Lowest scam yet
"Sensitivity Readers"
I came across this earlier today and the more I read about it the more it offends me. It is by far the most unethical "service" I've ever seen attempting to prey on authors and it comes wrapped up in SJW lingo!
A character is an individual not a symbol for any group they may belong to. That character's thoughts and actions are there own and don't even necessarily represent those of the author (think villains).
A reader is an individual and not a spokesperson for everyone in any group they may belong to. They cannot judge what is or isn't acceptable from someone else of similar characteristic.
What this does is make a "no true scotsman" argument via criticism of your work and then expect you to acquiesce. You'll note (say, in the example below) that they can't guarantee you won't offend. That's because NO ONE PERSON can speak for a group and it demonstrates clearly that they know exactly what they're doing which makes me sick.
If you're scared of offending people with a character or plot point then don't write that character or plot point but don't shy away from writing what you want because of fear of offense. You can't please everyone but you can't let that keep you from expressing yourself creatively. We all face those insecurities while writing but they serve a purpose. They help make our work better by helping us to double check and really put ourselves in our characters' shoes. What this "service" does is prey on those insecurities. It offers to allay them for a fee but, as I said, they can't offer any true guarantee.
The world today is facing major tensions and "marginalized groups" are becoming more vocal which is great...but with that impetus to change and growth comes these leaches that try to use these moments to turn a prophet. To me they're no better than hoarders during a famine or drought that try and steal supplies and sell them back to the people.
Here's one example that I found via google (you may need alcohol to read it). Please don't ever fall for this. We're all people and we ALL have the right to express ourselves creatively. If someone doesn't like your story they don't have to read it but you should never feel guilt for how you express yourself.
http://writeinthemargins.org/sensitiv...
I came across this earlier today and the more I read about it the more it offends me. It is by far the most unethical "service" I've ever seen attempting to prey on authors and it comes wrapped up in SJW lingo!
A character is an individual not a symbol for any group they may belong to. That character's thoughts and actions are there own and don't even necessarily represent those of the author (think villains).
A reader is an individual and not a spokesperson for everyone in any group they may belong to. They cannot judge what is or isn't acceptable from someone else of similar characteristic.
What this does is make a "no true scotsman" argument via criticism of your work and then expect you to acquiesce. You'll note (say, in the example below) that they can't guarantee you won't offend. That's because NO ONE PERSON can speak for a group and it demonstrates clearly that they know exactly what they're doing which makes me sick.
If you're scared of offending people with a character or plot point then don't write that character or plot point but don't shy away from writing what you want because of fear of offense. You can't please everyone but you can't let that keep you from expressing yourself creatively. We all face those insecurities while writing but they serve a purpose. They help make our work better by helping us to double check and really put ourselves in our characters' shoes. What this "service" does is prey on those insecurities. It offers to allay them for a fee but, as I said, they can't offer any true guarantee.
The world today is facing major tensions and "marginalized groups" are becoming more vocal which is great...but with that impetus to change and growth comes these leaches that try to use these moments to turn a prophet. To me they're no better than hoarders during a famine or drought that try and steal supplies and sell them back to the people.
Here's one example that I found via google (you may need alcohol to read it). Please don't ever fall for this. We're all people and we ALL have the right to express ourselves creatively. If someone doesn't like your story they don't have to read it but you should never feel guilt for how you express yourself.
http://writeinthemargins.org/sensitiv...
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message 1:
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Nikki "The Crazie Betty" V.
(new)
Jan 29, 2018 01:34PM
Well said Shawna. So many people nowadays think that it's their right to NOT be offended. Truth of the matter is that we all have the right to be offended, if that makes any sense. If I want to take offense to something then you damn well better believe I'm going to be offended by it. But that absolutely does NOT mean that I believe everyone else should have to cater to me so that I don't feel offended. Having the right to be offended by whatever is one of the greatest rights we have.
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