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With knights like this, maybe you could get used to trolls (5 March 2009)

Paltrow writes a blog and the corporate and financial elites go nuts. Ms. Redmond writes favorably about Ms. Paltrow's blog, and certain Tyee readers go nuts.

Hmmm, what does this tell us? Actually, quite a lot. The phenomenon of both events is well studied in the field known as sociology, which remains the cutting edge of intellectual analysis and thought. And for good reason. It's scholars seek to critique what ACTUALLY influences societal trends to happen.

Authors such as Naomi Klein, Edward Herman, Noam Chomosky, Ben Bagdikian, Marc Edge and others have significantly educated millions of us about how societal elements operate. And once we understand how the 'template' works, each of us can in turn apply this analysis to almost any event involving powerful entities for better understanding.

Speaking of which, Paltrow and/or ANY celebrity are NOT permitted to enter the realm of written discourse. Particularly female celebrties. It is overstepping their bounds and they will face significant 'flak'. It they persist, they will incur even more wrath and ultimately be black listed. It's how things work. I salute Ms. Paltrow's courage in taking this step, and only time will tell whether she can resist her critics.

As for Ms. Redmond, one sees a similar reaction to her work on the Tyee. Flamers and trolls who normally stick to undermining independent political critiques, lash out at her columns. Why? Likely the combination of being female (easier to attack females in pubic as per their perceived lack of power (which ties into the bullying nature of those with more power)) coupled with her courage in writing about non-male dominated topics.

Which is exactly why I love the Tyee. Keep rocking that boat. It will take continued courage and character for all of you, but we're standing behind you 1000%." (Jeffrey J.)

(completion of title) . . . and their flaming farts?

Well Vanessa, your current effort has earned you Jeffrey J as your knight in templated armor. He thinks you wrote favorably about Paltrow's blog -- which does make one wonder how well he'd appeal to someone who reads, but no doubt he's stalwart, and with his "the phenomenon of both events is well studied in the field of sociology," he shows some co-sympathy with your talk of memes and evolutionary psychology: So maybe even if you don't initially subscribe to the particular service he is offering, continue writing as you do and maybe his blockish "coos" will ultimately ram a way into your heart and soul. But as he is away fending off us ugglies, "educating [us] [. . .] as to how societal elements operate," converting us while spawning a meming army set to "apply [. . .] analysis to almost any event involving powerful entities for better understanding," maybe for sanity's sake you'll finally decide to jump ship for the ewy-gooey, isle of trolls.

We might eat you alive, but who's to say that's the worse fate? And besides, if you change your mind, try clicking your heels three times while chanting "Great article, Tyee" (the chanting's probably the important part), and no doubt you'll find him once again by your side, devotedly your one, one hundred thousand percent of the time.

Link: Is the Future of Journalism Goop (The Tyee)

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