Really?!
Way back in say 1995 or 1996 when I created some version of my previous life online, I included the following in my about page:
“Steal her shit and your pecker will fall off.”
It was just a casual throw away line, one that was the result of seeing bits and pieces of “my shit” appear hither and yon. It’s been there for years. For. Years.
Perhaps anger towards having your “shit” ripped from your site and appear unaccredited elsewhere is something that one comes to terms with as you move through the natural cycle of life online. I would like to say that I’m both older and wiser, but sadly only the former is true. Anyway, these days I’m less prone to anger and have chucked my lot in with those who believe in the long term bet that Creative Commons is a good thing for all of us.*
I periodically get email from people about the steal-shit-pecker line. They, like me, find it hi-lar-i-ous. Who knew that there are others out there who think otherwise? A fellow calling himself John Doe took time out of his long weekend to share his thoughts:
“Heather,
But one thing REALLY turned me off of you as a person. Your extremely rude and sexist comment about ‘Steal her shit and your pecker will fall off.’ is a statement you should not be making. Do you want all men to make extremely rude comments about female anatomy falling off? Didn’t think so.
Unfortunately, I have absolutely no interest in your photography, flickr or ANYTHING you are associated with. That is completely unnecessary and evil!
- Anonymous.”
I’d like it to be known that I had for one moment thought that my throw away line would result in one penis detaching itself from the rightful owner, I would have had second thoughts. I am not a witch. My words are not a magical incantation. I am not all-powerful and really, if I had one, just one wish that would come true for the internet, I wouldn’t have started with the male sexual organ.
Nope. It’s ponies for everyone. Or rather, pandas riding ponies for each and every last one of you. Because I love you that much.
Otherwise, I can only think that Mr. Doe lacks a sense of humour (a dangerous trait for someone touring the internet), or sadly, has been the victim of some unfortunate theft-pecker-falling-off misadventure.
* I hope it goes without saying that what I’m writing here is my personal thoughts on the matter and should not be seen as “Flickr thinks this” or “Flickr thinks you’re doing it wrong.” Nope. Just me, Heather. The woman who does not want your penis to fall off.
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