David this is such a good thing. As a journalist of integrity, you've shone a light on someone abusing this profession and status for petty rants. That's on him and his response only solidifies how important it was to get him off the soapbox. 🙏❤
It’s important to define that his articles, as well as his response to this current situation, suggest he is genuinely out of touch, lacks the skills to research, and is blinkered when it comes to challenging his own thoughts. So, basically, he’s just shit at his job and it stands to reason he would be a very poor journalism lecturer. As a student this should be a relief as they’re clearly not getting their money’s worth. It’s not ‘cancelling’ him, it’s letting him go do to serious underperformance. The ‘sour grapes’ tone he has ended with just reduces his position even further and is, in a word, laaaaaaaaame. A shame he can’t be open to learning more about his craft so he can continue to grow in his career, isn’t that what we all want so we don’t, you know, creatively wither and die?
Also, that little homophobic dig he popped in cut me right to the core it was so weak and nasty and pathetic, I can only imagine how you feel David, though I’m sure you’ve developed a pretty thick skin. So nasty though. You ok pal?
I replied on twitter about this all initially, but oops my account is private. Anyway. Initially I found this all very amusing since I was a non-binary queer Massey Student who graduated with a Masters in Communications this year... and my thesis was on the Auckland Pride Parade vs Police and how all that was handled in NZ media. Surprise surprise, I found that the Herald was rather biased about the whole affair. And this sort of op-ed only emphasizes nothing has changed.
I feel it's telling that while there are good people in Massey, the institution still protects these kind of bigots and have to be pressured into action - if any even will happen in this case. I'm sorry that you in particular were targeted for pointing this out as well.
Obviously it's also worrying from a Journalistic Ethics standpoint, one of the Journalism Senior Lecturers is using a known biased media platform to spread hate and misinformation. It's amazing to me that the NZ Herald even decided to stop publishing his views, though perhaps I shouldn't be surprised - they're all about protecting their interests. Especially monetary.
The remarkable thing I take away from all of this is how he (and also the MAGA hat wearing buffoon from a previous webworm) might be in a teaching position but the youth they teach are SO FAR ahead of them. If any of you students happen to read this comment: much love and keep being cool. X
A "thought provocateur"? No Steve, there's nothing "provocative" about your articles, it's just boring old homophobia dressed up as humour. Nothing new or exciting. Unless "thought provocateur" is just a new way of saying "I'm a privileged wanker". And David, I definitely would be offended by his comment about you fancying him. Not just because of the homophobia, but also because I'm sure you have much better taste in men.
I loved your interview with the trans student. That’s what great journalists do: give a platform to voices that are too often left out of the conversation on issues that affect them directly. Even though I am so pissed off by his blatant homophobia, I am comforted by the fantastic work you continue to do that is clearly having an impact. (Also: I felt for you on the gay conversation typo! I feel like all writers have a tic that they can’t get rid of, no matter how much we try to stop ourselves).
The problem is calling it "Cancel Culture" and not, as many before me have pointed out, Accountability Culture. When you phrase it that way, the aggrieved party is forced to reckon with what they actually did (or wrote) instead of fobbing it off on the people that are calling them out.
That comment about you fancying him is so petty and homophobic. He is just trying to belittle you (and making himself look like even more of a dick in the process). I'm glad his students are mature and confident enough to see through him (well let's hope all of them are).
BTW should "in-informed" be "ill-informed"? Sorry I'm one of those annoying people who are pedantic about language and notice these things :-)
This is why I am happy to pay for a webworm subscription. While the antique wheel clamping saga is my highlight of 2020; anyone who is helping shine a light on people who spread hate should be paid handsomely.
The comment about you fancying him is such a petty attempt to make himself feel better by lashing out, it makes him look small. It's a child's joke in the middle of a complaint about how he feels his opinion is undervalued and his fear that the world is leaving him behind. It's not being a thought provocateur if it just involves clinging to the last remnants of a world you find comfortable and familiar.
Hmmm, I'm a bit disappointed that 'gay conversation therapy' isn't a thing. Seemed like it held promise of being a novel way to promote tolerance and understanding - encouraging genuine conversations with people who don't hold the same opinion has to be of value - kind of the opposite of 'gay conversion therapy'? :)
What a big baby this man is. Imagine being a senior lecturer and still getting upset about having your platform to spout uninformed opinions about things that don't affect you taken away
Wow its great that you've got under his skin! " Maybe he fancies me"??? WTF! Not only is he homophobic, he sounds like he may have some deep seated questions about his own sexuality! Maybe he protesteth too much?? Its fantastic that Webworm is a large growing and influential platform. Well done! Keep it up David!
Self-professed provocateur pens a provocative piece which provokes a publishers response.
Yes, I can see why it's all your fault, David...
David this is such a good thing. As a journalist of integrity, you've shone a light on someone abusing this profession and status for petty rants. That's on him and his response only solidifies how important it was to get him off the soapbox. 🙏❤
It’s important to define that his articles, as well as his response to this current situation, suggest he is genuinely out of touch, lacks the skills to research, and is blinkered when it comes to challenging his own thoughts. So, basically, he’s just shit at his job and it stands to reason he would be a very poor journalism lecturer. As a student this should be a relief as they’re clearly not getting their money’s worth. It’s not ‘cancelling’ him, it’s letting him go do to serious underperformance. The ‘sour grapes’ tone he has ended with just reduces his position even further and is, in a word, laaaaaaaaame. A shame he can’t be open to learning more about his craft so he can continue to grow in his career, isn’t that what we all want so we don’t, you know, creatively wither and die?
Also, that little homophobic dig he popped in cut me right to the core it was so weak and nasty and pathetic, I can only imagine how you feel David, though I’m sure you’ve developed a pretty thick skin. So nasty though. You ok pal?
I replied on twitter about this all initially, but oops my account is private. Anyway. Initially I found this all very amusing since I was a non-binary queer Massey Student who graduated with a Masters in Communications this year... and my thesis was on the Auckland Pride Parade vs Police and how all that was handled in NZ media. Surprise surprise, I found that the Herald was rather biased about the whole affair. And this sort of op-ed only emphasizes nothing has changed.
Now the initial amusement has passed though... I'm disappointed. My supervisor/professor and all other staff at Massey were great when I was studying with them. I was lucky. Knowing that I could have had to deal with Elers is somewhat of a punch in the gut, especially when I consider other people in the Rainbow community studying there. Not to mention, Massey already had a scandal over TERFs and their Rainbow Tick status last year (I found articles covering it here: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/116144130/banned-from-twitter-but-welcome-at-massey-radical-feminist-group-to-host-event and https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/116640486/massey-university-cancels-controversial-feminism-2020-event-due-to-health-safety-and-wellbeing-concerns).
I feel it's telling that while there are good people in Massey, the institution still protects these kind of bigots and have to be pressured into action - if any even will happen in this case. I'm sorry that you in particular were targeted for pointing this out as well.
Obviously it's also worrying from a Journalistic Ethics standpoint, one of the Journalism Senior Lecturers is using a known biased media platform to spread hate and misinformation. It's amazing to me that the NZ Herald even decided to stop publishing his views, though perhaps I shouldn't be surprised - they're all about protecting their interests. Especially monetary.
The remarkable thing I take away from all of this is how he (and also the MAGA hat wearing buffoon from a previous webworm) might be in a teaching position but the youth they teach are SO FAR ahead of them. If any of you students happen to read this comment: much love and keep being cool. X
A "thought provocateur"? No Steve, there's nothing "provocative" about your articles, it's just boring old homophobia dressed up as humour. Nothing new or exciting. Unless "thought provocateur" is just a new way of saying "I'm a privileged wanker". And David, I definitely would be offended by his comment about you fancying him. Not just because of the homophobia, but also because I'm sure you have much better taste in men.
I loved your interview with the trans student. That’s what great journalists do: give a platform to voices that are too often left out of the conversation on issues that affect them directly. Even though I am so pissed off by his blatant homophobia, I am comforted by the fantastic work you continue to do that is clearly having an impact. (Also: I felt for you on the gay conversation typo! I feel like all writers have a tic that they can’t get rid of, no matter how much we try to stop ourselves).
mAyBe hE fAnCishut the fuck up. Imagine being so fragile it’s easier and more convenient to be homophobic than self-reflective
The problem is calling it "Cancel Culture" and not, as many before me have pointed out, Accountability Culture. When you phrase it that way, the aggrieved party is forced to reckon with what they actually did (or wrote) instead of fobbing it off on the people that are calling them out.
That comment about you fancying him is so petty and homophobic. He is just trying to belittle you (and making himself look like even more of a dick in the process). I'm glad his students are mature and confident enough to see through him (well let's hope all of them are).
BTW should "in-informed" be "ill-informed"? Sorry I'm one of those annoying people who are pedantic about language and notice these things :-)
This is why I am happy to pay for a webworm subscription. While the antique wheel clamping saga is my highlight of 2020; anyone who is helping shine a light on people who spread hate should be paid handsomely.
What a petty, homophobic piece of shit! Good for you, David! ✊
The comment about you fancying him is such a petty attempt to make himself feel better by lashing out, it makes him look small. It's a child's joke in the middle of a complaint about how he feels his opinion is undervalued and his fear that the world is leaving him behind. It's not being a thought provocateur if it just involves clinging to the last remnants of a world you find comfortable and familiar.
Hmmm, I'm a bit disappointed that 'gay conversation therapy' isn't a thing. Seemed like it held promise of being a novel way to promote tolerance and understanding - encouraging genuine conversations with people who don't hold the same opinion has to be of value - kind of the opposite of 'gay conversion therapy'? :)
What a big baby this man is. Imagine being a senior lecturer and still getting upset about having your platform to spout uninformed opinions about things that don't affect you taken away
Wow its great that you've got under his skin! " Maybe he fancies me"??? WTF! Not only is he homophobic, he sounds like he may have some deep seated questions about his own sexuality! Maybe he protesteth too much?? Its fantastic that Webworm is a large growing and influential platform. Well done! Keep it up David!