I find myself sitting here tonight thinking quite a bit about the events of the last several months, and I can only come to one sad conclusion. After taking a long, hard look at everything I’ve witnessed since the 25th of June, I can only conclude that it is time to take a step back from the hoax community.
When I first entered the hoax community, I was beyond impressed at the level of dedication and investigative prowess I found on display on a daily basis. Back then (I say it like it was so long ago, and tonight, it seems an eon since then), everyone for the most part held a level of respect for one another. We were all there for the same purpose, and we were willing to work together to achieve that goal. Disagreements generally resulted in healthy debate which sometimes ended in collaboration and sometimes ended with the parties involved reaching a middle ground. There were, of course, times that didn’t happen, the times where people just agreed to disagree.
Those times became more and more frequent, but before long, the general friendly atmosphere deteriorated, and disagreements turned from sources of debate to cesspools of derision and anger. Respectful conversation more and more often was replaced with vile words, accusations, and insinuations. The community seemed to split into factions, and I was accused more often than not of “riding the fence” because, by nature, I attempt to explore all feasible possibilities instead of eliminating them offhand because they seem to me to be improbable. Doing that often kept me in contact with people on all sides of whatever argument was foremost in everyone’s minds at the time.
I did try to remain outside the drama and chose not to speak when some felt I should have, though, admittedly, I finally reached my breaking point and began to speak when I saw something (generally actions) that I felt to be inherently wrong, and I did lose friends, acquaintances, and contacts in the course of that process. I refuse to mention specific instances here–the past is the past, and I feel it is better left there in this case. Whether they or anyone else realized it, I did regret those losses and wished many times that such situations had not arisen. However, I also realized that if they could not respect that I disagreed with them, be it over actions, rules, or harsh words, then perhaps it was in my own best interests to lose them.
Despite everything that happened, I was determined to stick with the investigation. All that wasn’t the reason I joined the community, I joined because I truly believe this to be a hoax and will continue to believe so until I am confronted with irrefutable evidence to the contrary. But now, I look at what remains and what is associated with it–all the drama and hate and hypocrisy that appear to be the primary focus rather than objective investigation–and I realize that, no matter what, that is what people will remember when they think of the hoax and that is what people will assume of me, or any of us for that matter, at the mention of something hoax-related. THAT is the legacy we are leaving.
I would like to say that this legacy is contrary to everything for which Michael Jackson stands, but in all honesty, I cannot say that–I do not know him, and I cannot feign knowledge of what would or would not meet his approval. The only thing I can say with absolute certainty is this: that kind of legacy is contrary to what I feel in my soul to be right.
This is not goodbye. I’m sure I will find my way back one day, so for now, I bid you all a fond au revoir and remind you that my blog and my MSN remain open to all of you, no matter what and regardless of any disagreements we have had in the past. I am still completely willing to discuss hoax-related matters with any of you and will likely continue to work on my own, but I cannot in good conscience take part in any of the drama and fighting I find to be so prevalent lately. My faith in the hoax itself remains strong. My faith in the hoax community, however, is sorely shaken, as much as it pains me to say so, but I still cling to the hope that one day, we will all find our way back.
Much love to you all,
DK
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