I was saddened to read yesterday a post by Jayson's other half who said social media trolls were writing mean-spirited words about her children—her children!—and some very disparaging words about Jayson. I felt her pain. Of course, she loves her family, but to read things written by sometimes people you don't even know that are untruths and/or sometimes vulgar, which she has endured, it's just wrong in all respects.
I personally have taken a great deal of heat on this very forum and went into attack mode many, many times when members would write disparaging things about my other half. Today I am older and realize I should have never engaged with trolls, banned members posting, and haters, for lack of a better word, but because of that experience, I know all too well what it's like to be on the receiving end of these verbal assaults. I'm still disliked on this forum by many because of my actions defending me and mine. Would I do it again? Knowing how social media affects people today, I would not. The U.S. Surgeon General has stated numerous times how social media bullying and trolls is affecting mental health today of many people because of how they interpret the words written.
In a post-Mosconi Cup interview with Spanish Champion David Alcaide, he told the interviewer that social media has been cruel to his family and children, and that it has affected them. I immediately felt a sense of identity with his stance. He doesn't post much anymore. In fact, at one time, the Matchroom managing director expressed to all pool pros to get on social media and Instagram and be active on social media. Then a year or two later, things changed. The Matchroom managing director deactivated their Facebook account for a while, and today I see much less Facebook activity by some of the pool pros. Is it because of the bullying and trolls targeting them? I'm not sure, but if it is, I get it.
Is Jayson Shaw a good guy? I think he is, but like some men are wont to doing, he does his think in sports arena when they win. Jayson is animated because he's on center stage. Maybe Matchroom encourages it. I'm not sure. But both Jayson and Joshua Filler have received a great deal of criticism for their tableside antics after a win. Men and their stupid testosterone. You don't see us ladies doing that.
In Filler's defense, it warmed my heart to see him comfort Tyler Styer at the end of their match when Styer missed the straight-in 8-ball. It was heart-felt, and you could see Joshua was trying to give respect to Tyler. He said, "I'm sorry," to him and some other words we may never know. But it was real emotion. I remember a few Mosconi Cups ago—can't remember which one—Joshua missed a ball and gave USA a win. I saw him emotional in his chair, with tears welling up in his eyes, trying to contain himself. It hurts to lose in that manner when it's on your shoulders. But the way Filler handled himself at the conclusion of this year's Mosconi Cup, well, that's the kind of emotion I like to see. Bravo to Joshua Filler, very deserving of his MVP. As far as Jayson Shaw goes, I think we only see one side of him and draw conclusions based on his antics. There is another side to the man, and I sincerely wish him and his family the best in life. This pool racket is a tough business. Believe me, I know, and there ain't nothing better than Home Sweet Home.
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