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cinnabonbon

(860 posts)
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 12:35 PM Feb 2014

How to deal with unwanted attention in the digital age

I am sure this has already been posted a few times, but I can't find it and the recent posts reminded me of it. You might get a few chuckles out of it, too. Warning for blurred out pic of a naked guy!








It's too bad she took her tumblr down, because I remember that she did send the exchange to the guy's mom, despite him trying to bribe her not to.

Edit:

Sarah easily found Trevor’s mother’s contact information via his Facebook profile. She then helpfully forwarded the dick pic to his mom with a note telling her that she ought to be concerned about Trevor’s treatment of women. That was on Friday, and she still hasn’t heard back from his mom, but it’s safe to say that Sarah won’t be hearing from Trevor again.


http://www.dailydot.com/lol/naked-lets-date-user-mom-blackmail/
http://www.thefrisky.com/2013-06-10/woman-solves-unwanted-dick-pic-problem-by-sending-picture-to-mom/
56 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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How to deal with unwanted attention in the digital age (Original Post) cinnabonbon Feb 2014 OP
It always amazes me how quick men are to objectify their own selves. Tuesday Afternoon Feb 2014 #1
Maybe because they're not used to being defined by that objectification? cinnabonbon Feb 2014 #2
Perhaps. Interesting. The power and who has it and when. Need to think on this some more. Tuesday Afternoon Feb 2014 #3
It IS a very interesting subject. I'll go look for some reading material on it cinnabonbon Feb 2014 #4
interesting conversation. keeping in mind CT's thread i have linked her.... seabeyond Feb 2014 #5
Ooooh, interesting! Thank you for the link, Sea. cinnabonbon Feb 2014 #14
my theory is just germinating in my mind ... can not put it in words yet. Tuesday Afternoon Feb 2014 #7
think how HH used it on the one poster... and that is your answer. that is what it is all about. seabeyond Feb 2014 #8
HopeHoops/talkingmime ... one of the most despicable creatures to ever post on DU ... Do NOT Tuesday Afternoon Feb 2014 #11
i do nto know anything about talkingmime. but, what HH did all the time in conversation with his seabeyond Feb 2014 #13
talkingmime is/was HopeHoops zombie. His first reincarnation. It is my understanding Tuesday Afternoon Feb 2014 #19
honestly and i swear it is cause society conditions and defines their masculinity seabeyond Feb 2014 #21
yes, this is what I think. They have been sold a bill a goods as much as women. It is time, sea ... Tuesday Afternoon Feb 2014 #23
Lol. nt sufrommich Feb 2014 #32
HH? I don't think I've met them. cinnabonbon Feb 2014 #15
i can never remember the name. hoopey hoops or something. a poster that worked hard using this seabeyond Feb 2014 #16
Doesn't really sound like someone I'd want to have a conversation with. cinnabonbon Feb 2014 #18
No. You do not. Nothing enlightening can come of it. He, imo, needs therapy. Tuesday Afternoon Feb 2014 #20
You put into words something I've tried to express for awhile: CrispyQ Mar 2014 #54
They're just applying their understanding to the situation. jeff47 Feb 2014 #22
Objectification is such a poor excuse for love, I think. Really, this is a sad commentary on the Tuesday Afternoon Feb 2014 #25
It's not something cast in stone. jeff47 Feb 2014 #29
yes, I agree. It is these men that see no reason to participate in the threads that have caused so Tuesday Afternoon Feb 2014 #31
Well, it is a lot simpler. jeff47 Feb 2014 #35
In the context of DU3, I think it better to err on the side of civility, dignity, and -common- sense Tuesday Afternoon Feb 2014 #39
What kind of culture have we built in our general society? CrispyQ Mar 2014 #55
If that's the way they think cinnabonbon Feb 2014 #27
Yep, they are. jeff47 Feb 2014 #30
The more figure it out, the better. cinnabonbon Feb 2014 #36
She handled that beautifully. Sheldon Cooper Feb 2014 #6
That is also a good one! :D cinnabonbon Feb 2014 #9
yeah! or, "It's sweet that there are men who aren't ashamed to be below average in size. . . zazen Feb 2014 #12
Lol! That is so mean. cinnabonbon Feb 2014 #34
I would have loved to be a fly on the wall sufrommich Feb 2014 #10
I wouldn't want to be the mom at all. She's the one I feel bad for in all of this cinnabonbon Feb 2014 #17
The mom had some catching up to do with her parenting skills. Learning experience for her, too. Tuesday Afternoon Feb 2014 #24
Yep. She and the dad should've taught him some respect for women. nt cinnabonbon Feb 2014 #26
I'd say she's fortunate to have found out at this stage... hlthe2b Feb 2014 #28
Shudder. Yes, that's a good point. nt cinnabonbon Feb 2014 #33
If he hasn't already and given the fact that he felt brazen enough to post that pic Tuesday Afternoon Feb 2014 #40
my read of it and the ... dont show mom, is mom ALREADY had the conversation and the kid seabeyond Feb 2014 #43
Time for a refresher course, son. Tuesday Afternoon Feb 2014 #46
exactly. any boy... young man, that pleads not to send it to mama, says something. seabeyond Feb 2014 #48
he needs to work on that six pack, though. nt seabeyond Feb 2014 #50
That's the second time something like that ismnotwasm Feb 2014 #37
It might have been posted here before - it's from 2013! cinnabonbon Feb 2014 #38
NoI was a different one ismnotwasm Feb 2014 #41
I hope you find it, because I would love to see it. nt cinnabonbon Feb 2014 #42
i figured it was the same. but, it did seem different. i figured this version just left some stuff seabeyond Feb 2014 #44
Can't find it ismnotwasm Feb 2014 #47
i am sure it has been. with you. not looking. i NEVER find what i am looking for, lol. nt seabeyond Feb 2014 #49
I wonder how many here on DU would refuse to accept KitSileya Feb 2014 #45
Very few, I think mokawanis Feb 2014 #51
yeah, it's a little disturbing to think about. cinnabonbon Mar 2014 #52
And it's one of the things people, both men and women, can *do* something about. KitSileya Mar 2014 #53
Good posts, all. theHandpuppet Mar 2014 #56

Tuesday Afternoon

(56,912 posts)
1. It always amazes me how quick men are to objectify their own selves.
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 12:39 PM
Feb 2014

I need to think about why that is. They do it so readily. At the drop of a hat, even. Thank you for posting this.

cinnabonbon

(860 posts)
2. Maybe because they're not used to being defined by that objectification?
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 12:42 PM
Feb 2014

I mean, I think it would be easier to stomach for me, at least, if it was something that only occurred when I was the one encouraging it. I doubt they like it any more than us if the control is taken away from them.

cinnabonbon

(860 posts)
4. It IS a very interesting subject. I'll go look for some reading material on it
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 12:48 PM
Feb 2014

and if I find anything particularly awesome, I will link you to it.

What is your theory on why they're so comfortable doing it?

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
5. interesting conversation. keeping in mind CT's thread i have linked her....
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 12:52 PM
Feb 2014
http://www.democraticunderground.com/125538183

everything about sex and sexuality is male dominance and that is just the intent being used. a conditioned norm. a privilege that man feels is their biological right. about intimidation, power, humiliation, control

cinnabonbon

(860 posts)
14. Ooooh, interesting! Thank you for the link, Sea.
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 01:11 PM
Feb 2014

I think you're right in that virility for men is a big thing, and we have a society where conquest and domination are framed as something positive in sexual relationship (for some reason). Well, as long as it's the men being dominating.

Tuesday Afternoon

(56,912 posts)
7. my theory is just germinating in my mind ... can not put it in words yet.
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 01:00 PM
Feb 2014

Very deep. So ingrained. and economics is playing into it. I really feel for men. This system has not been kind to them either.

They so readily accept sex from strangers as a substitution for love, I think. (women do this, too)

The need for human touch, warmth, kindness.

Thanks for the hug

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
8. think how HH used it on the one poster... and that is your answer. that is what it is all about.
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 01:04 PM
Feb 2014

have that power over.

Tuesday Afternoon

(56,912 posts)
11. HopeHoops/talkingmime ... one of the most despicable creatures to ever post on DU ... Do NOT
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 01:06 PM
Feb 2014

get me started, seabeyond. This conversation can go places that I am not sure DU3 is ready to view.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
13. i do nto know anything about talkingmime. but, what HH did all the time in conversation with his
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 01:10 PM
Feb 2014

vulgarity, is what we are talking about the men doing this in the text. same thing

Tuesday Afternoon

(56,912 posts)
19. talkingmime is/was HopeHoops zombie. His first reincarnation. It is my understanding
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 01:16 PM
Feb 2014

Last edited Thu Feb 27, 2014, 03:29 PM - Edit history (1)

that MIRt has to deal with his zombies on a pretty regular basis. They know him pretty well now and, are very good at keeping him from disrupting. I think by now he is as well known to MIRt as is Library Girl. I stop here.

I understand What you are talking about.

I am trying to understand Why men feel the need to do this.

The motivation behind the act.

Like I said my thoughts are just now formulating and not ready for words.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
21. honestly and i swear it is cause society conditions and defines their masculinity
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 01:45 PM
Feb 2014

Last edited Thu Feb 27, 2014, 02:39 PM - Edit history (1)

with exactly this. this is exactly who our boys are taught they are suppose to be in order to be masculine.n their definition of manhood.

Tuesday Afternoon

(56,912 posts)
23. yes, this is what I think. They have been sold a bill a goods as much as women. It is time, sea ...
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 01:49 PM
Feb 2014

a good time for DOORS !!

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
16. i can never remember the name. hoopey hoops or something. a poster that worked hard using this
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 01:13 PM
Feb 2014

behavior because of a real problem with women.

CrispyQ

(36,487 posts)
54. You put into words something I've tried to express for awhile:
Sun Mar 2, 2014, 11:46 AM
Mar 2014
I doubt they like it any more than us if the control is taken away from them.

That is exactly the point!

I think a lot of men think it would be cool to be looked at with desire, to have that kind of control over people you don't even know, that they would want to be with you even though they don't know you. There's no pressure to be a good conversationalist, to be clever or funny or smart, or to be anything other than reasonably attractive. Yeah, until you live it every day, that does seem like it would make your life easier.

They don't experience how it's non stop. Every time you step out the front door someone is going to treat you in a way that shows they see you as a woman over a person. Every fucking time. Yesterday it was the young woman at the coffee shop. She was barely civil to me & couldn't even bother to say thank you to me, but she fawned all over the older man behind me, calling him sir, making sure he was satisfied with the amount of coffee in his mug. I doubt she's even 21 & she's already conditioned to treat women as a bother & men with respect.

That's a pretty benign incident, not like the time some creep followed a friend & I around Lowe's or the time a man got angry & belligerent with me because I was changing my own flat tire & refused his help or the time I was waiting for the bus in the dark & two guys walked by & made a comment about my hair, like I wanted that kind of attention at any of those times. Like I had any control over that unwanted attention.

They "forget" that men generally being bigger & stronger than women, have the advantage in these situations, not only physically, but because of that, mentally, as well.

The men who are not getting it are not making an effort. They are immature jerks who think everything is all about them & their precious ego. It's one of the times when I sorely miss using a certain word. Damn. I do miss that word.


jeff47

(26,549 posts)
22. They're just applying their understanding to the situation.
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 01:48 PM
Feb 2014

Sex is about objectification in their minds. That's why they're objectifying women.

So they assume others have to objectify them to view them sexually.

Tuesday Afternoon

(56,912 posts)
25. Objectification is such a poor excuse for love, I think. Really, this is a sad commentary on the
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 01:52 PM
Feb 2014

state of Human Nature at this time. Not sure I am using the best wording here but, I think you get my drift, right.

jeff47

(26,549 posts)
29. It's not something cast in stone.
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 02:01 PM
Feb 2014

The main problem with objectification in the media is boys may not be taught anything else. They reach adulthood, and don't know any better.

Many such men figure it out, and stop doing this kind of thing. Some don't.

Tuesday Afternoon

(56,912 posts)
31. yes, I agree. It is these men that see no reason to participate in the threads that have caused so
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 02:05 PM
Feb 2014

much dissent on DU3. They have evolved past it and, see no need to argue about it. It is a done deal for them.

I call them "The Silent Majority of DU3"


I do appreciate the vocal minority of men that are willing to step in these threads and help with education of those who are slower to learn, for whatever reason.

jeff47

(26,549 posts)
35. Well, it is a lot simpler.
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 02:20 PM
Feb 2014
help with education of those who are slower to learn, for whatever reason.

From their perspective, either:
1) Human interaction is a massively complex thing with a million variables and very little logical flow. What works great in one instance will fail horrifically in what appears to be an nearly identical situation with different people. Heck, the same interaction can have wildly different results even with the same people in the same situation for not obvious reasons. Figuring out what is going on requires a lot of digging into each individual, their motivations and their history.

or

2) People like to look at hawt men or women.

It's pretty easy to cling to #2, especially if your personality fears or hates complexity. Add some reinforcement from media, and it's very easy to keep with it, right into a miserable old age.

Tuesday Afternoon

(56,912 posts)
39. In the context of DU3, I think it better to err on the side of civility, dignity, and -common- sense
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 02:29 PM
Feb 2014

When in Rome do as the Romans.

Question being what kind of Rome(DU3) are we building?

Is it to be a place where ALL feel welcome to discuss ideas and to help get Democrats elected or, not?

There are all kinds of special groups on DU3 where one can get their freak on.

This is why I advocate that TMG not be disbanded.

However, when in GD, -I- think the focus should not be distracted by ..... seeking to humiliate others ideas of dignity.

What I am trying to say is ... when in GD ... I would prefer we err on the side of dignity rather than take chances on offending fellow Democrats.

CrispyQ

(36,487 posts)
55. What kind of culture have we built in our general society?
Sun Mar 2, 2014, 12:18 PM
Mar 2014

We seem to have this attitude now, that just because we have the freedom to do something, we should do it & then we should take it to it's absolute extremes. Lot's of things come to mind. The increasing use of violence against women in advertising, the sexualization of girls at a younger & younger age, the genderization of the toy aisle, & the list goes on.

The internet is a great resource for change. Offensive ads can go viral & people post their objections on the company's FB page. Remember those offensive Ford ads. They weren't even for Ford USA, but they took shit for it, too.

Some of the threads have gotten really heated, but it seems to me that more DU men are speaking out to the deliberately dense ones, that they should stand up straight & get their frickin' knuckles off the floor.

jeff47

(26,549 posts)
30. Yep, they are.
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 02:02 PM
Feb 2014

In my experience, most such men figure it out. Though some don't, and their lives are definitely worse off because of it.

cinnabonbon

(860 posts)
36. The more figure it out, the better.
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 02:22 PM
Feb 2014

It is not a pleasant experience to go through life with a crooked understanding of it. That kind of stuff breeds unhappiness and resentment, and I don't really think anyone deserves to punish themselves that way.

So here's to healthier love lives and more mutual respect!

Sheldon Cooper

(3,724 posts)
6. She handled that beautifully.
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 12:55 PM
Feb 2014

I also think a good way to deal with random unsolicited cock shots would be to ask what exactly you are looking at, and when they say 'my cock', say something like 'are you sure? Because I've seen cocks before, but they were all so much bigger than that tiny little thing I'm looking at now...."

Telling them they have a tiny penis really seems to bother them.

cinnabonbon

(860 posts)
9. That is also a good one! :D
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 01:04 PM
Feb 2014

It stops the conversation before they start to think you're interested.

I think your method might leave more mental scars than a humiliating PM to his mom, though.

zazen

(2,978 posts)
12. yeah! or, "It's sweet that there are men who aren't ashamed to be below average in size. . .
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 01:09 PM
Feb 2014

"I mean, I'm proud of you. It must take a lot of confidence to stand up for yourself like that and insist on not being defined by your smaller penis size. Size doesn't matter. Really . . . "

I love Southern "politeness."

sufrommich

(22,871 posts)
10. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 01:05 PM
Feb 2014

when Mom got the pic,although as a mother of a son,I think it would break my heart.

cinnabonbon

(860 posts)
17. I wouldn't want to be the mom at all. She's the one I feel bad for in all of this
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 01:15 PM
Feb 2014

The guy got what was coming to him, though.

hlthe2b

(102,320 posts)
28. I'd say she's fortunate to have found out at this stage...
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 01:55 PM
Feb 2014

before the self-entitled little narcissist committed date rape or similar.

Tuesday Afternoon

(56,912 posts)
40. If he hasn't already and given the fact that he felt brazen enough to post that pic
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 02:33 PM
Feb 2014

I would not be surprised if he has not already crossed that line.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
43. my read of it and the ... dont show mom, is mom ALREADY had the conversation and the kid
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 05:16 PM
Feb 2014

knows his ass is in trouble. lol. he went outside the lines his mother drew for him, and by the reaction to mom finding out, he knows she will be disappointed.

the girl/woman who did this to him probably did a world of good for him in a lesson. even though, from what i understood reading it before, he got really ugly about it.

i figure the mom was already on the girls side.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
48. exactly. any boy... young man, that pleads not to send it to mama, says something.
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 05:47 PM
Feb 2014

the reality, this is what we are teaching our kids. as parents we are fighting the wave. they step out on their own, this is what they play with. neither our boys or girls are gonna walk this perfectly. so though the young man does not get a pass, and think how the girl handled it was perfect, it make be a huge blessing for the boy, for the future.

or he is a creep

dunno

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
44. i figured it was the same. but, it did seem different. i figured this version just left some stuff
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 05:17 PM
Feb 2014

out and vice versa. but seemed the other became much more belligerent.

KitSileya

(4,035 posts)
45. I wonder how many here on DU would refuse to accept
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 05:30 PM
Feb 2014

that receiving a pic like that is sexual harassment, bordering on sexual assault? How is this different from a flasher? Not in the least. It is deliberately breaking someone's boundaries, which some do for the thrill of it, and others do to test how good of a victim she'll be. It's typical rapist behavior in the latter form, because as we know, most victims know their rapist. See if she protests minor violations of boundaries, such as pressure to drink more, or a shoulder massage, even when she signals that she is uncomfortable is typical in these cases. If she has problems voicing her protests clearly enough, usually because of cultural condition, and because she will be considered rude if she isn't accomodating, signals a victim less likely to report, or even tell anyone of a rape. Having the picture of a naked man suddenly show up in your chat may also be triggering to survivors, and I am sure that it is intensely uncomfortable for many others.

Here on DU, though, we have some who would tell us to just not look at the picture if it is so disturbing. I think that tells us a lot about how little interested they are in preventing sexual harassment, assault, and rape.

mokawanis

(4,447 posts)
51. Very few, I think
Thu Feb 27, 2014, 07:51 PM
Feb 2014

I think most on DU would call that sexual harassment or assault. I know there are some on DU that would disagree, but not very many (and I agree that even a few is way too many). Outside of DU? Yeah, I think a lot of people would defend that guy's behavior, which is disturbing to say the least. My own opinion is that the response should be the same as someone exposing themselves to a woman on the street - arrest the guy for sexual assault.

cinnabonbon

(860 posts)
52. yeah, it's a little disturbing to think about.
Sat Mar 1, 2014, 11:39 AM
Mar 2014

Heck, the guy in the exchange even went for the tell-tale "prude" when the woman told him that it was unwanted, which reminded me an awful lot about certain posters.

I like what you said about people pushing boundaries to see what they can get away with. It's the kind of classic example of what to look for when trying to decide of a guy is worth trusting. If he can't take a no when it comes to the little things, how likely is it that he'll take a no for the bigger things?

KitSileya

(4,035 posts)
53. And it's one of the things people, both men and women, can *do* something about.
Sat Mar 1, 2014, 12:11 PM
Mar 2014

Thomas M. Miller at the Yes means yes blog calls it "cockblocking rapists" - because boundary testing is such a typical thing most rapists do. As you probably know, the stranger in the bush rapist is a minority of rapists, most victims are raped by people they know, and in choosing their victims, the latter type of rapist must try to find a victim with a low likelihood of reporting. Boundary testing is one of the main ways of checking whether a victim is likely to report a crime.

Most women are taught to not clearly state their wishes -they are to give the softest no, especially to men. We see it in action here on DU every time the men get in a tizzy when women says not to hit on women that don't clearly signal that they are approachable for being hit on - it's all think about the poor menz. Well, for some reason they think that women who have been taught to give a soft no, to not state their wishes, are supposed to be able to do it without any problems in a public setting, when the rapist is deliberately setting things up so that he has cover should she say no. "I was just giving her a shoulder massage!" "I have a girlfriend, why do you think I am a douchebag?" "Can't you take a joke?" It's all very much a strategy, and people who want to fight rape need to learn to speak up. To be the rapist cockblock. Because our whole culture is all about making sure that victims don't speak - which is why the example in the OP is so awesome. She fought back.

theHandpuppet

(19,964 posts)
56. Good posts, all.
Sun Mar 2, 2014, 12:46 PM
Mar 2014

We have to teach our girls that's its okay to set boundaries. That it's okay to say NO. That in addition to the kind of insults you used as examples, how often have girls heard these kinds of lines...

"If you really loved me..."
"What are you, a prude?"
"What's wrong with you?"
"Are you some kind of lesbo?"

Of course these are all intended to put girls on the defensive and attack their self-esteem.

I'd be very curious to find out how the mother of that young jerk reacted when she found what her son had been doing.

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