12 April 2012

On being feral

| johnboy
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A slightly bizarre thing happened yesterday afternoon on ABC local radio. I was doing keynote speakers segment when the subject turned to the vexed issue of Legislative Assembly Timesheets.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Ted Quinlan, not known for being a huge fan of RiotACT and its works, was gracious enough to acknowledge that he’d only had the benefit of reading the Mcleod report thanks to us posting it.

This prompted someone to contact the station, and the producer to flash it to the presenter Genevieve Jacobs who then read it out on air, that Ted Quinlan was in danger for even having cast his eye upon RiotACT, because we are just a blog and a feral one at that engaged in feral attacks.

I wish I had the exact words.

I played it with a reasonably straight, if condescending, bat at the time. But given the benefit of the internet ,when it comes to giving considered responses, here’s what I wish I’d said.

Now let’s leave aside the use of the word feral to apply to other human beings with all its overtones of racism and xenophobia.

Due to being the only outlet that actually let our readers see the full text of the report being discussed, to the point where a party grandee only saw it thanks to performing that service we’re being multiply abused as feral on the ABC?

Not the Speaker’s office, not the Canberra Liberals, not the Canberra Times, nor the ABC.

Rather than selective reporting (or misreporting as seemed to be the case in one significant instance) we provided the full story in the words of the former Commonwealth Ombudsman who wrote them.

And we that gets us slagged as feral?

Well go right ahead, call me feral. On that standard I’ll wear it any time.

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Grail said :

50% of the population are below median intelligence not average intelligence. The median is not the mean except in specific distributions (those such as “bell” or “normal” curves that are symmetric about the median being one example).

.

Yeah, I know all that. My mate who first made this observation to me has a PhD in maths and stats, and he knows it too. But it just doesn’t sound as punchy to talk about medians, and the message is still pretty much the same.

Clown Killer11:00 pm 13 Apr 12

M0les said :

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win”

Change the masthead to include the word “Feral”, I say.

+ eleventy billion

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win”

Change the masthead to include the word “Feral”, I say.

However, 50% of people have above average dickheadness

LSWCHP said :

Ms Thumper, who recently studied some pyschology, has a theory that 20% of the population are complete and utter d***heads.

Make of it what you want but I reckon she’s wrong. It’s higher than that.

50% of the worlds population is of below average intelligence. Seriously. This simple observation explains almost everything about how the world works.

For example, around half the cars on the road at any time are being driven by people of below average intelligence. This explains why you see so many people driving stupidly. It’s because they’re stupid.

Similarly, comments about the feral nature of this site almost certainly come from those in the bottom 50%.

JB, please carry on.

However, d***headness and intelligence are completely different things.

Grail said :

50% of the population are below median intelligence not average intelligence. The median is not the mean except in specific distributions (those such as “bell” or “normal” curves that are symmetric about the median being one example).

And Johnboy just found out why old media has the delay between news reception and news publication: there are many better ways to say something that only occur to us a few hours after we’ve said it.

well, even that is not necessarily true. imagine we have ten people, six of whom share the intelligence level of, say, 100 points. two have intelligences of 105 and two have 95. the ‘average’ (and ‘median’) here is 100, 60% of whom share this, yet not affecting the average or median.

but to take jb’s op comments at face value: you’re a feral.

there, you asked me to call you that. but you’re our feral, and that makes all the difference. 🙂

A feral animal is something that has once domesticated that has gone wild and grown to the point where it is a nuisance to the sheep or other domestic livestock/crops (or valued native environments).

Feral media – a media outlet that was once captive to mainstream media industries, but has escaped and is now running wild.

50% of the population are below median intelligence not average intelligence. The median is not the mean except in specific distributions (those such as “bell” or “normal” curves that are symmetric about the median being one example).

And Johnboy just found out why old media has the delay between news reception and news publication: there are many better ways to say something that only occur to us a few hours after we’ve said it.

However, 50% of people have above average d***headness

LSWCHP said :

Ms Thumper, who recently studied some pyschology, has a theory that 20% of the population are complete and utter d***heads.

Make of it what you want but I reckon she’s wrong. It’s higher than that.

50% of the worlds population is of below average intelligence. Seriously. This simple observation explains almost everything about how the world works.

For example, around half the cars on the road at any time are being driven by people of below average intelligence. This explains why you see so many people driving stupidly. It’s because they’re stupid.

Similarly, comments about the feral nature of this site almost certainly come from those in the bottom 50%.

JB, please carry on.

However, d***headness and intelligence are completely different things.

Anyone who thinks this place is feral should take a look at the Tele’s comments section sometime.

Or just spend 30 seconds on 4chan.

LSWCHP said :

Ms Thumper, who recently studied some pyschology, has a theory that 20% of the population are complete and utter d***heads.

Make of it what you want but I reckon she’s wrong. It’s higher than that.

50% of the worlds population is of below average intelligence. Seriously. This simple observation explains almost everything about how the world works.

For example, around half the cars on the road at any time are being driven by people of below average intelligence. This explains why you see so many people driving stupidly. It’s because they’re stupid.

Similarly, comments about the feral nature of this site almost certainly come from those in the bottom 50%.

JB, please carry on.

However, dickheadness and intelligence are completely different things.

True. I’ve known some terrific people who aren’t too bright, and I’ve known some geniuses (yes, actual geniuses) who I wouldn’t pee on if they were on fire. Overall though, I’m still prepared to support the proposition that there’s a pretty good correlation between intelligence and niceness. Or to put it another way, if you see someone being a dickhead there’s a pretty good chance that they’re also stupid.

I really doubt that there’s a lot of Fields Medallists punching on with the cops outside Mooseheads at 2am on Saturday morning.

That’s a badge of pride JB – the fact is RA can’t be controlled by the corporate monopoly and as long as you encourage the right to free speech from the rest of us here then the content is more than just one editors/producers point of view. This is community input at it’s best – I am happy to join the feral ranks if that is what others deem us to be!

Ms Thumper, who recently studied some pyschology, has a theory that 20% of the population are complete and utter d***heads.

Make of it what you want but I reckon she’s wrong. It’s higher than that.

50% of the worlds population is of below average intelligence. Seriously. This simple observation explains almost everything about how the world works.

For example, around half the cars on the road at any time are being driven by people of below average intelligence. This explains why you see so many people driving stupidly. It’s because they’re stupid.

Similarly, comments about the feral nature of this site almost certainly come from those in the bottom 50%.

JB, please carry on.

A feral organism is one that has changed from being domesticated to being wild or untamed.

Congratulations to all involved with The RiotACT for moving away from the domesticated press.

Keep posting folks! Then maybe JB – in fearful symmetry – might award Riotact the (feralness personified) Mully …

Better ‘feral’ than a clapped out toothless poodle.

Jivrashia said :

Johnboy, there is a small feral inside you that reels its ugly head every now and then. Otherwise, you do a good job keeping the Canberra community informed.

A bit of cheese, a torch, and a hammer should help you out, JB.

I’ll see if I can bring to this thread an unbiased observation…

I believe the accusation of this site being feral has little to do with posters. Let’s face it, in this day and age we all know that posts and comments left by readers are to be taken with a pinch of salt and scepticism.

But articles written by the editors of sites, such as this that have built a reputation over the years as a fairly reliable source of news and current affairs around Canberra, have weight and influence over the mass. Because of this there is responsibility to the community that such sites have inadvertently inherited, whether they like it or not.

That is to say, the editors should not publish articles with the same great abandonment with which a lot of posters here do. And most articles here have shown to exercise balanced and impartiality.

Except a few feral ones.

Yes, there have been always a few feral articles of which personal opinion definitely appears to seep through between the lines. The articles themselves are not inaccurate, or assuming, or presumptuous. But the presentation left little doubt as to the inclination of the editor.

So I’ll make this accusation:
Johnboy, there is a small feral inside you that reels its ugly head every now and then. Otherwise, you do a good job keeping the Canberra community informed.

VYBerlinaV8_is_back said :

If this site is feral, then how do I describe the crazy bogan bitch in her undies in the Woden interchange screaming at people a few minutes ago?

And you were there slipping her 5 dollar notes to keep going?

The difference between old media and social media is this: in old media views are controlled. 7 second delay, selected letters to the editor, house styles etc.

in social media – and especially the riot act, all views short of totally defamatory are published. let the people have their say. and they do. topics are discussed, nit picked, and occasionally resolved.

note that the same proportion of ‘ferals’ that post pointless threads or comments on riotact also listen to the ABC and possibly call in on the lame talkback sessions – and if the views do not accord with the line being taken, the callers are dumped quickly. party hacks also distort genuine questioning.

i’d rather spend my 8c a day on the riotact. if that makes me a feral – so be it.

Holden Caulfield5:06 pm 12 Apr 12

How is Pottsy these days?

Pluralism is confronting for a lot of people.

As such, there are several lessons to be learnt on Riotact:

1- Harden up

2- Don’t bullshit. This includes generalisations and unsupported assertions. You will be called out.

3- Don’t expect other people to share your emotions.

4- ‘Thinking’ comes before ‘typing’ in the English Dictionary. Something to keep in mind.

If this is feral, what is Mooseheads at 2am?

It’s simply got to be … Mr G(illespie). I think that ‘chuck a tantrum at the local shops over a plastic bag’ rant really tipped the balance.

VYBerlinaV8_is_back4:29 pm 12 Apr 12

If this site is feral, then how do I describe the crazy bogan bitch in her undies in the Woden interchange screaming at people a few minutes ago?

How disapointing.

I thought this was going to be a guide to firestick twirling, lentil cooking and crystals.

I heard your retort and I must admit I did think at the time that it did not come across that well – and can see why you might now be wishing you had said what you have written here. Pretty shcoking for the G Jacobs show at the very least.

However, I do agree with your point. Must be a disgruntled RA poster. Of which there must be many given the bagging that some receive on here.

You do somewhat have the advantage now though of being the editor of this forum to get your viewpoint across. They might see this rant as being their victory though – in addition to your ungracious retort on the radio.

ferals

I think this is a case of ‘consider the source’. The people calling you feral have little credibility so let’s move on.

Tetranitrate3:32 pm 12 Apr 12

dpm said :

My guess, it was one of those poor, naive people who writes into RA asking for help with some matter (usually that they have brought upon themselves), only to receive a bagging instead of the advice which was asked for.
A recent example, off the top of my head, would be the ‘large girth’ guy asking for shirt info who received (amongst some really good advice this time!) suggestions to simply lose weight.
That’s probably what the person was talking about, though that sort of thing is not restricted to RA….!

Agreed – if you want to see the needlessly abusive nastiness in its distilled form, go look at the threads on the Lake Gininderra Teepee/raft thing or any thread where public housing is brought up.

It’s not Johnboy’s fault and you can’t have a free discussion if moderation is heavy handed, so I can’t see it changing anytime soon – but I can definitely see why someone might refer to the riotact as a blog/forum/community as ‘feral’.

neanderthalsis3:24 pm 12 Apr 12

There is a list of likely suspects:

Anyone from the Canberra Times
Anyone from ACT Labor
Anyone from ACT Libs
John Passant (although a fellow blogger)
Mark Parton
Scotty and/or Nige
Anyone form commercial morning radio
Mardi from Jerra

PBO said :

Dont start a fight with him JB, having just checked out his wiki page i can now see that he is not one to be messed with.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Quinlan

Wow, it has already been corrected!

Dont start a fight with him JB, having just checked out his wiki page i can now see that he is not one to be messed with.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Quinlan

the article is in no way a criticism of Ted Quinlan who, as I wrote, was very gracious.

dpm said :

My guess, it was one of those poor, naive people who writes into RA asking for help with some matter (usually that they have brought upon themselves), only to receive a bagging instead of the advice which was asked for.

REPTOIDS!!!

My guess, it was one of those poor, naive people who writes into RA asking for help with some matter (usually that they have brought upon themselves), only to receive a bagging instead of the advice which was asked for.
A recent example, off the top of my head, would be the ‘large girth’ guy asking for shirt info who received (amongst some really good advice this time!) suggestions to simply lose weight.
That’s probably what the person was talking about, though that sort of thing is not restricted to RA….!

Ted who? Oh, the failed ACT Treasurer who’s been doing the ACT Tax Review since 12 August 2010?

Don’t worry JB. In 18 months time Tony will be PM, the ABC will either be shut down or privatised and we won’t have to put up with this type of crap anymore. It can’t come soon enough.

Another week where journalists that aim to put the full set of information into the hands of the public are getting slammed. Just one more local expose’ and we’ll have a hat-trick.

Hang in there JB, the old generation and their fear of information-equality will be retiring to their coastal retreats over the next few years

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