parasitology

[15_the_circle]

[OT from cottage renovations]

in this space the usual context for any mention of parasites and hosts is that of invasive species. 

parasitism can take other forms, however, as related in this story about an emotional parasite, weaving a web of fiction in order to lure and snare and then, in some fashion, feed upon real human feelings: an online vampire of the soul. 

creepy, but very well written though I do wish the author could have set aside some of the narrating to just let to story tell itself. 

I sent the link to a couple of friends who replied, identically, "where do you find this stuff?" (the obvious answer: "online", in particular it was referenced parenthetically in an entry in dakiwiboid's journal).  a third recipient read it through and found it gripping.  discussing it with him this morning I told him that I believe it to be a work of fiction.  in a couple of minor aspects it doesn't quite fit together but then fiction, when it works well, is something that comes in layers so who can tell for sure? 

Comments

It was all over the blogs and LA papers when it happened

[dakiwiboid.livejournal.com]

and was quite well attested at the time. I agree that the presentation is a little too slick, but I am quite certain that all this took place.

Emotional Rape

[gracegiver]

Whether the story is fictitious or not, it was very well written and certainly could have transpired just as narrated. The world wide web is a very large empty and vulnerable place for the lonely. There should be an occasional pop-up proclaiming LONELY HEARTS, BEWARE.

“The realm of deeply unwell.” Great read and thanks for passing it on.

re: world wide web is a very large empty and vulnerable place for the lonely

[15-the-circle.livejournal.com]

you're right; the same applies to the world itself. 

wherever there's hope, there's an opportunity for some unscrupulous operator to take an advantage and it's been around for a lot longer than the 'net.  I know somebody who stuck up a correspondence with a prison inmate.  one would expect her own legal training and experience in the criminal justice system to have equipped her with a healthy skepticism but the human capacity for suspension of disbelief runs high when heart trumps brain. 

at least in her case the ending didn't make the tabloid press.  she won't say much about how things actually turned out and I've never pressed for details.  if a bit of embarrassment is all that ever came of it, so much the better.  it sure could have been a lot worse. 

[tenaciousdoll.livejournal.com]

It could have happened.... I am a member of an online community in which there was a woman who claimed many slightly odd things, and we later found out that she was lying about everything - her name, where she lived, her family (claimed she had 7 kids; in reality, she had none). It was bizarre. This whole article reminded me of her.