What's with this 'BRS' and Morrissey's World?

[javert]

Can someone clear up whatever this is?

I see references everywhere but don't actually know what it is...

 

[Uncleskinny]

Can someone clear up whatever this is?

I see references everywhere but don't actually know what it is...

A social media experiment by one Simon Wratten to check for fan gullibility. Involves multiple, multiple aliases of himself carrying out self-referential conversations. A laughing-stock of a man. Watch him come on this thread and abuse everyone soon.

 

[Detritus]

A social media experiment by one Simon Wratten to check for fan gullibility. Involves multiple, multiple aliases of himself carrying out self-referential conversations. A laughing-stock of a man. Watch him come on this thread and abuse everyone soon.

Yes, that's his MO. He searches Twitter for mentions of Morrissey and will respond to any tweets that aren't entirely positive with vituperative ad hominem attacks. People who don't follow him and want nothing to do with him are frequently targets of his particular brand of abusive fan zealotry. If you take his bait but respond reasonably, he goes harder with the name calling and he'll willfully misconstrue what was written and attack the strawman he created because he's incapable of making an actual argument. He's probably the most-blocked person in the Morrissey fan community on Twitter for this reason alone. I've had several nasty dealings with him and can't think of too many other people in the Mozarmy who haven't, including his own devotees.

He thrives on attention, and when he's not getting enough from his ever-dwindling group of followers, he'll start spam posting about the BRS on here or Twitter. When that's not enough, he'll instigate drama on his blog by calling out by name people he's provoked into arguments or those who have criticized him for exploiting the gullibility of certain fans for his own personal pleasure. If you attempt to defend yourself in the comments section of his blog, he will delete your post. A friend of mine met him IRL at a show and asked him why he's so horrible to people online, because he's comparatively reserved and polite face-to-face, and he straight up said it's because he doesn't have to associate an internet username with a face or a real person, so he has no compunction about being abusive and cruel on the internet. He's a borderline sociopath, and really bad news.

Wratten (or "The Rat" as he's known on Twitter) successfully dupes people because he knows how to manipulate information. He relies on the psychological phenomenon of pareidolia, or a person's tendency to fill in gaps in random data and perceive patterns or messages that aren't actually there and don't exist. He uses this to convince his followers that messages are being transmitted to them by Morrissey, through his music, actions, the imagery he uses, etc. with nothing in the way of proof except scattered coincidences. A recent example: a few of his followers were discussing oranges on Twitter one day, and then Morrissey juggled some oranges on James Corden's talk show and that was apparently unquestionable proof that Morrissey had been reading their conversation and decided to give them a "sign." According to them, almost everything he ever says or does is for their exclusive benefit, and this unhealthy delusion is goaded on by Rat because he gets off on having people look to him as a sort of prophet. The entire justification for their beliefs is predicated upon one logical fallacy after another, and because its foundation is so transparently bullshit, Rat is extremely aggressive in its defense. He can't have any more people realize he's duping them and leave the BRS, because then that's even less fuel for his narcissism.

The BRS basically functions as a low-grade cult. It has a charismatic figurehead whose followers look to for guidance and leadership. There is a small but extremely dedicated following; anyone who questions the group becomes a target for conversion, and when that doesn't work (and it usually doesn't), they are ganged up on as a threat that needs to be neutralized. Anyone who leaves the BRS circle is briefly courted for re-indoctrination, and shunned completely by its members once they realize the person is unwilling to be manipulated again. It's a pattern I've seen play out on Twitter on numerous occasions.

If they were just run-of-the-mill delusional fans, it would be tragic but not infuriating. But Rat is relentless in his need to be validated as the definitive authority not only on what it means to be a Morrissey fan, but also on Morrissey's thoughts, feelings, and actions, and will attempt to insinuate himself anywhere and with anyone he can in order to recruit more lackeys to do his bidding. It's maddening to see people fall for this guy's bullshit and to see how much glee he takes in his deception.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, that's his MO. He searches Twitter for mentions of Morrissey and will respond to any tweets that aren't entirely positive with vituperative ad hominem attacks. People who don't follow him and want nothing to do with him are frequently targets of his particular brand of abusive fan zealotry. If you take his bait but respond reasonably, he goes harder with the name calling and he'll willfully misconstrue what was written and attack the strawman he created because he's incapable of making an actual argument. He's probably the most-blocked person in the Morrissey fan community on Twitter for this reason alone. I've had several nasty dealings with him and can't think of too many other people in the Mozarmy who haven't, including his own devotees.

He thrives on attention, and when he's not getting enough from his ever-dwindling group of followers, he'll start spam posting about the BRS on here or Twitter. When that's not enough, he'll instigate drama on his blog by calling out by name people he's provoked into arguments or those who have criticized him for exploiting the gullibility of certain fans for his own personal pleasure. If you attempt to defend yourself in the comments section of his blog, he will delete your post. A friend of mine met him IRL at a show and asked him why he's so horrible to people online, because he's comparatively reserved and polite face-to-face, and he straight up said it's because he doesn't have to associate an internet username with a face or a real person, so he has no compunction about being abusive and cruel on the internet. He's a borderline sociopath, and really bad news.

Wratten (or "The Rat" as he's known on Twitter) successfully dupes people because he knows how to manipulate information. He relies on the psychological phenomenon of pareidolia, or a person's tendency to fill in gaps in random data and perceive patterns or messages that aren't actually there and don't exist. He uses this to convince his followers that messages are being transmitted to them by Morrissey, through his music, actions, the imagery he uses, etc. with nothing in the way of proof except scattered coincidences. A recent example: a few of his followers were discussing oranges on Twitter one day, and then Morrissey juggled some oranges on James Corden's talk show and that was apparently unquestionable proof that Morrissey had been reading their conversation and decided to give them a "sign." According to them, almost everything he ever says or does is for their exclusive benefit, and this unhealthy delusion is goaded on by Rat because he gets off on having people look to him as a sort of prophet. The entire justification for their beliefs is predicated upon one logical fallacy after another, and because its foundation is so transparently bullshit, Rat is extremely aggressive in its defense. He can't have any more people realize he's duping them and leave the BRS, because then that's even less fuel for his narcissism.

The BRS basically functions as a low-grade cult. It has a charismatic figurehead whose followers look to for guidance and leadership. There is a small but extremely dedicated following; anyone who questions the group becomes a target for conversion, and when that doesn't work (and it usually doesn't), they are ganged up on as a threat that needs to be neutralized. Anyone who leaves the BRS circle is briefly courted for re-indoctrination, and shunned completely by its members once they realize the person is unwilling to be manipulated again. It's a pattern I've seen play out on Twitter on numerous occasions.

If they were just run-of-the-mill delusional fans, it would be tragic but not infuriating. But Rat is relentless in his need to be validated as the definitive authority not only on what it means to be a Morrissey fan, but also on Morrissey's thoughts, feelings, and actions, and will attempt to insinuate himself anywhere and with anyone he can in order to recruit more lackeys to do his bidding. It's maddening to see people fall for this guy's bullshit and to see how much glee he takes in his deception.

But, as you say, you can't really call the handful of people who believe this shit a "following". So why even bother about all of this? I'm shocked that your description is so detailed. How long did YOU spent to follow his blog?

 

[Anonymous]

the dude from blue rose is like a mini me moz.
totally crazy.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, that's his MO. He searches Twitter for mentions of Morrissey and will respond to any tweets that aren't entirely positive with vituperative ad hominem attacks. People who don't follow him and want nothing to do with him are frequently targets of his particular brand of abusive fan zealotry. If you take his bait but respond reasonably, he goes harder with the name calling and he'll willfully misconstrue what was written and attack the strawman he created because he's incapable of making an actual argument. He's probably the most-blocked person in the Morrissey fan community on Twitter for this reason alone. I've had several nasty dealings with him and can't think of too many other people in the Mozarmy who haven't, including his own devotees.

He thrives on attention, and when he's not getting enough from his ever-dwindling group of followers, he'll start spam posting about the BRS on here or Twitter. When that's not enough, he'll instigate drama on his blog by calling out by name people he's provoked into arguments or those who have criticized him for exploiting the gullibility of certain fans for his own personal pleasure. If you attempt to defend yourself in the comments section of his blog, he will delete your post. A friend of mine met him IRL at a show and asked him why he's so horrible to people online, because he's comparatively reserved and polite face-to-face, and he straight up said it's because he doesn't have to associate an internet username with a face or a real person, so he has no compunction about being abusive and cruel on the internet. He's a borderline sociopath, and really bad news.

Wratten (or "The Rat" as he's known on Twitter) successfully dupes people because he knows how to manipulate information. He relies on the psychological phenomenon of pareidolia, or a person's tendency to fill in gaps in random data and perceive patterns or messages that aren't actually there and don't exist. He uses this to convince his followers that messages are being transmitted to them by Morrissey, through his music, actions, the imagery he uses, etc. with nothing in the way of proof except scattered coincidences. A recent example: a few of his followers were discussing oranges on Twitter one day, and then Morrissey juggled some oranges on James Corden's talk show and that was apparently unquestionable proof that Morrissey had been reading their conversation and decided to give them a "sign." According to them, almost everything he ever says or does is for their exclusive benefit, and this unhealthy delusion is goaded on by Rat because he gets off on having people look to him as a sort of prophet. The entire justification for their beliefs is predicated upon one logical fallacy after another, and because its foundation is so transparently bullshit, Rat is extremely aggressive in its defense. He can't have any more people realize he's duping them and leave the BRS, because then that's even less fuel for his narcissism.

The BRS basically functions as a low-grade cult. It has a charismatic figurehead whose followers look to for guidance and leadership. There is a small but extremely dedicated following; anyone who questions the group becomes a target for conversion, and when that doesn't work (and it usually doesn't), they are ganged up on as a threat that needs to be neutralized. Anyone who leaves the BRS circle is briefly courted for re-indoctrination, and shunned completely by its members once they realize the person is unwilling to be manipulated again. It's a pattern I've seen play out on Twitter on numerous occasions.

If they were just run-of-the-mill delusional fans, it would be tragic but not infuriating. But Rat is relentless in his need to be validated as the definitive authority not only on what it means to be a Morrissey fan, but also on Morrissey's thoughts, feelings, and actions, and will attempt to insinuate himself anywhere and with anyone he can in order to recruit more lackeys to do his bidding. It's maddening to see people fall for this guy's bullshit and to see how much glee he takes in his deception.

Thank you for this post. It answered questions I've had for a while. Great description of how people play these scams. It's not entirely the fault of the cult leader, in any cult situation you can name. People want to believe and want an authority figure. They want a sense of belonging. A clever manipulator will use these needs to draw a certain type of person into the fold. People who have these needs met in other ways can't recognize the appeal so they dismiss the danger.
If you try to reach out to someone in a cult they are very resistant, and not just out of loyalty. You are attacking their reality and this creates stress in anyone, but especially in the type of person who is having some of their basic needs met by the cult. All religions are cults. The successful ones become politically important and can no longer be labeled for what they are.
I used to wonder why there was so much anger towards this BRS and thought this site saw them just as competition, but I understand now what the guy is up to. Thanks for taking the time to lay it out so clearly.