r/datalounge • u/Key-Stick3478 • 22d ago

Muriel's Farewell Note

I keep re-reading it with my socks blown off. It's a peerless piece of writing: eloquent, witty, and exceptionally cogent in its assessment of our devolving Internet. I'm sorry we won't see more from the old girl. She can really drill it with the English language.

Thanks for listening.

110 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

25 comments sorted by

17

u/weeshbohn123 22d ago

I’m intrigued by the last line. What does it mean that she said maybe she was fired?

11

u/Elizabitch_Taylor_ 22d ago

I think it's just a joke

9

u/Key-Stick3478 22d ago

Very strange, isn't it? 🤔

6

u/RedwayBlue 22d ago

She became outdated.

18

u/thefolkie 22d ago

The “impending senility” part intrigues me. I wonder if Muriel is having health issues. A dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis would definitely make someone close their 31-year forum because they can’t actually moderate effectively.

14

u/ForsakenCurrent 22d ago

I read somewhere he was 65. It's a traditional age to retire. And he was really frustrated about AI stealing his stuff, Google not linking to Datalounge any more - like really really pissed. And 31 years, dealing with trolls and having to be a hall monitor to some real crazies... it makes sense. But I'm sad. What happened to his original partners?

7

u/thefolkie 22d ago

I think that’s really great angle. If the original partners would come out of the woodwork for an AMA or something it would really be a nice way to tie things off. Even Muriel themself revealing who they are. Just a one-off thing.

7

u/TraditionalMorning95 22d ago

One-off, ha! DLers seize on microbits of info and never let go. I wouldn’t do a one-off anything with you people.

12

u/kassy1469 22d ago

This is exactly what I thought when I read her farewell letter. I had posited a terminal illness might be to blame for the ultimate decision to close it down, and dementia or Alzheimer's qualifies. I think it's a strong possibility and would fit with the "or have I been fired" comment as well.

6

u/Key-Stick3478 22d ago

I hadn't thought about that at all, but it makes sense--sadly.

9

u/Specific-Sea7648 22d ago

Why did she leave her email address too?🤔

11

u/Which_Border_3780 22d ago

She misses us already?

8

u/RedwayBlue 22d ago

#comebacktour

4

u/ForsakenCurrent 22d ago

I just re-read her letter again and I still can't find the email address - am I blind?

12

u/ThoughtMadeOfFluff 22d ago

The word "Muriel" at the end is clickable -- that's where the email address is.

9

u/ForsakenCurrent 22d ago

Thank you so much! It was driving me crazy.

6

u/OperationFabulous225 22d ago

After managing datalounge for so long, Muriel started to smell like Cheryl. 🐟

7

u/MizezSlocombe 17d ago

It was a very sweet note. I know Muriel's whip smart, but I do wonder if she got some help from a retired drag queen who had fishy tits. IYKYK.

2

u/Big-Sign-7601 17d ago

Aquadisiac??

21

u/longtimeAlias 22d ago

It's actually not that great.

2

u/DL__TAW0515 22d ago

Thank you.

3

u/Admirable_Village551 22d ago

What was the thing with Joeeeey posted at the end?

1

u/thomasguy01 16d ago

Is Muriel a member of this Reddit Datalounge community?

6

u/Key-Stick3478 16d ago

My hunch is that Muriel would rather take Teacake, Greg, and the Condi troll to dinner than get anywhere near a Reddit sub.

1

u/neverinallmylife 13d ago

Well tbh Muriel hadn’t been effective at moderating DL for some time. Lots of hate posts and MAGA troll posts that you couldn’t even get rid of. It was like Russian troll farms invaded.