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Finding Neverland

© James C. Hess

Ad hominem.

You write, you publish, you attract attention. Especially in the Information Age.

For some time now a regular reader of this effort has made it his charge to assail me with poison pen letters, with the most recent one being a single assault on my person, suggesting without exception or apology that the reason I write film criticism and movie reviews is because I am like a certain other film critic and movie reviewer whose career as a screenwriter came to a halt because he dared to dabble in what was and still is undeniable pornographic subject matter.

Set aside this particular charge, which makes almost no sense, and instead consider this.

For whatever it may worth, to do with what you will: I have never written pornography in any form or matter. I have no interest in writing pornography in any form or matter, with the most apparent and obvious reason for this being one of personal morality. Another reason, for whatever that is worth, is because I see pornography as a self-defeating proposition based on a diminishing return.

And since I want my writing to develop and endure, to engage in such an effort is a certain form of, well, self-abuse.

Now I know, based on previous experiences, answering this critic in public will only serve to encourage him in writing more vitriolic missives. I welcome these letters because their existence only serves to motivate and encourage me further in my literary pursuits.

Of course, I would appreciate it very much if such critics took the time to gain and possess facts relevant to the matter at hand, and present them accordingly, in a suitable and appropriate context. To do otherwise only serves to make them look foolish, and gives me due cause for prejudice against them.

I know asking for such considerations is unlikely. After all, a critic such as those I face regularly have existed since time ago, and will continue to exist until time's end.

But with their existence there comes a question: What exactly is their intent, their agenda? Do they really believe that making inaccurate and factually inaccurate or baseless charges will go to serve a greater good? Do they believe that hurling the literary equivalent of a rock at a specific target will somehow make the world a better place?

Given what I know, by way of my time in Life, the answer to the first question is: I don't believe they have an intent or agenda, beyond being a nuisance. The answer to the second question is: No. And: No.

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