In the Spotlight
You know how some people say they don't want something when they really do? Like when people say, "oh, don't you dare buy me a Valentine's day gift this year!" But then if you don't buy them a gift, they're disappointed?
More and more regularly, I have people saying "I had better not read about this on omarphillips.net!" Then when I don't post about whatever the crazy caper was, they're disappointed.
Generally, I only blog about people who can't retaliate. I can only think of two people who fit that description: my grandmother and my son. Since the editorial team keeps cutting out all my posts about Granny, the boy is the only one who gets consistently mentioned online. The thing is, I thought I was doing people a favor by not writing about them. I don't want people to feel like they can't have real interactions with me, for fear that they will end up on the internet. Instead I am left to feel as though I'm cheating people out of their moment in the spotlight. Yes, I called this site "the spotlight." omarphillips.net is enjoyed daily by literally dozens of people around the globe. Do people really understand the level of exposure they're inviting?
Anyway, to avoid future confusion on my part, I've created a brief two-question questionnaire/disclaimer that will be handed out prior to all of my future interactions with anyone:
On the back is a disclaimer saying that you not minding is not a guarantee that your story will make it on the internet. I'm pretty excited about this, I really think it will make things clearer. Either that, or it will entirely dissuade people from talking to me.
Comments
Lia said:
I think you have the right idea. Always protect against potential lawsuits and insulted friends.
Out of curiousity, what is the "Other" choice in your poll? Either you've seen the movie, or you haven't. How can it be other?
Lia said:
AARGH! I hate these confused web browsers. Sorry about the dupe.
Ed. Note: Dupe deleted.
Katie said:
You just need a shirt that says, "I'm blogging this." I have one. People either gravitate to me or hit the pavement running.
Though the disclaimer thing totally rules. Are you going to start selling them?
jasmine said:
so wait, are we still pretending omar has friends and ISN'T a total loser?
i mean, i have no problem pretending but i thought we were trying to get him to face reality a little. i'm confused.
Jon said:
Man, Jasmine is surly... It's funny though, my parents and my eldest sister are avid readers of my monthly publication, but other than that, no one I know really reads. Not that I'm a tell all or anything... but just to be safe, I should really start having people sign 53 page waivers.
elasticwaistbandlady said:
I'm examining the wording of the waiver and I think that if you distribute these without further explanation, it could lead to some unanticipated trouble.
If a guy at random hands me a paper that says our "interaction" could possibly be documented for entertainment purposes and put up on the web, I would assume that he's a pervert amateur porn film maker looking to make a fat woman fetish film starring me. Then I'd be forced to use my girth to crush him like a bug. Proceed with caution on this one, Omar.
Cate said:
You forgot the part where you make sure they waive any rights or claims to possible future profits from a book deal born of your blog.
Syar said:
I've just read about 6 of your posts. I am now too saturated with omarphillips.net-ness to comment about anything in particular. I am also incoherent.
wait, that last part has always been true and therefore irrelevant.
I forgo the waiver and just endure the light smacks I get when the subject (usually female) finds out about her being in the "limelight". (i.e : my blog, I guess) I don't bruise that easily.
cadiz12 said:
i get that a lot too. esp from the little brother, who has said that my blog is boring because it doesn't mention him often enough. for that, i purposely leave the little brat out.
plus right now i'm in a very angsty mood, so i'm trying to keep that from spilling out all over teh internet to infect the innocents.
mep said:
If I had my parents sign a waiver like that they would find out I have a blog . . . and read it . . . I don't think I would like that.
Lianne said:
If you can't exploit your friends to make yourself look clever, what's the point?
Take Glo's boobs for instance....
Glo said:
HEY! That comment above resembles my CHEST!!
My breasts are a gift to the world. I merely exploit them to get a moment's attention in their wake.
Uhm...there was a part in my head not about me, but I can never think clearly once my breasts get involved...
X said:
I haven't seen Hitch and I won't see it until someone makes a special edited version with everything except Eva Mendes digitally removed.
And speaking of awesome: Neo versus Robocop.
---X
Radioactive Spoon said:
I tried completing the form but it doesn't seem to accept my clicks, and now I've got pen-marks all over my screen (stupid scrolling window!).
Screaming Buffalo said:
Reverse psychology is a b!*#^ ain't it?
I'm really mad at my school's computer programmer*. I don't really have the internet at home so I do blogging at school between work (or just all the time and make it look like work later). And then today, I come on to post and what happens? Blogspot is blocked. I can only post on omarphillips.net and radioactivejam.com!!!!! I am doomed!
And on top of all of this, my backup option, proxies, are also blocked. Omar, you call yourself a Tech Junkie, could you help me? Help me beat the Man!!
*This could get a little heated and/or long