blamebrampton: 15th century woodcut of a hound (Default)
blamebrampton ([personal profile] blamebrampton) wrote2009-08-14 12:25 pm

Gosh, John C Wright

Two days ago I did not know who John C Wright was.

Yesterday, in the wake of his fantastically bonkers argument on how teh gay is ruining the world, I asked Mr Brammers if he had ever heard of him. After a Google, Mr B said 'Erk. Yeah, picked up one of his books in a shop, put it back down. Shitful writer.'

Today I see that the post has been amended to discard all the comments to it and to do the internet equivalent of sticking his fingers in his ears and shouting 'LALALALALA I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!'

I'm going back to my position of two days ago, but I feel the need to say that if that's what he thinks passes for argument, then Mr B may have been overly generous in describing what Wright thinks passes for writing.

I like to think of American speculative fiction writers as being smart, talented and visionary, so I'll go back to thinking about Ursula K Le Guin, Ysabeau Wilce and Kim Stanley Robinson. MUCH nicer, and far less likely to provoke eye rolling at the stupid.

ETA: I received a reply to a comment I left on his original post. He apologised sincerely for his rudeness in the way that he wrote about the gay community. So in fairness, I should add that at least he has manners and the grace to apologise. I'd love it if the episode led him to think a bit further on the Christian message of love and charity and reflect on whether an anti-gay message fits that. Because that line of thought leads to the inevitable conclusion that it does not, since Christ's teaching was all about compassion.


[identity profile] calanthe-fics.livejournal.com 2009-08-14 05:42 am (UTC)(link)
You know, I don't know why the lj community insists on highlighting these people. Let's face it, no publicity is bad publicity, and look how many HP fandomers who'd never heard of the guy now have. They teach childcare workers that the best way to manage attention seeking behaviour is not to respond or make an issue of it. If the guy in quetion was anyone who could actually make a shitsworth of difference to anything meaningful then fine. But while he's just teh crazy being a twat, ignore him.

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2009-08-14 01:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, you're so sensible! It will never catch on!

*mwah!*

[identity profile] calanthe-fics.livejournal.com 2009-08-14 02:40 pm (UTC)(link)
I was tired and thus tactless (more so than usual ) this morning, so sorry about that. But I know you've got the nouse to spot when a cause is lost and when there's a point to fighting, and this guy's got NO HOPE stamped all over him.

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2009-08-14 02:47 pm (UTC)(link)
You were sensible, not tactless! And quite right, which also counts ;-)

I was impressed that he took the time to apologise to me, but saddened that he didn't make it a far broader apology. And I never believe there's no hope. Just not a lot, much of the time.

[identity profile] calanthe-fics.livejournal.com 2009-08-14 02:54 pm (UTC)(link)
I thought he blocked the comments?

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2009-08-14 02:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Personal message to me, and he edited the original post to say 'You're all ghastly. For the most part.'

[identity profile] calanthe-fics.livejournal.com 2009-08-14 03:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Have you thought about taking up UN peace work?

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2009-08-14 03:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Only if Liptons sponsor me. You can accomplish a lot with gentle words, but miracles require tea.