Elephant Town Chapter 6 (pages 20 & 21) - out of the flats!

That Jenga metaphor is right on!

Theadora

Also, you're the first author I've personally encountered that's tackled this subject in fiction, and I love how you're approaching it. Knowing that you do a ton of research really makes it feel eye-opening. And then you're putting it in the context of the "rest of the world" rather than presenting it in isolation, and I think makes a HUGE difference in how the story can be told, especially considering how self-isolating the incel community seems to be. (I don't know if I articulated that well; words are hard before coffee.)

Sarah Manx

1) I will forever be in respectful awe of what the research process for this story must have been like for you. 2) That just sent me down a Wikipedia rabbit hole about how Internet trolls coopted and ruined The Matrix. The more you know, I guess! 😅

Sarah Manx

There's always another forum, or some unsuspecting checkout clerk or help desk person upon whom they can unload their cesspit o' rage. Imagine what could be accomplished if all that energy were used for something productive.

Ruth Merriam

I imagine it's projection + the satisfaction knowing they're not alone in their woe. Self-loathing through a display of loathing others in the hive. I wonder what happens to them when their forums close...

Danielle Corsetto

OMFG that's just psychologically dead-ending. Do they think they're clever by being so cutting? Is their self-loathing somehow lessened by negating any small triumph out of the swamp by another? What has the internet wrought, eh?

Ruth Merriam

I don't know how to write this in a ratio, but incels self-troll. It's almost an act of camaraderie. And I'm glad someone made note of his stain removal method! I can't blame him, I'm awful at removing stains, but "at least try" isn't exactly in Paul's vocabulary.

Danielle Corsetto

Welp, back to the DVDs it is, then. And I guess he isn't much for stain removal. Are these forums made up of 9 trolls :1 incel?

Ruth Merriam

Expertly put, Andy. It's a lot easier to blame others for your misfortune than to do anything about it, too. Susy, I've read all about that woman! I think I even sent her a postcard once. She seems fascinating.

Danielle Corsetto

Interesting. I guess I get that even if it isn't how I nor my social circles function. I happen to be friends with the women who coined the term "incel" and started the original blog/forum and she did it for the opposite reason. To find hope.

It's easier to stay put than to move forward. And if someone else in your group moves forward, it feels like you're falling behind. This can create a large community of people who are _deeply_ invested in maintaining their belief that they're right. Every community member who decides to challenge their self-pitying perception and then levels up is another Jenga piece that could send the whole thing crashing down.

Andy Ihnatko

*jazz hands and a pained expression*

Danielle Corsetto

*takes a painful bow*

Danielle Corsetto

Ugh the things you do for art.

Because then you're not going through it alone and all your wildly self-loathing beliefs are repeated to you in a feedback loop cesspool can you tell I've thought about this A LOT.

Danielle Corsetto

You captured the Cringe in a fantastic way.

Cab

Gimme that cute young couple parsley, please!!

Danielle Corsetto

Goodness! Is that really how people in those forums talk to each other? Why on earth would anyone want to be part of something so negative and soul crushing?

I trust Danelle to not have Paul act "irl" like some of those people do (even though he contributed). That said, yes please, can we leave him in his basement and get back to our light and fluffy friends? 💜

Drazi

Yeah, I'm glad Elephant Town isn't all this, or it could easily be a negative feedback loop (which is what communities like this are: it's amazing and scary what like-minded group think leads to). But I'm interested and hopeful to see where this goes/balances out. :) - - Neal

NJGR

Haha, I think we're all ready for a Paul palette cleanser... including you!

Maura W