Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Friday Music: History, motherfuckers

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  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Dean Papa,

    Soviet-style stalinist repression.

    Oh, FFS... that hyperbole would be faintly amusing if the treatment of artists, writers, composers and film-makers under Stalin who didn't toe the party line wasn't as well documented as it was horrifying. (Reading is awesome!) To quote Helen Clark, the first thing to do when you're in a hole is stop digging. Not because I and the Feminazis want to suppress your free speech, but because it's just getting embarrasing.

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

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Stephen D. O'Hoy,

    People like Nick Bollinger, Sam Wicks, Graham Reid and a handful of others do care about music and are happy to put the music first rather than their own interests.

    I'd add Gary Steel to that. He and I have had our moments, but he's a reviewer I'll actually read, because he can write and he comes from some depth.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Rich Lock,

    It’s a shame we don’t know someone with an existing platform and an existing audience who already know Danielle and her writings who could host it.

    I thought I'd said so:-)

    To be clear, if Danielle could find the time to write a music post, I would be very proud to publish that post here.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • philipmatthews, in reply to Stephen D. O'Hoy,

    Best response on this whole drama yet.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2007 • 656 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Russell Brown,

    To be clear, if Danielle could find the time to write a music post, I would be very proud to publish that post here.

    We need a fanboy club! With T-shirts!

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Dean Papa,

    The validity of the statement that women think more with their hearts than minds, WITH RESPECT TO TASTE IN MUSIC, is totally and utterly irrelevant. The bone of contention here is whether me, Simon, or anyone for that matter, has the right to even suggest such a thing.

    And, according to the aggressive feminists in here we, apparently, do not have that right. For some mysterious reason they are incredibly offended both by the statement itself, and the very fact we have the temerity to even say it, or at least they pretend to be. Why do they claim to be so offended? I am not at all offended by the statement, which applies equally to the male gender, namely that they think less with their heart and more with their mind. Perhaps, after much research scrutinising the scientific literature with respect to psychology and evolution, and even from conducting my own scientific experiments, I have determined that there is some truth to the assertion, based on a statistical analysis of metadata, I may have, through the scientific process arrived at such a conclusion. Do I then not have the right to publish my results because it offends a few aggressive feminists? Alternatively I could have just pulled the statement out of my ass, but it shouldn’t matter how I arrived at my conclusion. I should have the right to speak my mind without being battered down by aggressive feminists. It is bullying, plain and simple!!

    The ugly truth here is that aggressive feminists can be incredibly mean when they want to be. Far meaner than innocent blokes like Simon could ever be. You need look no further than what that horrible woman Germain Greer said about poor Steve Irwin after he died for proof of that. Best friend of aggressive feminists Finlay MacDonald also wrote a very nasty piece about poor Steve. Why are the aggressive feminists and trendy lefties so nasty? That is the real question that should arise from this debate.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2011 • 31 posts Report Reply

  • JacksonP, in reply to Dean Papa,

    Why do they claim to be so offended? I am not at all offended by the statement, which applies equally to the male gender, namely that they think less with their heart and more with their mind.

    I’m offended by this statement! Who are ‘they’ for starters? What are you even saying? Music generally affects me emotionally first, in fact I’d prefer not to have to over-think why I like something.

    Are you going to call me a girl? I bloody dare you.

    Grr.

    Why are the aggressive feminists and trendy lefties so nasty? That is the real question that should arise from this debate.

    Sigh.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2011 • 2450 posts Report Reply

  • bob daktari, in reply to Dean Papa,

    I think, musically, with my feet - everyone else is doing it wrong!

    PLUR

    auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 540 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Dean Papa,

    Why do they claim to be so offended?

    My apologies for what is below it is angry and may be offensive to some...

    I can't answer for them. But I can answer for me.

    I'm offended by the statement for a number of reasons. The first is that it is a lie. It is not true in any shape or form and hence you stating it as if it were a truth is a lie and I am offended by liers.

    The second is the intent of the lie which is to argue that women's opinions are less important. While not explicitly stated (I can't remember if you were such a douchbag as to explicitly state it or not) but it is certainly implied.

    The third is that it attacks women's intellect in general. I find such an attack on a whole gender to be deeply offensive. As offensive as an attack on any other groups' intellect without any basis.

    Finally what I find deeply offensive is your characterisation of the thoughtful, articulate, competent, talented women who post here as "aggressive feminists". An attack intended to diminish them and dismiss thier opinions and ideas.

    Your ideas and words disgust me.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Dean Papa,

    I should have the right to speak my mind without being battered down by aggressive feminists. It is bullying, plain and simple!!

    I'm not sure if you've noticed, but every word you've typed is still exactly as it was when you clocked the Post button. What you seem to be demanding is that no one take issue with anything you say.

    Perhaps you could put the victim card away.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Martin Lindberg, in reply to Dean Papa,

    It is bullying, plain and simple!!

    Oh, cry me a river!

    Stockholm • Since Jul 2009 • 802 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart, in reply to Dean Papa,

    Why do they claim to be so offended? I am not at all offended by the statement

    It's sweet, Dean, that you think you get to decide what is and isn't offensive. I assume you have some kind of certificate authorising this? And also some kind of Science Machine that goes 'bing' to tell you when someone's actually offended and when they're just "claiming" to be offended? Is it the same machine that lets you know Sweetman's innermost motivations? Because I'm still waiting for your evidence that he regrets what he wrote.

    Nobody has tried to stop you talking. People have disagreed with you. Many of those people were men... and yet you clearly perceive yourself as being attacked by women. Why is that?

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams, in reply to Dean Papa,

    FWIW, briefly entering the fray, I like that there is a good number of opinionated feminists 'round these parts, not least of all 'cause they consistently say interesting and clever stuff... most of the blokes too... you, not so much

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • B Jones, in reply to Dean Papa,

    Perhaps, after much research scrutinising the scientific literature with respect to psychology and evolution, and even from conducting my own scientific experiments, I have determined that there is some truth to the assertion, based on a statistical analysis of metadata, I may have, through the scientific process arrived at such a conclusion. Do I then not have the right to publish my results because it offends a few aggressive feminists? Alternatively I could have just pulled the statement out of my ass, but it shouldn’t matter how I arrived at my conclusion.

    You don't know much about how science works, I'm guessing.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 976 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    I should have the right to speak my mind without being battered down by aggressive feminists

    I think that's because they're thinking with their feminist hearts, not their occasionally-in-use brains.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • B Jones, in reply to Dean Papa,

    The ugly truth here is that aggressive feminists can be incredibly mean when they want to be. Far meaner than innocent blokes like Simon could ever be. You need look no further than what that horrible woman Germain Greer said about poor Steve Irwin after he died for proof of that.

    She called him wank-fodder for men who like Farmers catalogues?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 976 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Alternatively I could have just pulled the statement out of my ass, but it shouldn’t matter how I arrived at my conclusion.

    I don't mind how you arrived at the conclusion, but I'd hope you would.

    Especially if you don't want 'aggressive feminists' making you look silly.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    And on a more positive, and less silly, note ...

    Lorde a few hours ago on Later With Jools Holland:

    She has presence.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    She has presence.

    Her voice sounds like it's struggling through, particularly at the beginning of the song.

    Young body and vocal chords to be put through what she must be doing at the moment.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Heather Gaye,

    This is great theatre, but maybe it's time to stop feeding the troll.

    Morningside • Since Nov 2006 • 533 posts Report Reply

  • JacksonP, in reply to Russell Brown,

    She has presence.

    Wow, that was quick.

    We really should be celebrating such amazing success. Well, I guess we are, left to our own devices.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2011 • 2450 posts Report Reply

  • Dean Papa,

    The “they” I am referring to is all of those who are claiming offense. I’d have thought that was obvious. Now some of these people may have been genuinely offended, but I suspect many are not as offended as they would have you believe. But it makes another good stick with which to bash Simon with, so heck, why not pretend it’s the most offensive thing said in the history of mankind?

    Further, a statement can only be a lie if it was originally offered up as fact. I don’t believe there is any way you could read what Simon wrote and leave with the impression that he was claiming this to be a proven scientific fact, unless perhaps you were totally lacking in a sense of humour. There was no intent behind the statement other than as an attempt to explain an observation, an observation which might be somewhat of a generalisation, but which was merely put forward for the basis of lighthearted discussion. It is completely and utterly absurd to imply the existence of a hidden agenda to belittle women, or to attack their intellect. That thinking is only in the fevered imagination of those who are incandescent with rage over Simon’s Lorde review. Which it has to be said was a serious error of judgement by Simon in publishing.

    Finally, I should point out that I do not agree with Simon's Lorde review, not with his opinion or the manner in which he expressed it. I'm not really au fait with the modern popular music scene, but Lorde seems pleasant enough, at least compared to other stuff I've heard, including many of the tedious tunes Russell plugs in here.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2011 • 31 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle, in reply to Heather Gaye,

    I dunno. I've recently come around to Lindy West's position on that issue. But in this case the latest post is a bit too hilarious for me to take seriously. A guy whining about "aggressive feminists" who's really into evolutionary psychology? I mean, what kind of hoary old internet cliche generator are we running here? I expect PAS's brand of sexism to be a bit more original. ;)

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark,

    And now we get down to it, don't we? I think, Dean, you might have a gripe about 1) this community and 2) Russell. There is only one way of fixing this: you realise that, don't you? You've walked into a party where you don't like the host, and you can't stand the other guests. Doesn't sound like much of a party, does it?

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Tim Hannah,

    It is completely and utterly absurd to imply the existence of a hidden agenda to belittle women, or to attack their intellect.

    You've got to be pretty determinedly obtuse to think any agenda there was hidden.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 228 posts Report Reply

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