The Drew Neemia Outrage? What Outrage?

So, apparently, one of the big ‘news stories’ happening across the Tasman is that one guy managed to call a bunch of 15 year olds “f**king pussies” after they sent a tweet criticising his musical abilities. And this has been picked up by TVNZ, apparently, after the guy posted something about it.

I should also point out that one of the two people who got upset by calling them “f**king pussies” also happens to run a technology blog called TechPod, and has decided to use it as a vehicle to spout out his #DownWithDrew message. Because there isn’t any conflict of interest there. He is also starting a campaign to get his show taken off the air - and it has managed to get only 35 people signed up. Wow. Because that is very impressive.

So if I am criticising the heck out of it, why am I bothering writing this opinion piece up? Well, first I find this absolutely hilarious. Second, it shows a point - the Internet is making something out of a non-story. There are other things we should be focusing on - like CES 2012 (if you are a technology blog) or how the United States’ position on the internet is contradictory. Not on this stupid story.

Or even better, how about the impact of the US’ shift in focus to the Asia Pacific, or even what’s happening at your very own borders or around your region. There are certainty stories that should have been given focus rather than this.

The thing is, the media loves to gobble this up. It involves something to do with technology. The celebrity faux pas is an added bonus. The media loves to play up something that is obviously a non-story mass produced by this supposed blog, because real journalism is dead and buried for many news organisations. A quick post about something, file an interview or a report, and you’re done. It is essentially tabloid trash.

And I get the feeling that TVNZ only picked up this story in order to embarrass its rivals over at TV3 and FOUR - who are owned by Mediaworks, a rival broadcaster.

Let’s also examine the words he used: he called two people “f**king pussies”. Seriously? It’s not even the worst thing in the world. 15-year old boys use much vulgar language. That, in comparison, is pretty tame. Yes, I admit maybe calling 15-year old boys such things isn’t a good idea, but anger does so many things to you. I called one person a “sheep f**ker” because he pissed me off by trying to tell me how to move TECHGEEK.com.au in a direction that I did not believe was to be right.

In all, you guys have made him the talk of the town. TVNZ is talking about him. I’m talking about him.

If it was something outrageous, like something about him being a homophobe and he bashed homosexuals. Then you would have an outrage on his hands and then he would be cast out of television land. But this isn’t outrageous, you are simply pushing his name in the spotlight.

Congrats, morons.