Amusing reverse psycho analysis
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:14 pm by David FarrarDanyl Mc tweeted today:
So I’m guessing your polls now have soft-National voters leaning towards the Greens?
Danyl is not the only one convinced that my choice of topics is driven by “polls”, especially those secret ones only a few people know about.
Presumably this is because I blogged today whacking at the Greens on fracking and also on a climate change scandal overseas.
Now the reality is I decide what to blog basically when I read a news item, or if someone brings something to my attention by way of blog comment, twitter or e-mail. I don’t have a library or inventory of stories held in reserve, which I release based on what the polls are indicating.
And a simple check would show that the fracking story only appeared in the media today, and the climate change story was alerted to me today via a comment in a blog thread.
But even if one puts that to one side, what I find equally fascinating is that Danyl and others think that I have a belief that me blogging something can actually drive swinging National voters away from the Greens. As if a couple of extra blog posts from me of fracking will suddenly push the Greens down 2% in the next round of polls. I’d love to have such power, but the reality is the impact from blogging is modest.
My choice of topics in a day generally receives about as much thought or pre-consideration as deciding whether to stand up or sit down at the toilet. I don’t think about it much except when I am up against the deadline!
Sometimes there will be themes to what I blog, and they are pretty obvious. I obviously campaigned against the Electoral Finance Act, campaign for a republic, for VSM, for keeping the alcohol purchase age 18 etc. I’m starting to campaign on the foreign crewed fishing vessels issue, and will keep blogging on that when there is material to do so.
But to those who think my choice of blogging topics is influenced by secret polls, well I’ll probably never convince you otherwise because you are of course certain you are right and have the ability to read my mind. To be honest, I don’t want to convince you. It is far more amusing to sit back and consider how much time you spend on trying to psycho-analyse my choice of topics, and what you think that means the polls are showing.
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:29 pm
I’ve at least considered the possibility that when you notice traffic’s dipping, you post something about abortion, gay rights or religion
[DPF: Heh or climate change. No correlation but yes I have observed they normally create long vigorous threads. I don't think the actually increase traffic, they just engage it more]
Vote:February 22nd, 2012 at 4:32 pm
My choice of topics in a day generally receives about as much thought or pre-consideration as deciding whether to stand up or sit down at the toilet.
What is there to decide about whether to stand or sit at a toilet? You either need to crap or you need to piss – simple.
[DPF: You can piss standing down.]
Vote:February 22nd, 2012 at 4:39 pm
The truth is a lot simpler, there’s never a bad time to diss the greens.
Vote:February 22nd, 2012 at 4:39 pm
That’s why you need to introduce some sharing mechanics in the comments. “Think your friends might get frothing-at-the-mouth enraged by this conversation too? Tweet now! Share with friends on Facebook! Instagram your frothing mouth and put it on Pinterest!”
Vote:February 22nd, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Surely you give some thought to whether it’s something big or just a piddly little topic.
It’s a wonder the Greens aren’t proposing a poll tax, the take from you would probably be enough to feed the poor on it’s own.
Vote:February 22nd, 2012 at 4:43 pm
Two things….
Rule Number One…explaining is losing
and
What about all those emails from Mark Textor telling you what to post that i’m copied in on so I can match what you are saying but add the steel?
Oh and Matthew Hooton’s ghost written posts?
Vote:February 22nd, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Danyl may have been fomenting happy mischief.
Vote:February 22nd, 2012 at 5:00 pm
“My choice of topics in a day generally receives about as much thought or pre-consideration as deciding whether to stand up or sit down at the toilet. I don’t think about it much except when I am up against the deadline or when some other blogger with a readership hints that I might not be objective!”
Fixed that for you.
Vote:February 22nd, 2012 at 5:23 pm
I think Whale is trying to say he stands staunchly alongside DPF. Or is that sit?
Actually seeing it here is not half as funny as it is seeing them actually talking as if the believe all this stuff at The Standard. I’ve never been linked with the bloggers conspiracy but I ‘ve been accused of working for Crosby Textor a few times and also working in Beehive.
Vote:February 22nd, 2012 at 5:34 pm
David Farrar says:- “My choice of topics in a day generally receives about as much thought or pre-consideration as deciding whether to stand up or sit down at the toilet.”
Fox news’ producers probably say the same thing, but if you only select topics to comment on that suit your political outlook then the result is the same as having a specific agenda. The same could be said of any of the political blogs.
But I think Danyl may have got this one backwards. Every post *is* a poll of sorts if you could be bothered analyzing the response. Rather a good test of public sentiment in a lot of ways…
Vote:February 22nd, 2012 at 5:50 pm
Danyl gets most things backwards….
Vote:February 22nd, 2012 at 6:02 pm
I think it is more a case of Danyl wanting the Greens’ recently found popularity to prove sustainable [no pun intended].
Thus he wants to find a secret plot/motive behind any statements that could (cumulatively) erode that support.
Perhaps he should direct more attention towards Labour. Any resurgence there will have a far greater impact on the Greens than a few posts by DPF.
Vote:February 22nd, 2012 at 6:11 pm
” I’m starting to campaign on the foreign crewed fishing vessels issue, and will keep blogging on that when there is material to do so.”
I thought the cabinet enquiry was ment to report back today on this issue ?
Vote:February 22nd, 2012 at 7:00 pm
Well, it’s a little more indirect than that, but the media love to hang out here and on Whale Oil looking for stories.
Vote:February 22nd, 2012 at 8:10 pm
“Whether to stand up or sit down at the toilet”.
Vote:WARE. There be hemorrhoids. . Especially if there is too much pushing.
You couldn’t say with certainty that Winston and co are protrusions from an anal sphincter.
You could say: too much political analysis causes unnecessary bloodflow.
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:02 pm
I wonder who is paying Dim for his blogging?
Vote:February 22nd, 2012 at 11:39 pm
OK, I just did some internet sleuthing and I have found that Dim’s accusation mirrors what is often said on The Standorked and Red Alert.
As we know, Red Alert is the blog of the Labour party, while The StainedDouche was funded by the Labour party and simply parrots their talking points. If Red Alert is the mouthpiece of the Labour party, then The StewedTaint is asspiece.
So, what else can we interpret from Dim’s slavish adherence to the Party line? He has to be running interference for his political masters in the Labour Party.
Vote:February 22nd, 2012 at 11:39 pm
^^^^ See how stupid it is?
Vote:February 23rd, 2012 at 10:14 am
“Danyl and others think that I have a belief that me blogging something can actually drive swinging National voters away from the Greens.”
Should that not read the swinging green voters away from national.
The number of national voters that voted green for their party vote is significant.
The “Aqua” Blue green voting block is a growing force.
The Greens are to red for most to actually support
Vote:February 23rd, 2012 at 12:05 pm
A post full of admissions. As Whale said explaining is losing.
“my choice of topics is driven by “polls”, especially those secret ones only a few people know about.”
No comment even required.
“As if a couple of extra blog posts from me of fracking will suddenly push the Greens down 2% … but the reality is the impact from blogging is modest.”
Modest impact defined as 1.9%
Figure known from the secret polls (see above).
“My choice of topics in a day generally receives about as much thought or pre-consideration as deciding whether to stand up or sit down at the toilet”
A couple of commenters above never considered sitting to wee, so you have clearly given this considerable thought.
“except when I am up against the deadline!”
Deadline set EITHER by your own voluntary targets and WASPJ work ethic OR by your WASPJ political/corporate overlords. Coincidence? I think not.
Joking aside, one part of the appeal of this blog (especially for journalists who pinch from your posts) is that amongst other things you are more a National insider than a member of the general public. There is some variability in how accurate or how nakedly political posts are, as one would expect in such a quantity put out by a busy person, but which also might reflect lines of thought picked up on in your political life. So perhaps you are being a very little coy.
Vote:February 23rd, 2012 at 1:05 pm
bka
Vote:coy
+1