Vanessa de Largie | The Spectator | October 22, 2019
Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer once said, “compassion is the basis of morality.” Perhaps the Australian blue-tick warriors could learn something from Schopenhauer’s essays?
Socialite Roxy Jacenko — she of the bottle-blonde hair, criminal husband, cruelly exploited child and reality TV ambitions — made the decision to publicly shame a woman who was caught on camera defecating outside her business during a morning jog.
Virtually all the Australian media, including even usually sensible publications such as The Australian, gave the story a run.
I understand what the jogger did was wrong but one doesn’t have to be Einstein to come to the conclusion that this woman may be suffering from a mental illness.
And referring to her as the ‘poopertrator’ and provoking your legions of airhead social media flying monkeys to troll this poor woman is cruel and plain bullying. What state must this person be in right now? How is it affecting her work life, home life and social life? It’s reported she has closed down her social media accounts — and more. Who can blame her.
I’ve done some pretty shameful things in my life when I’ve been drunk or angry or reacting to traumatic life events. Admittedly, I haven’t shat in the street yet. But if I ever work up the courage, I’ll start outside my ex’s home. Revenge is a dish best served warm, I mean cold.
But in all seriousness, my thoughts go out to this woman. Being bullied ain’t fun and it can lead to feelings of loneliness and suicidal ideation.
After all the losses we’ve had in Australia in recent years due to online bullying, including the death of model and TV personality, Charlotte Dawson isn’t it time the media learnt lessons from these tragic deaths — instead of carrying on more bullying (while simultaneously satisfying the manipulator Jacenko’s unhealthy craving for attention and enhancing her commercial prospects).
The Paddington Police are now dealing with this case. No more shit-shaming is necessary.