speak of the site. There is mention of how everyone looks after each other, with some referring to the community as “family.” Countless comments started with a sentence along the lines of “I have been a proud member of VampireFreaks.com for X years” denoting a deep attachment. It’s not surprising. After all, the site exists as a haven for those who don’t “fit in” and who feel that mainstream culture has nothing to offer them. Therefore, it’s normal for pardon the expression, “the rejected” to create such a tightly bonded atmosphere as they feel isolated everywhere else. You can’t blame anyone for wanting to feel accepted and part of something.

It also demonstrates the point of my previous article quite well. Social websites allow for escapism from everyday drudgery and connect with people who you will immediately be able to identify with. Whether it be with something as vast as MySpace or more genre-specific as VF.com, the end result is the same: you will be able to interact with others who will not judge you on a whim.

In fact, most members have affirmed that if it wasn’t for the rash judgement most folks extend to them, sometimes unjustly so, perhaps VF.com and goth culture wouldn’t serve as scapegoats in these situations. A noble sentiment, but one which many VF.com members failed to adhere to themselves. Despite these calls for open-mindedness, many (if not most) of the VF.com members who commented here attacked my post vehemently, as if I was the enemy.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I can’t handle someone disagreeing with something I write. It just comes across to me as completely strange that people would get their flame on and tear into the post, Gluemeat, and myself for things I didn’t even profess. It’s almost as if they read the title, read the first sentence or two, then hit the comment section thinking that I was among those who believe VF.com should be shut down.

Many comments said that I was wrong to target VF.com when places like as MySpace have similar destructiveness going on there as well. I was attacked on that front, despite drawing that very same parallel within the post.

Some comments said that I was stupid to consider VF.com to be the source of the problem and that we should look to other sources for people feeling like they do. Yet, I suggested exactly that in the post as well.

Some comments said that the media and those in power blame websites because it’s easier to shift the blame and that I was stupid to blame VF.com. I never blamed VF.com; and actually I made that very same point in the last paragraph of the post.

So while the community asks for tolerance and, as a couple of comments noted, to “look under the surface,” my article wasn’t given that same courtesy. It was hastily attacked by people who skimmed its surface, made up a quick opinion, and reacted angrily against it. The double standard shocked me. Here I was sticking up for them, and yet I ended up being demonized.

Had they read the whole article instead of jumping to conclusions off the first few lines, I would have been better understood. Gosh, doesn’t that sound familiar?

Of course, VF.com and its members have been under an umbrella of bad press recently, so I guess it’s almost a reflex action to believe a website which isn’t covered in black and purple with countless quotes from The Crow and Poe must be saying bad things about them (I’m being sarcastic, of course). You can’t really blame that. But when you attack those who defend you, it kind of makes one wonder.

Since then, the link to the Gluemeat post from VampireFreaks.com and the resulting comments has been deleted from the website for some reason. Perhaps the owner saw the hasty commentary and felt bad?

However, there are many VF.com members who did understand what I meant and felt vindicated by it and which keep me from believing that most VF.com members are judgemental meanies. Just as they seemed happy to see that someone else “out there” understood their point of view. I guess that means there are idiots everywhere, regardless of how much eyeliner you wear.

The last thing this whole experience has taught me was the “flame you to smoldering embers” note I put in the comments section. Anyone who knows me understands how much of a joke that is, so I guess the fact that I supposed everyone would get the joke was my fault. I never figured anyone would take that literally since it’s so completely over the top. So I’ll just change it to something cute. Everyone likes cute things. Like bunnies. Bunnies with machine guns.

24 Responses to “What I learned from being linked from VampireFreaks.com”

  1. by Salena:

    Awww, Mike, in this technologically advanced world of Sparknotes, made-to-movie books, and ADD, you can’t truly expect the young adults of today to completely and thoroughly read a post that somehow affects their views and beliefs. Next time write out the article and then chop it to bits with only the keywords of each sentence and title it: Mikenotes (so as to not infringe on any copyright restrictions). Then you’ll be golden.

    And bunnies are cute, but if you’re going to throw in a weapon make it something more bunny orientated….like a German Luger or S&W .40. Something cute.

  2. by TN:

    There are GOTHS at my table.

  3. by Colin:

    I still love you, Mike.

    I’ll even put on eyeliner, if you want me to.

  4. by Wendy:

    I read your whole blog entry and thought it was completly unbiased (although I assumed you were a vf member), I think everyone’s back is just up because of all the media attention and getting all jumpy and stuff. What everyone needs is a huge communal spliff.

    PS when should I set a date for the jello wrestling?

  5. by Sev:

    Bloody hell, now Gluemeat’s hit the main.

    I’ll sit on my e-porch smoking a virtual cigar and talk about how I used to know a fellow named Case Yorke.

  6. by Nicole:

    It’s sad when kids can’t read an article thoroughly. They read the title, skim through, and bam! If it’s not what they like, they bitch about it.

    Read the entire article…think about it for a few minutes, and then think for a few more minutes on how you’re going to write out an intelligent post so people aren’t calling you stupid.

    Kids…What can you do?

  7. by Salena:

    I have a couple of ideas what we can do to kids…I just need to wait till they legalize torture again and I’m back in business.

  8. by Mike:

    Colin: I love you too.

    Wendy: Jello wrestling = pageviews. Imagine how quickly our blogs would skyrocket to A-list status. We need to statuate on time, place, and flavour of the gelatin. I’d say we go daring with lime.

    Sev: Case Yorke is dead. Vive moi!

    Nicole: Kids? Read? HA!

    Salena: You won’t have to wait long before torture is legal again in your country… then mine will surely follow.

  9. by Nicole:

    lol..I know, it’s a farfetched idea, but it can’t hurt!

  10. by meliss Lark_wildfox:

    haha jello? :P i wanna see this but anyway thanks again mike for realizeing theres good apples and rotten ones in this world just the other day i was attacked from someone on yahoo i thought was my friend i will post it here for you to see it has some very foul things (so kids just skim so you cant see it haha ;) Master Charger: u dumb slut one man from that site just killed 1 women and shot 19 others im gonna report you to yahoo for promoting that site
    dead_dolly_girl: dude wtf have i ever done wrong to you i have nothing to do with that just because some pyco kills people doesnt mean its the pages fault have i ever done anything wrong to you sence i have known you for you to call me a dumb slut?one man from that site did kill that woman and 19 others does that mean innocent people should be treated like you just treated me? you stupid man your nothing but shit.
    dead_dolly_girl: your no friend of mine goodday sir
    Master Charger: youre the stupid whore for going and promoting a site of killers i keep trying to ignore you and u keep comming back go away satan
    dead_dolly_girl: i never killed anyone
    dead_dolly_girl: i dont understand why you treat me so
    dead_dolly_girl: i have never hurt anyone
    Master Charger: die satan i spit on u stop pming me
    dead_dolly_girl: no not untill you tell me why
    dead_dolly_girl: then i will gladly leave you be
    dead_dolly_girl: why are you being so horrable to me
    Master Charger: youre promoting a site of murderers
    dead_dolly_girl: why are they murderersdead_dolly_girl: ?
    dead_dolly_girl: all of us arnt
    dead_dolly_girl: we are just depressed people that want a friend just because some crazy fuck kills some people doesnt meen were all like that
    dead_dolly_girl: i have never hurt anyone
    dead_dolly_girl: none of my friends have hurt anyone
    Master Charger: do u have any alcohol?dead_dolly_girl: and you just the normal world of people treat me a innocent like shit becuase you think im evil is crying so evil is being smart enough to realize that that man was crazy evil? if so shoot me now.
    dead_dolly_girl: no i dont drink
    Master Charger: Im gonna hypnotize u i want to get into youre brain
    Master Charger: find out why u think like that
    dead_dolly_girl: i want to know why you are hurting me
    dead_dolly_girl: i thought you were my friend you sick man
    Master Charger: the people that were shot
    Master Charger: were all from my city
    Master Charger: I knew a lot of the people who were shot
    dead_dolly_girl: i am very sorry for that
    dead_dolly_girl: but its not my fault it happenedMaster Charger: I hope that man burns in hell
    Master Charger: he wrecked a lot of lives
    dead_dolly_girl: i hope he does to he was very evil
    dead_dolly_girl: but theres no need for you to hurt others that had nothing to do with it
    Master Charger: than others from that site said they would do the same thing
    dead_dolly_girl: in this world there are many people
    dead_dolly_girl: some are rotten apples
    dead_dolly_girl: and some are gifts from god
    dead_dolly_girl: you are condiming the gifts
    Master Charger: I would like to introduce the leader of the site to the leader of the italians well see whos crazier
    dead_dolly_girl: along with the rotten apples
    Master Charger: http://www.soforia.com/play.html
    Master Charger: click there tell me when youre in
    dead_dolly_girl: thats a viris?
    Master Charger: noMaster Charger: its not a virus
    dead_dolly_girl: or are you just trying to get into my computer
    dead_dolly_girl: if so i give myself freely
    Master Charger: its not a virus
    dead_dolly_girl: becuase i dont understand why you could hate me so
    Master Charger: go to the site
    Master Charger: do as youre told
    Master Charger: are you in the site
    Master Charger:
    BUZZ!!!
    Master Charger: helloo
    Master Charger: you there?
    BUZZ!!!
    dead_dolly_girl: im there
    Master Charger: do u see the site
    dead_dolly_girl: the little hypnosis crap
    dead_dolly_girl: you show me all the time
    dead_dolly_girl: yea
    dead_dolly_girl: it never works
    Master Charger: watch it
    Master Charger: and let it workMaster Charger: do as youre told
    Master Charger: dont fight it
    Master Charger: relax
    Master Charger: lay back and watch it
    Master Charger: are you watching
    dead_dolly_girl: yes
    Master Charger: how do you feel
    dead_dolly_girl: like im going to puke
    Master Charger: relax
    Master Charger: take deep breaths
    Master Charger: do as youre told
    Master Charger: i want you to relax ok
    Master Charger: are you relaxing
    Master Charger: how do you feel
    dead_dolly_girl: relaxed and sick
    Master Charger: dont feel sick
    Master Charger: feel good
    Master Charger: i want you to feel good
    dead_dolly_girl: im to angry with you to feel good
    dead_dolly_girl: cut the crap
    dead_dolly_girl: im that pissed at you
    Master Charger: do as youre told
    dead_dolly_girl: fuck youdead_dolly_girl: your not my master
    Master Charger: fuck u too im trying to help youaster Charger: u got major psychological problems
    Master Charger: you like when people are mean to you
    dead_dolly_girl: no i dont
    dead_dolly_girl: and i have tryed to be very nice to you
    dead_dolly_girl: and your just to blind to see that i have feelings
    Master Charger: youre promoting a killers site
    dead_dolly_girl: the site was there befor the killer was born
    dead_dolly_girl: just because he made a profile doesnt meen it was his site
    dead_dolly_girl: infact the link i sent you to was MY site
    dead_dolly_girl: thus your calling me a killer
    Master Charger: yes
    Master Charger: you are
    dead_dolly_girl: no my friend
    dead_dolly_girl: you are a killer
    Master Charger: youre a freak
    Master Charger: ive ignored u about 20 times
    dead_dolly_girl: your a killer of human compassionMaster Charger: u keep comming back
    dead_dolly_girl: im comging back for you every day now you sick fuck
    Master Charger: go away little girl
    dead_dolly_girl: you will deal with me every day
    Master Charger: i dont need little girlsMaster Charger: youre a depressed dumb freak go toy uore master stop bothering me
    dead_dolly_girl: no you pig
    Master Charger: last time i looked u were the pog
    Master Charger: pigMaster Charger: see u are a pathetic looser who promots murderersMaster Charger: im ignoring u cunt

  11. by meliss Lark_wildfox:

    note he says ONE MAN only one man made him attack me needlessly its a shame that mankind cant open there eyes when they say the truth right there with saying ONE MAN

  12. by Nicole:

    The thing I found wrong with your defense toward the idiot…was you said “We’re all just depressed people…”

    …I’m not depressed, and I’m on that site…

    I guess I’m the only one! WOO! :P

  13. by meliss Lark_wildfox:

    well im sorry i was just so angry with him i didnt know how to approach it :P im not depressed all the time but alot of the time i am so i am sorry about that :P

  14. by Mike:

    That Master Charger dude is one messed up hombre.

  15. by Nicole:

    You know…

    A lime jello wrestling match…sounds pretty fun.

    But I don’t have lime jello.
    I do have pineapple, though.

    :D
    That sounds hot.

  16. by meliss Lark_wildfox:

    mm jello

  17. by Jan:

    I was wondering why you didn’t respond to my Messenger adds. It’s because you’re famous, you twit! (Since you’re ignoring me anyway, might as well have fun calling you names)

    Is the entire blog slowly going to convert to french?

  18. by meliss Lark_wildfox:

    me? i never got any try adding me again :P if i dont get it try emailing me your name and i will add you

  19. by Sev:

    Mike: That’s my point. I knew Case Yorke. The number of people who can say that truthfully can only decrease from here on out.

  20. by TN:

    Case Yorke was an arrogant pinprick, I’m glad to see someone with creative talent has taken over the management of this site.

  21. by Mike:

    meliss_Lark: Don’t tell Jan that. You’ll have a stalker for life. :)

    Could we say safely say, then: “Case Yorke is dead, long live Mike”?

  22. by meliss Lark_wildfox:

    stalkers….make me happy! haha they let me know…that someone out there does LUV ME

  23. by Wo kann ich filme downloaden?:

    5 musik und filme downloaden…

    Wo kann ich filme downloaden?…

  24. by Michael:

    All I have to say it, the writer of this blog is a complete ignorant, misinformed, little boy. VampireFreaks.com is meant to promote the industrial music scene first and for most.

    If you can’t the, the head admin/owner, Jet, makes jokes off you people. By calling it “vampirefreaks” and calling the site forums “cults.” It’s a giant joke. It even states such things on the website as “If you think you’re a vampire we are going to laugh at you.”

    Obviously, you closed minded and one minded perceptive make just as blind and ignortant as everyone else.

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note: nothing is off topic, go nuts; however, please stay respectful to everyone here or I'll send little pink bunnies after you. BUNNIES WITH MACHINE GUNS. Also, I'll ban anyone who abuses the comments. What is considered abuse? Think the opposite of "common sense."

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