» Cambodian killing fields memorial was quite intense. Will write about Pol Pot when I get back. Maybe something on Vietnam war too. 5 days ago
» I'm currently in northern Vietnam, near Ha Long Bay. Next to Laos and then Burma too. Be back end of March... (just checking in temporarily) 5 days ago
» Union leader Derek Simpson endorses @EdMilibandMP in this week's @NewStatesman. I'd like to see a proper debate first. 2 weeks ago
» RT @monkeyhotel: Met 3 people who vote tory today - they all listen to Phil Collins in a totally non-ironic way. Draw your own conclusions 2 weeks ago
Rumbold – lol. Now you’re talking like a real Tory.
I got Dizzie too, but then its obvious who you’re going to get.
Guys – what’s a good film to watch? And why? I need to watch something good… soemthing subversive. Foreign is good too – I watch District 13 recently (French) and it was excellent
“Guys – what’s a good film to watch? And why? I need to watch something good… soemthing subversive”
You must be kidding me – the last thing you need is a subversive-themed movie, you are getting way too reactionary. You need to relax, and see the bright side of life. Might I suggest one movie (on DVD) that you never heard about, but you might actually like it? “Everything Is Illuminated”.
I did it, and got Iain Dale which was like ‘er… what?’I wonder what that says about me!
As for film recommendations: Capturing The Friedmans, if you haven’t seen it; Hidden (the Belgian French film) or Jean de Florette, I also recommend Inch’Allah Dimanche.
Otherwise, I wouldn’t go for a film, but either The Wire (if you haven’t yet seen it, what’s wrong with you?!) or Everybody Hates Chris.
“There Will Be Blood – It made sure that one couldn’t convincingly castigate the cinema for at least a year.”
I was trying to remember the last movie I watched in the cinema – and this was it. I absolutely loved it – the visuals, the soundtrack, and the last scene was very satisfying.
It was great when There Will Be Blood and No Country For Old Men were both out. I couldn’t remember such a fruitful period for cinema (I enjoyed most of Juno as well, but I probably shouldn’t admit to that in public…woops).
BenSix, might I just ask – what are you a student of? And how old are you? I know that’s rude, and I apologise, but etiquette is generally… more laid-back in cyberspace.
“What would you do if you really wanted to intimidate another web user into silence?”
I answered:
“I would just happen to mention, real cool in passing like, that I know policemen, secret servicemen, gangsters and other strong-arm types who are capable of all sorts of things.”
Ders, you should credit John J. Ray for his work on this article, as it may otherwise be seen as plagiarism.
This…
“Leftists are not therefore really much interested in the reality of what they advocate — so normally they greatly oversimplify any political issues that they debate”
…is greatly ironic, as he simplifies points to alarming extents. Consider his introductory claim that…
“Even at the height of British socialism, for instance, British Leftists still wanted more socialism.”
…which assumes that ‘da Left’ is a homogenous entity. He does this throughout his entire essay, in fact, and, while claiming that ‘the left’ uses simplifications and slogans, he attempts no analysis of left-wing writers, academics and commentators – merely applying views to the morass of them.
In this manner he assaults us with straw man claims, non sequiturs and a gleeful reliance upon the bare assertion fallacy.
A particularly egregious example of this is in the section titled ‘left racism’. The Anti-Americanism that he cites as a sole example of ‘left racism’ is symptomatic of only a minority of left-wing thinkers, and so it is as crass as I would be should I claim that ‘all rightists hate arabs’. He may disagree with me on this point, but it is his claim and therefore it is his duty to substantiate it.
These are all his claims, in fact, and therefore it is his duty to substantiate them.
I didn’t mean that to sound weird, just saw the BlogNation pics and (eventually) realised who you were and was like: ‘Holy hell, is that Ben? He looks my age!’
Alas, you are even younger than me but vastly more advanced in the political commentary game!
Got any tips for a poor amateur like myself? One of the problems for me is that I’m a literature student, so I don’t *understand* the real, i.e. non-fictive world.
Getting Iain Dale or Guido’s bor-ing, Dizzy or Nadine is funnier.
My personal favourite:
‘What would you do if you really wanted to intimidate another web user into silence?’
‘I would call them at home after 9pm and tell them how much sex I’m getting.’
Attempt to sound far more informed than you may actually be. I’ll demonstrate:
- George Bush is a fuckwit.
*Thinks*
- Recent events have shown beyond reasonable doubt that the morality – and, indeed, the intelligence – of the American President is deficient to say the least.
(Also, beware of subtle jokes – they can be taken as final proof that your morality is shattered on the lino of liberal guilt.)
‘(Also, beware of subtle jokes – they can be taken as final proof that your morality is shattered on the lino of liberal guilt.)’
That’s so poetic that it’s actually gone right over my head at this point in time.
I am going to try your ’subtle anger’ method… but I’ll probably just hover round like a vulture on threads about Big Issues, because everyone else beats me to the punch with their insight. Ah, I get the odd (very odd) sucker-punch in here and there… but mostly I just have questions that nobody seems to be able to (or want to) answer.
Like: is the population’s IQ lower than it was about 30 years ago? How else would you explain the BNP blaming immigrants for all the problems (e.g. lack of housing) in overwhelmingly white areas such as Stoke-on-Trent? If immigrants are only 3% of the population on certain estates, then they can’t be stealing all the council houses now, can they?
There may be an obvious answer that I’m missing because I’m so tired and the fridge won’t stop whirring at me.
Do you have a Facebook, Ben?
Yeah that’s great, and you should laugh and hard! I did it and got Guido…
Me too, but I did it on purpose.
omg! shame on you! lol
Hey I’d rather have that than be Nadine!
Very funny vid about a conversation between a tech support guy and sales guy…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcQ7RkyBoBc
Who did you get Sunny? I bet it was Guido or Nadine, which is why you won’t tell us.
I got someone called Dizzie. I have to confess I am not aware of this individual but then I tend to avoid most blogs.
Sajn:
http://dizzythinks.net/
Probably the best one to get. Better than Nadine anyway. Must dash- I see an unmarried single mother out of the corner of my eye.
Rumbold – lol. Now you’re talking like a real Tory.
I got Dizzie too, but then its obvious who you’re going to get.
Guys – what’s a good film to watch? And why? I need to watch something good… soemthing subversive. Foreign is good too – I watch District 13 recently (French) and it was excellent
On DVD or at cinema?
You must be kidding me – the last thing you need is a subversive-themed movie, you are getting way too reactionary. You need to relax, and see the bright side of life. Might I suggest one movie (on DVD) that you never heard about, but you might actually like it? “Everything Is Illuminated”.
“Guys – what’s a good film to watch? And why? I need to watch something good… soemthing subversive.”
There Will Be Blood – It made sure that one couldn’t convincingly castigate the cinema for at least a year.
Koyaanisqatsi – It manages to invoke multifarious emotions through landscapes, camera techniques and music alone.
Reel Bad Arabs – Casts an eye over the more ‘acceptable’ forms of artistic racism.
Peeping Tom – It can disturb one in many ways at once.
Annie Hall – It’s just fucking funny.
Ben
I did it, and got Iain Dale which was like ‘er… what?’I wonder what that says about me!
As for film recommendations: Capturing The Friedmans, if you haven’t seen it; Hidden (the Belgian French film) or Jean de Florette, I also recommend Inch’Allah Dimanche.
Otherwise, I wouldn’t go for a film, but either The Wire (if you haven’t yet seen it, what’s wrong with you?!) or Everybody Hates Chris.
I was trying to remember the last movie I watched in the cinema – and this was it. I absolutely loved it – the visuals, the soundtrack, and the last scene was very satisfying.
It was great when There Will Be Blood and No Country For Old Men were both out. I couldn’t remember such a fruitful period for cinema (I enjoyed most of Juno as well, but I probably shouldn’t admit to that in public…woops).
BenSix, might I just ask – what are you a student of? And how old are you? I know that’s rude, and I apologise, but etiquette is generally… more laid-back in cyberspace.
Amrit,
I’m a sixth-form student – studying all of the inane subjects that the Mail claims are bringing down the education system.
Incidentally, I’m Guido.
Cue bad and dishonest joke along the lines of “well, I like cars and alcohol…though not at the same time”.
I got Iain Dale. Who the eff is that?
Ahhh… I see:
http://www.iaindale.blogspot.com/
Anyway, this was my favorite Q&A:
“What would you do if you really wanted to intimidate another web user into silence?”
I answered:
“I would just happen to mention, real cool in passing like, that I know policemen, secret servicemen, gangsters and other strong-arm types who are capable of all sorts of things.”
Ha!
“Bigger scoops than Ben & Jerry’s!
–Nadine Dorries MP (Con)”
Lol
huh?
Ders, you should credit John J. Ray for his work on this article, as it may otherwise be seen as plagiarism.
This…
“Leftists are not therefore really much interested in the reality of what they advocate — so normally they greatly oversimplify any political issues that they debate”
…is greatly ironic, as he simplifies points to alarming extents. Consider his introductory claim that…
“Even at the height of British socialism, for instance, British Leftists still wanted more socialism.”
…which assumes that ‘da Left’ is a homogenous entity. He does this throughout his entire essay, in fact, and, while claiming that ‘the left’ uses simplifications and slogans, he attempts no analysis of left-wing writers, academics and commentators – merely applying views to the morass of them.
In this manner he assaults us with straw man claims, non sequiturs and a gleeful reliance upon the bare assertion fallacy.
A particularly egregious example of this is in the section titled ‘left racism’. The Anti-Americanism that he cites as a sole example of ‘left racism’ is symptomatic of only a minority of left-wing thinkers, and so it is as crass as I would be should I claim that ‘all rightists hate arabs’. He may disagree with me on this point, but it is his claim and therefore it is his duty to substantiate it.
These are all his claims, in fact, and therefore it is his duty to substantiate them.
I’ve deleted the long spammy cut-n-paste job…
BenSix – good answer!
I didn’t mean that to sound weird, just saw the BlogNation pics and (eventually) realised who you were and was like: ‘Holy hell, is that Ben? He looks my age!’
Alas, you are even younger than me but vastly more advanced in the political commentary game!
Got any tips for a poor amateur like myself? One of the problems for me is that I’m a literature student, so I don’t *understand* the real, i.e. non-fictive world.
Getting Iain Dale or Guido’s bor-ing, Dizzy or Nadine is funnier.
My personal favourite:
‘What would you do if you really wanted to intimidate another web user into silence?’
‘I would call them at home after 9pm and tell them how much sex I’m getting.’
I shoulda picked that answer!
“Got any tips for a poor amateur like myself?”
Attempt to sound far more informed than you may actually be. I’ll demonstrate:
- George Bush is a fuckwit.
*Thinks*
- Recent events have shown beyond reasonable doubt that the morality – and, indeed, the intelligence – of the American President is deficient to say the least.
(Also, beware of subtle jokes – they can be taken as final proof that your morality is shattered on the lino of liberal guilt.)
‘(Also, beware of subtle jokes – they can be taken as final proof that your morality is shattered on the lino of liberal guilt.)’
That’s so poetic that it’s actually gone right over my head at this point in time.
I am going to try your ’subtle anger’ method… but I’ll probably just hover round like a vulture on threads about Big Issues, because everyone else beats me to the punch with their insight. Ah, I get the odd (very odd) sucker-punch in here and there… but mostly I just have questions that nobody seems to be able to (or want to) answer.
Like: is the population’s IQ lower than it was about 30 years ago? How else would you explain the BNP blaming immigrants for all the problems (e.g. lack of housing) in overwhelmingly white areas such as Stoke-on-Trent? If immigrants are only 3% of the population on certain estates, then they can’t be stealing all the council houses now, can they?
There may be an obvious answer that I’m missing because I’m so tired and the fridge won’t stop whirring at me.
Do you have a Facebook, Ben?
Oh, er, if you DO and you are willing to share it:
amrits@gmail.com
that is my email so that you don’t have to reveal it in this public arena.
Bedtime for me!