One of the strategies I’ve used for managing my depression is withdrawing from social media1. This is an exception, because it’s (a) too important to ignore and (b) an echo of one of the reasons I quit social media in the first place.
This is a post by Mandy Morbid about long term abuse from her former partner Zak Smith. It’s horrifying. I believe her.
For my part I’ve not really been harmed by Zak, but I have never had a positive interaction with him either. On the few occasions he commented on something of mine it was clear that he was spoiling for a fight. I found this so bizarre I honestly thought he’d mistaken me for someone else. And I did what I would do when faced with any verbally or physically combative stranger, which is to say “er, alright mate, fair enough” and walk away with my thoughts to myself2.
The main thought I had was “there’s a chap who could start a fight in an empty room with one of his own farts”.
I know he’s upset friends of mine. If that’s you and you feel like I didn’t take your feelings and experiences seriously, I’m really sorry about that.
I do remember ZS saying once that someone who has been caught in a lie should be drummed out of the (RPG) industry. Well, he has been caught in a lie (for example, impersonating Shannon Applecline on Reddit). People should therefore do what they feel is right and just. Although, I’ve seen a few people say “I’m not trying to make this into a witch hunt” and then, you know, making a list. Come on, man. If you’re going to do that, own it.
Anyway. I’ll say that again, I believe Mandy. I don’t pretend to understand what her experience was like, but I believe her.
OK. I am going to drink now. Comments off.