Writers and witnesses never overcome; they just endure.

Bribes, threats and naked readings
In a world where more and more new books get less and less attention, authors will do anything to promote their work. So pity the poor book reviewer, her desk piled high with vanity press or self-published dross. The phone rings, and it’s yet another pestering and starving author demanding ... Read My Book or Else.

Fear of humiliation and the craving for humiliation are closely linked: psychologists know it, authors know it. And this turns out to be not only true but really true. True at even Bohemian President's and Antipodean Prime Minister's Level. The human spirit often considers itself unworthy, and surreptitiously craves punishment, while it promises itself to do better, day after day, after day. The self flagellation perseveres, and there is a dichotomy in which the person wants to be punished but carries on, internalizing the guilt while persevering. Just take it...