Cheers, Socrates! A commentary on YouTube haters.

I’m used to being misunderstood. Heck, I’m used to being understood and then despised for what I genuinely mean. Anyone who has ever posted or commented on YouTube knows that it is a haven, a sanctuary….a sucktuary, if you will, for the worst the internet has to offer.

In the past year, I have had to enable comment moderation on this blog and YouTube because of the virulence of the nasty submissions from the timid, faceless masses. Among the greatest hits were two death threats, a Mexican cellist who had some very personal ideas about my anatomy and my mother, and some jackass in South Korea who was “embarrassed” for me. Aw, shucks! You love me!

I’m human. When I read hurtful things, I am taken to a place that is truly awful. I shake a little. I question things. I question myself.

There are gifts to behold in these trials. It is good to question yourself: it keeps you in check, allows for some reflection on what you’re really trying to accomplish. In the end, I have worked up an appetite for compassion towards those who disparage me and things I find important, although sometimes it takes a while for it to kick in, I’ll admit.

I’ve heard it said that resentment is like “…drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” I believe it. There is a reason why cowardly people flourish on the internet, and I won’t make it worse on them by fanning the flames and starting the cycle of loathing all over again.

To the haters, especially those who lack courage and character enough to reveal their identities:

Have a great day, and thanks for sharing. I know you’re doing the best you can.

Love,
Emily

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9 Responses

  1. Yes, definitely – YouTube comments seem to be the dumbest out there. Don't let it get to you!

  2. I so TOTALLY hear you on this! Putting up a video to share something about cello playing is like slicing your arm open and jumping into shark-infested waters. Oy!

    And, since I haven't told you in a while, I love your blog and whenever my blog reader shows you have a new post, I jump right to it.

  3. Hi Emily – Having only just started with this whole blog malarkey, I suppose I have this to look forward to.. Take hart from the fact that, in the short period of time I've been viewing your blog, it has has a positive effect on my playing. I'm sure that's true for many other aspiring Cellists.

  4. i am an ex-pat playing cello in an orchestra in guanajuato, mexico. just got hooked on your blog. bravo! oh,i also play in a punk band called the telepathetics (los telepateticos!). i braved youtube with a punk ballad (written by my late brother) for voice and cello. it's called "scarecrow by gene severens". i'm michael by he way. would be curious what you think. chow!

  5. YouTube is the toilet of the Internet. It used to be Usenet where I cut my teeth going on 20 years ago.

    The Internet is like overturning your fridge and finding all that gooey black gunk caked around the bottom staring at you. Seriously — I've seen EXACTLY the same stuff said about everything from fishtanks to Star Trek. Now it's cellos. Ignore it.

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