because I feel like starting a riot in the comments

[kellinator]

Note: I have never read Harlan Ellison nor Connie Willis (and you can't make me feel guilty about it, so don't bother) and therefore I have no dog in this fight. But I just couldn't resist.

[Poll #810313]

Comments

[football-swan.livejournal.com]

Who's Harlan Ellison? (Seriously, I have no idea. And it might add to your riot attempts.)

[bouncepogo.livejournal.com]

Ditto....I have no idea what's going on in this post at all. *hides*

[reannon.livejournal.com]

I'm going to cry...

[ariedana.livejournal.com]

There are a lot of us who have never read him...

[reannon.livejournal.com]

I know... I feel so alone in the world...

[smibbo.livejournal.com]

oh there's plenty of us who have read him. IN fact some of us used to worship the paper he wrote on, until it started becoming quite evident that the man is a complete asshole and enjoys being such. Great writer, awful man.

[bouncepogo.livejournal.com]

Don't cry...I'm just evidently not geeky enough. :(

[football-swan.livejournal.com]

I went and looked up info about him. He writes work that I probably wouldn't go out of my way to read, so no wonder I hadn't heard of him before today.

If that makes you feel better.....

[tattermuffin.livejournal.com]

I'm so not clear on what Connie Willis has to do with this poll ... but you really should read her. No guilt-laying intended, just a recommendation. :)

[reannon.livejournal.com]

Apparently Harlan Ellison took the running gags of the Hugo Awards ceremony too far last week and grabbed Connie Willis' breast onstage, thinking it was funny. Patrick Nielsen Hayden in particular had strong words for the inappropriateness of his action, which obviously made Willis uncomfortable. Harlan has since apologized and seems sincere, though I imagine his wife and his agent made their opinions abundantly clear to him as well.

[tattermuffin.livejournal.com]

Wow, I totally missed that bit of news. Maybe we should introduce Ellison to Roseanne ...

Thanks for the info! :)

[reannon.livejournal.com]

None of the above. I'd do exactly what Connie Willis did: Maintain my dignity and professionalism onstage, and backstage tell him never, ever to lay hands on me again. Even though I worship his books and admire his absolute refusal to cater to the lowest common denominator, the stupidity of the modern reader and inability to tolerate fools, nothing makes grabbing a woman's breast appropriate. Nothing.

I'll add that Harlan has apologized, and is seemingly sincere. I imagine his wife told him exactly what she thought of his behavior.

[weaktwos.livejournal.com]

Well, at least that means two fewer people who might cut off his nutsack.

I don't know. A grab for the package might even the score. Adding a little twist might teach him a lesson...

For all we can tell, he's sincerely sorry there's a controversy about it.

At that age, unless he can plea brain death, that's just not accidental.

[alladinsane.livejournal.com]

Harlan shouldnt be allowed in public without his wife present...

[bossieboots.livejournal.com]

You have a bowel disruptor? Lucky bastard.

[renaissancekat.livejournal.com]

Whu . . . ?

[bossieboots.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't say that to him, I was just jealous of K. that she has one.

Or where you asking about the icon? :-)

[renaissancekat.livejournal.com]

Whoops, I meant to reply to Kelly.

I have no idea what any of y'all are talking about.

P.S. I do know Munch.

[bossieboots.livejournal.com]

Gotcha. :-)

[paradisacorbasi.livejournal.com]

I'd probably, in addition to slapping him say, "Hey. Those are privilege only." And then, "Hey! I am sick and tired of this motherfuckin' snake on this motherfuckin' stage!"

[podling]

I'd probably say "Hey, ask first!" and then calmly go about my business and then take it up with him afterwards, honestly.

[scarcrest.livejournal.com]

If Harlan's apologized to Ms. Willis, then it's really a matter between them -- and between Harlan and his wife. Seeing him carry a running gag (as reannon called it -- I guess there was some ass-grabbing going on or something?) too far isn't entirely unexpected.

This is the guy who, when a woman smarted off to him in no-smoking area, pulled the cigarette from her mouth and dropped it into her purse, causing it to light the contents on fire. He followed a guy through an airport once telling everyone the guy met not to shake his hand because he hadn't washed in the bathroom.

Harlan's a bit of a nut, in other words. Taking a gag too far -- and I agree that WAS too far, make no mistake -- isn't inconceivable for him. He's also the writer without whom there likely would be no Warren Ellis and no Garth Ennis, so he'd have my respect as a writer irregardless.

[smibbo.livejournal.com]

I disagree, he did it in PUBLIC so it's also a matter of the public. There is something called "common decency" and it has to do with not offending others who are within your visual or auditory field. Harlan is quite well aware of that having exploited the notion of "common decency" for decades. He is someone who rails mercilessly at the public about politeness and decent behavior so frankly I think he deserves to eat a little crow now.

[smibbo.livejournal.com]

and no offense but "Irregardless" isn't a word; the proper word is "regardless"

and yes, I agree, Harlan had a massive impact upon my life as well as many fine writers today. He has my respect as a writer but as a person? He's a jerk and always has been.

[scarcrest.livejournal.com]

You're entitled to your opinion. No one's ever called him a saint.

[jp7.livejournal.com]

I don't know...no one has ever grabbed my boob.

But I do know

that I want a bowel disruptor. I have an employee review coming up. :)

[whitecrow0.livejournal.com]

I've read both Harlan Ellison and Connie Willis. I think Harlan is an awesome writer but I prefer Willis's (also wonderful) work.
However just 'cause I think someone's talented does not give him grabbing rights. My husband doesn't even have grabbing rights (not that he realizes this. However, since he's my husband, he doesn't get beat up for it. Much.)

[zebrapix.livejournal.com]

I have read Harlan, but not Connie. But it really doesn't matter. Both have weighed in on the subject. From what I understand, they haven't talked to each other yet, but Harlan's taken the position that he knows it was stupid to do and that he's waiting to hear back from Connie to see how he can make amends. As far as I'm concerned we can all be as outraged as we like and demand a pound of flesh, but it comes down to how Connie responds to Harlan's attempt to resolve the issue with someone he considers a good friend.

And if Connie wants to press charges or rake him over the coals, Harlan's willing to accept it because he was the offending party. I hope they can work it out and preserve their friendship.

[mizdandylynn.livejournal.com]

give him my teacher look and freeze his little balls off

Re: Harlan...

[wolfieboy.livejournal.com]

I thought about options 2 & 3 but he might be into CBT...

This is all of course if it were mine. I have no right on him grabbing anyone elses.

[ardentdelirium.livejournal.com]

did you know Harlan Ellison^TM trademarked his name? you're violating trademark laws, missy!

[smibbo.livejournal.com]

he did?

Geeziz....

I love love LOVE his writing, to the point of rabidity once, but the fact is that the man's a consummate asshole to the nth degree. He knows that and has been okay with it for a long time but in the last few years at least he's really gone overboard to the point of being just plain stupid. The fracas between him and Tycho (Penny Arcade) was just Harlan being an asshole when he thought he was being superior. His writing can be amazing but the man himself totally sucks.

this is how I feel about it

[smibbo.livejournal.com]

From the blog of Patrick Neilson Heyden:

Just as with George W. Bush's now-famous uninvited shoulder-rub of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the basic message of Ellison's tit-grab is this: "Remember, you may think you have standing, status, and normal, everyday adult dignity, but we can take it back at any time. If you are female, you'll never be safe. You can be the political leader of the most powerful country in Europe. You can be the most honored female writer in modern science fiction. We can still demean you, if we feel like it, and at random intervals, just to keep you in line, we will."

[lyneidas.livejournal.com]

I'd prefer a verrry sweet sympathetic look, followed by a slightly too-loud whisper of "Would you like a moment to get your medication before we continue with the ceremony?"