Arkessian

Actually I daresay it was bots, even then, but it had a vaguely handspun amateur air about it-

Does anyone else remember (did anyone else receive) those scam messages alleging that they had VIDEO of the recipient pleasuring themself to PORN and if X amount was not sent to scamdealer's bitcoin wallet, they would send it to all of the recipient's contacts?

This was all badly enough spelt and ungrammatical enough, before the whole This Never Happened factor, that it could be readily dismissed.

(Or do I lead an unnaturally clean life? Is this a version of 'Fly! All Is Discovered!' at which a significant % who receive the message will, indeed, Get Out Of Dodge Pronto.)

Anyway, it sounds positively sweet and pastoral, compared to this, which is presumably pulling on the same shame strings: Rise of the ‘porno-trolls’: how one porn platform made millions suing its viewers:

Thousands of lawsuits follow a similar formula: Strike 3 claims to use a proprietary software called VXN Scan to track IP addresses that have downloaded porn they own. The software cannot identify the user beyond a rough geographic location, so Strike 3 files suit against an anonymous John Doe, and subpoenas their internet service provider (ISP) to unmask the user. The ISP in turn alerts the subscriber – which is when most people find out they have been sued. These people are often keen to settle, being cheaper than litigation and the only way to ensure their anonymity.
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Thousands of lawsuits follow a similar formula: Strike 3 claims to use a proprietary software called VXN Scan to track IP addresses that have downloaded porn they own. The software cannot identify the user beyond a rough geographic location, so Strike 3 files suit against an anonymous John Doe, and subpoenas their internet service provider (ISP) to unmask the user. The ISP in turn alerts the subscriber – which is when most people find out they have been sued. These people are often keen to settle, being cheaper than litigation and the only way to ensure their anonymity.

Thought I had some lovely free unspoilt time to get to grips with review I am writing.

There have been Problems with partner's internet connection in downstairs backroom, and after faffing around endeavouring to reset the TP-Link Powerlines, I came to the conclusion that they are ex-Powerlines and should be given a suitable funeral with relevant honours.

Have ordered new ones from Argos. Upside: next day delivery means they are coming today. Downside: but not until the very end of the pm delivery slot, i.e. the evening, Bah.

This is all generally distracting from concentrating the mind on the sleazier reaches of the Victorian booktrade.

Plus, I had a demand for my US tax details. Fortunately, many years ago, I was obliged to acquire an ITIN in connection with receiving a research grant, which makes the whole thing a lot simpler.

This all also rather distracts my mind from upcoming book group discussion of the next volume in Dance to the Music of Time. Though, in unexpected Powelliana encountered during the week, who was a massive fangirl? Eve Babitz was a massive fangirl! ('much less leaden than John Updike... a downright souffle compared to just about anyone').

Have finally received my ID card for institution of which I am now a Fellow! (still no intelligence re email address...)

Have also volunteered myself to give a presentation, some several months hence, at one of the symposia for fellows to do that.

A project which has been pootling around inconclusively for years (I was looking back over emails about it recently and it had been running even longer than I thought) may be not exactly happening in its original form, but elements of it may be actually coming into some kind of fruition.

There is an exciting if rather terrifying possibility on the horizon.

In the saga - have I mentioned the saga? - of the review essay I sent to the reviews editor and heard nada about for weeks (and sent from two email addresses in case one got spam-trapped), the very day I had been wrestling with the journal's 'submit your article online' nightmare (and was not sure any of that was really applicable to review essays), I heard from reviews editor, who has Been Away, saying oops, just got this, will read.

Also got nudged for review which had got pushed down the priority list because the book turned up rather behindhand of expectations and then a whole load of other stuff overwhelmed me. Could legit say, now working on it.