TOUCH THE EVIDENCE
Nothing happened. That is exactly what it wants you to think.
Bad Advice: Reply While Angry
Do not cool off. Do not draft. Hit send while your pulse can still be used as evidence.
PRESS FOR REASSURANCE
Too late. You are already reading Broken Zine.
The worst thing you can do when angry is wait.
Time introduces perspective, and perspective has ruined more perfectly good grudges than almost anything.
Instead, reply immediately.
Use phrases like “Interesting.” and “Per my last email” even if there was no last email.
Add one sentence beginning with “Since we’re being honest,” then become much less honest.
CC someone unnecessary.
Attach a document nobody requested.
If your hands are shaking, you are ready.
IMPORTANT: This is Bad Advice. The correct move is to save the draft, walk away, and avoid turning a minor annoyance into a calendar invitation with HR.
MARCY COIL
Marcy Coil gives advice with the confidence of someone who will not be present when the consequences arrive.
Push something. The magazine is poorly supervised.
PUSH THE WEIRD BUTTON
A small bureaucrat somewhere just stamped APPROVED FOR NONSENSE.