At the heart of much speculative fiction (and fiction in general) is a question. What if? On Tuesdays I like to throw one out there and see what you make of it. Do with it as you please. If a for-instance is not specified, feel free to interpret that instance as you wish. And if you find this becomes a novel-length answer, I'd appreciate a thank you in the acknowledgements ;)
What if someone started a rumor about you that was in no way true? What if because of this false rumor, you got a benefit that you did not earn? (I'll not specify a meaning for "benefit". I'll leave that up to your imagination.)
Usual rumors die out...But there usual a very small truth about them...Some people will exagatterate on any thing.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
Depends on the rumor, I suspect.
DeleteI'd set the record straight.
ReplyDeleteI probably would have never heard the rumor. I would be glad it was something positive. There is usually in a Yin and Yang thing in my life so there would probably be a negative one out there. Like Alex I would try to set the record straight, but people are going to believe what they want.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that would be me. I'd never hear the rumor in the first place.
DeletePeople I love and care about will know the rumor isn't true.
ReplyDeleteBut this is a good thing ;)
DeleteI'd own up to it. I'd feel too guilty to enjoy any benefit I did not earn.
ReplyDeleteBut what if no one believed you?
DeleteI'm with Alex and Chrys. I'd have to own up and make it right. It would eat at me if I didn't.
ReplyDeletebetty
This has happened to me and I just set the record straight because, in the end, it will come out. I can't take credit for someone else....just can't
ReplyDeleteI understand. Neither can I.
DeleteI'd correct the rumor even if I benefited from it.
ReplyDeleteBut you know how rumor mills work...
DeleteI don't think I'd take credit for something I didn't do. I'd be too afraid of the truth coming out at some point. I've got to say, I've never heard of a rumor benefiting anyone!
ReplyDeleteHmmm if it was a small benefit and they didnt' believe my correction then okay. Like I'd totally accept a free cake if that were the benefit. lol But something big especially if I wasn't qualified I'd try to find a way to fix things or turn it down. Maybe. Probably ;)
ReplyDeleteI guess it would be dependent on rumor and level of benefit. If it was something small, say..."I can jump over a table." (don't ask...first example that came to mind) then I would likely disregard it. If it was something bigger with possible fallout like "He is actually fabulously wealthy off of those sweet writer royalties." then I'd be forced to speak out against it and deny it.
ReplyDeleteAh, well, the "fabulously wealthy" rumor would be quickly found out, anyway. Who thinks writers are "fabulously wealthy" anyway?
DeleteHi Liz - I'd close it down like Alex, and set the record straight ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteWell it has sort of happened to me and I immediately put everyone straight. It was disappointing though because I was only eleven and my artwork had 'apparently' won first prize but when I went to check it out my name had been put on the wrong painting. Story of my life, really.
ReplyDeleteAw... That's a sad story. Too bad your artwork didn't win. Well, that time, anyway.
DeleteLike bullies leaving you alone? Yup. I'd take that one. Truthfully though, most false rumors end up causing trouble.
ReplyDeleteThat's actually happened to me. Well … sort of. I asked a photographer to see his images from a wedding and he sent me to a link. Well somehow my name (and information) got assigned to his photos, so I was getting all of the credit for taking photos I didn't take. I ended up emailing the website and explaining that I was not the photographer. It was fun getting praised for no my work for a time though. (I waited a bit thinking the photographer would straighten it out, but he never did.)
ReplyDeleteOh wow. But I don't consider that a rumor. That's more taking credit for something you didn't do. Which, wasn't on you, so not your fault. Well, kind of a rumor.
DeleteI wouldn't hear the rumour so the benefit whatever it is would just be a bit of serendipity. Ahh lovely. And Karma to the dirtbag who started a mean story. Ahh lovely again.
ReplyDeleteAh yes. I never seem to hear rumors, either.
DeleteI'd feel too guilty and wouldn't accept the "benefit". Unless it was free chocolate. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteFree chocolate is worth just about anything... ;)
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