Getting a jump on 20/20: The most amazing boy who never existed

[Ten Chips Down]

Hi,

I don't know about you, but I am just curious enough that if something really sparks my interest? I go digging. 'Tis the age of the wired mind; one's information is soon alls' information in the age of the net.

So while the media may still tease, it is very hard to keep a secret from inquiring minds with a passion to know.

Meet "Anthony Godby-Johnson," or Tony for short, placed here in quotations because he's a ghost. He's smoke. Not real. He is, in fact, the longest running literary hoax in recent history, at once a titillating, heart-breaking, and finally awe-inspiring tale of a boy brutalized by his parents in the eighties, raped by their friends, and infected with AIDS.

Still with me? He is finally adopted; rescued, and goes on to write the pop-hit, A Rock and a Hard Place: One Boy's Triumphant Story. He's a child-prodigy it turns out with a human-interest story to rock the contemporary American public.

If you're not acquainted with this whole sordid story, you may be terribly confused by now, so let me clarify: copyrighted 1993, the book itself is real! What is missing is the child and author himself! LOL No one has ever seen this child. The boy apparently was never even photographed. All supporters and advocacy group-representatives and spokespersons claiming to have met with him claim his anonymity is to be fiercely protected for his own good.

A ridiculous story, sinuous and conspiracy-ridden, of which I was never aware--but which the 20/20 teaser spots for their show "coming next week!" prompted me to learn more about. And sure enough as it happens, the timing is no accident: Fiction author Armistead Maupin was apparently involved in some significant way with the whole story and has since authored another book, The Night Listener. Listener was made into a motion picture starring Robin Williams, and closely parallels the whole Tony mythology.

Well. As I said, the entire phenom slipped MY radar, so there is no doubt lots more to the story, and I invite you to do your own research. If that's not really your bag of chips, then just go here and most if not all shall be revealed for you.

Pee on 20/20 and their and silly, salacious teaser-spots to shows we never remember to watch unless we've TiVo or bother to set the VCR/DVR for a lousy 12-minute report. LOL! Be your own reporter like me!

With love,
Ten

[Ten Chips Down]

The is the second time I wrote up a fresh topic in the Cafe Central, went off to bed, woke up and... nada. "Oh no," I said despondently, "not another ghost thread." LOL

Now the first one (here), I could fathom being snubbed/ignored as it catered to fans of the horror genre and the title was little-known. Still, the topic shows what - over 100 views?

If anything it stood as excellent fodder for a movies discussion in general. Sure it's probably been done on here before, but - so?

And now, the same with this topic, a current-events piece. Certainly an interesting story, one would think, but no one can be bothered? Like all "writers" as we so love to call ourselves, I actually indulge my craft first and foremost out of a desire to write something really worthy of reading. It's pretty discouraging therefore when I take out so much time to try and craft an interesting piece and no one can be bothered.

Whereas acknowledging something like this and posting, "good commentary" or even "what a piece of shite! here's why..." is a courtesy, just leaving these topics to languish is a bit of a slap. Since that first movie-review linked above, I have passed on reviews of Superman Returns, The Descent and many other movies and articles of eclectic interest.

If you really think about it, the probability of doing the work just to have it never acknowledged is a very effective turn-off.

I don't know who I'm addressing--the Cafe regulars, I guess. Probably sounds like horribly petulant whining :tongue2: but, as we all know it helps sometimes to vent.

Life is a puzzle, we are the pieces, we all want to fit.

Ten

[barb dwyer]

You know, Ten ...

I saw this piece on SOME show ... they're all so generic any more, who knows ... but I THINK it was back when I was still drinking.
Having lost many of who would be now 'long time' friends to AIDS ...
I didn't find a single redeeming factor about this story.
It just made me sad.
Still does.

Too pathetic for words, IMO.

[Ten Chips Down]

Oh yeah, criminal indeed. Nonetheless, telling in a sociological way about urban legends, myth, our wanting to believe, and yes even our own gullibility.

Anyway - message taken... there's a movie thread up right now in the SA forum of all places. LOL Clearly, helps to post where you're most known. I just didn't think off-topic'ing was allowed.

I thought in fact, this was the general off-topic forum!

Come to think of it though, the administration clearly understands this locality mentality of very large and multi-faceted forums such as SR since there actually resides within the Substance-Abuse forum...

-A huge and dedicated off-topic thread;
-And a dedicated movies thread! LOL

Think I'll collect what I have chanced to share in here and repost it where the "sun shines" and it might get a bit more love.

[Emimily]

You nerd! Who does research based on 20/20 teasers? Are you like a Hugh Downs superfan or something?

I'm joking, if that wasn't blatant enough for ya.

I am one of those "not interested in doing my own research" gals, so I'm gonna go ahead and click that blue link. Yeah!

<3

[Ten Chips Down]

Originally Posted by Emimily

You nerd! Who does research based on 20/20 teasers?

lol!
omg... Uhh. :shysmile:


hi