As it would appear that I'm unable to convince Matthew M that I'm not 'Fraser Edwards', web designer
and probably all-round good egg, I feel that there is no course open to me other than to adopt his
name and what I feel would be his modus operandi. Accordingly, I shall from this day forth be known
as 'Fraser' and will accept questions on HTML and other clever-sounding web-design thingies.
So, go on, ask me a question. Ask me why a web designer with a web presence would (allegedly) expose
himself to ridicule by continuing to post on Usenet after he's been 'unmasked'. Ask me why this self
same fool would (allegedly) leave an obvious link between himself and one of the characters the
claims to be. Or - and here's the clincher - ask me what possible motive I, Fraser Edwards
(allegedly) could have for adopting a high profile trolling campaign on r.r. Y'see Matthew, behind
every action in life lies a motivating factor. It could be greed, love, anger, compassion, etc.,
etc. Find the motivation and you find the man.
Using Oz-speak, your desire to see me in Edwards speaks volumes about you. You want me to be a
failure, and unworthy person, a pathetic individual squirming under the intolerable burden of their
overwhelming life. You can't accept that trolls sometimes run against the stereotype. That we can be
normal, (reasonably) well adjusted bundles of fun and frivolity. Your anger and desperation for
closure shine through like a beacon.
I don't know Fraser Edwards. I don't even know if he runs. All I do know is that he's a guy trying
to make a living. Pissing about on the net is one thing, Matthew, unfairly dumping on some honest
shmuck is quite another. Tell you what, Matt, if you ever do get near to me I'll have the decency to
stand up and say so. You won't have to wonder or guess, you'll be certain. It's all a game after
all. In the meantime, you could do with applying some lateral thinking to your stalking. You won't
find me through the obvious means, though feel free to continue trying.
The time and energy you've expended in your pointless and thus far unsuccessful search would, I
suggest, have been better spent in asking yourself what it is about me that you find so upsetting.
Is it my arrogance, my bluntness, my intolerance of stupidity, my cruel humour, etc? And how do you
best combat these things? By attempting to jump up and down on the head of the perpetrator? Or by
disarming arrogance with compassion, bluntness with soft words, intolerance with understanding,
stupidity with patient explanation, and cruel humour with a warm gesture? There is no better rebuke
than by example; no more effective rebuttal than an immediate confrontation, honestly undertaken.
You don't confront me Matthew, you stand alongside me. We are two faces of the same coin. We're
bound together on a long and bumpy journey. I hope you'll enjoy the ride.
Fraser.