You can't make this up: The title of the apparent fabulist's memoir is the same as an episode of the TV show, and the book includes quotes from prophets that are similar to dialogue from the show.
I applaud your tenacious pursuit of this chancer (any sympathy for his public exposure nuked once his signature tendency to run to the police / expensive lawyers was exposed). Some good may (doubtfully) come of all this (we may be too far gone). Laughter is a good antidote, however. On the edge of my seat here 🍿
She approved "necklacing", executing opponents forcing a burning tire over their chest. She was sentenced to 6 years in prison as an accessory to the fatal beating of a young boy but plea bargained her way to no prison time. Nelson Mandela divorced her as an embarrassment.
Were it not for the context of everything else we've recently learned about Arday, I'd be inclined to let this pass as trite self-aggrandizement, rather than stealing or plagiarism. Tropes like "child proclaimed to be destined for greatness" are ridiculously common. And it's normal to be inspired by people greater than we are; tough to be inspired by lesser people, no? I'm not convinced that being inspired by someone is the same thing as considering yourself to be roughly equal to someone. (This is a minor quibble about truly excellent reporting overall!)
Reminds me of The Salt Path when Raynor & Moth meet a blind man doing yoga on the North Coast of Cornwall who foresees a journey and trouble ahead. Very very similar to the blind man’s prophecy in Oh Brother Where Art Thou. All a bit Homer isn’t it.
At last, a barrister who might be able to answer a question I've had about British law as I've followed the Arday scandal: Does Britain have a counterpart to what are called class-action lawsuits in the U.S.? Not asking for legal advice, just curious as a journalist. Twelve class actions were filed against James Frey and Random House over A Million Little Pieces (10 on record as having been settled for a total of $2+ million). Simon & Schuster's apparent lack of concern for these has seemed odd, and I've wondered if it's perhaps because such lawsuits don't exist in Britain or it's harder to get certified as a "class."
Yes we do have class actions in the UK. They are slightly different insofar as a person would opt in, rather that opt out, as I believe they do in the US. Also, they are called ‘group’ or ‘collective’ actions, although the term ‘class action’ appears to be sneaking in. It’s not my specialist area and off the top of my head, I’m not aware of any class actions relating to falsehoods contained in books. But if I googled it, I may come across some, although it would surprise me. Look at The Salt Path, which was alleged to be riddled with untruths and exaggerated claims. I’m not aware of any legal action as a consequence. Again, look at our own Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, who was accused of 20 instances of plagiarism in her book, The Women Who Made Modern Economics. I’m not aware of any legal action taken. She simply admitted that she should have tried harder. The UK is not as litigious as the US. My main concern with Arday’s unsavoury antics, is less about his book of ‘faction’ and more about the possible fraud he may have committed when gaining his employment.
Question is, is all this done on purpose, or is it in fact from his autism. I've had experience of family members with Autism that elaborate and confuse facts with fictions from tv and books. It's actually a real thing.
Never to this level though!
Why have we heard nothing from the family? Surely his mother knows the truth?
It may be true that autism played a role. That would seem to disqualify him from professorship in one of the world’s most prestigious universities. Hilary Cremin and her craven ilk at Cambridge are the real villains.
I would publish it if I were them. It's going to sell way more copies than it would have if this hadn't gone viral.
They won't admit it. They'll stick to a narrative that makes them appear like good and compassionate people. Cynical capitalism at its best (they won't admit that either).
He is Spartacus!
He is Spartacus!
I applaud your tenacious pursuit of this chancer (any sympathy for his public exposure nuked once his signature tendency to run to the police / expensive lawyers was exposed). Some good may (doubtfully) come of all this (we may be too far gone). Laughter is a good antidote, however. On the edge of my seat here 🍿
He compared himself to Winnie Mandela?
Wasn't Winnie Mandela the woman who boasted about murdering her follow black South Africans by setting them on fire?
She approved "necklacing", executing opponents forcing a burning tire over their chest. She was sentenced to 6 years in prison as an accessory to the fatal beating of a young boy but plea bargained her way to no prison time. Nelson Mandela divorced her as an embarrassment.
Were it not for the context of everything else we've recently learned about Arday, I'd be inclined to let this pass as trite self-aggrandizement, rather than stealing or plagiarism. Tropes like "child proclaimed to be destined for greatness" are ridiculously common. And it's normal to be inspired by people greater than we are; tough to be inspired by lesser people, no? I'm not convinced that being inspired by someone is the same thing as considering yourself to be roughly equal to someone. (This is a minor quibble about truly excellent reporting overall!)
His mother loved Greek mythology so much she taught her son about Spartacus who was er… a figure in Roman History.
I’m Jason Arday!
I’m Jason Arday!
Reminds me of The Salt Path when Raynor & Moth meet a blind man doing yoga on the North Coast of Cornwall who foresees a journey and trouble ahead. Very very similar to the blind man’s prophecy in Oh Brother Where Art Thou. All a bit Homer isn’t it.
Does the memoir include his time as a semi-professional Retiarius?
He has committed a crime. He should be reported to the police.
At last, a barrister who might be able to answer a question I've had about British law as I've followed the Arday scandal: Does Britain have a counterpart to what are called class-action lawsuits in the U.S.? Not asking for legal advice, just curious as a journalist. Twelve class actions were filed against James Frey and Random House over A Million Little Pieces (10 on record as having been settled for a total of $2+ million). Simon & Schuster's apparent lack of concern for these has seemed odd, and I've wondered if it's perhaps because such lawsuits don't exist in Britain or it's harder to get certified as a "class."
Yes we do have class actions in the UK. They are slightly different insofar as a person would opt in, rather that opt out, as I believe they do in the US. Also, they are called ‘group’ or ‘collective’ actions, although the term ‘class action’ appears to be sneaking in. It’s not my specialist area and off the top of my head, I’m not aware of any class actions relating to falsehoods contained in books. But if I googled it, I may come across some, although it would surprise me. Look at The Salt Path, which was alleged to be riddled with untruths and exaggerated claims. I’m not aware of any legal action as a consequence. Again, look at our own Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, who was accused of 20 instances of plagiarism in her book, The Women Who Made Modern Economics. I’m not aware of any legal action taken. She simply admitted that she should have tried harder. The UK is not as litigious as the US. My main concern with Arday’s unsavoury antics, is less about his book of ‘faction’ and more about the possible fraud he may have committed when gaining his employment.
Question is, is all this done on purpose, or is it in fact from his autism. I've had experience of family members with Autism that elaborate and confuse facts with fictions from tv and books. It's actually a real thing.
Never to this level though!
Why have we heard nothing from the family? Surely his mother knows the truth?
It may be true that autism played a role. That would seem to disqualify him from professorship in one of the world’s most prestigious universities. Hilary Cremin and her craven ilk at Cambridge are the real villains.
has it been considered that, given all else he has manufactured, that he is not on the spectrum & that's made up?
I would publish it if I were them. It's going to sell way more copies than it would have if this hadn't gone viral.
They won't admit it. They'll stick to a narrative that makes them appear like good and compassionate people. Cynical capitalism at its best (they won't admit that either).