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] 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.