- Written September 2003 -
First let me begin by saying that I am not a 'webmaster'. I personally despise such a term of arrogance that implies such a supremacy. Secondly, is it to convey that one is the 'master' of 'web'??
I am a web site operator, or if you prefer a web site 'presence' operator.
From this point forward I shall address the issues that trouble me in regards to mainly 'freeware' websites (but some points may be applicable to all gendres of sites).
Point # 1 - Why does a person create a website? In my case, it was my respect and admiration for freeware and by an inspiration of a friend who has been a true and pristine light in the world of freeware. But for many it is to make money (which I shall touch upon later in this piece), or to attain 'fame' (by having the highest traffic or highest rankings in the search) engines.
The previous two 'reasons' are enough to make one wretch. If you were to provide a product or servivce of your own creation, you are entitled to set a fair price for such if you so choose. But to plagarize something like freeware, that is criminal.
Regarding 'fame', simply put, 'get a life'. If your small depraved world is primarily orbitting around how 'popular' you are online, you need to immediately seek help. That is not a joke, that is a fact. If you are some engrossed in a cyber world as being your center, you are displaying extreme anti-social and possibly dangerous behavior(s).
Point #2 - Do the words that were utterred by Rodney King (in his fifteen minutes of fame), "Can't we all just get along", mean anything to more than a handful of 'webmasters'? Obviously not, for in the short time I have run this web site, I have been the victim of slander, 'flames', and a total shunning by some.
"Shunned" you may ask? I have chosen not to partake in the mad scavenging for 'links' (in the pursuit of 'fame/popularity'). This is the practice (to those uninitiated) whereby 'webmasters' are on the prowl to get other sites to link (list a display be it textually or graphically) to a site. It is basically a game, many sites make promises of 'traffic' or conversely sites seeking links (to bolster their search engine rankings) will be so, so very sweet and accomodating to (as my Great Grandma always refers to it as) 'court' sites to link to them. It can be accomplished through what in political circles amounts to 'butt kissing'. It comes down to forming 'alliances', and that destroys the whole beauty of the Net. The concept of the Net to many with a degree of intelligence is an interconnected set of 'places' to visit to obtain informations. But this concept is smashed when sites become clanish in their hunger for 'popularity/search engine fame'. The proverbial slitting of throats is so common that if it were not a metaphor, many parts of the net would look like medievel torture chambers (or perhaps like the early barbers who performed blood lettings). Or the analogy of 'backstabbing' maybe more appropriate. But it is a display of the depravity of people's empty lives when they use the net to fill the holes that exist in their lives. For an addiction negates all rational thinking(s).
Point # 3 - Anything for a buck, and oh how true that is in a growing section of the freeware world. I was viewing a messageboard recently and I was reading two 'webmasters' discussing 'selling' CDs of freeware programs. YES selling!
I wondered out loud to myself, "If one runs a freeware site, why sell the freeware?" The answer is so simply a child could comprehend it, money. It could be a perpetual money maker for some. "Hurry, hurry step right up ladies and gentlemen, I have kindly downloaded all these freeware programs and will graciously spare you the downloading time by selling them to you in one complete package"....Now THAT makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. This kindly 'webmaster' downloads these freeware programs, so would that not imply you too can/could download these freeware programs as well?? It is pathetic, people create freeware sites and still want everything - 'fame', money (and probably the opportunity to feature/display ads). And THOSE are the people who give freeware a huge black eye.
Point #4 - Actually sub point to Point #2, which is this. If a people want to operate websites as their cyber 'personas', which is a variation of the actions of a ventriloquists (whereby a person uses a character to convey things that they are unable to in normal settings or to vent what they may be unable to directly), please explain the dynamics that drive this, for I am at a one thousand percent loss to having an understanding. And if the rationale (or lack thereof) can be disseminated to me I would be grateful, for I am a student of all behaviors (be they typical or of the abnormal nature). They wonders of the internet are vast, and yet it is rather disturbing when a segment of society seizes a mass communications method to almost infect untold numbers with a dissociative thinking, it to me weakens the foundations of civilization.
In a nutshell, when people are lacking in the capacity to be productive, effective and work in a unilateral means it is sign of problems, major problems. The breakdown of society is when chaos and irrational thinking is allowed to be 'accepted'. hatred, jealousy, resentment are all emotions, and emotions are not truly tangible 'items', so to act based upon contempt solely dues to ire at another merely illustrtaes the old analogy of 'misery loves company'. In this case when an individual is so 'miserable' that they feel the need to 'share'/transfer their feelings on others it is the signal again of a very weak mind operating.
In the 'real world' if one is unable to function as a part of society, the results can be in instances, deadly. And it is a microcosm of this when online sites become 'seperatist', they only will "cooperate" with other similar thinkers. THAT is a 'red flag' to take instant note of and avoid. If a site is either 'elitest' or just plain the proverbial 'angry young man' railing at the world for no valid or useful purposes it is spreading the message be it veiled or glaring that technology is being wasted, as are those lives disrupted by the message(s) being broadcast.
My personal view is be very, very careful of your words and thoughts exchanged or posted online in any form, for they will exist for an undetermined time and if your 'word' changes from day to day, week to week, month to month you fail as a person. Your value to others is by your actions, nil.
But there will always be those disenfranchised individuals who need help so badly and never receive it, and they will attempt to purge their demons/problems by seeking noteriety online, and they will all the while become shallower and more callous for they will never be 'satisfied' and they will become more arrogant and the 'need' to bolster themselves will further manifest itself through more 'boasting', more isolationism (where they will shower those who 'follow' them and abide by their methods), and above all more 'attacks', insults and other actions towards others as they will become slaves to their egos. They will lose sight of the good that can be accomplished with computers and will only serve the hunger of being 'seen', which is merely a metaphor for 'being accepted', or 'validated'. Such persons need help, and they are hurting, the more they spew anger and/or hatred, the more they are showing their pain(s).
My advice, step away from the computer for perhaps one day a week, and enjoy another activity. Be amongst people, savour the tangible and intangibles of reality as well as of creativity. If who you are is about what you 'act out' online, you have a void, and nothing you scheme online will ever fill or even begin to fill. Be who you are, and if you are confused about that, take the time to get to know who you really are. Once you can recognise that, and only then can you actually set useful and productive goals for you and your life. If online 'fame' is your goal, the minute those you believe see you as 'famous' either disconnect or walk away from their monitor, your goal has disappeared. And is THAT what would bring you happiness? An illusion?
Sincerely,
Lis
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