My site was bound to offend some viewers, and recently one of them lodged a complaint. While I expected hate mail from religious fundamentalists, my first detractor was a DJ who took offence at my “ecstasy” picture after it appeared on reddit. I dislike drugs for many of the reasons I dislike religion: both offer us a false escape from life’s innate challenges, and both give the morally suspect a way to profit from our weaknesses. I could pursue this theme further, discussing the pros and cons of each or lamenting our need for such diversions, but my friends want me to post the letter and my subsequent reply.
From a “dj fort” (in his own words):
found this page from a post on reddit. Just to let you know, you cannot overdose on ecstasy. You can however overdose on the adulterants that are used in place of or in addition to the normal ingredients. Test your intoxicants before ingesting. The /’comedown/’ as you put is completely preventable. By simply ingesting a easily obtainable nutrient found at the health food store. Obviously you and your girlfriend need to do some research on the things you chose to put in your body BEFORE you take them. Grow up and stop being so dramatic. It/’s your fault not the drugs
Perhaps the spelling and grammar in this letter is the result of laziness, not stupidity (drug-induced or otherwise). Either way, my detractor is no great ambassador for the lifestyle he endorses. My reply was civil enough, as I was in a good mood at the time, but as I’ve just come home from work I might include an afterthought.
Hey dj, James Flaxman here. Thanks for the advice, but it won’t be of much use to me as I’ve never been an ecstasy user. The picture that got you so worked up was simply a depiction of the effects I’ve seen in others. My ex doesn’t have a monopoly on recklessness or carelessness - these things happen all the time.
You seem pretty sensible. Unfortunately many others aren’t. In a perfect world all drugs would be pure, their users would know what they were doing, and no-one would suffer from side effects. We don’t live in such a world. That’s why I draw the things I do.
Perhaps you think I need to relax, tune out and get high or whatever. This escapist mentality won’t solve the world’s problems. Maybe you need to grow up and look at the things that really matter. Developing a sense of humour probably wouldn’t hurt you either.
Sincerely,
J.F.
What a waste of everyone’s time! Unfortunately, given my eye for detail, I can’t let such things go unheeded. If anyone else objects to my work, fire away with more complaints - I might be too busy writing replies to taint the internet any further.