This blog's long-time nemesis, Chris Trotter, has finally entered the anarchistic world of blogging. Out here on the unedited, uncensored fringe of the media, things do not work the same as Chris is used to.
For instance, consider the long-standing honourable tradition of the pseudonym. Many of us spend years cultivating our secret identity to the point where we would never dream of masquerading as another. With a bit of time and patience, newbies can easily discover who is who and what they think far and beyond what that person might reveal under a real name in real-life.
A pseudonym is not something to be afraid of. It doesn't really hide the individual any more than meeting someone down at the pub who is introduced by the name of "Joe" is hidden by the lack of a last name. If someone met me in person and I never told them my last name, the only thing it would stop would be tracking down my phone number afterwards. No one needs my phone number, they know where to find me via this blog.
A pseudonym can also act as an introduction to the person who blogs. You can't see what the person is wearing, what type of haircut they have, how they smile or not - but their name can give you an idea as to who they are. What image they are trying to portray. What issues are likely to be important to them.
So to ban Redbaiter because of his pseudonym is to display a type of cowardice and arrogance I continue to expect from commies such as Trotter. He recognises the message of the name, knows the power of the symbol, and will not engage with the substance of the comments. Quite disappointing, really.
UPDATE: Here is what Redbaiter actually said:
Related Links:
DPF introduces Trotter
Trotter's 2nd post
For instance, consider the long-standing honourable tradition of the pseudonym. Many of us spend years cultivating our secret identity to the point where we would never dream of masquerading as another. With a bit of time and patience, newbies can easily discover who is who and what they think far and beyond what that person might reveal under a real name in real-life.
A pseudonym is not something to be afraid of. It doesn't really hide the individual any more than meeting someone down at the pub who is introduced by the name of "Joe" is hidden by the lack of a last name. If someone met me in person and I never told them my last name, the only thing it would stop would be tracking down my phone number afterwards. No one needs my phone number, they know where to find me via this blog.
A pseudonym can also act as an introduction to the person who blogs. You can't see what the person is wearing, what type of haircut they have, how they smile or not - but their name can give you an idea as to who they are. What image they are trying to portray. What issues are likely to be important to them.
So to ban Redbaiter because of his pseudonym is to display a type of cowardice and arrogance I continue to expect from commies such as Trotter. He recognises the message of the name, knows the power of the symbol, and will not engage with the substance of the comments. Quite disappointing, really.
UPDATE: Here is what Redbaiter actually said:
“The voters are concerned about climate change and peak oil. ”For that, he got this reaction:
No they are not. The mainstream media might be concerned, and might be trying hard to stimulate concern among the public, but in most surveys I have read, these matters aren’t high priority. Your belief that they are Mr. Trotter is an example of the enormous political gulf that exists between NZ’s working middle class and the elitist leftists who predominate in media. We want to put petrol in our cars, not send money to Russian gangsters.
All future posts from this pseudonym will be placed into permanent moderation.Now, the contention in the comments from Psycho Milt that Redbaiter's comment was abusive he just happened to be told off for his pseudonym at the same time is ridiculous. Trotter even says further down that Redbaiter can come back under a different name and try again.
Bryan Spondre
Blog Producer
Related Links:
DPF introduces Trotter
Trotter's 2nd post