People without their own opinions
Discussion
With the news about Chris Moyles offering to take Charlotte Church's virginity I was reminded of my school days, long ago.
Like probably most schools we had a spectrum of kids - misfits/geeks/whatever at one end, "golden kids" (good at everything and nice personality too) at the other. Then there was an orbit of what I can only describe as the "aspirational" kids. The ones who were mediocre at most things but were desperate for approval and sort of orbited around one or two ringleaders, never really daring to have any opinion of their own. There was always a distinction between those "in the circle" and everybody else.
I recall when I was maybe 14 or so, there was a shift from tolerance for people to have their own interests to the aspirational kids trying to enforce the "right" opinions on everyone else. In this case "right" being usually pretty "wrong" - e.g. it was not "cool" to do your homework/pay attention in class/obey teachers but it was "cool" to listen to (bad IMO) music/smoke/drink/etc.
Being maybe what would probably these days be called "a bit autistic" but really just being comfortable enough in myself to not feel the need to fit in, I was often a bit of a target for these "enforcers" - at least until they realised that they weren't getting anywhere. Imagine David Brent trying to convince Tim to take part in something ...
To get back to the original topic, I can remember that as part of the "shift" it became required to listen to Radio 1 and in particular Chris Moyles Breakfast (?) show - he was a "genius" and "so funny". I didn't find him funny - in fact I thought he was a bit of a bully and quite unpleasant to his colleagues on the show - which resulted in me receiving quite a diatribe from one of the "cool kids", seared into my memory such that whenever Chris Moyles is mentioned I remember the snarling anger that I did not agree about Moyles' brilliance. Similar diatribes were forthcoming about how the police were objects to be derided, communism was a good idea (bearing in mind this was when the fall of the USSR was still fairly fresh!) etc. Any probing of how they came to hold those opinions exposed them as being skin deep and adopted without consideration.
I was glad when I started work and mixed with people who didn't require utter uniformity. These days it seems that Twitter and other Social Media is often somewhat similar to that school day experience - only one true opinion is permitted and there are lots of people craving approval.
With the revelation around Chris Moyles' approach to Charlotte Church it seems that my young instinctive reaction to him was actually pretty spot on. The irony is that I rather suspect all of those aspirational kids from school who thought Chris Moyles was the bees knees (while he was making his lewd remarks) are the same ones who are now on Twitter expressing their deeply (shallowly) held beliefs and how anyone who disagrees is definitely, totally, absolutely wrong.
I do wonder how many of those on Twitter (etc.) actually believe what they are writing and how many are still those kids from school - regurgitating one person's opinion without any thought - and hence in years to come will deeply regret not thinking through what they are supporting.
Did anyone else have similar experiences and see any parallels?
Like probably most schools we had a spectrum of kids - misfits/geeks/whatever at one end, "golden kids" (good at everything and nice personality too) at the other. Then there was an orbit of what I can only describe as the "aspirational" kids. The ones who were mediocre at most things but were desperate for approval and sort of orbited around one or two ringleaders, never really daring to have any opinion of their own. There was always a distinction between those "in the circle" and everybody else.
I recall when I was maybe 14 or so, there was a shift from tolerance for people to have their own interests to the aspirational kids trying to enforce the "right" opinions on everyone else. In this case "right" being usually pretty "wrong" - e.g. it was not "cool" to do your homework/pay attention in class/obey teachers but it was "cool" to listen to (bad IMO) music/smoke/drink/etc.
Being maybe what would probably these days be called "a bit autistic" but really just being comfortable enough in myself to not feel the need to fit in, I was often a bit of a target for these "enforcers" - at least until they realised that they weren't getting anywhere. Imagine David Brent trying to convince Tim to take part in something ...
To get back to the original topic, I can remember that as part of the "shift" it became required to listen to Radio 1 and in particular Chris Moyles Breakfast (?) show - he was a "genius" and "so funny". I didn't find him funny - in fact I thought he was a bit of a bully and quite unpleasant to his colleagues on the show - which resulted in me receiving quite a diatribe from one of the "cool kids", seared into my memory such that whenever Chris Moyles is mentioned I remember the snarling anger that I did not agree about Moyles' brilliance. Similar diatribes were forthcoming about how the police were objects to be derided, communism was a good idea (bearing in mind this was when the fall of the USSR was still fairly fresh!) etc. Any probing of how they came to hold those opinions exposed them as being skin deep and adopted without consideration.
I was glad when I started work and mixed with people who didn't require utter uniformity. These days it seems that Twitter and other Social Media is often somewhat similar to that school day experience - only one true opinion is permitted and there are lots of people craving approval.
With the revelation around Chris Moyles' approach to Charlotte Church it seems that my young instinctive reaction to him was actually pretty spot on. The irony is that I rather suspect all of those aspirational kids from school who thought Chris Moyles was the bees knees (while he was making his lewd remarks) are the same ones who are now on Twitter expressing their deeply (shallowly) held beliefs and how anyone who disagrees is definitely, totally, absolutely wrong.
I do wonder how many of those on Twitter (etc.) actually believe what they are writing and how many are still those kids from school - regurgitating one person's opinion without any thought - and hence in years to come will deeply regret not thinking through what they are supporting.
Did anyone else have similar experiences and see any parallels?
All I can say is with the news about Chris Moyles offering to take Charlotte Church's virginity I was reminded of my school days, long ago.
Like probably most schools we had a spectrum of kids - misfits/geeks/whatever at one end, "golden kids" (good at everything and nice personality too) at the other. Then there was an orbit of what I can only describe as the "aspirational" kids. The ones who were mediocre at most things but were desperate for approval and sort of orbited around one or two ringleaders, never really daring to have any opinion of their own. There was always a distinction between those "in the circle" and everybody else.
I recall when I was maybe 14 or so, there was a shift from tolerance for people to have their own interests to the aspirational kids trying to enforce the "right" opinions on everyone else. In this case "right" being usually pretty "wrong" - e.g. it was not "cool" to do your homework/pay attention in class/obey teachers but it was "cool" to listen to (bad IMO) music/smoke/drink/etc.
Being maybe what would probably these days be called "a bit autistic" but really just being comfortable enough in myself to not feel the need to fit in, I was often a bit of a target for these "enforcers" - at least until they realised that they weren't getting anywhere. Imagine David Brent trying to convince Tim to take part in something ...
To get back to the original topic, I can remember that as part of the "shift" it became required to listen to Radio 1 and in particular Chris Moyles Breakfast (?) show - he was a "genius" and "so funny". I didn't find him funny - in fact I thought he was a bit of a bully and quite unpleasant to his colleagues on the show - which resulted in me receiving quite a diatribe from one of the "cool kids", seared into my memory such that whenever Chris Moyles is mentioned I remember the snarling anger that I did not agree about Moyles' brilliance. Similar diatribes were forthcoming about how the police were objects to be derided, communism was a good idea (bearing in mind this was when the fall of the USSR was still fairly fresh!) etc. Any probing of how they came to hold those opinions exposed them as being skin deep and adopted without consideration.
I was glad when I started work and mixed with people who didn't require utter uniformity. These days it seems that Twitter and other Social Media is often somewhat similar to that school day experience - only one true opinion is permitted and there are lots of people craving approval.
With the revelation around Chris Moyles' approach to Charlotte Church it seems that my young instinctive reaction to him was actually pretty spot on. The irony is that I rather suspect all of those aspirational kids from school who thought Chris Moyles was the bees knees (while he was making his lewd remarks) are the same ones who are now on Twitter expressing their deeply (shallowly) held beliefs and how anyone who disagrees is definitely, totally, absolutely wrong.
I do wonder how many of those on Twitter (etc.) actually believe what they are writing and how many are still those kids from school - regurgitating one person's opinion without any thought - and hence in years to come will deeply regret not thinking through what they are supporting.
Did anyone else have similar experiences and see any parallels?
Like probably most schools we had a spectrum of kids - misfits/geeks/whatever at one end, "golden kids" (good at everything and nice personality too) at the other. Then there was an orbit of what I can only describe as the "aspirational" kids. The ones who were mediocre at most things but were desperate for approval and sort of orbited around one or two ringleaders, never really daring to have any opinion of their own. There was always a distinction between those "in the circle" and everybody else.
I recall when I was maybe 14 or so, there was a shift from tolerance for people to have their own interests to the aspirational kids trying to enforce the "right" opinions on everyone else. In this case "right" being usually pretty "wrong" - e.g. it was not "cool" to do your homework/pay attention in class/obey teachers but it was "cool" to listen to (bad IMO) music/smoke/drink/etc.
Being maybe what would probably these days be called "a bit autistic" but really just being comfortable enough in myself to not feel the need to fit in, I was often a bit of a target for these "enforcers" - at least until they realised that they weren't getting anywhere. Imagine David Brent trying to convince Tim to take part in something ...
To get back to the original topic, I can remember that as part of the "shift" it became required to listen to Radio 1 and in particular Chris Moyles Breakfast (?) show - he was a "genius" and "so funny". I didn't find him funny - in fact I thought he was a bit of a bully and quite unpleasant to his colleagues on the show - which resulted in me receiving quite a diatribe from one of the "cool kids", seared into my memory such that whenever Chris Moyles is mentioned I remember the snarling anger that I did not agree about Moyles' brilliance. Similar diatribes were forthcoming about how the police were objects to be derided, communism was a good idea (bearing in mind this was when the fall of the USSR was still fairly fresh!) etc. Any probing of how they came to hold those opinions exposed them as being skin deep and adopted without consideration.
I was glad when I started work and mixed with people who didn't require utter uniformity. These days it seems that Twitter and other Social Media is often somewhat similar to that school day experience - only one true opinion is permitted and there are lots of people craving approval.
With the revelation around Chris Moyles' approach to Charlotte Church it seems that my young instinctive reaction to him was actually pretty spot on. The irony is that I rather suspect all of those aspirational kids from school who thought Chris Moyles was the bees knees (while he was making his lewd remarks) are the same ones who are now on Twitter expressing their deeply (shallowly) held beliefs and how anyone who disagrees is definitely, totally, absolutely wrong.
I do wonder how many of those on Twitter (etc.) actually believe what they are writing and how many are still those kids from school - regurgitating one person's opinion without any thought - and hence in years to come will deeply regret not thinking through what they are supporting.
Did anyone else have similar experiences and see any parallels?
Flooble said:
With the news about Chris Moyles offering to take Charlotte Church's virginity I was reminded of my school days, long ago.
Like probably most schools we had a spectrum of kids - misfits/geeks/whatever at one end, "golden kids" (good at everything and nice personality too) at the other. Then there was an orbit of what I can only describe as the "aspirational" kids. The ones who were mediocre at most things but were desperate for approval and sort of orbited around one or two ringleaders, never really daring to have any opinion of their own. There was always a distinction between those "in the circle" and everybody else.
I recall when I was maybe 14 or so, there was a shift from tolerance for people to have their own interests to the aspirational kids trying to enforce the "right" opinions on everyone else. In this case "right" being usually pretty "wrong" - e.g. it was not "cool" to do your homework/pay attention in class/obey teachers but it was "cool" to listen to (bad IMO) music/smoke/drink/etc.
Being maybe what would probably these days be called "a bit autistic" but really just being comfortable enough in myself to not feel the need to fit in, I was often a bit of a target for these "enforcers" - at least until they realised that they weren't getting anywhere. Imagine David Brent trying to convince Tim to take part in something ...
To get back to the original topic, I can remember that as part of the "shift" it became required to listen to Radio 1 and in particular Chris Moyles Breakfast (?) show - he was a "genius" and "so funny". I didn't find him funny - in fact I thought he was a bit of a bully and quite unpleasant to his colleagues on the show - which resulted in me receiving quite a diatribe from one of the "cool kids", seared into my memory such that whenever Chris Moyles is mentioned I remember the snarling anger that I did not agree about Moyles' brilliance. Similar diatribes were forthcoming about how the police were objects to be derided, communism was a good idea (bearing in mind this was when the fall of the USSR was still fairly fresh!) etc. Any probing of how they came to hold those opinions exposed them as being skin deep and adopted without consideration.
I was glad when I started work and mixed with people who didn't require utter uniformity. These days it seems that Twitter and other Social Media is often somewhat similar to that school day experience - only one true opinion is permitted and there are lots of people craving approval.
With the revelation around Chris Moyles' approach to Charlotte Church it seems that my young instinctive reaction to him was actually pretty spot on. The irony is that I rather suspect all of those aspirational kids from school who thought Chris Moyles was the bees knees (while he was making his lewd remarks) are the same ones who are now on Twitter expressing their deeply (shallowly) held beliefs and how anyone who disagrees is definitely, totally, absolutely wrong.
I do wonder how many of those on Twitter (etc.) actually believe what they are writing and how many are still those kids from school - regurgitating one person's opinion without any thought - and hence in years to come will deeply regret not thinking through what they are supporting.
Did anyone else have similar experiences and see any parallels?
Is there a TLDR available?Like probably most schools we had a spectrum of kids - misfits/geeks/whatever at one end, "golden kids" (good at everything and nice personality too) at the other. Then there was an orbit of what I can only describe as the "aspirational" kids. The ones who were mediocre at most things but were desperate for approval and sort of orbited around one or two ringleaders, never really daring to have any opinion of their own. There was always a distinction between those "in the circle" and everybody else.
I recall when I was maybe 14 or so, there was a shift from tolerance for people to have their own interests to the aspirational kids trying to enforce the "right" opinions on everyone else. In this case "right" being usually pretty "wrong" - e.g. it was not "cool" to do your homework/pay attention in class/obey teachers but it was "cool" to listen to (bad IMO) music/smoke/drink/etc.
Being maybe what would probably these days be called "a bit autistic" but really just being comfortable enough in myself to not feel the need to fit in, I was often a bit of a target for these "enforcers" - at least until they realised that they weren't getting anywhere. Imagine David Brent trying to convince Tim to take part in something ...
To get back to the original topic, I can remember that as part of the "shift" it became required to listen to Radio 1 and in particular Chris Moyles Breakfast (?) show - he was a "genius" and "so funny". I didn't find him funny - in fact I thought he was a bit of a bully and quite unpleasant to his colleagues on the show - which resulted in me receiving quite a diatribe from one of the "cool kids", seared into my memory such that whenever Chris Moyles is mentioned I remember the snarling anger that I did not agree about Moyles' brilliance. Similar diatribes were forthcoming about how the police were objects to be derided, communism was a good idea (bearing in mind this was when the fall of the USSR was still fairly fresh!) etc. Any probing of how they came to hold those opinions exposed them as being skin deep and adopted without consideration.
I was glad when I started work and mixed with people who didn't require utter uniformity. These days it seems that Twitter and other Social Media is often somewhat similar to that school day experience - only one true opinion is permitted and there are lots of people craving approval.
With the revelation around Chris Moyles' approach to Charlotte Church it seems that my young instinctive reaction to him was actually pretty spot on. The irony is that I rather suspect all of those aspirational kids from school who thought Chris Moyles was the bees knees (while he was making his lewd remarks) are the same ones who are now on Twitter expressing their deeply (shallowly) held beliefs and how anyone who disagrees is definitely, totally, absolutely wrong.
I do wonder how many of those on Twitter (etc.) actually believe what they are writing and how many are still those kids from school - regurgitating one person's opinion without any thought - and hence in years to come will deeply regret not thinking through what they are supporting.
Did anyone else have similar experiences and see any parallels?
Grumps. said:
Is there a TLDR available?
Ha. At school I was criticised by the "cool kids" for not liking Chris Moyles, turns out that I was right to find his attitudes off putting:https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/mar/...
"Charlotte Church has discussed how Chris Moyles offered to take her virginity during his Radio 1 show."
Even then he was condemned for his comments, so I was pondering if it was "normal" for large tracts of people to fail to think through the opinions they were espousing.
Well Covid was a brilliant example of the mindless going along with whatever narrative was on the telly.
It seems most people literally would jump off a cliff if a man in suit stood behind an official looking lectern and told them too.
Moyles is alright, I don't seek out his show but will often listen if Radio 4 goes awry. I think liking the sound of your own voice is a prerequisite for the job.
His particular brand of laddish humour is now so far out of fashion I'm sure it attracts the Twitter types that love to be offended but have never actually tuned in to his show.
It seems most people literally would jump off a cliff if a man in suit stood behind an official looking lectern and told them too.
Moyles is alright, I don't seek out his show but will often listen if Radio 4 goes awry. I think liking the sound of your own voice is a prerequisite for the job.
His particular brand of laddish humour is now so far out of fashion I'm sure it attracts the Twitter types that love to be offended but have never actually tuned in to his show.
t about Charlotte Church.I'm another who has never been a fan of Chris Moyles, it just always struck me he was a massive fan of hearing his own voice, I hated his breakfast shows and did my best never to listen, he would also absolutely drag the rear end out of any joke to the point it got boring.
I haven't really followed the Charlotte Church story past seeing the headline but it doesn't surprise me either.
I haven't really followed the Charlotte Church story past seeing the headline but it doesn't surprise me either.
Zetec-S said:
Flooble said:
With the news about Chris Moyles offering to take Charlotte Church's virginity
It was news maybe 20 years ago, although I think it was more a crude and inappropriate joke rather than a serious offer.I don't think Clarkson planned to shoot striking workers in the face either.
ChocolateFrog said:
Zetec-S said:
Flooble said:
With the news about Chris Moyles offering to take Charlotte Church's virginity
It was news maybe 20 years ago, although I think it was more a crude and inappropriate joke rather than a serious offer.I don't think Clarkson planned to shoot striking workers in the face either.
ChocolateFrog said:
Zetec-S said:
Flooble said:
With the news about Chris Moyles offering to take Charlotte Church's virginity
It was news maybe 20 years ago, although I think it was more a crude and inappropriate joke rather than a serious offer.Al Gorithum said:
...Loves the sound of his own voice IMO.
Jamescrs said:
I'm another who has never been a fan of Chris Moyles, it just always struck me he was a massive fan of hearing his own voice
There are probably plenty of things to attack Moyles for but I really don't understand this one. What kind of radio show would have a presenter who doesn't enjoy talking? 
Would you level the same criticism at, say, an Opera singer?
durbster said:
Al Gorithum said:
...Loves the sound of his own voice IMO.
Jamescrs said:
I'm another who has never been a fan of Chris Moyles, it just always struck me he was a massive fan of hearing his own voice
There are probably plenty of things to attack Moyles for but I really don't understand this one. What kind of radio show would have a presenter who doesn't enjoy talking? Would you level the same criticism at, say, an Opera singer?
Flooble said:
With the news about Chris Moyles offering to take Charlotte Church's virginity I was reminded of my school days, long ago.
Like probably most schools we had a spectrum of kids - misfits/geeks/whatever at one end, "golden kids" (good at everything and nice personality too) at the other. Then there was an orbit of what I can only describe as the "aspirational" kids. The ones who were mediocre at most things but were desperate for approval and sort of orbited around one or two ringleaders, never really daring to have any opinion of their own. There was always a distinction between those "in the circle" and everybody else.
I recall when I was maybe 14 or so, there was a shift from tolerance for people to have their own interests to the aspirational kids trying to enforce the "right" opinions on everyone else. In this case "right" being usually pretty "wrong" - e.g. it was not "cool" to do your homework/pay attention in class/obey teachers but it was "cool" to listen to (bad IMO) music/smoke/drink/etc.
Being maybe what would probably these days be called "a bit autistic" but really just being comfortable enough in myself to not feel the need to fit in, I was often a bit of a target for these "enforcers" - at least until they realised that they weren't getting anywhere. Imagine David Brent trying to convince Tim to take part in something ...
To get back to the original topic, I can remember that as part of the "shift" it became required to listen to Radio 1 and in particular Chris Moyles Breakfast (?) show - he was a "genius" and "so funny". I didn't find him funny - in fact I thought he was a bit of a bully and quite unpleasant to his colleagues on the show - which resulted in me receiving quite a diatribe from one of the "cool kids", seared into my memory such that whenever Chris Moyles is mentioned I remember the snarling anger that I did not agree about Moyles' brilliance. Similar diatribes were forthcoming about how the police were objects to be derided, communism was a good idea (bearing in mind this was when the fall of the USSR was still fairly fresh!) etc. Any probing of how they came to hold those opinions exposed them as being skin deep and adopted without consideration.
I was glad when I started work and mixed with people who didn't require utter uniformity. These days it seems that Twitter and other Social Media is often somewhat similar to that school day experience - only one true opinion is permitted and there are lots of people craving approval.
With the revelation around Chris Moyles' approach to Charlotte Church it seems that my young instinctive reaction to him was actually pretty spot on. The irony is that I rather suspect all of those aspirational kids from school who thought Chris Moyles was the bees knees (while he was making his lewd remarks) are the same ones who are now on Twitter expressing their deeply (shallowly) held beliefs and how anyone who disagrees is definitely, totally, absolutely wrong.
I do wonder how many of those on Twitter (etc.) actually believe what they are writing and how many are still those kids from school - regurgitating one person's opinion without any thought - and hence in years to come will deeply regret not thinking through what they are supporting.
Did anyone else have similar experiences and see any parallels?
Like probably most schools we had a spectrum of kids - misfits/geeks/whatever at one end, "golden kids" (good at everything and nice personality too) at the other. Then there was an orbit of what I can only describe as the "aspirational" kids. The ones who were mediocre at most things but were desperate for approval and sort of orbited around one or two ringleaders, never really daring to have any opinion of their own. There was always a distinction between those "in the circle" and everybody else.
I recall when I was maybe 14 or so, there was a shift from tolerance for people to have their own interests to the aspirational kids trying to enforce the "right" opinions on everyone else. In this case "right" being usually pretty "wrong" - e.g. it was not "cool" to do your homework/pay attention in class/obey teachers but it was "cool" to listen to (bad IMO) music/smoke/drink/etc.
Being maybe what would probably these days be called "a bit autistic" but really just being comfortable enough in myself to not feel the need to fit in, I was often a bit of a target for these "enforcers" - at least until they realised that they weren't getting anywhere. Imagine David Brent trying to convince Tim to take part in something ...
To get back to the original topic, I can remember that as part of the "shift" it became required to listen to Radio 1 and in particular Chris Moyles Breakfast (?) show - he was a "genius" and "so funny". I didn't find him funny - in fact I thought he was a bit of a bully and quite unpleasant to his colleagues on the show - which resulted in me receiving quite a diatribe from one of the "cool kids", seared into my memory such that whenever Chris Moyles is mentioned I remember the snarling anger that I did not agree about Moyles' brilliance. Similar diatribes were forthcoming about how the police were objects to be derided, communism was a good idea (bearing in mind this was when the fall of the USSR was still fairly fresh!) etc. Any probing of how they came to hold those opinions exposed them as being skin deep and adopted without consideration.
I was glad when I started work and mixed with people who didn't require utter uniformity. These days it seems that Twitter and other Social Media is often somewhat similar to that school day experience - only one true opinion is permitted and there are lots of people craving approval.
With the revelation around Chris Moyles' approach to Charlotte Church it seems that my young instinctive reaction to him was actually pretty spot on. The irony is that I rather suspect all of those aspirational kids from school who thought Chris Moyles was the bees knees (while he was making his lewd remarks) are the same ones who are now on Twitter expressing their deeply (shallowly) held beliefs and how anyone who disagrees is definitely, totally, absolutely wrong.
I do wonder how many of those on Twitter (etc.) actually believe what they are writing and how many are still those kids from school - regurgitating one person's opinion without any thought - and hence in years to come will deeply regret not thinking through what they are supporting.
Did anyone else have similar experiences and see any parallels?
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
All I can say is with the news about Chris Moyles offering to take Charlotte Church's virginity I was reminded of my school days, long ago.
Like probably most schools we had a spectrum of kids - misfits/geeks/whatever at one end, "golden kids" (good at everything and nice personality too) at the other. Then there was an orbit of what I can only describe as the "aspirational" kids. The ones who were mediocre at most things but were desperate for approval and sort of orbited around one or two ringleaders, never really daring to have any opinion of their own. There was always a distinction between those "in the circle" and everybody else.
I recall when I was maybe 14 or so, there was a shift from tolerance for people to have their own interests to the aspirational kids trying to enforce the "right" opinions on everyone else. In this case "right" being usually pretty "wrong" - e.g. it was not "cool" to do your homework/pay attention in class/obey teachers but it was "cool" to listen to (bad IMO) music/smoke/drink/etc.
Being maybe what would probably these days be called "a bit autistic" but really just being comfortable enough in myself to not feel the need to fit in, I was often a bit of a target for these "enforcers" - at least until they realised that they weren't getting anywhere. Imagine David Brent trying to convince Tim to take part in something ...
To get back to the original topic, I can remember that as part of the "shift" it became required to listen to Radio 1 and in particular Chris Moyles Breakfast (?) show - he was a "genius" and "so funny". I didn't find him funny - in fact I thought he was a bit of a bully and quite unpleasant to his colleagues on the show - which resulted in me receiving quite a diatribe from one of the "cool kids", seared into my memory such that whenever Chris Moyles is mentioned I remember the snarling anger that I did not agree about Moyles' brilliance. Similar diatribes were forthcoming about how the police were objects to be derided, communism was a good idea (bearing in mind this was when the fall of the USSR was still fairly fresh!) etc. Any probing of how they came to hold those opinions exposed them as being skin deep and adopted without consideration.
I was glad when I started work and mixed with people who didn't require utter uniformity. These days it seems that Twitter and other Social Media is often somewhat similar to that school day experience - only one true opinion is permitted and there are lots of people craving approval.
With the revelation around Chris Moyles' approach to Charlotte Church it seems that my young instinctive reaction to him was actually pretty spot on. The irony is that I rather suspect all of those aspirational kids from school who thought Chris Moyles was the bees knees (while he was making his lewd remarks) are the same ones who are now on Twitter expressing their deeply (shallowly) held beliefs and how anyone who disagrees is definitely, totally, absolutely wrong.
I do wonder how many of those on Twitter (etc.) actually believe what they are writing and how many are still those kids from school - regurgitating one person's opinion without any thought - and hence in years to come will deeply regret not thinking through what they are supporting.
Did anyone else have similar experiences and see any parallels?
I don't understand how you've managed to have time in one lifetime to post 29,168 times as "2 sMoKiN bArReLs" AND 5033 times as "Flooble". That's on average more than five posts, every single day over 18.5 years! Any other accounts we don't know about?!Like probably most schools we had a spectrum of kids - misfits/geeks/whatever at one end, "golden kids" (good at everything and nice personality too) at the other. Then there was an orbit of what I can only describe as the "aspirational" kids. The ones who were mediocre at most things but were desperate for approval and sort of orbited around one or two ringleaders, never really daring to have any opinion of their own. There was always a distinction between those "in the circle" and everybody else.
I recall when I was maybe 14 or so, there was a shift from tolerance for people to have their own interests to the aspirational kids trying to enforce the "right" opinions on everyone else. In this case "right" being usually pretty "wrong" - e.g. it was not "cool" to do your homework/pay attention in class/obey teachers but it was "cool" to listen to (bad IMO) music/smoke/drink/etc.
Being maybe what would probably these days be called "a bit autistic" but really just being comfortable enough in myself to not feel the need to fit in, I was often a bit of a target for these "enforcers" - at least until they realised that they weren't getting anywhere. Imagine David Brent trying to convince Tim to take part in something ...
To get back to the original topic, I can remember that as part of the "shift" it became required to listen to Radio 1 and in particular Chris Moyles Breakfast (?) show - he was a "genius" and "so funny". I didn't find him funny - in fact I thought he was a bit of a bully and quite unpleasant to his colleagues on the show - which resulted in me receiving quite a diatribe from one of the "cool kids", seared into my memory such that whenever Chris Moyles is mentioned I remember the snarling anger that I did not agree about Moyles' brilliance. Similar diatribes were forthcoming about how the police were objects to be derided, communism was a good idea (bearing in mind this was when the fall of the USSR was still fairly fresh!) etc. Any probing of how they came to hold those opinions exposed them as being skin deep and adopted without consideration.
I was glad when I started work and mixed with people who didn't require utter uniformity. These days it seems that Twitter and other Social Media is often somewhat similar to that school day experience - only one true opinion is permitted and there are lots of people craving approval.
With the revelation around Chris Moyles' approach to Charlotte Church it seems that my young instinctive reaction to him was actually pretty spot on. The irony is that I rather suspect all of those aspirational kids from school who thought Chris Moyles was the bees knees (while he was making his lewd remarks) are the same ones who are now on Twitter expressing their deeply (shallowly) held beliefs and how anyone who disagrees is definitely, totally, absolutely wrong.
I do wonder how many of those on Twitter (etc.) actually believe what they are writing and how many are still those kids from school - regurgitating one person's opinion without any thought - and hence in years to come will deeply regret not thinking through what they are supporting.
Did anyone else have similar experiences and see any parallels?
bigpriest said:
durbster said:
Al Gorithum said:
...Loves the sound of his own voice IMO.
Jamescrs said:
I'm another who has never been a fan of Chris Moyles, it just always struck me he was a massive fan of hearing his own voice
There are probably plenty of things to attack Moyles for but I really don't understand this one. What kind of radio show would have a presenter who doesn't enjoy talking? Would you level the same criticism at, say, an Opera singer?
LunarOne said:
I don't understand how you've managed to have time in one lifetime to post 29,168 times as "2 sMoKiN bArReLs" AND 5033 times as "Flooble". That's on average more than five posts, every single day over 18.5 years! Any other accounts we don't know about?!
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