Controversial (?) Rambling: A Sequel
There’s nothing like controversy to get people commenting (or cursing) you on your blog. On my previous post about UP students being “fake”scholars, I have received dozens of comments, ranging from criticisms on my argument, utter defiance, or just simply joining the avalanche of verbal attacks against the post I’ve made. Well, to be perfectly honest, I had a great time approving those comments after comments! I didn’t expect that a multitude of bloggers would negatively react about it. I thought that it was just one of my posts that would receive a comment or two. Well, I was completely wrong. It only proves then that controversy begets publicity. And I just loved it! I wasn’t even offended with those “hate comments”. To put in psychological parlance, I would call it “reinforcers”. Those comments created a new form on the identity of my blog.
This blog is nothing but a collection of my rambles and musings. That’s why I named this Ramblings of Dennis1 in the first place. I am totally surprised why people get so serious about my post. I am not lambasting the school or the students themselves. I was just a blogger who posted my own observation.
As a blogger, I think that, through that post, I was able to find the key to differentiating myself to attract as many reader or (enemies) as possible. Successful bloggers say that for one to gain as many readers as possible, a blogger should consider lateral thinking. Here’s the thing about lateral thinking—it is creative thinking that also provides a logical bridge within the context of a blogger’s chosen subject matter. And while the concept of lateral thinking is crucial to separating myself from the other bloggers, a logical justification is also required. They say that lateral thinking does not mean coming up with some flaky idea that is divorced from both common sense and the needs of your targeted audience. But sometimes a violation of that lateral thinking concept could even work better! Just like in my case.
This is my ramble for today, and it started because I got these weird rucks of comments after I claimed that UP students are “fake†scholars. Now you can call me a retard, freakish, bitter, nuts or whatever! I would only say “thank you” for this one.
By the way, I never forced anyone to follow the same line of thought that I have. If you hate me, blame yourselves… because you always have options.
1 This post was made when the blog is not yet self-hosted, having the blog name Ramblings of Dennis.
you are a disappointment to your school. dont do it again dont even go to UP or to any school other than yours.
you’re such a bad blogger!
pathetic!!!
@Jeff: I don’t represent any group with my posts. I don’t think that I’m a disappointment to New Era University.
Bloggers are bloggers. There’s no such thing as a bad blogger. Again, you guys have your options.
i do think that you represent NEU since you study or have studied there. your ideas or at least how you express them reflect how educated you are. and the fact that you express gratitude to those who curse you implies that you are a shallow person pretending to be smart.
Yes. I’m shallow. Does it make you happy now?
no. sorry but it doesn’t. just like what one commenter has said, you’re a bad blogger, disgusting even!
indeed a creative writer.
@arfarf: There’s no such thing as bad bloggers. But definitely there are bad readers.
@charlie: I’m a bit surprised that somebody said something positive about me.
What gets in the head of some bloggers is that they feel they have NO accountability or responsibility for what they say. The anonymity, I guess, of the cyberworld closes down the feeling of one being one with others.
But as you know, when you ramble, you inevitably step on other people’s toes. When in public, would you go ahead and say whatever you’ve said in this blog (UP students among them) and face the shame of a public outcry?
It is said before that the brain is higher than the mouth. And yes, hands and fingers on keyboards count too.
@sani: Like what I’ve said, I never forced anyone to follow the same line of thought that I have. If you hate me, blame yourselves! You always have options. Common sense should tell you that.
If you hate me then stop reading my blog!
It should be clear by now that the internet is a discourse, and as such, both bloggers and readers (however bad, or even worse one is than the other) participate in that said discourse. You are a blogger, then, because you have readers. Bloggers can’t claim to be such when people don’t read them.
It is irresponsible to say that one can just say what one wants without accountability, as of course one publishes (writes publicly) to be read.
So what then can you say for yourself when you write and claim to have conviction of your ideas when you do not wish to be challenged?
@sani: I don’t write to be challenged. I write to express. I am not a columnist. I ‘m just one of throngs of bloggers around the world. It’s just so happened that I was able to drive home a certain point.
I just happen to be opinionated.
As said, an expression is made in the marketplace of ideas, and where else to put this idea but in the public eye where everyone else can see? Ideas when expressed in places such this public marketplace will have many points to be contested, and when one vaguely says that the market should simply take it without question demeans the truth of an expression. So, where does that put you?
@sani: Let’s assume that this is really a marketplace of ideas; am I peddling my thoughts? I am just stating what my beliefs are. I am not saying that I am right and I never claimed that somebody is wrong. I never imposed my opinion on anyone else. There are other antecedents that could prod a reader into reading someone’s blog.
dude, cool ka lang! nobody’s hatin’. who says we’re hatin’ on you? we’re only feeling some revulsion here. maybe even a measure of pity. the ones who aren’t dissing you in here, well, they’re just laughing their heads off. so no worries, denny boy!
oh, by the way, when you said “There’s no such thing as bad bloggers. But definitely there are bad readers.”…. just what the heck did you mean by that? i mean, really now…. did they teach you that in your school or something? oops! sorry, my bad. i just incriminated myself. since you’re a good blogger, i must be a bad reader. OBVIOUSLY.
i should probably go back to kindergarten to learn how to read right. and maybe someday when i grow up, i’ll be a good blogger just like you and write hate posts bashing entire school populations just to, you know, make my mark in this vast cyberworld that we live in. really, i should write it all down in stone to see how i progress through the years. i can’t wait to be all grown up like you, denny boy. the future of the cyberworld right here.
Comment from an Indian guy in Mumbai:
I seriously doubt my prerogative to comment on this issue. Neither have I a clue of the university which is being discussed nor have I any idea of its standing in Philippines’ academic society. But I leave a comment in support of the right to express yourself, regardless of the consequences. Restricting thougth by curbing the right to express it is an insult not only to the human mind but also to language and the freedom it provides in expressing ourselves. Society, outside the blogging space (and the internet), is warped in a myriad of censorship rules and restrictions. If blogging provides an individual the choice of expressing himself/herself unbridledly (even if it is hurtful, spiteful, vengeful or plain crass)so be it! It is wrong to think that people are being cowardly, expressing their discontent in such candid and often insensitive manner, just because they can shroud themselves in anonymity. The identity a blogger assumes might as well be a parallel to the one he/she has in “real life”. Only difference, in real life that identity is stunted in its growth by various elements of the society. Here it is, in a unique way, in its full existensial capacity. I guess I am getting confusing. All I mean to say is that, Den’s blog and what followed was a perfect example of “freedom of speech” in an almost ideal form. He expressed something freely, and was opposed, denounced, cursed, applauded, and sattired just as freely.
I’m sure you know that sarcasm is a defense mechanism of the insecure. And really, sarcasm does not become you.
Since you are a believer of the “true sense of the word”, your thoughts are nothing more but ramblings.
Rambling
Adjective
1. long and irregularly shaped: a rambling fourteenth-century church
2. (of speech or writing) confused and long-winded
Confused and long winded indeed! Den, brevity is the key to good communication. But I guess you were absent when that school of thought was the lesson.
Your second installment regarding your fake scholars blog post is another disappointment.
I as a reader would truly like to believe that you possess some intellect to back out that cheeky mouth of yours, but you are proving me otherwise.
Why dont you try this: for once, sit yourself down and write, revise and rewrite a blog post. A third installment. Research and look at all sides of the prism. This is what separates good bloggers from bad bloggers. Good bloggers don’t merely throw thoughts into the air and spin words together. Drive your point home, please do. You can be on the opposition but still gain the respect of the other side.
This as much is true, your rambling was really shallow. And your thoughts speak a lot about who you are as a person. And everyone who has participated in this grand debate is ready to back up their words with something of substance. Everyone except you.
Please show us you are smarter than we think you are. Sit yourself down, think about it. I’m sure you will realize where you erred.
–
To ‘LoveUncommon’, I concur.
There exists porn on the internet, but you choose not to click the sites–just so as you have the CHOICE not go to this site anymore if it has offended you.
But you people choose to come back.
If the author wanted something that would not offend ANYONE, he should have just chosen to write in private. But this is a BLOG–an outlet for free expression.
I have totally nothing against UP people, in fact, I adore the institution. But don’t you think it’s hypocrisy to flame rallies against the President [that surely devastates her dignity] then IMPLYING that FREE EXPRESSION ON THE INTERNET IS NOT ALLOWED?
hakhak
Buti na lang elyen ako.
hakhak
woooooooooooottttt
hakhak
elyens
XXXxx
Thanks for that Rimewire! Again, prerogative is the keyword.
ur good in selling ur blog…do u have the same persona as the australian blogger? i think ur a second rate copy cut… =)
whether we are iskolars or not in ur perspective, it doesnt matter since we are capable of paying our tuitions
@noli_cm8: Thank you.
Tulad nga ng sabi sa isang comment sa ibang blog marami lang ang tanga sa UP.
Tignan nyo lang ang thread na to. Ganyan ba ang asal ng mga iskolar ng bayan?
Hinay-hinay lang. Tsssss.
frankly i don’t think you’re stupid at all, you’re quite creative actually–
using this blog to create controversy. makes me think you’re in dire need of attention. keep it up, your insecurity amuses me. haha. i won’t argue though…it’s pointless. haha.
Mr Relojo, it looks like you’ve got symptoms of Munchausen Syndrome. I suggest you go AWOL, and check in at the nearest mental institustion. Don’t even think about getting therapy; you’re a hopeless case.
With much vitriol,
Your Ego
im one of you’re so-called haters…
all i want to say is…
YOU’RE SO POPULAR(in a negative way of course)…
and my fellow UPians want to kill you…
grabe noh???
one blog entry can make you very popular…
here’s a piece of advice…
dont ever post your photos here…(or say where you live)…
you might find yourself dead the next day…
@chorva: Was that a death threat?
you just happen to be opinionated…i second that (bad opinions indeed) because i would agree that you are not intelligent, however, let us not delve too much on that realm because gasp! I am scared of being called a braggart and yes, if you don’t know, I’m being sarcastic here (note: it doesn’t suit you, stop it, we’re not amused)…and to the commenter before chorva: he doesn’t know what Munchausen syndrome is so he can’t reply; let’s not put his mind into overdrive
and, you are totally surprised why people would get serious about your post? that’s bullshit, I know you’re not that stupid…the thing is, we don’t hate you (I don’t), we hate the stupidity of it all…the lame comebacks, the utterly excruciating comparison to NEU (which is subtle, but it’s there) and the total lack of sound argument..I am sure you never forced anyone to follow the same line of thought you had (you shouldn’t …that’s just bad!) but your “line of thought” is shallow to say the least, I mean, how could you take JUST the literal meaning of the word and expound on it and brandish your so-called observation like it was legitimate (i mean connotative sense legitimate, if you don’t know)? that’s utter crap (you’re in denial, you know it is)
so, you’re an asshole but you kept me entertained…I should thank you
@vysis: You’re welcome!
Para walang away, magaling si Den, magaling ang lahat ng nagcomment. Magaling na tayong lahat.
Naipakita na kung gaano tayo katalas sa paggamit ng salitang ingles.
Naipakita na natin kung gaano tayo kagaling magbigay ng argumento.
Magaling ang UP, magaling ang New Era!
Ok, Den? Magaling ka ha? Ok. Magaling ka.
@magaling: Lahat tayo magaling. Kanya-kanya tayo ng larangan. Ang hirap lang kasi sa iba gusto pairalin ang monopolyo ng galing at talino. Tingin nila sa sarili nila nasa pedestal.
There is such thing as a bad blogger. In fact, YOU ARE A BAD BLOGGER. (Kidding..
Anyway, jokes are half-meant.) 
Wahehehehe.
——————
Another thing, even if we, UP students, pay a huge lump sum of cash for our tuitions – we still get subsidy from the Government. Without the Government subsidy, our tuition would be considerably a lot costlier — UP EDUCATION IS UP EDUCATION!!
I find it startling how many people are in opposition of you speaking your mind here, on your own blog. Shame on those of you who are trying to silence someone and disregard their freedom of speech, what kind of people are you that you feel your own opinion overrides someone else’s?
Mr death threat, you disgust me. Get a life. You ARE bad readers. Nobody tells you to come here, and I would never go to someones blog and leave a mean comment, it is the highest point of rudeness in the blog world. If you are that petty when it comes to people freely expressing themselves then perhaps you should stop reading blogs? The world does not have to be seen through eyes that always please you. If you disagree, so what? Go away, and stop your hating. No-one likes a hater.
Or alternatively, start your own blog.
@Luli: I always welcome comments, even the most vicious ones. I am aware that some readers would really feel bad about some of my posts.
To Den: O k lang yan. Ako ay taga-UP. Siguro kahit anumang institusyon na kilitiin ang bugso ng damdamin, magiging palaban. Pero kung maipapaliwanag m lang sana ng mas maigi kung bakit matrikula lang ang ginawa mong basehan sa iyong akda, siguro mas magiging intelektwal ang usapan dito sa blog mo.
Sa mga Taga-UP: Mga kapatid, hinay hinay lamang tayo sa mga sinasabi natin, dahil sa huli, dala niyo pa rin ang pangalan ng UP. Hindi kailangang manghamak ng tao o ang institusyong kinabibilangan nito para patunayan ang husay at galing. Mas matimbang ang argumentong sumasagot sa isang argumento kesa sa mga panghahamak. Salamat. Mabuhay lahat ng Pilipinong estudyante!
Thanks magaling.
This guy is not from UP, unlike me. Therefore, he is stupid!!!!!
There are only two schools in the Philippines: UP and others. Those who have never been to UP are inferior life forms, like this Den guy. Blame yourself for not being able to study at the best university in the Philippines.
@ julius
-you just dug a deeper hole for your pride to fall into.
@ den
-i understand how you feel. but there’s such a thing as responsibility and ethics.
@eneekadeema: Thanks for reminding me about Ethics, I almost forgot it!
@ den
-good. =) responsibility for the things one does and ethics to guide him.
@julius: lamunin mo diploma mo!
@Julius: Grabe naman to. I admire UP students, magagaling talaga kayo pero wag mo naman sabihin na inferior life form yung mga hindi taga-UP.
well, di naman siguro lahat ng taga-UP ay katulad mo…matalino ka malamang, pero gawin mo ring matalino ang iyong panghuhusga.:)
Ahihi! Yabang naman nun!
Go USTE!!! hahaha!
@julius
gee. urs is the worst comment in the thread. worse than the blogger’s idea
but that was imaginative.. in a negative way 
)
where did you learn that? In my more than 10 years of schooling ive never heard of any scientific idea saying ‘studying at UP makes one superior being and being not makes it/him/her inferior life form.. gee.. i might just enroll my pet at UP so he’d climb the hierarchy of life forms
but then i know that post was simply out of madness as obviously apart from the fact it was stated in english. it boasts no truth.