grodscorp@grods.comTim Blair’s winged monkeys are revolting
 | Posted by Scott on Monday 12 May 2008, 3:22 pm Categories: Blogosphere, Media Tags: DailyTelegraph, TimBlair |
Blogger and Daily Telegraph opinion editor, Timmeh Blair, has struck a deal with his employer for the right to do officially what most bloggers do on the sly: blog on work time using work bandwidth. Blair this morning announced that he will be moving his extremely popular blogging activities from timblair.net to the Tele’s website.
This raises all sorts of questions about the pros and cons of such a transition from independent blogger with no real parameters for posts and comments to commercial media blogger bound by pesky rules about things like defamation and commercial interests. We’re planning on fully discussing these issues in tomorrow’s GrodsThink. (End shameless plug.)
But the moment I read Tim’s transfer news this morning I knew that the most interesting thing to watch would be the reaction of his winged monkey commenters who are acutely aware that their days of unmoderated freedom are over. Hilariously, they are bitching on the one hand about the moderation system at the new site which will surely prune 75% of their comments…
So we have to go back to a moderation system Tim?
– Ash_
held for moderator approval
Leave it to a dead tree publication with a website to kill the spontaneity of the threads, which are half the fun…
– Bruce Rheinstein
…but bitching on the other hand about losing the moderation provided by the infamous Andrea Harris, Administrator at the old site.
I miss Andrea already. Can’t you take her with you? Doesn’t seem right somehow.
– Mambo Bananapatch
So who will boot the morons and moonbats if not Andrea?
– Steve Skubinna
For the first time ever Blair’s winged monkeys are going to have to deal with — gasp! — alternative viewpoints without the safety net provided by Andrea’s overzealous use of the delete button. No wonder some are declaring Timmeh’s blogging days over.
Oh well - this is the end of an era and the end of free ranging comments and expression. If anyone wants an idea of what Tim’s new site will be like, just have a look at comments section on Andrew Bolt’s blog
No more free ranging fucking comments!
In fact I remember posting a couple of times to Australian newspaper blogs (not sure if it was the Australian or Bolt) but they did not appear. Either my pseudonym or comments (and they were clean) were unacceptable.
So it definitely will be no more fucking comments. And I dare say there will be no room for detective paco’s adventures. Sigh
Farewell Tim Blair’s Blog
– Wand
I feel like my favourite pub has closed.
Need to find a new one. Been looking at an interesting establishment down the road a bit.
Do you serve Aussie reds at your place Andrea?
– Pogria
But spare a thought for poor Andrea Harris, Administrator who now wields exactly zero power and exerts exactly zero influence over Blair and his ragtag bunch of defaming muppets, not to mention over the lefty minions of evil who dare oppose Timmeh’s thoughts. No wonder she’s left with no option but to beg people to visit her blog despite its complete lack of any content worth reading.
Hey guys, I have a website of my own. I even post to it from time to time. However, my posts aren’t all that interesting these days.
– Andrea Harris, Administrator
You don’t say.
My tiny kitchen has more cupboard space — and a pantry! — than the previous kitchen. So I’ve sacrificed some floor space; so what, it makes it that much easier to fill the cat’s water bowl.
The hot water stays hot for ages. In the previous place I was lucky if I’d get fifteen minutes of actual hot water in the shower with the super water-saver shower head I installed myself. Here I use the gusher that came with the apartment and I can stay in the shower as long as I want.
But thinking again about Blair’s decision to move blogs, it’s difficult to see how it could possibly be a good decision given that it will not significantly boost his stats and will likely cost a decent chunk of his current readership.
Monday 12 May 2008, 3:27 pm #Bron
Damn right, Ed. I’ve just been looking at the new blog, and noticed the somewhat “nicer” comments (you know what I mean). The more vicious death-wishing comments aren’t there.
I think this is an excellent move by Timmeh.
Monday 12 May 2008, 3:31 pm #Bron
Although, as usual, Timmeh doesn’t really contribute anything more substantial by way of actually critiquing something. His lame style of quoting, linking, copying and pasting other stuff with a one- or two-liner of his own remains the same.
The more things change, the more things stay the same.
However, perfect for the fans of his. Not much thinking encouraged.
Monday 12 May 2008, 3:44 pm #Suburban Marxist
“No more free ranging fucking comments!”
Translation: “No more racist, sexist, homophobic bigotry and death threats to political opponents!!”.
Monday 12 May 2008, 4:17 pm #Dam Buster of Preston
Oh it should be fun… at least B1 and B2 can legitimately cross reference each other like a current affair cross references PBL magazines (note that the cross references are as about as hard hitting)
Monday 12 May 2008, 4:17 pm #Damian
You’re enjoying this too much, Ed.
Monday 12 May 2008, 4:25 pm #Terry Wright
Bron: Although, as usual, Timmeh doesn’t really contribute anything more substantial by way of actually critiquing something. His lame style of quoting, linking, copying and pasting other stuff with a one- or two-liner of his own remains the same.
Oh so right. Why does he get the praise he does as some super journo? Copy & paste journalism. mmm, I get the feeling I have seen his style before … it’s very, very similar to some other humble RW blogg;r with the same copy & paste style. Where have I seen it?. mmm, the same habit of copying someone else’s story. Ahh, then commenting one or maybe two lines of his own opinion. It does seem fam;lar. Oh, the content is of the same topics. And the it’s logic is just as inane. mmm, mmm, oh dear god, it’s … it’s… sssshisk. Great journo , yeah right. He get’s his ideas from someone; else.
Maybe Blair should stay at home and does the laundry and employ the other chap; no one could tell.
Monday 12 May 2008, 4:52 pm #Damian
“His lame style of quoting, linking, copying and pasting other stuff with a one- or two-liner of his own remains the same.”
Sounds like someone else we know. Now they’re even groupthinking their groupthink!
Monday 12 May 2008, 4:55 pm #Damian
So anyway, when is GrodsCorp migrating across to News Ltd?
Monday 12 May 2008, 4:56 pm #Chuck A. Spear
I still want to know what Andrea has against the fine Scottish restaurant?
Monday 12 May 2008, 5:27 pm #The Editor
Damian: “So anyway, when is GrodsCorp migrating across to News Ltd?”
I’m just waiting for the outcome of the ongoing News vs. Fairfax bidding war.
Chuck: “I still want to know what Andrea has against the fine Scottish restaurant?”
Too expensive?
Monday 12 May 2008, 5:42 pm #Chade
I like how Andrea says she deletes “crazy” comments on her blog. I guess people must be after her…
Monday 12 May 2008, 5:46 pm #Zombie Mao
To the hot blond chick in the red car I ran into this morning, destroying the back drivers side door.
Compliments on the red matching outfit, the short skirt - long boot combo was appealing
Now my no claim bonus is gone and another $300 excess bill and repairs on my car on the way.
On the up side I have the phone number, rego and address of a hot blonde chick.
Monday 12 May 2008, 5:47 pm #Zombie Mao
FUCK WRONG THREAD
my shitty day gets better and better
Monday 12 May 2008, 5:55 pm #Damian
Mao, you’re having a Barry Crocker, old son.
Ed, what’s this about a Fairfax-News bidding war? You mean, you’re actually considering a move to THE VINE!?
Monday 12 May 2008, 6:47 pm #philip travers
I have been here for fleeting moments,outside of the curse of Blair and Bolt.Away from The Australian as it blows across the landscape in competition with plastic bags. If the Grod gathers momentum up the “dont be shy.We are all Scottish here”,Murdoch path,where will I go!?The brutality of the question is worse than,the supported paradigm shift,that seems to be a escalator that has melting vinyl!As elevators are but sentences and alliterative in not passing a full stop.I am outside my league!
Monday 12 May 2008, 7:33 pm #Ant Rogenous
I am outside my league!
That’s an awkward position to be in, Philip, since — and I mean this in the nicest possible way — it’s truly a league of your own.
Ed, excellent post. Looking forward to fully discussing these issues in tomorrow’s GrodsThink.
Man, this plugging thing it contagious.
Monday 12 May 2008, 8:09 pm #The Editor
Thanks, Ant. See you tomorrow at the GrodsThink record.
Monday 12 May 2008, 8:19 pm #Bron
I can’t wait for the next GrodsThink download.
Monday 12 May 2008, 8:21 pm #The Editor
You’ll be able to download it from the GrodsThink page.
Monday 12 May 2008, 9:13 pm #zombie mao
well I’m drunk now ..and its only Monday
FUCK YOU LAWS OF PHYSICS
Monday 12 May 2008, 9:17 pm #Bron
Drowning in your sorrows tonight after your horrendous day, zombie mao?
Monday 12 May 2008, 9:27 pm #albi
Good move I think. Blair obviously wanted to rid himself of some of the more unsavoury elements that frequent his joint without losing face by doing it himself.
Monday 12 May 2008, 9:53 pm #Krypto
looks like Timmeh’s scurried down his spider hole, he sees the revolution coming I think and is back-peddling to distance himself from the bougiorsie before he finds himself on a date with Madame Guillotine in the middle of Federation Square..
Monday 12 May 2008, 10:00 pm #Wah
I say we get on that cesspit of a rag’s website and give Timmeh hell before the … I better not say it. Maybe I’ll say it tomorrow night at the Grodthink record.
Tuesday 13 May 2008, 12:17 am #Dave from Albury
You’re all so cruel. Imagine all of the poor Blair readers out there who will wake up tomorrow and not know who to hate.
Tuesday 13 May 2008, 12:23 am #John Surname
Besides themselves, naturally.
Tuesday 13 May 2008, 12:38 am #Dave from Albury
Sorry, I thought that went without saying.
Tuesday 13 May 2008, 7:46 am #Suburban Marxist
“I say we get on that cesspit of a rag’s website and give Timmeh hell…”
Oh, you simply must! I’ve already been over and handed out a dooching. Was quite surprised to see my comment get through. Not sure how long that will last but at least we’ll be giving some poor journalist cadet a job moderating. And they say the Left causes unemployment…
Tuesday 13 May 2008, 9:56 am #John Surname
I’m sure they’ll have a team. They’ll give themselves a name like The Moderators and make up some nifty jackets to wear around the office. Access all areas. Fo’ real, yo.
Tuesday 13 May 2008, 1:56 pm #Bridgit Gread
Well well, I go away for a few days and come back… to this.
My biggest worry is what will Andrea Harris do with her life from hereonin? What will she ‘administrate’? How will she fill this void? I’m almost worried for her.
Actually, no I’m not.
Tuesday 13 May 2008, 1:59 pm #Dam Buster of Preston
I can see The Team..
Senior Moderator
Assistant Senior Moderator (actually Assistant to the Senior Moderator)
etc etc
matching coffee mugs, mouse pads and most importantly blazers except for Timmeh as he will need a different coloured jacket a la Richie Benaud..
“We work as a team and do it MY WAY”
Tuesday 13 May 2008, 2:04 pm #Bridgit Gread
Media Watch ran a snippet last night about how Alan Jones went to air with a listener’s anecdote that was later proved to be baloney - prompting Big Al to admonish his listeners for not ‘checking their facts’ (despite his army of five producers). Maybe Timmeh could hire some of them.
Tuesday 13 May 2008, 11:06 pm #Damian
I remember there was a bit of a stink among the monkeys once when Blair’s site featured an ad for PETA, the animal liberation activist mob. I had to giggle at the new ads on his News Ltd site. WTF. I’m not sure that the keyword thingy they use to place those ads is really going to help them reach the intended target audience. But maybe I am underestimating the monkeys. They may wish to visit their non-winged Tanzanian relatives or something.
Wednesday 14 May 2008, 2:21 pm #Ash
I’m quite curious to know how my question about a registration system is somehow “bitching”. Clearly, The Editor has redefined the term “bitching” without me being aware of it.
Wednesday 14 May 2008, 2:43 pm #Ant Rogenous
The Editor’s always up to dirty tricks like that, Ash. He’s a loose cannon. I blame The Left.
Wednesday 14 May 2008, 3:00 pm #The Editor
I have a few lattes and whoosh! There go my ethics.
Wednesday 14 May 2008, 3:40 pm #Dam Buster of Preston
Brigit Gread - I wonder if Alan Jones has had to “read out this email within 10 minutes or you will have bad luck”
Wednesday 14 May 2008, 3:59 pm #Damian
Ash has a point, Ed. You seem to be painting a rather negative portrait of the friendly, happy-go-lucky bunch that is TIM BLAIR’S FLYING MONKEY CIRCUS! Still, the other comments quoted (besides Ash’s one) speak for themselves.
Wednesday 14 May 2008, 4:00 pm #Damian
Ash, had I been permitted to leave a comment on Blair’s blog I would have replied to yours by saying, “you already have a moderation system here, Ash.”