I am not convinced he is that bad a man. The Clown: Eric the Magnifik, that is.
So the guy is conceited. That’s what WordPress superstardom can do to a blogger here, lest you haven’t fathomed. So he wanted to build an empire: If he’s got the means and ability, why not? He’s a predator to boot, a female blogger accused. I don’t think so. That’s not the exact term to describe him or his actions. Let’s see, how about branding him a typical male. Yes. Hypocrisy aside, would any man have behaved differently taking into account The Clown’s circumstances? I doubt it. To all those women who have been swift to condemn him: How sure are you that the man you’re with doesn’t conduct himself in a similar manner?
The Clown didn’t pretend to be so much more than he already is around WordPress. He, in lieu, provided a platform to bloggers who wished that their voices be heard by more readers; for the benefit of the ones, like him, who are upfront enough to share about their imperfections, misfortunes, or brokenness. He was also generous to co-bloggers who had earned his good graces. He pulled several bloggers with him on his way up, in fact. And I didn’t see him try to benefit out of it materially, did he?
As a person, he would err from time to time naturally. He’s, after all, not Jesus Christ. So he has a thing for women taking selfies with a cigarette between their lips. I don’t understand such proclivity, but can that already be considered a crime? Raise hell if he had requested the women to send him photos with some sausage near their mouths.
I have no idea as to the woman’s age but I’ve a hunch she’s years younger than me; years younger than The Clown. She might not have carefully thought about the repercussions of her move to “expose” him. Her post was a bit confusing, too. She admitted flirting back with him. Of course guys would always mistake it for a green light. He thought it was ok to drop a sexual joke or remark during their private conversations. He did cross the line, admittedly. He proceeded to apologize profusely and offered amends; begged her repeatedly for the acceptance of his expression of regret. What baffled me was her resolution to remain hard-hearted; it’s like she got quite ignited by the idea of “outing” The Clown and trumpeting his real name to the world. Or, could there be something more personal to her decision than her agenda in warning others of his (predatory?) ways. I don’t know how long the girl has been blogging anyway. If she stays around longer, she’ll surely get to know of other less pleasant characters inhabiting this blogworld.
I still remember how an elderly male – who blogs about empathy and compassion on his site – once badgered me to send (revealing) photos of myself. [Unbidden, he’d send laughable “stuff” and nonsense of him in addition] Can anyone top that hoary dude, hmm? (My response to his request then, btw, was something like: har har har…you must be kidding, a#%hole)
The blogging universe is indeed populated by narcissists, opportunists, racists, fucking boring scribblers, and intellectual cuckoos; each carrying airs of arrogance in various modes. Still, there are wonderful peeps whose minds and sites, in spite of their individual flaws, that are worth visiting – to my delight.
On the subject of flirting in the blogosphere: it’s assuaging to have learned a majority of adult bloggers indulge in it sporadically. Who can argue with the reality that flirting, with words merely as your tool in this realm, is as potent as water which quickly vaporizes into thin air? Women here are no different from bored male construction workers, doctors and lab technicians at work all day. As long as it’s done with mildness, superficiality, precaution, and remoteness, who’s to sue us?
I’m appalled by those so-called friends (of The Clown) who immediately jumped on the bandwagon in slamming him. It looks as though they’re secretly rejoicing the fact the most popular male blogger on WP is gone. Frankly, it’s obvious their comments manifest of their jealousy with regards to The Clown’s fame, or of their own personal issues against him. Yet if The Clown comes back tomorrow, they’ll most likely be darting to his side again. For sure.
I’ve never had any kind of dealings with the famous blogger. I was merely another low-key reader – who had stumbled upon the man’s exceptional blog not long ago while hunting for a good read. I commented twice or thrice in his posts; that’s all. Someone like him doesn’t need an additional blogging buddy to his already long long list so I didn’t squeeze my way through. I figured, too, he’s the kind better appreciated at a distance: Me watching his antics from afar, while smiling softly, both in amusement and admiration.
The man has got charisma, aside from talent and skill. Interesting persona, we already got that. I doubt very much he had written all those honest, intense blog posts about his past primarily to deceive people or lure women to his side. And let’s face it: A man’s mind is, most of the time, focused on two things mainly – money and sex. Only when a blogger turns those two things tangible here in our blogworld does it become uncomfortable and scary. I doubt very much The Clown’s intentions include actually banging at female bloggers’ doors persuading them to have intercourse with him – except in an arrangement of mutual consent.
Rather than get enmeshed in the hullabaloo when the woman blogger “outed” him last January, he surprisingly deleted his blog and stayed silent. He might have done the right thing; I don’t know. But by george, I hope he gets back to blogging again. Because the guy can really write.
Besides, I ain’t convinced he’s that bad a person.
Bohemian Sentiments 