About This Blog

Dare to Dissemble is my little online ranting place, where I air my thoughts about the ridiculous state of affairs at the University of Alberta--a formerly strong public institution with tons of potential being driven into the ground by inept governance and irresponsible government funding policies. Comments are welcome, but not expected. Like most blogs on the internet, this one languishes in obscurity and is read for the most part by its proprietor.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Brave Functionaries

Over at the U of A's "official" blog, there has not been much activity so far, with one exception.  There have been a grand total of 3 posts, nominally by three different people (though we don't really know who is writing the posts).  Two of those posts have generated a combined total of 1 comment, but the first one has a healthy comment string approaching 20 at this point.  There is a phenomenon that I have observed previously in blog comments that has made an appearance here:  the notion that using one's real name displays a level of virtue and fortitude that is lacking in those who remain completely anonymous or rely on pseudonyms.  Thus, we have the director of the University Bookstore and the executive director of "Ancillary Services" (whatever that is) at the Lister Centre making patronizing comments about people like Keyser Sose, who is actually raising important, substantive issues.  Because he is not using his real name (presumably due to a feeling of vulnerability to reprisals by the administration), they seem to think that this makes the case for devaluing what he has written.

Here's a suggestion:  stop worrying about what name someone else is using, and try actually addressing the points that are coming up.

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