There were well over 100 comments on this blog yesterday, every one of which I read before posting (or not, in a few cases). That took a little time. Between doing that I also had to do some work, have meetings and so on. Despite appearances, this blog is very far from being my full time job, which is why blogs sometimes get written at railway stations over a coffee and the odd mistake creeps in. It's also why most get written very early in the day.
Some complained yesterday that I was not moderating their comments quickly enough. I'm sorry for the dissatisfaction. I do my best.
Today my best will not be good enough for many. I am having hospital tests and will be sedated. This may mean I may be out of blogging action for a few hours and I'm sorry, but that may mean your comment will just have to wait. I apologise in advance, but I am also confident that the world won't end as a result.
It may also mean comments requiring a response will take even longer to post. Again, that's just the way it's going to have to be. Please accept my apology now. Or wait for another day.
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Wishing you all the best Richard. Keep up the good work!
Thanks
Richard,
Firstly, I wish you well at the hospital today. But secondly, can I urge you, in the most constructive way possible, not to dash back to blogging/moderating until the sedatives have cleared properly. There’s too much heat around as it is, and not enough light getting through the smoke clouds. Don’t go giving the critics pointless ammunition by posting stuff which you’ll not be in a fit state to have fully thought through; type it in if you must (I’m sure those close to you will be urging you to rest properly!) but don’t post it til tomorrow, when you’ve checked it with a clear head. You’ve explained why there’ll be a short gap, so stick by that. Far too much of what went on yesterday was silly and childish, and what gets discussed here is important – I might not agree with all your reasoning or conclusions, but we both think we’re trying to make the world a better place (who knows, we may even both be right in what we’d aim for…); 24 hours is a short time to wait in the timeframes you’ve worked over, and once stuff gets on the web it’s there for good. One slip while you’re feeling groggy is bound to be wheeled out again and again to haunt you, and I really don’t think that would be constructive. For today, rest and look after your health.J.
OK
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Apart from wishing you well in your hospital stay Richard, let me second what JP has said, especially with regard to: “One slip while you’re feeling groggy is bound to be wheeled out again and again to haunt you,”.
As you said, we’re all fallible, (self included), so why give the right wingers any stick to beat you with by making the occasional slip up when you’re not fully compos mentis?
And it won’t do people any harm to wait for a reply to their comments. The net has opened up new possibilities for the sharing of news, information, and comments, but this also has a downside in that people get to expect a quick reply to everything, when, often, considered relection would be better.
The kleptocracy brigade have a lynch mob mentality and leap on any human vulnerability their ever busy antennae detect-everything is seen by them as manipulatable, exploitable and material for schadenfreude. This is the foul culture we are up against. Look after yourself Richard.
Although I do wish you the very best, I think you should take the opportunity to comment at length whilst under sedation; it’s perfectly possible that you will come up with some scintillating and brilliant insights that may elude you when in a more normal state. I wouldn’t listen to the others advocating against this; they are starting with an incorrect assumption about the possible reputational damage from commenting whilst in a “groggy” state. The neo-liberals will wheel things out against you whatever you say. Aren’t some of the greatest geniuses of our species supposed to have come up with some of their best work whilst under the influence of something? That could be you too. All the very best.
🙂
I have to say that so far the only benefit has been a lot of additional sleep today and a very welcome cup of tea or two
It was noteble that several people were doing the written equivalent of ‘shouting louder’ to drown out your meaning.(repeating a big lie frequently). also apparent was the good will and encouragement projected by comments on a previous Blog. I for one have learned much and enjoyed more the blogs you produce so abundantly. more power to you elbow. The point was well made which is why the critics were having thir fun!
Good health and best wishes to you.
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