Asymmetrical Information

From the desk of Mindles H. Dreck:

Why Can't You Understand Me?

Dear angry commenters:

I've been very disappointed at your hatred directed at me over these past few days. I would have thought that self-described peaceful dissenters directed to my pages would take more time to understand the root causes of my disorder (examining SOTU from a game theory perspective, that is), but instead you have been full of belligerent swagger and usenet leftocentrism. I see that your aim, for the time being well beyond aptitude and reasonable expectations, is...to read and understand simple sentences and then express yourselves in a way comprehensible to other humans.

Even the most creative humourist could not make up some of your comments. For instance, here are two:

1) someone named "mmmBeer" called me "sophmoric (sic)". This suds-appreciating fellow claims that STRATFOR is his brewerywebsite.

2) another language-challenged belligerent calls me "MINDLES(sic) HEDONIST DRECK" (see the comments) and goads me "DARE YOU TO POST"...on my own weblog (447 posts and counting).

One is astonished that out of thousands of sperm, these two somehow found their eggs first.

Richard Bennett has renamed MTZ "A Perfect Horror" in his link list, but I kind of like the sound of "MINDLES DRECK". I pronounce it like "Spindles".

Mad as heck scream "Mindles Dreck"
With rants and threats
But no spellcheck.

Here is a list of articulate bloggers that have criticized my posts or my site in a blunt but thoughtful way, exposed weaknesses in my arguments, introduced relevant new (and often embarassing) facts and oversights, and generally prompted a constructive dialogue. Some of these estimable individuals have even caused me to change my mind (heavens!). I consider them friends, if "virtual" friends. I am enriched by their acquaintance and I hope they feel similarly:

Dan Hartung
Thomas Nephew
Matt Welch
Virginia Postrel (ouch, did she let me have it once)
Ginger Stampley
Anthony Adragna
Steven Den Beste

Ripostes aside, I hope I can say the same about one of you some day. Get yourself a blog, and let us get a look at the whole you behind the usenet bluster. Or, if you prefer to debate the war, take the Den Beste Challenge. Nobody else has had the guts yet. Either way, come out from that dark, wet hole and give us the benefit of your..um..energetic perspective on an array of subjects. This community needs some dissent on certain areas, and we might like you, really like you.....or at least link you, really link you.

The alternative? If you don't like it, "change the channel".

Sincerely, Mindles Dreck

Posted by Mindles H. Dreck at February 7, 2002 10:03 PM | Technorati inbound links