Comments on: Many of you have been waiting for word http://blog.sfmoma.org/2008/08/many-of-you-have-been-waiting-for-word/ ....................................................................."That bottle keeps its blink on its side red from horizon." Clark Coolidge...................................... Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:51:13 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Matt K http://blog.sfmoma.org/2008/08/many-of-you-have-been-waiting-for-word/comment-page-1/#comment-1611 Matt K Sun, 17 Aug 2008 20:43:34 +0000 http://blog.sfmoma.org/?p=397#comment-1611 I've sworn off coming to the SFMOMA months ago when I was also harassed by guards who thought I was taking inappropriate photos of other guests (I assume they believed I was taking photos of children). They refused to look through my photos, which I offered voluntarily and multiple times, and asked me to leave. I've never had such an incident at the real MOMA (in New York) and I will continue to be a member there despite not being in the city most of the year. I refuse to support classless organizations who make the public wait for a statement which is painfully (and obviously) meant to be an insult to our intelligence. I’ve sworn off coming to the SFMOMA months ago when I was also harassed by guards who thought I was taking inappropriate photos of other guests (I assume they believed I was taking photos of children). They refused to look through my photos, which I offered voluntarily and multiple times, and asked me to leave. I’ve never had such an incident at the real MOMA (in New York) and I will continue to be a member there despite not being in the city most of the year. I refuse to support classless organizations who make the public wait for a statement which is painfully (and obviously) meant to be an insult to our intelligence.

]]> By: anonymous http://blog.sfmoma.org/2008/08/many-of-you-have-been-waiting-for-word/comment-page-1/#comment-1589 anonymous Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:08:53 +0000 http://blog.sfmoma.org/?p=397#comment-1589 From TheInquisitr : Tech : Duncan Riley A State of Fear The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) has finally responded to the Thomas Hawk incident (our coverage) with a terse media release claiming that Hawk was photographing staff in an “inappropriate and harassing manner” and admitting no wrong. SFMOMA concludes the statement by saying that “We have heard the concerns that have been expressed, and we hope that online discussion concerning SFMOMA can now return to focus on the terrific exhibitions we currently have on view…” It would appear that SFMOMA believes that they are beyond reproach, and that the legitimate concerns raised in the matter need not be addressed. A perhaps typical answer from an old fashioned cultural institution that believes itself to be better than the general population. The facts remain that Hawk offered to show the pictures to Museum employees, that he was not using a zoom lense but a wide angle lense, and that he was taking shots looking down into the atrium at a distance. They have now slandered Hawk, and with any luck this may end up in court, where the truth may eventually be revealed. I don’t want to dwell on the points of the case, but the whole thing raises something far more concerning for society as a whole: that today we live in a state of fear. A fear that a person taking pictures is a pervert, a pedophile or even a terrorist. How did we get to where we are today? The obvious target is the media, who likes nothing more than beating up minor incidents into national or international stories. I don’t seek to belittle the serious nature of crimes, particularly against children, because one incident is one too many, however the number of perverts behind cameras as a general portion of the population is extremely small. And yet, today if you are taking pictures from the ledge of an atrium, or even of your child playing in the park, society has been conditioned to label you a pervert first without any due process or evidence. It is healthy to be wary that there are evil people in society, but have we gone so far as to have created a state of fear where photography has become a crime, at least in the eyes of bystanders? And what of the lost opportunities, the artistic expression that is lost because people feel unsafe in taking photos? Are we as a society better off in this state of fear than we were before? We of course cannot blame the media alone, for ultimately we choose to fear, and we choose to presume the worst in varied situations, where as 20 or even 40 years ago we presumed the best first. I just hope no one reading this will ever be on the receiving end of the mob justice such fear inevitably delivers, I’ve been fortunate, but I know every time I pick up my camera that the mob can often be around the next corner. Aug. 13,2008 From TheInquisitr :

Tech : Duncan Riley

A State of Fear

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) has finally responded to the Thomas Hawk incident (our coverage) with a terse media release claiming that Hawk was photographing staff in an “inappropriate and harassing manner” and admitting no wrong. SFMOMA concludes the statement by saying that “We have heard the concerns that have been expressed, and we hope that online discussion concerning SFMOMA can now return to focus on the terrific exhibitions we currently have on view…”

It would appear that SFMOMA believes that they are beyond reproach, and that the legitimate concerns raised in the matter need not be addressed. A perhaps typical answer from an old fashioned cultural institution that believes itself to be better than the general population. The facts remain that Hawk offered to show the pictures to Museum employees, that he was not using a zoom lense but a wide angle lense, and that he was taking shots looking down into the atrium at a distance. They have now slandered Hawk, and with any luck this may end up in court, where the truth may eventually be revealed.

I don’t want to dwell on the points of the case, but the whole thing raises something far more concerning for society as a whole: that today we live in a state of fear. A fear that a person taking pictures is a pervert, a pedophile or even a terrorist.

How did we get to where we are today?

The obvious target is the media, who likes nothing more than beating up minor incidents into national or international stories. I don’t seek to belittle the serious nature of crimes, particularly against children, because one incident is one too many, however the number of perverts behind cameras as a general portion of the population is extremely small. And yet, today if you are taking pictures from the ledge of an atrium, or even of your child playing in the park, society has been conditioned to label you a pervert first without any due process or evidence. It is healthy to be wary that there are evil people in society, but have we gone so far as to have created a state of fear where photography has become a crime, at least in the eyes of bystanders? And what of the lost opportunities, the artistic expression that is lost because people feel unsafe in taking photos? Are we as a society better off in this state of fear than we were before?

We of course cannot blame the media alone, for ultimately we choose to fear, and we choose to presume the worst in varied situations, where as 20 or even 40 years ago we presumed the best first. I just hope no one reading this will ever be on the receiving end of the mob justice such fear inevitably delivers, I’ve been fortunate, but I know every time I pick up my camera that the mob can often be around the next corner.
Aug. 13,2008

]]> By: anonymous http://blog.sfmoma.org/2008/08/many-of-you-have-been-waiting-for-word/comment-page-1/#comment-1585 anonymous Fri, 15 Aug 2008 22:07:05 +0000 http://blog.sfmoma.org/?p=397#comment-1585 note that "thomas hawk" aka andrew peterson has caused the same situations to occur at other cultural institutions. careful to look through this character's veil of insecurities to create a sense of martyrdom around his tasteless vengeful and immature actions. note that “thomas hawk” aka andrew peterson has caused the same situations to occur at other cultural institutions. careful to look through this character’s veil of insecurities to create a sense of martyrdom around his tasteless vengeful and immature actions.

]]> By: Tom http://blog.sfmoma.org/2008/08/many-of-you-have-been-waiting-for-word/comment-page-1/#comment-1584 Tom Fri, 15 Aug 2008 21:27:46 +0000 http://blog.sfmoma.org/?p=397#comment-1584 I used these terms to describe what were intentional attacks on an individual's character made as an attempt to cause the target to be rejected by their community and fired from their workplace. Some bloggers voiced reasonable questions and criticisms of how the incident was evaluated. Others went too far with their vindictive commentary and by spreading personal information + images to encourage online, telephone, and in-person harassment. To let the flames die out, many people won't blog to indicate that there are (not surprisingly) other ways to read this whole story. I used these terms to describe what were intentional attacks on an individual’s character made as an attempt to cause the target to be rejected by their community and fired from their workplace. Some bloggers voiced reasonable questions and criticisms of how the incident was evaluated. Others went too far with their vindictive commentary and by spreading personal information + images to encourage online, telephone, and in-person harassment.

To let the flames die out, many people won’t blog to indicate that there are (not surprisingly) other ways to read this whole story.

]]> By: Carter http://blog.sfmoma.org/2008/08/many-of-you-have-been-waiting-for-word/comment-page-1/#comment-1580 Carter Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:44:43 +0000 http://blog.sfmoma.org/?p=397#comment-1580 While Assassination and Lynching are certainly persuasive words, maybe they aren’t the most accurate ones to use when describing a series of events that involved no physical contact. Unless the point one is making is lacking in merit. On the subject of freedom: if it could be “misused”, then what? Would you rather give away your freedom than see it “misused” by others? While Assassination and Lynching are certainly persuasive words, maybe they aren’t the most accurate ones to use when describing a series of events that involved no physical contact. Unless the point one is making is lacking in merit.
On the subject of freedom: if it could be “misused”, then what? Would you rather give away your freedom than see it “misused” by others?

]]> By: Tom http://blog.sfmoma.org/2008/08/many-of-you-have-been-waiting-for-word/comment-page-1/#comment-1575 Tom Fri, 15 Aug 2008 07:24:26 +0000 http://blog.sfmoma.org/?p=397#comment-1575 Character assassination was a misuse. Character assassination was a misuse.

]]> By: Carter http://blog.sfmoma.org/2008/08/many-of-you-have-been-waiting-for-word/comment-page-1/#comment-1574 Carter Fri, 15 Aug 2008 07:11:44 +0000 http://blog.sfmoma.org/?p=397#comment-1574 Hi Jade. It is difficult to understand how limiting people’s freedom might be defined as liberalism. And how is it possible to misuse freedom? Hi Jade.
It is difficult to understand how limiting people’s freedom might be defined as liberalism.

And how is it possible to misuse freedom?

]]> By: Jade http://blog.sfmoma.org/2008/08/many-of-you-have-been-waiting-for-word/comment-page-1/#comment-1573 Jade Fri, 15 Aug 2008 04:38:52 +0000 http://blog.sfmoma.org/?p=397#comment-1573 Hi Carter. I think it possible to misuse freedoms, and that an individual's freedom should have limits. The boundary of one person's freedom is another person's freedom; that's just classic liberalism, but it seems right to me. Hi Carter. I think it possible to misuse freedoms, and that an individual’s freedom should have limits. The boundary of one person’s freedom is another person’s freedom; that’s just classic liberalism, but it seems right to me.

]]> By: Carter http://blog.sfmoma.org/2008/08/many-of-you-have-been-waiting-for-word/comment-page-1/#comment-1568 Carter Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:04:28 +0000 http://blog.sfmoma.org/?p=397#comment-1568 How is it possible to misuse freedom? Is it still freedom if you never use it and actively discourage others from using it? And is cyber-lynching the word for this misuse of freedom? Could it be Cyber-infanticide? How about Cyber-matricide? Or Cyber-necrophilia or Cyber-genocide? Because those are very upsetting combinations of words, also. How is it possible to misuse freedom?
Is it still freedom if you never use it and actively discourage others from using it?

And is cyber-lynching the word for this misuse of freedom?

Could it be Cyber-infanticide?

How about Cyber-matricide?

Or Cyber-necrophilia or Cyber-genocide?

Because those are very upsetting combinations of words, also.

]]> By: Jade http://blog.sfmoma.org/2008/08/many-of-you-have-been-waiting-for-word/comment-page-1/#comment-1567 Jade Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:04:14 +0000 http://blog.sfmoma.org/?p=397#comment-1567 I'm with Anon, Wayne, Tom and Paul. It's about time people focused on the shocking misuse of online freedoms that 'Hawk' and his mob have indulged in. Cyber-lynching is the word. Shame on you. I’m with Anon, Wayne, Tom and Paul. It’s about time people focused on the shocking misuse of online freedoms that ‘Hawk’ and his mob have indulged in. Cyber-lynching is the word. Shame on you.

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