Journalism Student Looking For Someone Willing To Share Their Story

[Gauthier]

Hello. My name is Gauthier Giacomoni. I am a graduate broadcast journalism student in Boston. For my master's thesis I want to do a story on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

I was wondering if anybody would be interested in speaking with me about their experience.

Please reply to this post, or message me privately if you are interested.

Thank you.

 

[Zipperhead]

Really?

 

[Gauthier]

As in, "I can't believe you'd even ask that, please leave our forum," or "are you really looking for someone to share their story?"

 

[Ned]

As in, you should not be here, read the rules, go away quietly, reflect on your trespass. Now.

 

[Zipperhead]

English wasn't your first language, was it? Get out.

 

[Ned]

Mr Gauthier Giacomoni. Log out. Read the rules. If you are serious about research then make the appropriate approach. Night-night.

 

[Gauthier]

I admit there was a fair amount of naivete in my approach. I assure you I did not mean any offense. I can appreciate this group's desire for privacy, and I did not mean to intrude on it.

I must confess this was not my first choice of approach. Unfortunately, after several weeks of phone calls to the VA and other NGO's I found myself at an impasse, and opted for a more subversive attempt. It was my hope that some member(s) of this group might be interested in sharing their story. It appears as thought that is not the case.

Please accept my apology.

 

[Ned]

You still here? Grow up and go away please. There are more considerate ways to do research.

 

[Razorback]

What scares me is this guy is in Grad School and obviously hasn't learned anything about research. He could volunteer at a VA hospital in his local area, speak with someone at a Vet Center, or hop on down to the local DAV/VFW/American Legion. He's in BOSTON for chrissakes! This is the clueless generation that will be running our country soon enough. Yikes!

 

[Zipperhead]

What scares me is he was lurking around here for over 4 hours. Who knows what he decided to cut and paste? And continued to lurk even after we asked him to leave. I guess even the members only area isn't really a great place to post stuff that you don't want the general public to see. I have half a mind to contact that school and report his behaviour.

 

[Ned]

I have half a mind to contact that school and report his behaviour.

Do it, mate.

 

[Zipperhead]

Following letter was sent to the Dean of the Journilism Department at Boston University. Never know, this might get rid of that idiot.

Dear Mr. ---------

I am a member of the Combat PTSD Forum. This forum is an exclusive group, comprising of Military Men and Woman who have been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of military duties. In order to enter the Forum, you must state that this is indeed the case, and agree that other peoples posts will remain private. It is a comparatively safe place, where we can vent and talk about our situation, with other veterans who understand.

Recently one of your students joined our forum, searching for materials for his Masters Thesis. This student, Gauthier Giacomoni, was asked several times to leave, yet remained on the forum for over 4 hours. I have two main concerns with this;

a) the thoughts and idea’s expressed on this forum were private, and not open to being republished, even in the guise of research, and

b) the members of this forum expressed these thoughts, with the mistaken idea that other soldiers would not expose them, not realising how easy it would be for outsiders to hack in and steal our space.

Not only has Gauthier Giacomoni stolen our intellectual property, but he has interfered with our ability to heal. I for one now have reservations about posting to the forum, in fear that my insecurities will be published for the world to see. Having PTSD is bad enough. Having people holding a spotlight onto my situation does not reduce the stigma of mental illness. I am sure that your institution does not encourage this behaviour. I wish to express my reservations at having my intellectual property used in this way, and state that Gauthier Giacomoni does not have my permission to use that property. Anything that you can do to stop this harassment by one of your students would be greatly appreciated.