Webchat with Jon Ronson, Tuesday 24 March, 8-9pm (See post below re: time change)

[RachelMumsnet]

The peerless Jon Ronson is joining us for a webchat on Tuesday 24 March from 8-9pm. Jon is an award-winning writer and documentary-maker, as well as being a regular at Mumsnet events. He followed up at BlogFest 2013 with an equally brilliant appearance at our recent Mumstock event, where he spoke about his new book, So You've Been Publicly Shamed.

The book details his experiences of, and involvement in, the various Twitterstorms that have blown up over the past few years, which he connects to the historical tradition of public shaming. He interviews infamous shamers and shamees, exploring how public ridicule and vitriol can have devastating consequences for all involved. Did the individuals who made one offensive joke on Twitter deserve to have their lives ruined?

Join Jon for what will be a fascinating and entertaining hour on Tuesday evening between 8 and 9pm. Don't worry if you're unable to join us at that time - you can post your early bird question for Jon on this thread right now.

I'm a budding writer who has had mild success so far. I write silly comedy things, or pieces that are informed by my life. But I am interested in writing more pieces that involve research and statistics, but I am unsure about how to go about this. You write about obscure, interesting, disturbing things that I always find so fascinating. So my question is: how do you go about finding subjects to write about, and how do you conduct the subsequent research into these subjects?

Hi Jon,

Your book was really fascinating but terrifying to read, I particularly liked the quote "The snowflake never needs feel responsible for the avalanche".

Most of the case studies in the book end up being a lot worse for women than men - can you explain why this is and do you think social media shaming will continue this way for women?

Hi, Jon. I'm another huge fan of yours. I enjoy the way you combine incisive, analytical thought with an open mind, compassion and humour. Wish I could think like you!

My question's a bit tricky: it's about the systematic sexual exploitation of children in the UK - which, now Ms May's pronounced on the matter, we haven't got to pretend isn't happening. Will any of the high-influence abusers who are still living be outed & brought to justice? Do you think anything can realistically be done to stop the abuse, or at least to slow it down?

Feel free to drop people in it

Hello Jon Ronson - what kind of music do you listen to? I'm assuming (having seen you recently in Glasgow) that you're a Belle and Sebastian fan.......

Is there anything that has surprised you about the response to your current book?

@RoonersisNOTRoonerspism

Can I have him to myself?

Hello, this is a test!

Now, Jon, a friend of mine wants to know if your mum ever did forgive you and your mates for wrecking her kitchen at that party. In the heady days of 1985.

taps nose

So Jon, I loved the Psychopath Test. Do you know many psychopaths in real life?

Hi Jon, I love your work, haven't read SYBPS yet but it's on my list. I was wondering whether you think that public shaming is always wrong or whether it can ever lead to a greater good?

I'm think of the Leelah Alcorn case for example. Her parents were publicly shamed for treating their transgender child horribly, contributing to her suicide. I do think the parents should have been allowed to grieve in peace, but at the same time, Leelah said she wanted her death to mean something. I think it has, and that's partly down to the worldwide media coverage of her parents terrible behaviour. Was this wrong? Her parents broke no laws, yet by serving as an example they may help other parents avoid their mistakes and prevent other children from suffering. What do you think?

We're really delighted that Jon Ronson is joining us for the next hour to discuss his fascinating book, So You've Been Publicly Shamed. I've been literally glued to the book over the past couple of days and can't wait to hear your answers to some of the Qs already posted up. Jon has to dash off on the dot of 9pm (UK time) so without further ado, a warm welcome to Mumsnet Jon Ronson...

Hello!

@Hullygully

Hello Jon, I have (may sound like a creep alert) read all your books except the latest. Very splendid they are too, and jolly funny to boot. I have always thought it was terribly brave to sneak into the Bilderberg camp. But all that aside, what I want to know is this: some years ago you wrote in one of your Guardian columns/articles, it may have been the visiting Father Santa one, that you wanted Joel to have a magical life untainted by unpleasant reality (words to that effect) and I have always wondered how long you managed to sustain it? Frankly, with my own children, I managed about seven minutes.

Hey Hullygully. Yeah. Providing unrelenting magic for my son didn’t last so long. And probably wasn’t such a great idea to begin with. I remember writing in that story that as parents we’re all like amateur bomb disposal people, forever cutting the wrong wires. But my son grew up to be amazing, so I can’t have been quite as terrible as I sometimes fear I was.

What I just did - quoting and answering underneath. Is that what I SHOULD do?

Literally glued - sounds painful :-). But yes if I had to be glued to a book it would be one of Jon's. So glad you have organised this, mn, thank you.

@Pagwatch

I'm about a third of the way through So You've Been Publicly Shamed. Jonah and the live Twitter feed was so awful I had to put it down and walk around a bit to get rid of the cringe.

Thanks Pagwatch. Yeah - that passage was agony. Poor Jonah. I really wanted readers to FEEL the pain of being on the end of a massive social media shaming. It’s profoundly agonizing, but if you ask the shamers how they reckon the shamed person is, they’ll say “Oh I’m sure they’re fine.” Because we want to destroy people and not feel bad about it. So in So You've Been Publicly Shamed I wanted to make people feel the terror. That’s why the book is so anxiety-inducing at times but still fun to read if you want to buy it.

@jonronson

What I just did - quoting and answering underneath. Is that what I SHOULD do?

Yes please

@TheOnlyOliviaMumsnet

[quote jonronson] What I just did - quoting and answering underneath. Is that what I SHOULD do?

Yes please
[/quote]

GOOD!

@MovingOnUpMovingOnOut

Yes, how is Joel? And Mrs R? I used to like your Guardian column.

They’re very well, thank you! Elaine is running an art consultancy business in New York called ArtKapsule, where she advises people which art to buy. Joel is very happy and well and running around New York until all hours.

@SuggestmeaUsername

Hi Jon What is your happiest memory and saddest memory as a student at PCL?

Hey! Were you a student there? Most of my PCL memories are very happy. This was the Polytechnic of Central London. I was there from 1985 - 1988. I loved living in squats and having no ambition. After 18 years in the Cardiff suburbs that freedom was amazing. Also, I had the greatest teacher in David Cardiff. He was Lynn Barber’s husband. He encouraged me to write. The saddest memories: there were a disproportionate number of deaths. Kids going home for the holidays and getting hit by cars on country lanes. Some suicides. My first girlfriend Anita Bhoomkar died of cancer more recently.

@jonronson

What I just did - quoting and answering underneath. Is that what I SHOULD do?

Yes! Perfect

Jon, loved the Psychopath Test and became a fan.

Do you think counsellors/psychotherapists are charlatans?

What would be the next thing you'd like to investigate?

Did you hate the film The Men Who Stared at Goats as I did? But I loved the book.