Written in response to some bloke who decided to crusade on behalf of JK Rowling:

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If you want an online argument Davey, I'm more than happy to give you one.

[quote]What bugs me is people who clearly dislike others because of success, just because THEY deem it unfair, or unjust. i.e. Mr Insane Bartender:[/quote]

Yes, perfectly reasonable thing to say, given that as a complete newbie you know so much about my feelings with regards to JK and her career, writings and general success. Or not. Jealous of success, or simply pointing out the many general similarities that Potter has with the Worst Witch? As for unfair or unjust, I think the general success of the Potter books is completely in keeping with general human standards on the worldwide stage. Which is to say that people will buy whatever somebody tells them once it is deemed cool or 'in'. Of course, it being cool and having been read by society member X, such person generally has a social responsibility to agree that it is cool, regardless of whether or not that persons actual view is in keeping with that statement.

Do I hate her success? No. I hate her crappy unoriginal books, the morons following her success as though she were some mythological messiah, the absurd media coverage anything to do with Potter gets, the quite frankly ridiculous merchandising empire designed to drum kids that can't even read yet into loving the whole thing as well, the laughably poor computer games built around it as listless and shameless cash-ins and pretty much anything else to do with it all.

Do I hate JK Rowling? On the contrary, I have a great deal of respect for her extremely sharp business acumen, and the marketing gurus surrounding her that have allowed her to so take advantage of a weak species. That doesn't mean I have to like what she's doing, though.

[quote]Conceptually unoriginal? Have you read all five books? Is your work just so stunningly orginal that it defies all previous concepts?[/quote]

This smacks of having read the Potter books, and taken their success as an indicator that they are some genre busting super-novels. Fortunately, this is not the case. It's been done before, just never marketed quite so spectacularly.

[quote]The books have been sold in more than 200 countries and translated into 60 languages from Hindi to Ancient Greek. The fifth book, The Order of the Phoenix, sold 1.78 million copies on its FIRST DAY in the UK ALONE. In total, Joanne has sold over 250 MILLION books worldwide!!![/quote]

Yes, that's great. Firstly, you'll note that I never once said that the books were't popular, and so spewing statistics about the sales volumes and translation demand for the books doesn;t really give your argument any more credence. Secondly, I point you back to my point regarding 'cool' merchandise. Thirdly, I laugh as I point out the 'debacle' in the lead up to the release of the most recent book, which was more than likely an excessive marketing ploy to keep the book in the headlines every day up to release. Fourthly, I will point out the ease of opportunity modern companies have for this form of widespread media attention and product distribution that has in the past been much slower and far more costly, making the books one way merely a pointer for the future direction of the industry, rather than a simple phenomenon to which all other authors should gasp in awe and sit in silent reverence. Fithly, I can still name comic books which have easily outsold Potter books, the bible and any other comparison, so getting excited about sales volumes which do not directly effect your own wealth is a bit numpty. I beleive youmay well be suffering from a similar 'affliction' as that pointed out by the recent Civitas report, whereby you fill your existence with something that shouldn't ordinarily effect you. You might want to look into that.

[quote]That is some claim to fame mate � what�s yours?[/quote]

Agin, your ignorance shines like a beacon of witless buffoonery. Please direct me to my statement indicating that my own fame was either in excess of JK Rowling, or in some way more valid. You can't? Interesting. Then why, pray tell, are you indicating that I should then justify myself in that regard?

Oh that's right, because you're ranting on in your own little world, venting for the sake of showing how clever you are for knowing all the facts and figures with regards to JK Rowling. What a clever little mouth-breather you are.

[quote]In fact The Sunday Times put her earnings over the past year at �125m - the equivalent of �388 for EVERY WORD of her most recent book.[/quote]

Ah, more facts and figures. I can almost see you googling for this as I type now. Quite sad really. It's the old "I'm on the internet, so I can make myself look proper clever" syndrome. Look mate. I'm online too, and have access to all the facts and figures you have at your fingertips. I just choose not to showboat them in a vain attempt to make myself look smart because someone publicly claimed to dislike my favourite book. Geddit?

[quote]Now that, I believe, deserves as many prizes as the girl can physically fit in her living room (which would be about fifty lorry loads).[/quote]

Now, I'm all for awards, given the popularity of the books, it's bound to get something. But adult fiction? Come on son, surely even youcan see that these are kids books we're talking about here. Adult fiction is a stretch for even my imagination (which can be considerable when so rarely called upon). As for the remark about the size of the ladies living room, I hope, for as much JK Rolwing's sake as your own, that that's a joke.

[quote]So any other argument is, to be frank, clearly non-informed, opinionated and obviously irrelevent.[/quote]

Of coure it is, far be it from me to even consider that yours might not be the one true word of God himself, infallible and incapable of misdirection.

[quote]Sorry it's a bit strong for a new bloke, but honestly, people should stop being so depressingly negative and bitter.[/quote]

No need to apologise. Although I won;t stop being quite so negative for the time being, if you don't mind. Wonderful as you seem to think the Potter books are, they're not solving the enormous social, economic, agricultural, political and ecological problems currently threatening the world. They won;t stop human beings from being completely self-destructively self-serving, they won't save lives and they will not convince me that it is a good thing to be considered a part of the evil that is humankind.

But have a nice day.

0 message(s) of denial

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