Odd FF.net PM and I think I know where it came from

[seren_ccd]

So, I got this bizarre PM from ff.net the other day:

Subject: Ideas related to fan-fiction...

Hello there? You seem to be a fan-fiction writer, and well, I want to tell
you, I have several ideas related to fan-fiction, and I wonder if you would
like to discuss with me about these ideas. I just want to share these ideas
with someone, and perhaps you could give me some additional thoughts about
these ideas.

I also wonder if you take fan-fiction seriously, or if you don't really care
that much for it.

At first I thought it was from someone younger and interested in learning more about fanfic. Then I came across someone else's post that mentioned the same PM.

Then, I found THIS!.

Holy epic FAIL, Batman. I'm not particularly interested in a survey that's attempting to slot people into little predetermined sexual roles. A survey given by people who work for HOMELAND SECURITY. Thanks, but no thanks.

Has anyone else gotten this? Apparently the survey site has been closed down due to the sheer amount of outrage most of fandom displayed.

Comments

[fringedweller.livejournal.com]

I read something about this on fandom_wank last week. Seems very dodgy to me.

[melodyclark.livejournal.com]

It looks to me like a couple of arguable "academics" came across a couple of pieces of slash fic, got their panties in a wad and jumped to a bunch of ignorant conclusions based on their own sexual problems. I find the "or you don't really care that much for it" comment interesting since they obviously spammed ff.net ... who did they think they'd find there? Sounds to me like they may have been expressing their own biases.

I doubt they have even a passing connection to Homeland Security. lol

[seren-ccd.livejournal.com]

Well, as it turns out, this fellow, who got his fellowship at Boston University sponsored by Homeland Security also got some kind of book deal, the title of which is: Rule 34: What Netporn Teaches us About the Brain. He then sent out a bunch of emails to comm moderators (like crack_van) and set up a survey.

His methodology, the survey and the entire set up was inherently flawed, the questions were rubbish (and supposedly quite homophobic) and a lot of people called him on it. They complained to Boston University and the survey has been taken down.

*facepalm*