Here’s a lesson we can all take from 2018 – social media is a double-edged sword. Taking the obvious “stupid tweets = canceled” trend out of the equation, on the one hand, fans and creators get the rare chance to interact with each other, giving unprecedented access. However, on the other hand, that access can lead to some…awkward encounters for all involved.
Take the recent Twitter conversation between Zoe Kazan and a fan (who we’ll keep anonymous). After a fan watched the Netflix film “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,” they took to Twitter to tag Kazan in a tweet that said the actress was “frustrating to watch” in the film. Of course, the user didn’t possibly think that Kazan would see the tweet (even though the effort was made to include her).
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Well, Kazan did see. And she replied (in a now-deleted tweet), “Solid example of when not to tag an artist in your tweet about their work.” She later added, “Like I am not a restaurant, this is not yelp, I don’t need to know that you found the meal overly salty.”
Still frustrated from the encounter, Kazan would tweet, “ok i think we all got that etiquette lesson, erasing the tweet. to recap: let’s try not to say things to each other online that wouldn’t be rude/antisocial to say to someone’s face? Seems…basic.”
And finally, she added, “For what it’s worth, I think @-ing someone when you’re criticizing their work brings unnecessary negativity into their lives. I doubt most of us would do that to a stranger face to face. You seem like a decent person, I hope you take this to heart going forward. All the best, ZK”
The user who started the exchange did post an apology, “Dear all, I apologize for this tweet. I did not think Zoe (or anyone) would ever see this. I simply tagged her to let others know who I was talking about. It was stupid and i didn’t know what i was doing. I’m very sorry, @zoeinthecities, I don’t understand how twitter works!”
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It’s only fitting that this year would end with another example of Twitter causing issues for Hollywood folks. Maybe it’ll change in 2019 and people will learn to be civil on social media. No? You’re right, we’re doomed.
like i am not a restaurant this is not yelp i don’t need to know that you found the meal overly salty
— zoe kazan (@zoeinthecities) December 28, 2018
ok i think we all got that etiquette lesson, erasing the tweet. to recap: let’s try not to say things to each other online that wouldn’t be rude/antisocial to say to someone’s face? seems…basic.
— zoe kazan (@zoeinthecities) December 28, 2018
For what it’s worth, I think @-ing someone when you’re criticizing their work brings unnecessary negativity into their lives. I doubt most of us would do that to a stranger face to face. You seem like a decent person, I hope you take this to heart going forward. All the best, ZK
— zoe kazan (@zoeinthecities) December 28, 2018