Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The conversation they want to have

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  • giovanni tiso,

    You're stretching credulity, there, Jack.

    I take Heather's point and of course it's more complicated than how I put it, but I will say that the people who tell you

    "oh, but he (and it's ALWAYS a he) is really a very nice person in spite of his online persona (or how he comes across on TV, or at work, etc.)"

    drive me up the wall. If you're a decent person, you ought to be able to be a decent person across all media. If you're an areshole online, chances are that you're actually an arsehole, which is what I meant by that comment upthread.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I asked Redbaiter to have a drink with me. His response seemed genuine and polite to me. I suspect I'd find the same thing with him. Most people are just decent folk. You can't go judging them by their online persona, which is often more a representation of their frustrations than their whole person.

    Ryan: You're a model of Christian charity, you are. But bullshit to that. I accept responsibility for my online behaviour, and if the occasions on which I've not lived up to the best standards of civility (or even respect for TRUTH) then I've got nobody but myself to blame for whatever reputation I've earned.

    As for Redbaiter in particular, why the fuck should I have any interest in being in the same room with someone when our on-line interaction seem to degenerate into RB's standard cocktail of fag-baiting and hysterical abuse? (Which, naturally, he denies doing.)

    On line, he's a cunt. If he wouldn't do the "Cwaigy" commie, fag-baiting routine when I'm in a position to belt him in the mouth, he's a cunt AND a coward.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Paul Williams,

    I'm with Craig on Redbaiter. He's an offensive oaf that shouldn't be tolerated... and wouldn't in many spaces other than Kiwiblog.

    I'm sure there's many reasons why PAS is successful but I suspect that one factor is that most post under their names (though I respect that some don't and have their reasons for doing so).

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Heather Gaye,

    ...I agree there's a strong correlation between the kind of person you are on- and offline. The whole thing about learning to "do" the internet is probably more relevant to n00bs. Nearly everyone acts like a total numbnuts of some flavour for a month or two, but most come right.
    ...and the rest end up on kiwiblog. I guess DPF's doing us a favour by keeping them all nicely pegged in one place. Imagine if they didn't have anywhere to vent!

    Morningside • Since Nov 2006 • 533 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    ...and the rest end up on kiwiblog. I guess DPF's doing us a favour by keeping them all nicely pegged in one place. Imagine if they didn't have anywhere to vent!

    Up to a point, Heather. OTOH, I don't think Farrar and The Standard are doing a public service by throwing troll bait in the waters of on-line political discourse. Especially when they disingenuously throw up their hands in mock-horror at the entirely predictable consequences of their action.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    On line, he's a cunt. If he wouldn't do the "Cwaigy" commie, fag-baiting routine when I'm in a position to belt him in the mouth, he's a cunt AND a coward.

    For or all my flaws, here's something folks who've been on the sharp end of my tongue around here can take as gospel: I don't say anything to, or about, anyone on-line that I wouldn't say in person. And I'll take the consequences. Because that's the kind of persona I am.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • LegBreak,

    Redbaiter would be far more effective if he actually had wit, or even if he had a cutting edge.

    Not sure about the targets, but I’d have thought Cwaigy and Wussell don’t really land the killer blow. More like a boxing blow to the nuts that doesn’t actually connect.

    And, having my first dealings with him today (CR’s fault) the “I won, you lost, you smeared me, you are a lefty” reply was just so ... lame.

    @Paul,
    Speaking for myself; my employers would be horrified if I used my real name out there and they ever did a Google on it...

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie,

    Redbaiter would be far more effective if he actually had wit, or even if he had a cutting edge.

    I thought his equating placing a lamington on John Boscawen's head with "the crimes of the Khmer Rouge" was pretty good, until I remembered that he's an irony-free zone.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso,

    Redbaiter would be far more effective if he actually had wit, or even if he had a cutting edge.

    In that we could at least use him to cut steaks, or open tin cans?

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    I find the idea that he moved to Queensland and has been carrying on from there quite believable - in fact I think he came from Australia in the first place. I lived there for a number of years and got pretty well tuned in to the differences in the way people speak. The most classic is when he fails to understand words that are fairly common here, particularly when they use the word differently in Australia, so he isn't careful to search his kiwi lexicon. Who in NZ calls a Dairy a Milk Bar? And more importantly, what NZer would not know what a Dairy is?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Paul Williams,

    I find the idea that he moved to Queensland and has been carrying on from there quite believable

    He'd fit in there too.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Stephen Judd,

    Getting back on to the drug theme for a moment: I was momentarily boggled by this story.

    In survey of 1200 New Zealanders by the Drug Foundation, 24.5 per cent said they had driven after taking cannabis in the last year.

    Just how widespread is cannabis use in the NZ population? That sounds awfully high.

    Ah but wait.

    The NZDF says the survey was "an anonymous online survey." Their actual report says "rates of driving under the influence from the internet survey should not be interpreted as reflecting the prevalence of drug driving in the general population of New Zealand drivers."

    Hardly a random sample. But does the Herald mention that? Does Steven Joyce mention this? No.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    equating placing a lamington on John Boscawen's head with "the crimes of the Khmer Rouge"

    So, a pink lamington then.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Ben Austin,

    Re London coffee - these are the places I go to if I have time outside of working hours. Sadly I usually end up going to Nero/Costa as I've yet to find reliable cafes near where I work.

    1. Monmouth's - They are all over London - specifically Monmouth Street (near the British Museum/Leicester Square area, Borough Markets (two outlets during Thursday-Saturday) by London Bridge station and their roasting facility is somewhere near Bermondsey, which is probably out of the way for most. They are widely recognised as being awesome and do things like flat whites, if you feel homesick. They have great pastries and sometimes sandwiches too.

    2. Sacred - Primarily based on Ganton Street, just off Carnaby Street, which is just off Oxford Street and near Soho. They have carts about that area too. They are run by NZers and their food is quite nice too. I think they've won a few awards as well

    3. Flat White/Milk Bar - Soho/Tottenham Court Road area - They I think are run by the same group (who I hear are Aussie/Kiwi) and also win awards. The former is on Berwick Street, the latter is on Bateman Street, which are about five minutes apart, so if the former is busy (it is very small and well established), then the latter is close enough by to visit. There is usually lunch/cafe style food available too. I’ve not had bad experiences at Flat White, but I have detected jerk like vibes from one or two staff members, so I guess it is possible. Milk Bar seems to have different staff.

    4. Coffeeplant - Portebello Road, Notting Hill - Pretty much just coffee. There are loads of good cafes nearby though if you are also hungry. Someone there seems to believe 9/11 was an inside job based on their posters behind the counter, but that doesn't detract or add to the coffee experience.

    5. Local Hero - Fulham Road, Fulham. Good cafe food as well

    Failing that, check out Timeout.co.uk - they have awards annually I think, which rate cafes and coffee.

    London • Since Nov 2006 • 1027 posts Report

  • James Green,

    Of course you could make the point that perhaps our online selves are who really are

    I used to be up with all the research on this a few years ago. There's some fairly good arguments that anonymity does crazy things to people online. There's a theory that I used to thing summed it up quite well (Disc: currently in transit and killing time, and haven't actually read the link)

    Limerick, Ireland • Since Nov 2006 • 703 posts Report

  • TracyMac,

    Chipping in on London coffee. Yes, kudos to Monmouth - consistently good for the last decade. Although I wish they'd get their shit together on soy milk. I like espresso, but sometimes I fancy a latte.

    I never managed to get a decent coffee at Bar Italia. Perhaps just bad luck, or perhaps it got the raves because it is better than Costa Crap.

    A newish chain in London is AMT. Not quite artisan-quality, but Fair Trade (which I actually don't think of as an optimal solution, but it's something) and decent coffee that's much better than Gloria Jeans/Starbucks (and not run by fundie Xtians, as GJs is).

    Also, Bullet Cafe on the top floor of Snow and Rock in Mercer St in Covent Garden is a wee treasure. Free internet, Anzac biscuits to die for, and bloody good coffee.

    Didn't make it to Flat White last time I was over, alas!

    Canberra, West Island • Since Nov 2006 • 701 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    Tried a coffee at Morrisons in Erith. Bad advice from ignorant family, thaat is ignorant as in being British and having no real experience of such things,
    Not only was it crap I was told that the machine was not working and it wastoo much trouble to sort it out and would I prefer tea.
    Smart marketing, what?,

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    Must add that the machine was working when my sister got her but malfnkshund when i got to it.
    No real regrets after tasting her over heated watery example.
    I, as always, wil follow the rcomendtions of the enlightened ones on PAS.
    Cheers S

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    Sorry about the bad txt butthis eeepc is not as robust as is klamed (sic) ;-)

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Ben Austin,

    AMT can be ok, but in my opinion they've got a little too big too quickly I think and the quality is now rather variable, just like the other London/national chains. But then London is all about chain restaurants and cafes.

    London • Since Nov 2006 • 1027 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    But then London is all about chain restaurants and cafes.

    Tell me about it already! :)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Sam F,

    (sic)

    I presume you meant *hic* :P

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    Perhaps the solution to London coffee is simply to take your own machine. The brave could even take it down to the cafe to really rub it in, but it would be sufficient to just be able to make one in whatever cupboard one is renting/bludging.

    This has two effects:
    1. It brings better coffee to the poor unfortunate natives, who know not what they drink.
    2. It makes you appreciate how hard it actually is to make the kind of coffee we like.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Sam F,

    I presume you meant *hic* :P

    Sorry, perhaps not - for some reason read eeepc as "Epic", not "PC"...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso,

    Perhaps the solution to London coffee is simply to take your own machine.

    A friend of mine got kicked out of a cafe in France by asking to be allowed to make his own coffee. He was still going to pay, but the machine was the regular Gaggia kind and he just couldn't stand to see it be abused one more time. The owners didn't take it as constructive criticism.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

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