Bigger Taiwanese man mocked by Singaporean tabloid
The post is long, you may choose one point to read and comment
I came across an article on STOMP (Singaporean online tabloid), that has triggered some random thoughts and I want to share my opinions. It was posted in the section, where anyone can generate content. You can imagine that the stuff posted there is usually of very low quality - I'd never find this article, if it wasn't for Vampie posting a link on Twitter. The article is about a bigger Taiwanese guy, who has a skinny cute girlfriend and he posted his private photos online (probably on his blog, no idea, because no source was linked). Check the whole article here. It seems that the intention of the person, who wrote the article, was good, however it generated a lot of nasty comments, which made me write my two cents on everything I saw:1 The photos watermarked with Stomp.com.sg is just wrong!
The author took these pics from a private blog without the approval of the Taiwanese guy and he didn't even link to his source. That's just wrong. The least he could do is link to the guy's blog or photo album, so that the people could get a more objective impression of the man and his girlfriend. I admit that I also take photos from external sources, but I never use them to defame individuals (to the contrary) and I always quote my sources. Now I know that I may sometimes overstep the copyright laws, but most of the time I hope I am within fair use. I know I'm not always, but I try my best. I know many bloggers use external content, especially photos. The truth is: *We all break the copyright law, unless the third party gives us permission. But the thing is, so far those laws are not really enforced in the blogosphere, at least not in the personal blogs I and most of you write. As for me, I'm not afraid. Always quoting my sources and the fact that I don't make any money with my blog makes me the least bad of all those who take external content. But I don't take someone else's photos and watermark them as if they were mine. A watermark for me means that you claim the ownership of the photo. I only watermark photos taken by me. *Here's an interesting article on blogging and copyright (a must read).
- What's your opinion on blog copyright?
2. Does the Report as offensive function really serve any purpose,
if you can read comments like these (and similar can be found on other posts):
TongSumPa said on 24 dec, 2009 Report as offensive
bcos he got a big fat salami
florawinx said on 24 dec, 2009 Report as offensive
omg disgusting... it's impossible
ArizonaTea said on 24 dec, 2009 Report as offensive
Have sex? Use the fatass's dollar notes cover the entire body lor,
the girl see all the notes sure horny liao.
prince2yan said on 23 dec, 2009 Report as offensive
Last picture has a buttcrack for you too see ^^.
His face looks like something i see in the market. Meat section ?
getalifewillya said on 23 dec, 2009 Report as offensive
GOD! This guy face -________-" *puke*
AngelsCollide said on 23 dec, 2009 Report as offensive
he probably fat in his wallet also.
iluvstomp5 said on 23 dec, 2009 Report as offensive
How much the girl charging?
mudboots said on 23 dec, 2009 Report as offensive
This fatty is so disgusting!!!
Who will ever report 90% of all the comments on that website? And even, if someone does, do they really delete all of them? Because I saw nasty comments like that on various posts. Ok, I admit that the section mentioned above is just pure tabloid stuff or even worse (if that's possible), so the question is: What did I expect? I don't read Stomp's articles, I only read Dawn Yang on Star blog, which I find of very good quality, but the rest is not my cup of tea.
- What's your opinion on this?
3. Even, if you write a post with good intentions, if the comments are offensive, you're responsible for them.
I believe that I'm responsible for nasty and racist comments on my blog. Hence I delete them, if I spot them. Of course it's up to me to decide, which comment is acceptable and which not. I decide when the line is crossed. Same goes for the stuff I write. I may have good intentions, I may joke, be sarcastic, but for some people I will cross the line, like it happened to me here. You need a thick skin as a blogger and as a reader, that's for sure. You'll never please everyone. I'm ok, if people disagree, they can defend and argue their statements, but so can I. I will always defend my posts here or on another blog. But I won't allow racists, spammers and nasty people to abuse my blog. That are just my rules here and I don't even need a Report as offensive function. I'll settle that with my own rules. It is a public blog after all, there has to be a set of rules, a frame, even freedom of speech has it's limits. In Germany, for example, it's against the law to publically deny the holocoust or shout Heil Hitler!
- What's your opinion on responsibility of the comments?
4. What's wrong with those Singaporeans who comment such nasty stuff?
I know that there's a certain portion of young Singaporeans, who are infamous for being nasty netizens, bashing and picking on everyone, who's in the spot light. But I still think it's a small portion, Singapore has 4.5 million citizens after all and most of them (for me personally) are very nice people and the positive impressions prevail for me. I think every country has these kind of people, some countries more, some less. I know my country has them and I wrote about them here.
- What's your opinion on nasty commentators?
5. Why did the Taiwanese guy post these half-nekkid photos in the first place?
I think internet is not a perfect place. You should be careful what you post and reveal of yourself. So the guy is partly to blame, too. Although I do believe that bigger guys have the same rights to post private pics as skinny guys. It's just that this year few of my bloggy friends saw their pics taken and used on another blog. A friend who has like 1000 Facebook friends saw her pics taken and someone created another nasty account in her name. That taught me to always be careful, that's why you won't see pics of me on my blog, only as a small avatar in the comments and maybe on my About me page. Those of you, who do post private photos, really need to think well what you post, because you never know on what website your face might end up and in what context. Sometimes it's just someone who has no life and hates you for having one and will try to pull you down by posting your pics and trash you. Be careful, my friends.
- What's your opinion on posting private pics online?
31 KAFKAESQUE COMMENTS:
1. The sad thing about blogs is that there is no copyright. You can sue until the cows come home and they'd still take your picture anyway. So watermark if it's an original and then only post.
2. Report as offensive is for those who feel that the comment is offensive. So there are so many narrow minded people out there posting, no one will find any offense and no one will report them.
3. Comments, hmm.. I had some morons come into my blog after I posted some comments in another 'famous' blog because they found me irritating. At some point I got so fed up I just made sure everyone had to register with google before they could comment. Which is good enough for me. And like you, I delete what I don't care to read.
4. It only takes a handful of rotten apples to spoil the whole basket. And unfortunately there are a lot of moronic Singaporeans out there who give the rest a bad name. And considering how the general population of Singapore is slim, trim and fit, it's no wonder their mindsets are so narrow. And those who flame or comment nastily online are usually low-life imbeciles who wouldn't dare to open their mouths in public to cough. "Keyboard warriors" I call them. "Lowlife chicken shit" would be more appropriate though.
5. Like you said - personal blog. Keyword on the personal. But it's also likely he didn't know he'd get this much attention and didn't bother to protect his blog.
Lastly, I know a few ladies who prefer to have a little meat on their men so they are more 'huggable'. They choose fatter men over the beefy bulky types because of the sense of security and 'huggability'. So fat men do sometimes get the pretty chicks!
December 24, 2009 6:35 AM
I'll comment all those points ;)
1.) I also believe in fair use, however the German law is particular strict about infringements, so I have to take extra care.
2.) The original article has the purpose of entertaining the stupid.
3.) You are not responsible for those posts, however You are responsible for their proper handling.
4.) This topic is huge and could fill several books. And this kind of behavior can be found around the world, not only in SG. It seems to be in fashion today to have fun at the expense of others.
5.) I have a very strict photo policy. Only trusted friends may take photos of me.
December 24, 2009 6:36 AM
@Izso: Loved your comment and couldn't say it better than you. Like the term "keyboard warriors", might use it in the future. And yes, I think big guys have the same right to post pics like the skinny ones. I guess you're right, Singaporeans really are skinny and maybe it's hard to comprehend that a girl would date a bigger guy.
@Junjie: Very well said. I especially like your 2nd point. And yes, all of us could write long posts about all the points I mentioned, it's a never ending topic. I feel I was already too long. Hope people will still read it. Thanks for reading and commenting :)
December 24, 2009 6:42 AM
You know that I don't get that too? Singaporeans do that a lot, nasty comments. Fine, it's a free world, you can say whatever you want, especially on the internet, but it does show your inner self (the bad side of it), if you can't respect others.
BTW, I don't like people mocking others on appearances... at all! and Singaporeans do that all the time, even though they don't look good themselves!
So, what's up with that?
loves
December 24, 2009 6:44 AM
@Shirley: It does appear that it's pretty common in that part of the world to read that kind of comments. I mean, just read what Dawn Yang haters and XX lovers write and how they bash each other. That's just beyond my comprehension. Mocking appearances is shallow and weak, especially if you don't show your own identity. What kind of appearances who likes depends on taste and taste varies. I'm sure that bigger person is a nice guy and treats the girl well, it's not necessary a thick wallet, like most assumed.
December 24, 2009 6:49 AM
I believer you should always link! I didn't care before until I saw things specifically from my blog elsewhere. I mean, seriously, some mention would be nice!
And, I would never, EVER leave a nasty comment. I've told you before I also have received them in the past and not only are they cruel, they're completely idiotic.
Hope you holidays are good, take care and all that other stuff :P
December 24, 2009 7:03 AM
@Steph: I always link, that's for sure and I agree with you. Very well said and I want to tell you happy holidays (yada yada yada) and all that stuff, yea :P
December 24, 2009 7:08 AM
1) I am huge offender of the copyright law. I just get the picture direct from people's website, too lazy to save it, and too lazy to give them credits.
*blush*
The least I can do is NEVER to claim that I made the pictures.
3) For offensive comments, I will take them down. But when the comments amount to hundreds, I guess it will be quite tough to babysit them all.
4) Frankly, Singaporeans can be too cocky for their own good sometimes. Alot of Singapore forummers like to mock people's achievements, it could be due to jealousy. I'm not sure if this exist elsewhere in the world, but that's why I don't bother arguing with them. It's a waste of time.
5) The Taiwanese just wanna show off?
Hey Nino, can give me a photo of you so that I can use it as my avatar. I think it will boost my visitor count.
December 24, 2009 9:00 AM
i dont think it's a singaporean thing (cuz nashe is way way awesome!) to mock others. i think it so happened that there guys who mocked that taiwanese guy happened to be from singapore.
second, it is always wrong to mock others. even though they say, whoever can write whatever they want, there's a boundary. we can never avoid nasty, they're gonna be around whether we like it or not.
the only way is to ignore these stupid people who have nothing to do but to mock others because their life is so pathetic that they have to belittle others to make themselves feel better.
December 24, 2009 9:36 AM
i'm not very good with pictures and how to credit, etc. i usually don't... :X i don't know the proper etiquette really. if i ever use a picture, i usually just find it through google images anyway. as for naked pictures on the internet, you need to be responsible of the consequences. if you don't want that being spread then don't post.
December 24, 2009 10:41 AM
course i'm awesome ;P haha
if the pics i use aren't mine i always try to credit, unless i forget >.< not crediting is a bit rude i think.
i've got offensive emails, but as for offensive comments, i havent got any yet thankfully. but if i got some, i'd just leave it. i think everyone should be free to say what they want. but if they say something nasty, then let it reflect on them
haters are so pathetic!
okay he's really fat...so what, get over it. he may be a really really great guy and she may really be in love with him.vicious netizens are everywhere though, it's not just a singapore thing.
December 24, 2009 4:43 PM
Seems it's a serious post, although MKL told me he wrote this post fast. :-P
I'm a lil lazy to think about the serious questions, but as for me, I would add the resource link in my post as could as possible.
About posting private pictures online, I thought it's a bit silly. Because some people really like to dig other's private and the private photos online also become their target recently. “Wretch. cc” is a popular online album website; many of our teenagers will upload their photos to share with their friends, even private photos. Although they will lock the private albums, but some hackers like to challenge themselves and dig other's private, therefore, many private photos are taken away and been upload on some nasty websites.
I remember last year, a high school student uploaded he and his gf's sex photo to his wretch album, of course he locked it at first. This young couple had sex in the handicap-used toilet and snapped some of their naked photos. The high school student may want to swank, so he uploaded those photos, somehow told his friends to browse that album, and unlocked it for a while. Suddenly, one hacker found it and then put the album link on a very popular forum. Afterwards, the forum people got crazy and found out this poor young couple's schools and real names, posted on the forums. And then, nasty comments came out, most of the forum people saw their naked photos and gave disgusting comments on their body, especially on the girl's breast.
Things went worst at few days later, their stories was reported on our mass medium, almost all of our people knew this couple, and then people started to seek their naked photos around the nesty websites. This poor young couple finally can't resist this and almost collapsed. The girl even wanted to suicide!
So from the miserable fact, we should be very cautious to upload our private photos online. Even if you lock your albums, it doesn't help anymore.
I think this must be the longest comment I have commented here. :-P
December 24, 2009 5:44 PM
@Shingo: You were right in many ways. However, I can't lend you my photo, you can use yours, I'm sure you must be a charming guy, if you have such a lovely wife ;)
@Ejean: You're right, I said that Singapore has 4.5million people and few bad seeds can't make the whole nation look bad. People like those are everywhere, sometimes they don't post in online forums, but they still exist.
@floreta: Yes, well, many people don't credit the photos and I think that's the least one can do. But to each their own ;)
@Manju: Crediting is good, takes just a little more effort ;) Anyway, you don't blog for money, you should be fine :) Well, we may disagree on what people are allowed to say, I don't tolerate spammers and racist or haters, I delete them. They will make my blog (and maybe me) look bad. Thanks but no thanks ;)
@Lily: Wowwwww!!! What a story! Thanks for sharing, I really had no idea this happened. It's funny that so often naked photos leak, like the Edison Chen incident taught us or sometimes a cell phone gets stolen and there's some private pics inside made public. I'm usually very careful and I'd not even snap naked pics of myself in the first place. Hackers these days are very smart.
Thanks for sharing and thanks to everyone for all the lovely and long comments. Love to read you guys!!
December 24, 2009 6:26 PM
This is the real world of internet. Some people just like to post craps,nonsense or comment about other people in nasty way. Anonymous's a coward on the web.
December 24, 2009 6:32 PM
@Stefanie: Well said :)
December 24, 2009 6:53 PM
It's really his problem if he wants to post his pictures online, I think. The wrong thing here is the fact that some asshole decided to publish it to a popular portal!
Singaporeans being dickwads on the Net.. no news there. I just think STOMP need better moderators. Some of the things there are really unnecessary.
December 24, 2009 8:45 PM
@Nashe: Well said. It's a complex issue, hence my long post :)
December 24, 2009 8:47 PM
It's his rights to put up pictures like that, although I can't say it's a smart move on his side. But the person who posted that for public? Damn nasty. He's the one to blame the most because nasty commentators are a bunch of nasty miserable human beings but this man provided them an outlet.
December 25, 2009 2:15 AM
@Andhari: Very well said. Agree 102% with you :)
December 25, 2009 2:20 AM
Wow I REALLY feel sorry for the guy! First, his photos were stolen then second, those who comment on his pics are so mean and nasty!
I haven't really ever watermarked photos with me, personally, in them since I can't imagine having done anything to anyone that would make them hate me enough to steal my pics and humiliate me. I only began to watermark photos I've taken of landscapes and whatnot since I figure people are more likely to steal those. I think what the guy should've done though--if he really wants to post these photos up that bad--is just simply watermark a huge link to his own site across all his photos. That way, the readers who are curious enough to read about him would also be curious enough to check out his site and see the photos in a different context. That's what I began to do to my landscape photos anyway, lol.
December 25, 2009 9:35 AM
Awwww....poor guy and poor girlfriend. You are right, we have to be more careful what we post online. A friend of mine checked her friendster account long ago, she checked the "who's viewed me portion" and found her own picture there with someone else's name. The picture was also taken from her own friendster account. She saw a lot of hate messages on that other person's account because that wannabe wrote something Like I'm hot and everyone's not!
Anyway, what a very good lesson.
Happy Happy Holidays!
December 25, 2009 10:15 AM
In summary, once you post something up on the internet, it is no longer private and left to the wolves.
December 25, 2009 2:14 PM
@Van: Yes, watermarking should be the first thing he could do. I guess he was just reckless. Maybe he will never know that he was mocked in those comments. If you don't know, you don't bother.
@Mel: Wow, people who take other people's pics and pose as theirs are seriously sick. That's crazy... ah... let's be positive: Happy holidays :)
@The Envoy: Left to the wolves, well said :)
December 25, 2009 6:57 PM
I think they are a really cute couple but anyway
someone told me don't post anything you wouldnt mind broadcasting on tv XD
it annoys me when ppl put their blog or website on the picture, but then it stops ppl from stealing it which is good, but really we shouldnt feel the need to worry about nasty ppl >.<
I've heard loads of stories of ppl stealing photos and using it or themsleves
also love the note u have on leave a comment
thanks for the comment ^^
December 26, 2009 7:42 AM
@Naka: Thank you for your comment and all the compliments. And I do agree, we should be very careful how private we get. Written words can proclaimed as untrue of fictional, however pictures don't lie, so special care is essential.
December 26, 2009 8:02 AM
I saw this on ChinaSMACK. I think the basic opinion here is that this fat guy must have a lot of cash to hold onto such a good looking girl.
1. Well, it's pretty ridiculous to watermark someone else's photos as your own. If the guy wants to make an issue out of it, he could, especially since STOMP is owned by a newspaper.
3. I don't think the author is responsible for comments. Comments are made by other people, and are the other person's opinion. Whether a blog owner wants to moderate comments for civility is up to them, but they shouldn't be held accountable for what other people say. Unless of course their comment section is being used to organize obviously illegal activities.
4. It's not just Singaporeans. It's other Taiwanese and Chinese. And, in this situation, it would be nice if she really did just like him for who he is, but we live in the real world. The guy must have a lot of cash.
5. My guess is that someone snagged the girl's phone and transferred the photos to another device and then uploaded them.
This bad publicity is the fault of the couple, but I think there should be limits to what people do with online scandals. China is bad about what they call "human flesh search", where they find personal details about a person's life. This kid's name, school, and even student ID number are posted on bulletin boards and blogs all over the internet. That's going a bit too far.
December 27, 2009 6:13 AM
@Brad Farless: Thanks for sharing your opinions.
December 27, 2009 6:20 AM
This is singapore's culture, very healthy to say.
The bad culture, more defamation than appraisal. It hurts themselves so much to praise and see the good of someone but enjoy thrashing at every individual due to inferiority.
I am a singaporean, but i believe there are people in singapore do see things in a positive way, like me.
God is fair, that's explains why we are humans. What goes ard do comes ard.
December 27, 2009 10:59 PM
*unhealthy typo error
December 27, 2009 11:05 PM
@Vampie: Well, it's true that there is an alarming trend in your country going this way. However I think 4.5 millions is a large number and most Singaporean are respectful people, very educated. Even if you have 100.000 misbehaving youngsters, it's still a low number.. That's how I wanna see it, hehe. Like you and some other bloggers, who prove that there's different kinds of Singaporeans. You shouldn't forget that those, who are the nastiest, are usually the loudest. That's how it is, sadly.
December 27, 2009 11:16 PM
Nicely said. Agree to the max!
December 28, 2009 12:53 AM
Post a Kafkaesque comment!