NO. BAD BUSINESS SOPHOMORE. GO AWAY
“The Victors” could soon have a modernistic younger sibling.
If a resolution presented to the Central Student Government on Tuesday night passes, the body will provide funding to a group of students looking to develop an additional thematic song to play at University athletics events.
Central Student Government.
I don't know who you are. If you're looking for jobs I can tell you I don't have any. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired from the internet. Skills that make me a nightmare for people who will be in job interviews with people who have googled you. If you vote this down unanimously, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for your facebook photos. I will not scour your instagram. But if you vote for this, I will find your linkedin. I will find your whole internet. And I will kill your search results.
dude annihilated his twitter page two seconds after I found it
The patient zeroes:
Business sophomore Adam Weiss, a representative on the CSG Assembly, spoke on behalf of the song campaign, which he called “Hail and Unite.” He said his friend, LSA senior Mike Weinberg, conceptualized the project.
“This project is meant to be, number one, extremely unique,” Weiss said. “The goal of this song is to get a lot of big names that are associated with the University.”
"Extremely unique." #expelAdamWeiss
February 11th, 2015 at 2:14 PM ^
That's true. But if he thinks he can avoid criticism for his words and actions, he's living in a fantasy world.
February 11th, 2015 at 11:50 AM ^
Hope you say that to the parents of hundreds of kids who hurt themselves cause of trolls on the internet. Kids/young people take things more seriously than adults do when it comes to internet media. For you to just say it's a bullshit concept is bullshit on your part.
We should be training our kids to develop a thicker skin yes, but to outright deny the existence of cyber bullying is sheer stupidity.
February 11th, 2015 at 11:51 AM ^
You are are a great example of why people get angry and make up laws that common sense should encompass.
February 11th, 2015 at 6:35 PM ^
I wish I could upvote this.
February 11th, 2015 at 11:34 AM ^
I'm inclined to agree. If MGoBlog had a smaller readership, I'd take this to be more in the realm of joking around, but with the size & scope of the audience we're dealing with here, I'd lay off a little. The idea is terrible, so torch the idea, but I don't think it needs to get personal.
February 11th, 2015 at 11:50 AM ^
there is truth to what you say.
I stake my hatred for Dantonio on the fact that he, as a grown man, will get into immature arguements with 18 yr old kids who are on different teams (ie Hart). In those cases I feel he is a tool, immature, and honestly pathetic. What grown up feels the need to talk shit to an 18 yr old?
I guess this isn't really that different.
I read it as a joke that went too far, however it needs to be understood that a post like this will likely get a few circlejerkers around here to go the next step and harrass the Weiss kid. Is that Brians fault? No. But at some point you have to hold yourself to a standard, or be grouped with the tools of the world.
February 11th, 2015 at 12:08 PM ^
People are responsible for the foreseeable consequences of their own actions.
(Which in no way subtracts from the responsibility of the "circlejerkers" for their actions.)
February 11th, 2015 at 12:29 PM ^
If the idea is terrible, it likely won't come to fruition or likely won't become widely adopted if it does. If it works out and people like it, so be it. What's the harm?
Brian is not the tastemaker or final arbiter of what is acceptable for and at Michigan football games and sporting events. Sorry if I'm insulting the brainwashed, but...
I guess it's not organic enough for Brian. Yet, then again, Michigan Stadium wasn't the first to have a fancy new scoreboard or Field Turf, and that's worked out pretty well. We weren't the first to have night games. People seem to enjoy them.
Brian is entitled to his opinion, just like everyone else. His is no more or less important. He has a platform and has shown that he can use it judiciously ... or not. In this case, basically using it for a form of cyberbullying a college kid is pitiful and unfortunate.
February 11th, 2015 at 11:34 AM ^
I'm guessing Brian sees it as so unlikely to happen, that today is just hyperbole, not actual threat. Then again, I could see Brian creating a giant twitter attack on a guy with one bad idea as an over-reaction.
February 11th, 2015 at 11:36 AM ^
This is the kind of PC comment that helped create an environment where "Hail and Unite" actually gained some sort of traction within CSG. He put it out there in the first place, pardon me for not feeling bad for him if other people write on the internet about just how bad of an idea it is.
February 11th, 2015 at 12:02 PM ^
the tree of "my child is a beautiful snowflake and his ideas should be cherrished" has finally born fruit and they gave everyone diahrea.
If this kid growing up was told sometimes his ideas, like this one, are flat out stupid and embarassing, maybe he could apply some critical thinking and realize this is one of the dumbest things he's ever thought of
February 11th, 2015 at 12:03 PM ^
Writing that it's a bad idea is fine (and correct). Threatening to destroy his future is different.
February 11th, 2015 at 12:21 PM ^
Brian forgot to use /s. Too many people have their shorts in a wad. Like Brian would destroy this kid's career. smh. Not gonna happen.
February 11th, 2015 at 12:36 PM ^
Too many people have their shorts in a wad.
Seriously, people need to watch this video, get the joke, and get on with life. It wasn't a serious threat.
February 11th, 2015 at 12:49 PM ^
I knew Brian was being sarcastic. I didn't know the reference, not having seen taken. But like I said, too many people didn't get the joke and had their shorts in a wad.
There was an interesting article (post here?) about how college students don't have a sense of humor, and the scope of things you can joke about has shrunk. Basically, you can joke about white guys and Christians. Now, I've never been one for lots of jokes that give offense. But man, people in general have a pretty thin skin. The new McCarthyism, if you will.
February 11th, 2015 at 1:49 PM ^
I think there's a fair number of people here who knew it was a joke and didn't think it was funny. Or, maybe more to the point, didn't care whether it was funny because they thought it was wrong.
I don't know why I happened to make an exception today, but I pretty much stopped reading the front page here when Heiko left, and this post has reminded me why. Brian likes to think of his writing as a sort of Michigan-themed version of David Foster Wallace, but it doesn't have the humanity or sensitivity that came through clearly in everything Wallace wrote, and in every Wallace interview.
And without it, the sarcasm is just mean.
February 11th, 2015 at 3:55 PM ^
I think its more you don't like Brian and you are using this as an opportunity for some concern trolling.
And no one believes you stopped reading the front page. Get over yourself.
February 11th, 2015 at 4:20 PM ^
What do you make of the attempt to bar Bill Maher from speaking at Berkeley for his riff on Muslims?
Well, I love Bill, but I stopped playing colleges, and the reason is because they’re way too conservative.
In their political views?
Not in their political views — not like they’re voting Republican — but in their social views and their willingness not to offend anybody. Kids raised on a culture of “We’re not going to keep score in the game because we don’t want anybody to lose.” Or just ignoring race to a fault. You can’t say “the black kid over there.” No, it’s “the guy with the red shoes.” You can’t even be offensive on your way to being inoffensive.
When did you start to notice this?
About eight years ago. Probably a couple of tours ago. It was just like, This is not as much fun as it used to be. I remember talking to George Carlin before he died and him saying the exact same thing.
EDIT: This was meant to be a response to Stephen Kass.
February 11th, 2015 at 6:21 PM ^
Yep, this was it. I completely get what Chris Rock was saying, and I agree with it.
So, I'm a pastor in a church. I've heard a million jokes about God and Mary and Jesus and Peter and pastors and priests and rabbis and so on and so forth. The thing is, no matter what they're about, some jokes are good, and some are bad. Has always been that way, will always be that way. But you have to be really, really, careful who you tell what joke, and where. You have to have a spidey sense of what is offensive, and where it is offensive, etc. And the truth is, the bar is higher for me: as a pastor, there are some jokes I just don't tell, unless with a very specific group.
It is like this everywhere. Race, religion, gender, sexual preference, etc., etc., etc., you have to be so careful with who you're potentially going to offend. Brian is kind of in that position, and it is a pain in the rear. As a "public" figure, the rules have shifted for him. Whether you're a blogger like Brian, a coach (Hoke, Izzo, Urban, Harbaugh,) a professor, a pastor, a politician, etc., you are under much more of a microscope. It changes what you can do and what you can't. You have to mind your p's and q's, and no matter what you do, someone is going get their nose bent out of joint. Unfortunately, it goes with the territory.
February 11th, 2015 at 7:41 PM ^
I didn't like the joke, but I understand the problem you're outlining.
But the picture is a different animal entirely. I'm guessing most of us have gotten through our entire adult lives without ever trawling through somebody's twitter and facebook looking for an embarrassing picture we can post. Honestly, the thought's never occurred to me to do that to anyone, no matter how pissed off I was at them.
It's probably the same for you, yes? You might be tempted to tell a joke and decide to avoid it because you don't want to offend someone, but I'll bet you've never been tempted to hold up embarrassing photos of someone during your sermon to shame them in front of the congregation.
It's very hard to get through life without offending anyone. It's not at all hard to avoid behaving like a tabloid publisher.
February 11th, 2015 at 5:01 PM ^
I knew it was a Taken reference. I knew it was supposed to be a joke.
The joke would have been funnier if, you know, Brian didn't actually CARRY OUT HIS THREAT by naming the kid in his post and posting his picture.
I mean, how fucking creepy is it that Brian trawls through Facebook/Twitter/Instagram for embarassing personal information when he encounters someone who has stupid ideas that he disagrees with? Is he using my hidden personal information associated with my MGoBlog account to trawl the Internet for information about me? Sounds fucking ridiculous and immature but apparently not to Brian.
February 11th, 2015 at 7:32 PM ^
The kid's name was already out there in several articles, by his own choice, and the photo was posted to his public twitter. And looking up a person of interest on social media is the POINT of social media.
February 12th, 2015 at 7:41 AM ^
February 11th, 2015 at 2:33 PM ^
Jesus...someone finally got it. Can not believe it took so long...
[Edit: this was intended as a reply to the Taken comment.]
February 11th, 2015 at 10:49 PM ^
This kid pretty much hurt his own career prospect on his own.
February 11th, 2015 at 1:27 PM ^
While I generally agree that destroying a person's future is a bad idea, Brian isn't threatening to start vicious rumours, undermine this kid with lies, or use personal contacts to freeze him out of job prospects. He's threatening to find pictures and posts that the kid himself WILLINGLY PUT ON THE INTERNET FOR ANYONE TO FIND.
We are not talking about hacking, we are not talking about hiring a private investigator or a PR firm to ruin someone. The Internet is not a private place. Anything that you post publicly online can and will be used against you in the court of public opinion. Calling the screencapping of this guy's twitter account "bullying" is like saying SNL "bullied" Sarah Palin by using the exact transcript of her Couric interview for a sketch. It sure as hell isn't flattering but they did it to themselves.
The lesson here for how to avoid embarrassing pictures of you showing up on a Google search isn't "don't piss off Brian," it's "Don't post those pictures in the first place! Why the hell would you do that? Are you even vaguely aware of what's going on in the world around you?"
February 11th, 2015 at 2:17 PM ^
Not the PC police! :'(
February 11th, 2015 at 11:36 AM ^
Agreed. Mocking the student, calling him names, posting his picture, and name. Calling for him to be expelled, even in a joking manner.
Not a good look.
This will certainly result in an amplification of harrassment for this particular student that otherwise would not have occurred.
Because he was participating in student government and had an idea about a song.
February 11th, 2015 at 11:44 AM ^
February 11th, 2015 at 11:46 AM ^
February 11th, 2015 at 11:45 AM ^
February 11th, 2015 at 11:51 AM ^
... we should discuss ideas, not demonize the individuals who propose them. It's third rate politics to go after the individual. The kid has a terrible idea, so let's discuss it's terrible terribleness and make certain anybody with authority in this matter understands the position of probably a vast majority of constituents.
February 11th, 2015 at 12:05 PM ^
If the idea is stupid, we should let the person know it's stupid. Discussing it gives it credence, ideas like this are a cancer and need to be cut out before they infect the rest of the body. Imagine if you worked for Toyota or something and someone said "Hey, lets make our suspension out of wood! It's so unique!" It's the responsibility of everyone in that meeting to let him know how and why that idea is batshit retarded, not to discuss it as if it were a realistic idea.
February 11th, 2015 at 1:43 PM ^
You pretty much agree with me then. I didn't say we should have a long drawn out conversation. I just think you can kill the idea without demonizing the person with the idea. If the idea is really that bad, you don't need to resort to character assasination.
February 11th, 2015 at 1:52 PM ^
February 11th, 2015 at 10:59 PM ^
this blog isn't so publically known (outside the state) that it could hurt every chance this guy has at life. It will probably help him more than hurt b/c he will know not to shout and publicize all ideas.
February 12th, 2015 at 1:23 AM ^
... is that his dad (or mom) is going to get this guy a sweet paying gig in the entertainment industry. He clearly has the cash if he has 2nd rate musicians performing at his birthdays. So, another bad taste, bad idea, entitled sycophant in the entertainment industry. Sounds about right.
February 11th, 2015 at 5:05 PM ^
Let him know how and why the idea is batshit retarded.
But if that goes here, you're doing it wrong.
dude annihilated his twitter page two seconds after I found it
February 11th, 2015 at 11:53 AM ^
Nothing posted on this blog will in any way add to the hurricane of abuse this poor, deluded person is about to experience.
February 11th, 2015 at 11:37 AM ^
February 11th, 2015 at 12:25 PM ^
Criticism is one thing, bullying is another. Disagree that this bullying wasn't enough bullying. I despise this kind of behavior when others do it, and despise it when Brian does it.
February 11th, 2015 at 11:44 AM ^
February 11th, 2015 at 12:00 PM ^
But Brian's also saying that any student council member that votes for this dumb idea will be humilated (by Brian exposing their internet skeletons, etc.). I think this is kind of going too far. Sorry, maybe I'm too soft.
February 11th, 2015 at 7:41 PM ^
He was clearly joking about that part. Complete sarcasm.
February 11th, 2015 at 11:01 PM ^
should be humiliated. If you voted for something stupid and you are in a public office, why can I not humiliate you? Really - we are teaching other students at the university to not post idiotic pictures of themselves.
February 11th, 2015 at 10:02 PM ^
I step away for a day (sick kid at home) and this thing has BLOWN UP.
So yes, I am serious. And yes, I get the Taken reference. I've (sadly) seen the first two installments (I really don't know why). But even if taken half-seriously, I have a problem with stating that he's going to Twitter/LinkedIn/FB/whatever stalk the kid and ruin his name. Even if he had put a giant disclaimer at the end of his post saying "it's a joke please don't go ruining his life", it's at the very least toeing the line. I expect better.
February 12th, 2015 at 7:56 AM ^
I agree. Remember Brian has stated he is running for Regent in the next election. Is this the way someone who wants to help run the University should behave in relation to its students? Calling out a horrible idea totally fair game. "Jokeing" about ruining anyone who agrees with a idea you don't like not so much.
February 12th, 2015 at 9:19 AM ^
People are going to compare him to that lunatic Andrew Shirvell.
February 11th, 2015 at 11:58 AM ^
Agree. The song idea is dumb... but I have to agree with OA that threatening the kid is not the way.
Hate the idea not the kid (with the dumb idea)!
February 11th, 2015 at 12:08 PM ^
Without commenting on the the exceptionally duchey pic or the exceptionally unique uniqueness of their especially unique new idea of creating tradition for fun and stardom, Brian's shot across the bow here lets the kid know what will befall him if he and his pal use their positions in student government to continue Brandon's bad works..... That's the key here. If Michigan student government is a real government that makes real decisions (such as fucking up my experience at football games), then the people who run that government get to pay real consequences.
Comments