Posted by carly ward on
URL: https://www.shado-forum.com/Message-From-Chris-Bentley-tp1506442p1506447.html

--- In [hidden email], Marc Martin <marc@u...> wrote:

<< I suppose that some newcomers in the fan community do not realize
that Fanderson is considered a reliable source of information. Before
the Fanderson story broke, I had already received this news from
somewhere else, and emailed Chris Bentley to confirm if it was true.
This was because I felt that if Chris thought it was true, then it
must be true. This is based on my being a Fanderson member for around
15 years, and not recalling any retracted stories in FAB NEWS (other
than the annual April Fools story). >>

Perhaps for a few people, wanting to believe it is a hoax, no matter
how unpleasant or inappropriate, was better than having to accept it
was true. I am sure it should not be viewed as an attack on the
integrity of Fanderson generally or Chris Bentley individually. It's
just... upset people not *wanting* to believe the information. And we
all know the www doesn't always get things right.

With bad news, people may attack the messenger – maybe that happened
in a few cases - the main messengers being Fanderson and these lists.
News of a death produces different reactions in different people. In
this instance, perhaps some of the reluctance to believe the facts
stems from seeing the double announcement – the sad coincidence of
both men passing away within a few days of each other. One or other...
well, yes, people get older – it happens. But both of them is startling.  

Carly