I don’t own an iPod. I would never wear an iPod… If this is your primary focus in life - the machines… it’s going to have a staggeringly negative effect, all of this, for America… did you ever talk to these computer geeks? I mean, can you carry on a conversation with them? …I really fear for the United States because, believe me, the jihadists? They’re not playing the video games. They’re killing real people over there.
Bill, I have a challenge for you. Bring me on your show and have a conversation with me. Am I a computer geek? Absolutely. I have been in front of one machine or another since age 6, starting with an Apple IIe. I even had an old Timex/Sinclair that I tinkered around with after finding it in a thrift store. I witnessed the advent of the Internet as a member of the generation which made it what it is today. I dialed into BBS systems and posted on Usenet. I can take apart and re-assemble a standard PC desktop in total darkness in the same way a Marine can an M16. So, yes, my "computer geek" street cred is as in your face as it gets.
But there is more to me and every other geek I have ever known. I don't have stringy hair framing broken glasses and poor personal hygiene. I don't sprinkle every conversation I have with Monty Python, Lord of the Rings, or Star Wars references. I don't spend my weekend nights playing World of Warcraft with other geeks while you leave sleazy messages on interns' voicemail, detailing your fetish with Lebanese sandwiches.
I do dress well.
I do know how to talk to women and have never had to offer to coach a woman on how to use a vibrator.
I have conversations with people of all types and backgrounds, ranging from politics to religion and everything between.
So, come one, Bill. Take me on. Let's see if you can hang with a real culture warrior. Let's see if you understand that such a title means you fight with the tools of culture rather than attacking your culture with crude stereotypes.
I dare you.
5 comments:
I do believe you already kicked O'Reilly's ass, with this post. :-)
Nice blog, incidentally. Is that a picture of you, or one you got off the internet?
In fairness, I will admit that I am indeed a dead ringer for Albert Einstein. ;-)
The picture in my profile is indeed me. :) Taken by the wife earlier this year as we camped somewhere in the Mid-West. There are several more of me at www.brianragle.com , if you care to see.
You've definitely led a fascinating life, no doubt about that. I do remember that your writing impressed me, from back when we first became acquainted on Quatloos. Unfortunately, I don't have time to read over the links to your writing (have to cook Thanksgiving dinner) but I've bookmarked it to be read in the very near future.
Off the top of my head, Brian, I'd say you're going to go places in the publishing world. That's the impression I had when we first met, too. I can't tell you in a concise manner why I think that; it's just a gut reaction. I look forward to seeing that happen.
Cool pics, by the way. :-)
One more thing, Brian. Your wife sounds like a real jewel for encouraging your writing career. Most women wouldn't do that. I have no idea why, but most people look at hardcore full-time writers as if we're all drunken suicidals like Hemingway.
Of course, that might just be because we all wish we were Hemingway. ;-)
Seriously, writers live inside their own heads, and that's a very big place. I'm glad you found someone to share it with you. Most really good writers who have something important to say are so eccentric that they really don't have much choice but to live sad, lonely lives, or give up their art. I'm glad to see you're not one of them. :-)
I finally got a chance to read the writing samples on your website. Very impressive, Brian. You're definitely going to go far. :-)
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