Open Mike: Nefarious Blogger Confesses

I get accused a lot.

So I think I should probably confess.

As a blogger whose sole reason for existence is to entertain a far-flung and widely divergent audience of individuals, not every one of whom agrees with everything I say in every particular, I regularly get accused of having distorted views. I get accused of having a male perspective, or a white perspective, or an American perspective, or a Western perspective, or a liberal perspective, or a Midwestern perspective, or the perspective of a person whose youth is a fond and receding image in an ever-increasingly rose-tinted rearview mirror. Usually, such accusations are couched in terms of extreme umbrage, as if it is obvious that I would seize every effort to avoid appearing to be those things if only my accusers could somehow make me realize that I was coming across that way.

But it's really no use trying to hide: it's true—all true. I am all those things. I am a male American Caucasian, smack-dab in the middle of middle age*, entirely or almost entirely of Western European descent. Religiously, I'm a nonbeliever, although my heritage is Protestant Christian. I was born in Indiana and live in Wisconsin, so I'm a Midwesterner. Personally, i.e. in terms of my style and behavior, I'm quite conservative, although politically I'm a little to the left of liberal—even though I come from a long line of Republicans. I'm middle-class, although I'm descended from upper-class forebears and have relatives who either belong to that class or stoutly sympathize with its interests. I'm am somewhat bigoted against people who can't or won't use English well, but probably only because I overvalue what I myself am good at and care about (a common human trait). On the other hand, I am jealous of those who are bilingual or better. Oddly, given my predilections and inclinations, I am not well educated—I do not hold an academic Bachelor's degree (my highest degree is a BFA in Photography). I am a persistent autodidact, however, if I may immodestly say so (albeit with some of the shortcomings that that implies), and consider myself fairly well read, compared to the general population.

Not all of these things are immutable, being variously rather more or rather less fixed, but they all are the case.

For these reasons, it's really quite unreasonable for people to expect me to have the perspective of, say, an impoverished, religiously devout, right-wing female Ph.D. of color from the Third World who would sooner trod hot coals than crack a book. Or some other type of person that I don't happen to be. If that is intolerable to anyone, I can only remind them that they are the masters of their own courses and captains of their own browsers; the 'Net is broad, and contains multitudes.

Toleration
The word "intolerable," reminds me that I also got accused recently of being intolerant. That is a grave charge in today's world, where toleration is considered a cardinal virtue, and when the charge was hurled in my face I took exception, at first; but then I examined it, and concluded that it, too, sadly, is true: I'm intolerant of greed, cruelty (cruelty especially), selfishness, unkindness, narcissism, brutality, immorality, Ford Expeditions, noise pollution, Sarah Palin, and superstition and willful ignorance, to name just a few of many things. I am quite an intolerant fellow, when you look at it that way.

And speaking of "fellow"—this is true—I once angered a reader by calling him a "fellow," which he was dead certain was an insult. (It's not, actually; but he was having no part of that.) The list of my offenses lengthens.

It's possible I am not who I would choose to be, if unlimited alternatives were merely up for choosing. I would choose to be richer, and fifteen years younger, and to have married young, and to be a writer of books. But such is life, and there are certain things that by accident or design I happen to be. I am largely stuck with them. I don't even much mind; I find myself...curiously sanguine about the situation. Perhaps I am used to myself, and accustomed to being me. Perhaps my situation could be better; then again, I'm sure it could be worse. I prefer to see it from the good side.

Or, to quote once again the hero of my extreme youth, the immortal Popeye:

I yam what I yam.

And there's an end on't.

Mike

*The DSM-IV-TR defines middle age as 45 to 65, revised upwards from the traditional definition by five years to accommodate the fact that people are now living and retaining their vigor for longer. It remains to be seen whether either of these trends will manifest in me, but I'm going with it.

"Open Mike" is a series of miscellaneous off-topic ramblings that trundle into view on Sundays.

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Original contents copyright 2012 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.

Featured Comment by Ed Grossman: "Each of us is unique...just like everybody else! I don't know if thinking about that makes me more tolerant, but it helps me 'let it go' when somebody's broadcasting on the crazy channel."

Featured Comment by Auntipode: "Wow! I'll be of middle age for another year. Feelin' younger than I did a few moments ago. Thanks, Mike.  :-)"

Featured Comment by Rob Graves: "You are what you are. And I prefer honesty to political correctness any day. Please keep up the honest, male, Midwestern, grammatically correct insights into your world and your views on photography and life. I may not always agree, but that is what keeps it interesting. (Aside—my father adored Popeye, and I inherited a 3' Popeye 'doll,' complete with pipe and hat. Popeye also resulted in me, aged 7, declaring that I loved spinach. Unfortunately the reality of spinach did not match my imagination.)"

Mike replies: I actually do love Spinach, and blame Popeye.

Featured Comment by Ruby: "Excellent post, clear and to the point and the sort of thing people need reminding of from time to time. Brings to mind the one you wrote about how there is such imbalance in a system where some people can afford to spend millions of dollars on a single piece of art while others can't afford food, and that offends you. That captured my feelings better than anything else ever had, until possibly today (although I am female and not a Midwesterner)."

Featured Comment by Dan: "I think it's good to explicitly acknowledge one's privilege, social background, etc., and how it affects one's perspective on the world. No suppression is required; self-awareness will do."

Featured Comment by Paul Crouse: "But have you been accused of being a Cheesehead, when you are clearly a Hoosier.  :-) "

Featured Comment by Bob Rosinsky: "My sentiments exactly. Although,I may be a shade crankier than you."

Featured Comment by Mark Walker: "Mike, your trouble is you just fly off the handle, write ill concepted, porrly grammatically uncorrected, subversive opinions that just tick the vast majority of us right off. Jeez, Mike, just calm down, I've never seen anyone get so upset over misjudged comments. Give them a break, the authors are more sensitive than you might think. Your humble and devoted audience. PS I skipped your really overlong paragraphs, but I kind of understood everything you said anyway. Bark Walker."

Featured Comment by Ann: "Am now reading Wittengstein because of your blog! Have been a fan of TOP for several years and read it most days. Not a middle aged, middle class male and don't feel an outsider at all!"

Comments

[Yger]

Mike, stop worrying. We love you. Yours is the best blog.

[Roger Bradbury]

Mike,

Taking umbrage says more about the offended than the 'offender', in the same way that conspiracy theories say more about the theorist than the evil world dominators they fear.

Roger

[Tom Robbins]

Cool! Nicely summed up, Mike. If you changed anything about yourself, you would probably lose some of the "far-flung and widely divergent audience of individuals".

Pass along my regards to Olive Oil and Sweet Pea,

Tom

[Ross Chambers]

Mike I don't know if you spend time deleting some of these accusations from posts--which would be an awful waste of time for you, but it's nice to see a log of posts with civility on TOP with such regularity.

Seems that in this age of easy communication the phenomenon of immediate, unthinking abuse is the spirit of the times.

How controversial can a site devoted to photography be?

Personally, if I feel like haranguing someone I save the page, read it the next day, and then very, very seldom do anything further.

But I'm getting old, I guess.

[Craig Norris]

Hi Mike.

It's the price of fame to be attacked. But to be ignored might be a bigger insult.

It's an interesting exercise to contemplate what motivates a person to attack you. Among the list of motivations I can think of, the one that seems most likely is that the attacker is scared of you. You threaten their existence somehow. If that wasn't the case, why do they care at all what you write?

Everyone has their unique perspective. It would be impossible to express any kind of opinion without one. Potential upset arises not from having a particular perspective, but from the clash of two discordant perspectives, and for that, the attacker must bear equal responsibility.

I'm sure the silent majority, like me, greatly appreciates your existence and your presence on the 'net. Open a can of spinach for yourself and enjoy your Sunday.

[Dave P]

" I overvalue what I myself am good at and care about (a common human trait)"

A nice summary, a very common trait.

Dave

[jean-louis salvignol]

Intolerance is generally associated with anonymity. For me any anonymous intervention is invalid due to the asymmetry that is created between a person, say MJ, which explicitly displays his opinion, and one hiding behind a peseudo.
The soft totalitarianism is a constant threat that must be resisted quietly. And this refusal to accept that one may think differently is an alarming symptom.

T.O.P. is not a sullen sect but a place of free exchanges, of hospitality and conviviality.

And eventually Mike, you know, if regum ultima ratio, in real life, there is always an exit :

“Them’s my principles; but if you don’t like them — I kin change them!” (Groucho maybe, maybe not)

Because in the end we should not fight against preconceived ideas. This is energy vainly squandered .

In France we have the ideal cure, trust me =

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14156

[James B]

All very nicely said, Mike. One of the reasons I look in on TOP most days is that it is an eclectic mix of thinking only loosely centred on photography (a good thing), and that your writing is both accessible, thought-provoking, and very fairly expressed - which must mean that you and I share a similar outlook!

The sociologists who thought up that definition of middle-aged are hopelessly wrong, however. Middle-aged is one year older than I am. Currently, it starts at 47. This is a much more nuanced view than that held by an aunt of mine, who annually celebrated her 29th birthday for 7 or 8 years, until her husband gave her a "RIP 29" funeral card when she was approaching 40.

[Paul Van]

I enjoy visiting TOP on a daily basis, so please, continue to write your distorted views! To be less than who you are would be intolerable!!

(Said with a grin and a wink.)

[Kurt Friis Hansen]

He... smile...

Politically INcorrect, as any man with self respect and integrity.

How dare you set an example?

Big smile from Denmark

[John Roberts]

That's the irony of the contemporary emphasis on toleration, everyone is intolerant in some areas. Like discrimination, intolerance is not inherently a bad thing, and one doesn't always need to be ashamed or apologetic for it. Keep being true to who you are, Mike. I sometimes disagree with your opinions, but it's phony people I can't tolerate.

[Albert Erickson]

Mike, despite all that, we still like you. Keep up the good work, and do try and go to bed before the sun comes up. Eric

[Nigel]

"I once angered a reader by calling him a "fellow," which he was dead certain was an insult..."

Well it was, assuming he believed himself your superior.

(In which case, he'd be an ignorant fellow.)

[The Lazy Aussie]

BFA in photography? After dismissing several (I thought) more plausible alternatives, I am left with Bachelor Fine Arts.

I seem to remember Popeye occasionally adding a K to his outbursts. And then he stopped. Ahh - Brutusk. I yamsk what I yamsk.

[Michael]

Yes, well, writing that has a taste of the writer is like food that has a taste of its ingredients. We've all learned, haven't we, that bad cooks can produce tasteless food?

So thanks for your tasty writing, Mike.

[David]

Just keep going, Mike. Don't change a thing. We like you the way you are!
Regards, David.

[Dave Stewart]

You missed out: honest, and introspective.

Those of us that have being looking in here for a few years, through the open window to your world, will be well aware of all this. Aside from not being American, or well read, this Scot shares a lot in common with the above, especially the Sarah Palin bit. But then, she is a dead-ringer for my ex-wife - in looks, and politics...

Please don't change!

[Tony Roberts]

Nice to see some compatible evolutionary DNA; for all intents and purposes, I am you.

[MIkal W. Grass]

You go boy!!!!!!

If we were all the same and held the same opinions, the world would be a mighty mighty boring place.

[Steve L]

With the exception of your BFA in Photography and the fact that you are from the Midwest (I have deep roots in the North East), you and I are identical.

[MarkB]

Typical. ;)

[Dave]

Mike, as someone of remarkably similar age, interests, background (Southern instead of Midwestern), education, (lack of) religion and political leanings, all I can say is I don't have a problem!

In seriousness, no matter how much I twist and contort my perspective I will NEVER truly understand anything beyond my experience. I can make a speculative allowance that other world views contain merit, listen with an open mind and then hope I can find a mutual experience or idea with the other party on which I can agree.

I spent a lot of years growing into liking me for me.I feel no need to apologize for being me.

[Kevin Bourque]

Curious, isn't it.....we're supposed to embrace diversity and yet we're sometimes expected to pretend that we're all the same. Sigh.

Keep repeating to yourself "I want to be like Mike" (that would be you, not the other guy). Be up-front about your biases and call 'em like you see 'em. I don't see how we can expect anything better than that.

[Richard]

Does all that mean that you won't even try doing something about yourself? ;-)

[DC Wells]

Mike,

Unfortunately, yours is the lot of anyone who dares to speak in public. Apparently so many are without sin -- or believe themselves guided by an immaculate hand -- these days that they pick up any stone that's handy when they see something they think they can hit. Their goal is to kill an idea by silencing its advocate. I'm happy to know that it won't work against you. Nonetheless, the stones can still hurt, and some no doubt cast them simply to inflict pain. I guess it makes them feel powerful and important.

As you know, it's really an old game, the ad hominem attack. Those who rely on it don't seem to realize that its use instantly brands them as desperate and lacking a real argument, one supported by logic and relevant facts. With an audience of thoughtful and analytical people, they show themselves as losers. They could just raise a white flag, but they persist no doubt because they can influence other thoughtless people, people for whom a short label -- liberal, conservative, Christian, Muslim, redhead, wedding photographer, Leica user, etc. -- is all they care to know about a person and that person's ideas.

My descriptors are much like yours, but my history and education are quite different. I think I tend to agree with much of what you say and value the way you say it because of its form and content, not because we share a few descriptors.

Keep up the good work. I don't always agree with your ideas and opinions, but whether I do or not, your columns educate, inform and stimulate the little grey cells. If all they did was to repeat things I already know or views I already have, what would be the point? You also entertain, have a great sense of humor and a self-deprecating charm. But I can tell your velvet glove of modesty dresses an iron fist of conviction.

PS: What is your position on the importance of retaining the traditional distinction between the concepts of "jealousy" and "envy"? (Insert smiley face)

[Tim]

IHYM "Bachelor's", being as how Batchelor's is a kind of soup. ;)

[Richard tugwell]

Don't worry - at least you are not condescending, patronising or pompous and graciously admit when you are wrong. With those attributes, I can even forgive you starting to lean in the direction of small sensor cameras.....

[David Miller]

Blog on Mike! We agree often enough for me to feel reassured, we disagree often enough for me to see new perspectives. (Whether I buy into them or not is my privilege and responsibility.) The Online Photographer educates me often and gives me occasional moments of comfortable nostalgia. And unfailingly, Mike, your writing gives me pleasure because you are indeed adept with language and your ideas are fresh and cogently expressed. I frequently quote you to my spouse or pass on a quotation you have recorded in your blog.

In short, you have become a valued friend. We have enough in common to permit easy understanding, enough diversity to keep the conversation flavourful.

I don't want to marry you Mike, but I certainly enjoy our daily visits.

~ David Miller

[Ben Marks]

Me too. - Ben Marks

[Peter Cameron]

An interesting piece, Mike.
I have always wondered what those who complain about the perspective of others hope to accomplish. I can only surmise they want everything in the world to conform to their view. If it's a case of not liking your perspective they can, as you pointed out, not read your blog.
Personally, I prefer to read things from different perspectives. I might not agree with them, but the world would be a pretty boring place if everyone agreed on everything (one camera, one lens, one sensor/film, one photo [probably a mostly out of focus one of a cat]).
If I find a perspective abhorrent, or just patently silly, I'll stop reading. However, I can't see complaining to the author serving any purpose.
So, keep up the intolerant, bigoted blogging.

[Jim Bullard]

Largely ditto. I'm a Northeasterner not a Midwesterner. I'm past middle age (officially senior), My BFA is in ceramics. My photography training was commercial (NYI) and military. My conservative friends think I'm a flaming liberal and my liberal friends chastise me saying I need to learn to "appreciate" other cultures, religions, music, etc., etc. No I don't. I need to (and do) be tolerant of them. Like you though I don't need to tolerate things that extend (are agressively shoved) beyond the end my nose or the nose of anyone I care about who chooses different culture, religion, music, etc. than what's being pushed at me/them. I once read a SciFi story in which the author proposed a code of laws that was "don't annoy others and don't be too easily annoyed". It's called being considerate of others. That works works me. If only everyone would practice it.

[Michael]

Everyone who writes or creates attracts this stuff on the Internet. Note the recent abdication (and then reversal, happily) of one of your fellow photography writers in the past year.

I'm glad you're able to take on all of these accusations with humor (can I take it that no one's taken you task at least for injecting some humor in your work?). Keep up the fine work.

P.S. I've been given a reprieve on middle age for another four years? I gladly accept, though I don't think I agree.

[dale]

Brothers of different Mothers?

[Steve Jacob]

The only thing I won't tolerate is intolerance!

All you have proved is that most middle aged liberal white men with beards are pretty much alike :)

[Ron Patrick]

I was born in Kansas, raised in Missouri, and live in Indiana. Caucasian male, 65, slightly right of liberal and intolerant of most of the same things that you are. I am also particular about the precise use of language. Consequently, I have no problem with your point of view.

[LR Jasper (aka oldbro)]

Well for what its worth -- I like you just the way you are :-) And somehow I had already guessed you were a hoosier (me too and proud of it). Don't let the bastards get you down!

[Ken James]

Good! Thumbs Up!

[Scott L.]

"I'm intolerant of . . . cruelty (cruelty especially), selfishness, unkindness, . . . brutality . . . ."

Hey, I'm vegan too! See this short video by Sir Paul McCartney to see the compelling logic here:

http://www.meat.org/

I appreciate your perspective and couldn't imagine the writing of someone who didn't have one. Thanks.

[Jim A]

Mike - The term "accused" is telling. I prefer Popeye's perspective as well. Would you say that the majority of your comments share a general optimism?

Speaking of "Toleration", I've always found this Simpson's quote funny.

Bart: "Sharing is a bunch of bull, too. And helping others. And what's all this crap I've been hearing about tolerance?"

Homer: "Hmm. Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter."

[Will Whitaker]

It seems to me that people who charge intolerance are themselves intolerant, if only of intolerance.

~Will
(middle-aged, white, male, western European-descended, protestant-raised, college-educated, heterosexual, left-leaning, left-handed, gin-drinking, otherwise-normal person.)

[Paul]

Well I think you must be a very nice guy, that's why my browser's home page is your blog. I don't agree with absolutely everything you write but that does not matter one bit. I also think today's post is cool, very cool.
Viva TOP!

[Jim Metzger]

Mom didn't tell me I had a brother in the Midwest.

Keep up the good (from my personal perspective) work.

Regards

Jim

[bloodnok]

i'm offended!

frankly, it matters not how neutral a tone you take on any topic: someone somewhere will be offended. there are plenty of aphorisms about how you can please some of the people some of the time and that's about it. and good luck with it ....

[Geoff McCann]

........& their problem is? Maybe they should get over themselves.
I love you as you are, "warts" & all.
:-)

[Clay Olmstead]

Somehow this seems appropriate:

"I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
I loaf and invite my soul,
I lean and loaf at my ease observing a spear of summer grass.
My tongue, every atom of my blood, formed from this soil, this air,
Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their parents the same,
I, now thirty-seven years old in perfect health begin,
Hoping to cease not till death.
Creeds and schools in abeyance,
Retiring back awhile sufficed at what they are, but never forgotten,
I harbor for good or bad, I permit to speak at every hazard,
Nature without check with original energy."
-Walt Whitman,
from Song of Myself

[Mike Johnston]

"Personally, if I feel like haranguing someone I save the page, read it the next day, and then very, very seldom do anything further."

It's a wise course, Ross. I do the same thing myself, almost always. Sometimes I get as far as writing an angry response; but fortunately I seldom get as far as hitting the send button.

Mike

[Riley]

There is a difference between noting a perspective and accusing.

[Nature lover]

It would appear that the new definition of middle-age still includes me.

As a physician I tell my patients that I'm a fat middle-aged white guy and I can't be anything else. I also inform them that I am an equal opportunity pain in the backside. I tease people without regard to race creed color or national origin. Smile at my bad jokes and you are fair game.

Physicians are called upon to be the ultimate chameleons changing colors instantaneously and tolerating everyone at all times and in all situations. It is some corollary vaguely derived from the hypocritical oath and pounded in to one in school. Sorry, can't do that.
Most of my patients like me-Press Gainey tells me that. But one can always go to the next subspecialist 80 miles down the road. Grumpy aren't I?

[David Dyer-Bennet]

There does seem to be something real in what I named the "Dr. Jekyll / [email protected]" phenomenon -- some people do seem to totally miss the humanity of other people on the net. (That name will tell you that I made it up quite a while ago, too.)

Most people seem to do well enough, with only the occasionally mis-step (and we make those in person, too). Others go ballistic over and over and over again. It's a constant puzzle.

We've known this on Usenet since the 1980s, for that matter (a bit earlier for a some people). Or, before that, think of the legendary letter exchanges occasionally hosted by the Times of London.

[Nick Van Zanten]

Well, thank you for clearing that up. I'll have you know that I haven't changed my opinion in the least. I am still a fan.

[Rob Reiter]

Mike, I've been reading this blog for several years and I never suspected what a disgusting, biased blight on humanity you've now admitted to being. Since I once contributed a small piece to these pages, I suppose I suffer guilt by association.

I am so ashamed. I want my Teddy bear.

[Sal Santamaura]

"...I'm am somewhat bigoted against people who can't or won't use English well..."

"...I'm intolerant of greed,...selfishness, unkindness, narcissism,...noise pollution, Sarah Palin,...and willful ignorance..."

Does that mean, being a writer guilty of extreme redundancy as exhibited in the second quote, you're bigoted against yourself? ;-)

[Lyle]

Your loquaciousness and profundity notwithstanding, you spelled "Bachelor's" incorrectly. ;)

Hey, I'm a silent reader and frequent your blog. Like Mikey - I like it !

My advice to those who trash on bloggers is this: "You have to choose to take offense".

Have a good Sunday -

[Stephen Gillette]

Come again? Middle age now stretches to 65? Whoopee!!

Best news I've heard all week. I love this blog. LOVE it!

(Mike, remember the old Timex watch ads? Keep on ticking', buddy!)

[Manuel]

Mike,
I've been reading your blog for some time now and I could never recognize any traces of intoleration or bigot. However, what I know for sure, having a blog of my own, is that many people tend not to read what we mean to say when we write, but what they want to make of it. I know it all - they truncate, distort and willingly misinterpret our words and use them against us. That's something we get used to, although sometimes we can't help baulking at the foolishness of some comments.
Keep on with the good work!

(P. S.: thanks to this post I found out I entered middle age three years ago. Ignorance is bliss, they say; now that I'm aware of that fact I'm beginning to feel very old...)

[Bryce Lee]

Mike:

You is what you is, keep it that way!

[XmanX]

Methinks you're officially experiencing a full-on raging mid-life crisis.

Fret not, my dear fellow, for it too shall pass.

[Hans Muus]

Great piece, enjoyed reading it. It is a pity you had to make such a statement, but on the other hand, when it is done so eloquently and with such admirable self-reflection, I am almost grateful for the reasons that made you write it.

[John Robison]

It is just amazing to me than anyone can write a blog, day after day. Exhausting would seem to be too mild an adjective for such an endeavor, on any subject. As an aside, you send me to a dictionary at least once a week. Keep up the good work.

I grew up in southern Indiana, not really the same as the rest of the state.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

Mike, some of us like you just the way you are. Because of it and in spite of it ;-)

[John Masters]

"As a blogger whose sole reason for existence is...
I yam what I yam."

Nice to meet ya, Mike!

[Archer]

To quote the immortal Tom Lehrer: "There are people out there who do not love their fellow man and I HATE people like that!"

As for middle age, I think of myself as 28 base 20.

[Joe Kashi]

This is the only photo forum/blog that I read on a regular basis. That's due to its elevated and civil tone, wide-ranging subjects, and the intelligent commentary of both writers and commenting readers. The contrast with the routine nastiness of posts on certain fan-boy forums, such as those recently relocated to Seattle, is stark.

One needs to write honestly and that basically means from their own perspective and life experiences. While one should certainly try to continually expand our own knowledge, enmpathy, and perspective, a writer or photographer is neither authentic nor accurate when asserting points of view incongruent with their own.

In our culture of victimhood, too many people become too easily offended and then try to use their excessive sensitivity as a weapon against others, rather like insisting that peanuts be banned from everyone's in-flight snacks. In most instances, such attacks are not a sign of elevated moral stature (despite the accuser's claims), but rather only a lack of knowledge and inability to tolerate other points of view.

Do you recall the uproar when, in 2006, the University of Washington reversed its decision to erect a plaque honoring one of its alumni, the WWII Marine hero and Medal of Honor winner Greg "Pappy" Boyington, because the student senate objected to honoring "rich white males" who killed people in WWII? Those objecting did not even realize that Boyington was of Souix heritage (obvious in any photograph) and died poor despite his fame, or that the US, and he, fought only after the then-Japanese Empire attacked the US as the culmination of their prior fifty years brutal imperialism in Asia.

Unfortunately, the Internet allows not only the widespread dissemination of information but also of disinformation and anonymous venting. Anyone even vaguely in the public eye has experienced this.

It's probably best to simply ignore such people. A forensic psychologist friend once told me that the people who act this way do so because doing so makes them feel powerful. It's even easier when you can do damage remotely, perhaps not even using your own name.

By not allowing them to derail you, not publishing their rants, you deny them the feeling of power. Maybe, then, they'll go away and take their incivil discourse with them.

I am sure that many of us recall how Kirk Tuck, a wonderful and insightful photographer and writer about photography, briefly stopped writing because of a similar situation. Thankfully, he resumed his writing, here and on his own blog, after many importuned him.

Please stay authentic and keep up the good work.

[Gil]

Bravo, Sir! If only the world had such self-awareness.

[Ludovic]

For your sake (and that of your readers) I hope you never come across Sarah Palin behind the wheel of an Expedition doing her make-up while listening to her horoscope at full volume.

[Rod S.]

Mike,
That was another well-written, enjoyable and thought-provoking essay. David Miller's response resonated with me.

[dsr]

It's curious that you have chosen the definition of middle age that comes from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Version 4). But if that allows me to remain middle aged until age 65, I'll take it.

We needn't give up our biases (nor could we if we tried). Self-awareness is more than sufficient and helps prevent us from bludgeoning others with them.

[Tom higgins]

By the very act of expressing forthright opinion on the interweb, you enjoinder robust and sometimes contrary discussion. This is the nature of the beast. In that spirit, fair play to the writing here (ctein and Kirk also) for getting the various balls rolling in the trenches of healthy discussion. Good writing generally means standing up and being counted...first. This is not as easy as replying. Standing ovations all round.

[Phil Service]

Gee, Mike, thanks for popping my balloon. I'm 66 (almost 67) and was hoping middle-age lasts until at least 70!

[Earl Dunbar]

"It's possible I am not who I would choose to be, if unlimited alternatives were merely up for choosing. I would choose to be richer, and fifteen years younger, and to have married young, and to be a writer of books."

None of things are really who you are or might be. You simply are, as are we all.

You may now arise from my analysis couch, pay the cashier on the way out. You're welcome.

[John Camp]

It was the *accent* you used when you called the guy a fellow. "I'm not certain that a fellow like yourself would be happy in a blog like this." Really sort of Dartmouthy, in my opinion.

[Michael Bearman]

Waaaall ain't you'll goin' ta heel ina handbasket... :)

[Phil Maus]

I recall making a very negative comment on TOP once, vehemently disagreeing with someone's comment about some artist you were discussing at the time. In fact, my comment really amounted to an attack against the reader whom I disagreed with, rather than some productive point contributing to the general conversation. I remember that you refused to post my comment and quite courteously sent me an email explaining why you didn't feel my views were appropriate. That basically all points of view are welcome on TOP and since my comments didn't contribute anything to the discussion at hand and were only aimed at someone who WAS making a point that I didn't agree with.

I don't even remember what I had tried to say that day, but I do know that my acid words would have done no more than possibly injure the person who was only expressing their point of view and sully the open and free discussion, so common on TOP and so valued by many who read your words here every day.

I don't normally consider myself a hothead and don't normally criticize, or especially attack, others for their points of view. I know that I would have regretted it later had my comments made it into print.

In the end I must thank you, Mike, for your "intolerance" (in this case, of my own ignorance) and whether or not it matters to you, to let you know that I hold no grudge whatsoever against you and still continue to read and enjoy TOP almost every day.

I guess all I did there was to go the long way around to make the point that "intolerance" takes many forms and your intolerance of my ignorance that day was quite admirable. Thank you for that Mike.

[Dave Fultz]

A fine one, Mike.

Dave

[David]

I didn't even know that there was anything "left of liberal" anymore! I thought that liberal was now synonymous with "radical socialist extremist", which doesn't leave much room on the left.

David ( just, another white male, middle aged, bearded radical socialist.)

[Drew]

"Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they're yours".

~ Richard Bach

[Michael Bearman]

As with the rest of the English language it all depends upon how its said... "listen Feller! is different to "... my fellow gentlemen...".

[Trevor Small]

Well said, sir.
It's funny how so often the cry of "be tolerant" really means "shut up".
It's my job as a presumably intelligent reader to asess your perspective and adjust accordingly, not the other way around.

[John Hall]

Keep writing and I'll keep subscribing.
I even like reading your posts when we disagree. At a minimum they make me think, and that (sadly) is far more than can be said for 99.9% of the internet.
Thank you Mike!
John

[Red Dwyer]

Congratulations! You and I are kindred spirits. I embrace my own intolerance as a protective cloak around a firm identity for which I do not apologize. I say, "Good on you!"

And I make regular fun of my detractors every week. My readers happen to get a kick out of the interactive fun when I let them decide what to give the hatemailers.

So glad I was referred to you by the Aware Writer.

Red.

[Simon]

Featured Comment by Ed Grossman: "Each of us is unique...just like everybody else"

I'm not

[With Thanks to Monty P]

[John Lloyd]

Time it is to revise the middle-aged bracket up by another five to ten years!

[Norm Nicholson]

Gee Mike---I never would have known.

Love, Norm

( I remember reading an article about Ernest Hemingway in his later alcoholic years. The saddest thing of all, the author felt, was that, Hemmingway was now a man without opinions.)

[PWL]

Hmmm...I cant' see how racism, sexism, ageism, etc, could enter into a blog that is pretty much about cameras and photography. Cameras don't care. But whatever.

Hey, I don't care. Live and let live. Except when yer trashin' Leicas. Then yer walkin' on the fightin' side of me....:-)

[Randy Ennis]

Well, Mike, be glad you won't be counted amongst the false prophets! After all, in the book of Luke we can find the statement

"Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets."

You've certainly steered clear of that! Seriously, I empathize with you. These days especially, it doesn't seem to matter how reasonable you may try to be, someone will take exception... Funny that we seem to be freer to have contrary opinions and less tolerant of contrary opinions at the same time...

[robert harshman]

www.robertharshman.com/popi.png :)

I was what I waz and I'm here forever.

Overlooking the big river at his home town.

Shot with a iPhone 3G a few years ago. Pluto and Olive are there too.

Robert

[beuler]

I don't come here to read about photography - I have DPReview for that. I come here to read about your opinions. The fact that reader comments are usually a worthy read helps, but I would be a regular reader regardless.

If you were a young, white, married Portuguese economist your opinions would probably seem banal to me. So... stay as you are and keep it up.

[Bill Rogers]

It's no wonder we don't always get along. We're too alike.