I was wrong
Tue, December 22, 2009 I decided to remove yesterday’s post where I was somewhat overcritical of a person who I perceived as an aging hipster.
There were 21 comments all pretty much all against the piece, so I have to admit in this case I was wrong. The main reason I pulled it was, when I thought about it, I considered how this individual would feel if he saw it.
He would probably be hurt, and that is not what I am about; especially in these times, and during this season of good will to all men, etc, etc.
And so I decided the best course was for me to admit I made a mistake, and remove the article. Better to do this, than risk hurting the feelings of someone, who after all I don’t even know.
Thank you to all who commented, and in future I should probably leave the hipster lambasting to Bike Snob NYC; he is so much better at it anyway
Reader Comments (16)
I was put off by the entry you made, but my faith is restored: a real man admits when he's wrong.
I'm very disappointed. That post was one of the truest , edgiest things I've seen on this blog. Yes, it was foolish, but it was hillarious, and it was delightfully lacking in the white-washed sanitized saccharine that the masses force on us.
I am a fan of non-fiascoization. I can't see raising the perhaps misappropriate jabs to fiasco unless we are deifying thou. A wiser brother taught me the philosophy "Don't glorify it". Pretty much gets me out of any sticky situation. Its values may be perversely ascribed to objects de art, while at the back end I try to remain conscious. To bar tape or not bar tape, that that is a dilemma is comedy in the perspective of one step back. As a blog you are significant and you have airs but so what.
I took delight in reading your removed entry because my now stored track bike still has its bar wrap and the brake that I fitted to it but take no delight in the fact that I am afraid of taking it out in public. I am a sad aging man just like the rest.
As a dog owner myself I thought you were on a polite high road in not being breedist. The fellow in the film really put himself out there and deserves props for courage and genuineness.
Because I am a coward I won't disclose what breed my dog is but will say it has been regarded in some learned texts as aristocratic. So what. I use bar wrap. I am a dinosaur.
The only thing truly good about us is that we love and read. You are evil if you forbid us that oh mighty Blogger.
When I read the original post, I thought two things: 1. No way I'm gonna look at that video now that you've mentioned a puppy being euthanised, and 2. Well, at least the man has an opinion.
I just want to ask a question: Whose blog is this anyway? It's yours, right? Not some collective, run-by-consensus, three-levels-of-approval-before-posting thing, right? Post whatever the hell you like. Say what you really think. For crying out loud, we live in a world that it so censored and so hyper-sensitive to what somebody, somewhere, might think about X Y and Z that now people are self-censoring their own blogs! Where else can you just say what you really think?
So what if someone, somewhere is offended by your opinion of them? No.. really.. SO WHAT? You will not please all of the people all of the time. Any attempt to do so will simply result in a diluted, bland, run-of-the-mill blog that doesn't reflect you, but reflects an idealised, inoffensive you. The "meh" you. Who wants to read that?
I applaud your willingness to reflect upon what you've written, and certainly to issue an apology if you think it's warranted. But removing it altogether? Not something I would've done. I would've apologised, sure, but left the original material there. Don't live in fear of being judged by the random hipster who might've visited your blog. Certainly don't let the opinions of a whole 21 people force you to self-censorship.
This is your blog. Not the hipster's, not the 21 critics. Yours. Keep it that way.
I welcomed your 21 December post, and while it's your prerogative to remove it, I don't think you should have felt the need to do so. Like most of the previous commentators here so far, I feel it's too bad that society is forced to beware offending every possible group. I watched the film. I do not find the guy cool. I find him immature and pathetic. But perhaps my view is colored by my aversion to anyone who covers their limbs with tatts. How insecure.
Originally I was notified of that post by my Google Reader RRS feed with just the video and when I came here there was nothing. Not sure how blog posting works, but maybe Dave was still working on the text part and hadn't published it. I was notified of the completed post yesterday (a day later). Anyway, without Dave's narrative, I was saw the video for what it was presumably supposed to be, a sad story about having to put a dog down. The fact that the owner was a middle-aged "hipster" who rode a brake-less "fixie" was just incidental to the plot. However, it appears that we in the biking community have some very rigid views about what people ride and whether the bikes are age-appropriate and we tend to see stereotypes and jump to conclusions. Dave just felt a little guilty about his initial assumptions. Nothing wrong with that.
Dave I just about to comment about the" FAG" and the handicap sticker in the car! BUT I do think you did the right thing, what ever that was! Cheers John Crump
The man deserved to be made light of, but I understand your taking the post down.
(I would have left it up)
I was the one who told you to stick to writing what you know about. I'm happy to see you have rescinded the post. I've been following your blog since you started it, and I will continue to do so because I respect what you have done and your knowledge in certain aspects of a subject I find interesting.
Im a certified di2 mechanic, and I can build wheels with wooden rims. I've been homeless, and I wrench for triathletes who have won Kona. I'm young (sorta), but the reason the original post bothered me was that it made a judgment based on a persons appearance and their bicycle. There are more to people than that. There are a lot of people out there who don't really care too much about their bike and that doesn't make them less of a person. Life can lead you strange places, there can be an amalgamation of strange influences that put you somewhere in possession of some things, but just because one of those things may involve a track bike doesn't discredit the heart and soul you've put into the rest of your life. I watched the protagonist of the film ride his bike through the rain and I only saw a person riding to find an escape for the emotions in his life outside the bicycle. He rode as catharsis, he found escape in something we all enjoy and I dont understand how you couldn't empathize with that.
Bikes are not necessarily an extension of ones personal identity. They are not just possessions, not accessories like a handbag. Perhaps, they may be a reflection on the life one has lead, but to judge a person on how and what they ride is shallow.
I wish you the best, and keep writing your blog.
Adam,
The comment, “Stick to writing what you know,” annoys me. I read into that statement. I can’t have an opinion on my own blog if it is not in line with your opinion.
The reason I took to article down was because I had misgivings before I even posted it. To judge someone on their appearance alone, and attack an individual based on that judgment, goes against every principle I believe in.
However, I felt if I could make the story a light hearted humorous piece of satire, no one would be hurt or offended. After all, the Bike Snob NYC makes a whole career of doing just that.
The comments that followed showed I did not achieve what I set out to do, so I admitted my mistake and removed the article.
Your remark, “Bikes are not necessarily an extension of one’s personal identity,” is true in most cases, but in the case of the “Hipster” movement, it is exactly what it is.
It makes no sense to ride a bike on the street, that is brakeless, no handlebar tape, and handlebar ends tipped backwards, which goes against years of conventional wisdom as to how a bike should be set up. The only reason to do so is to make a fashion statement saying, “Look at me, I am a Hipster.”
When someone in their teens or early twenties does this, I accept it; it is no different than I did at that age. I followed the trends of my peers, and fashions of that time.
However, as people mature, most grow out of the need to grab attention in this manner. This was the whole point of my original piece.
Adam, I also do not appreciate being called “Shallow.” In future, would you please put forward an opposing view, without the personal attacks on my integrity.
Dave
Dave old chap CHILL OUT WILL YA! you sound like and old Limey washerwoman, Go have a pint and a fag! You have a RIGHT to say what you bloody like ITS YOUR BLOG! Cheers mate, John Crump
John “Crumpy” Crump,
It’s only other old limey bastards like you, who because you are older than me and could probably still outride me, I will allow to speak to me like that. Also to avoid misunderstanding, please explain that a “Fag” in the UK is a cigarette.
Dave :)
Dave, I was one of the people who told you were wrong, but I'm sad that you deleted the post. You have a unique perspective and I hope you never stop expressing it. We all have knee jerk reactions that we regret, and it's a very human thing and we should leave it on the record.
Keep up the strong work, I always look forward to your writing and I'm always referencing your blog whenever I want to make certain points.
Now that it's down I feel somewhat guilty about having said anything about that post. Clearly you have every right to be in a snarky mood about something and let it out via your blog; I think the post in question came as a bit of a surprise in comparison to all of the non-snarky information-heavy posts I've come to expect.
No one needs to have regrets or feel guilty because they opposed my view. Often when I write something I expect it. Controversy creates discussion which is good.
All I ask is that people remain civil and not resort to name calling either of me or other people who comment here. For the most part this is what people do.
I did not remove the article so much because of opposition; it was because of lack of support. It lead me to believe I was entirely wrong. Strangely, the support came on this post after I removed the said piece.
Your comments, whether they are for or against my views, are important. It lets me know that I am promoting discussion, and causing people to think about issues.
Please keep the comments coming.
Dave
"To judge someone on their appearance alone, and attack an individual based on that judgment, goes against every principle I believe in."
It wasn't necessary to view the post you took down to agree with your sentiments. However, I googled the cached version and I do think you were correct to remove - at your discretion - the entry.
My kids know I ride a fixed gear bike - I'm 62 - and they know I dress in full lycra. Last night, they suggested they would shop for me so that I could wear appropriate hipster garb if I want to ride with a group of younger people on bikes. I don't know that I do, although I'm sure it would be fun.
And I don't know why I shouldn't feel free to wear skinny jeans, a hoodie, Vans tennis shoes, etc., if it makes me feel comfortable. Now if it makes others uncomfortable - my wife, my friends - should that matter? Maybe. And if it makes them uncomfortable for the wrong reasons - because they are judging me on appearances only - should that matter?
There are no easy answers to what the limits of personal freedom are or should be.