Q and A with Laurence Simon
We don't know why the Houston Chronicle won't introduce its readers to one of Houston's more interesting residents, so in the interest of (fun) public service, blogHOUSTON conducted a little Q and A with blogger Laurence Simon:
Q: Let's start with the required questions: when did you start blogging and why?
A: I was unemployed, unable to find a job post-Compaq/Enron/Continental/911, and had nothing better to do while trying unsucessfully to find a job.
Q: Has your voice evolved over the years or have you always been so...um...irreverent?
A: My voice has evolved. I've gotten angrier and more bitter. I don't like that in me, and it's got to go at some point. Maybe my subdividing myself into multiple sites will allow me to break off and sink that which I don't like.
Q: Amish Tech Support is famous in blog circles. Why did you change the name to IFOC?
A: I was seeking change for the sake of change. Also, I wanted my own domain name, and ATS was taken by then for some weird reason. www.isfullofcrap.com gave me the opportunity to set up various subdomains to keep things popping and lively, always could demolish one site while creating a new one.
Q: How do you see blogs impacting news/information gathering and consuming?
A: Information exists in a global distributed conscious database. Blogs are like the ODBC messages flowing from one medium to another, constant chatter. They are also becoming a repository unto themselves.
Q: Are there any blog trends that you really like?
A: Yes. People rebelling against the A-list and establishing peer-to-peer relationships. Communities and niches are growing in strength, and there's nothing the MSM or the kingmakers can do to stop it.
Q: Are there any blog trends that you don't like?
A: Awards. Just what we need... Pulitzers for Blogs. It fosters arrogance and elitism. Unless NONE OF THE ABOVE is an option, to hell with awards.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do in Houston?
A: Well, it used to be eat, but I think that's changing. Now it's the museums when I have the time. I also like the sculpture garden by the MFA.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Houston?
A: It's nearby.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: Memento. How did they write that backwards and still make sense?
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: Alice in Wonderland.
Q: Who is your favorite Muslim?
A: Hakeem Olajuwon. He has the potential to break peaceful African Islam from militant and blame-the-Jews Arabic Islam and establish a peaceful coexistence here in town. Sadly, I think he's blowing it.
Q: What is your favorite weapon of mass destruction?
A: Chuy's Elvis platter.
Q: If you could issue a fatwa against anyone, who would it be?
A: It wouldn't be Ted Rall. He's insignificant.
It would have to be someone significant. I think it would be Kennedy for the murder of Mary Jo Kopechne.
Q: When will you post a video of the Ooogah Boogah dance?
A: Never. Unless Deskmerc points a gun and a camera at me and then says "DANCE, MONKEY!"
Q: Do you feel any pressure to keep on Ooogahing and Boogahing so the Astros will win?
A: I have no choice. The jersey compels me. Until they win it all or trade the chump, I'm stuck.
I should have gotten a Franco jersey. At least I'd be free of this horrible burden.
Q: Do you think Houston's DIS will ever write a story (linking doesn't count) about you?
A: Yeah, when they announce that they're hiring me to do tech work. And in the next column, scientists genetically engineer flying pigs.
Q: Why do you think the kitty cats generate so much interest...from other media outlets?
A: People love their pets. It's a booming business, and it's a common interest. I could probably charge for the catcams and such, but I don't. People need cats in the office. Edloe's capsizing was a great thing for trapped-in-cubeville drones to watch. I am glad it offered an element of escape.
Q: What's your best idea that has later been ripped off from you, without crediting you?
A: You'd have to tell me. I've tracked down and claimed every idea I've ever come up with that I know of.
Thank you, Laurence.
Do you have a question for Laurence? Ask it in the forum -- maybe he'll pop in and answer it.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 08/07/05 07:19 PM | Print |
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