It’s Friday Night, Modern Philosophers. This has been a crazy week, and I am worn out and looking forward to some peace and quiet this weekend.
As we head out to the Think Tank tonight, I was hoping that you could help me make sense of this week. In case you hadn’t heard, I wrote a blog post on Sunday that got some attention on Monday. This post, about a certain TV show planning to shoot a live episode in Maine to make use of our Zombie population, was read over 60,000 times on Monday!
The local newspaper commented on it in its online edition, several radio stations discussed it on the air, and I even did a radio interview Tuesday morning to talk about my little blog post that went viral.
Today, I heard from the local late night comedy show about doing some writing for them, and a producer friend contacted me to say that her friend wanted an introduction so he could ask to read one of my screenplays.
All because I went for a walk to Dunkin Donuts on Sunday morning, and an idea for a blog post popped into my head. Yowza!
So I thought this week’s topic could be a way of getting some input from you about what happened. Are you ready to put on your Deep Thinking togas and meet me out in the Think Tank? I’ve got Snapple!
This week’s topic: Reactions to my Walking Dead post went to extremes. Did you see anything wrong with the post, Modern Philosophers? Why do you think it was so popular? Why did some people send me hateful, profanity laced emails when they discovered the post was just a joke?
Those of you who read the blog regularly know that it’s not unusual for me to write about Zombies living in Maine. I’ve even written previous posts about Zombies that mentioned The Walking Dead. What made this one so special?
It’s still bothering me that people sent me hate emails about the post, and I guess I’ve given far too much Deep Thought to it all. The thing is, I just want to understand why they are so upset.
It’s not like I wrote a post that said all Mainers would be getting $1000 because of a new tax law, and then they didn’t get the money. All it said was that a TV show was shooting an episode here. How would the production of a television show have any affect on their lives? Did they think they would be on the show simply because they lived in Maine?
I tried to answer all the emails I received, and there were tons, but I had to just delete the really angry ones.
Sorry for the selfish Think Tank post tonight, but I can’t wrap my brain around this, so I’m hoping you can help me to comprehend it all.
Thanks for coming back every week to read and participate in the Think Tank. I look forward to reading all your comments, but I’ve got first watch tonight, so it’s going to have to wait until morning. Hopefully, the Zombies don’t get that close to The House on the Hill because I’m exhausted and not really in the mood for braining…
The Return of the Modern Philosopher 
Probably for the same reason your surviver Maine story got so much publicity, Luke Screenwriter. The farce may be with you, but not everyone gets it right away. 🙂
So I’m a Jedi Blogger? Cool. 🙂
Lift up your writesaber and save the world, Austin!
Ha! I will do my best not to turn to the Dork Side! 🙂
Don’r worry about that one. I’m already there.
The dork side’s calling now nothing is real. You’ll never know just how I feel… 🙂
If you don’t believe me, check out my latest blog about CreateSpace Insanity.
Ok!
My best answer would be people can be a crazy bunch. Somehow you just pushed the right button at the right time to get them all riled up.
I’m not trying to rile up the world. Really just trying to make my regular readers laugh and hopefully hook some new ones…
I’m a regular reader and you never fail to make me laugh. This Modern Philosopher thanks you.
You are welcome! Thanks for always reading my silliness! My regular readers are awesome!
I think it’s a natural low after the high earlier in the week. In time you will see it as it is. You do not know those people and you did nothing wrong. You wrote a post very much in keeping with your blog. Some believed it and were disappointed, I’m sure they are over that now. They are probably just a bit embarrassed.
To me it is no different than someone stumbling by mistake on your post because a search engine has mistakenly directed them to you and your post is nothing to do with what they searched for.
It looks like it has opened doors for you so run with it. Do not waste this opportunity. My opinion for what it’s worth.
Great advice. Thank you. I will continue to just write and see where that takes me. 🙂
It’s done you well so far Austin. Never waste opportunity. It may never call again.
A producer contacted me this morning and asked to read two of my scripts, so I am striking while the iron is still hot!
As we Dubliners say “I’m delira and excira for ye”. How incredibly exciting. Imagine a simple moment which inspires a post and then this opportunity! Life can be very funny. Keep us posted.
I shall! 🙂
it happens when it happens and there is no logic to what goes viral. perhaps the angry mob were insecure and felt that you had tricked them somehow made them feel stupid? must not be regular readers to understand that you are a humor writer and you use irony and wit and wordplay as your tools. not to worry, the zombies will take care of them. write on!
Thank you. One of the detractors is a reporter for the newspaper in Portland. That was what really got me. She said people deserved to be angry at me for wasting their time with poorly written satire…
that’s really crazy. her ego must have been bruised, when she bought into it and then realized it was satire.
I suppose. I shouldn’t let it get to me, but I want people to get the joke and appreciate the humor.
it happens to all of us. over time, i’ve just learned to accept that not everyone will ‘get’ me or like me, and that’s okay.
Amen!
Angry emails?
Seriously?
I guess the Walking Dead are not all deceased zombies. Some of them actually live and breathe.
Perhaps you are right. One email started offf: “F$%^ you, Austin…” It was all downhill from there…
It should have at least started of “Dear Austin…..F&*% you….”
I know. How about a little politeness and such in a hate email???
So cool
Thanks. 🙂
I’m thinking the mean people were mean because they don’t read your blog regularly. But quite honestly, no matter what you post on a viral post, you’re always going to rub someone the wrong way.
I try not to rub anyone. 🙂
It seems like you are fishing a bit for hits as you keep going back to this again and again. Probably better to stop while you are still ahead. I like you and your blog, so this is not criticism just concern.
Not fishing at all. If I were, I’d link back to that post. I know only regular readers participate in the Think Tank, so I was just looking for some feedback. Believe me, the hits keep coming on that post. I just leave it alone and let it do its thing while I just keep writing new ones every day. 🙂
How crazy is that. Don’t you just love haters – LOL
I love everyone. The toga just brings out the sweet guy in me… 🙂