Remember That Crappy Thing Fleet Feet Did? Fleet Feet Hopes You Don’t

First things first: I really and truly did not want to do this.

Second things second: The background.

One month ago, the folks at Fleet Feet did something dumb and lazy and crappy, online, indirectly involving me. I called them out on it. In the days that followed, they had every opportunity to openly acknowledge their dumb, lazy crappiness. Doing so would have been quick and easy, and would have cost them nothing. It also would have been honorable, if anyone still cares about that sort of thing—a chance to show some humility and humanity, to own their mistake, to say, “We screwed up, and we’re sorry.” And that would have been that.

Instead, they opted to circle the wagons and clam up.

So here we are.

Full context, if you’re interested, can be found in this Facebook post and its comments; the short version, including the exasperating conclusion, is below.

A parting message to Fleet Feet: You might want to rethink your corporate communications tactics. Because it is amazing how badly you fucked this up.

And to anyone out there who’s considering copying someone else’s creative work for a video, or for anything: Come up with your own ideas. Please. If you’re having trouble, try taking a screen break and going for a run. That always works for me.

—Mark

UPDATE, FEBRUARY 5, 2024: Yet another Instagram user (the fourth now, that I’m aware of) has uploaded her own “Was It Fun?” video. She said she wasn’t aware of my work when she created her video, which mirrors my comic start to finish, up to and including the “Was it fun?” line.