That is so 1984. I mean, really.

[featherynscale]

Asterisk, historical fact. As part of my job, I regularly recieve requests from journalists looking for people to interview on various subjects (which almost never have to do with anything we work on, but hey - there might be one someday, and when there is, I suppose I'll be there). So today, in my 10:00 feed of requests, I got the following (Publication and journalist name removed):

**10. NON-EXPERT: WOMEN CYBERSPIES
For a story I'll be pitching to a national women's magazine, I'm seeking stories from women (ages 21-50) who have fought terrorism in creative ways, other than through the military. Any stories will be welcomed, but I'm specifically interested in women who have volunteered their own time and interest as "cyberspies" -- people who go to international chat rooms and Web sites late at night and track suspicious conversations and news, to alert the authorities of potential terrorists. If you or someone you know has ever done something like this, please send such stories to me via e-mail. No phone calls, please.

Seriously. Does anybody else find this even vaguely creepy?

Comments

A Bulletin from the Ministry of Clarity

[fionnabhar.livejournal.com]

For your own safety, you should call that double-plus unreassuring.

[teross50.livejournal.com]

Nothin vague about it Just straight up Creepy dark and spooky

[greektoomey.livejournal.com]

I think it'd have to be a bit less silly to register as creepy. Come on, "late at night"? Pfft. Silly git.

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

I think it's sort of creepy that anyone's asking, especially the sort of people who don't have a good grip on such realities of the world as time zones.

[silentreality.livejournal.com]

What's your job?

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

PR lackey. I have a title, and that's not it, but my title really has yet to relate to my actual job, and 'lackey' sums it up nicely. It's probably worth noting that the people we are looking to get interviews for have nothing to do with international superspies, terrorism, or anything at all like that - they're mostly vets. But I get all the requests for everything, and every now and again there's an utter doozy.

[kittenpants.livejournal.com]

Just to clarify, 'vets' as in 'treat your pet for heartworms', not 'ex-military who served during wartime'.

I was half-asleep when reading that and thought "well, vets probably have seen a lot of terrorist action... wait. K doesn't work with those vets."

Going to go get caffeine now.

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

Right. White coats, stethoscopes and remarkable ability to discuss doggie digestive functions, not green coats, service records and remarkable ability to discuss military policy.

[kcwitch.livejournal.com]

yeah...that's weird. btw, sorry for the weird way i was on the phone. i am waiting for the fallout i guess.