Fame And a Bully's Revenge
Ana Veciana-Suarez

Angry at your neighbor's brazen takeover of the shared sidewalk?

Insulted by your obnoxious boss? Cowed by that pushy co-worker who takes all the credit for your hard work?

Don't stress. Technology will facilitate your revenge. Fame awaits you if you video your revolt and post it on YouTube.

That's what's given us our latest Internet hero, whose unlikely confrontation with a bully has made him an international sensation.

Forty-one seconds of a school-hall fight has garnered two Australian boys a worldwide audience, won one of them thousands of Facebook admirers showered them both with attention neither deserved.

But is this how we want to teach our children to deal with bullying?

While the video speaks to all those who have been pushed around, the outcome, and the resulting media focus, will do nothing to address an age-old problem. It's become more entertainment than object lesson.

The video went viral last week, with this explanation: "This 16-year-old kid has been tormented every single day of his short life -- and today he snapped! He was suspended and may be looking at criminal charges all because this little runt thought he could make an example of Casey in front of his TUFF buddies!!"

The "little runt" is 13-year-old Ritchard Gale, and the tormented boy is an overweight 16-year-old, Casey Heynes. In the video, Ritchard taunts Casey, who is twice his size. Casey backs up against a wall, but Ritchard grabs him by the collar and punches him in the face. He then dances around, striking Casey while his friends goad him on. Casey tries to bat away the blows, and finally, obviously exasperated, picks up the smaller boy and body-slams him to the ground.

It is painful to watch, yes, but also inexplicably compelling. I can't help but wonder, however, at the video's purpose. To teach a lesson? As a form of retaliation? Or simply to gain fame? After all, we live in an age where every act, however insignificant or cruel, can be documented in graphic detail and disseminated to millions with the click of a mouse.

Two weeks ago, few outside Chifley College Dunheved's campus had heard of either boy. Because of the video, Casey appeared on Australia's "A Current Affair," where he admitted to being called fatty and suffering through years of bullying. Not to be outdone, Ritchard told his side of the story on a competing station, claiming Casey had called him names and pushed him before the filmed altercation. What next -- a movie?

Becoming a celebrity is now at the fingertips of anybody with a cell phone. Nothing is deemed too private or embarrassing anymore, and viciousness appears to be a requirement for dubious stardom. Two recent, horrific examples come to mind: the gang rape of an 11-year-old girl in an abandoned trailer videoed by some of the accused in a small Texas town and the clip of a fight between two Florida 16-year-olds that shows one teen's mother cheering.

Some people will do anything for their 15 minutes. It makes me realize what a prized possession anonymity is these days.

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