James Martin wrote:Good points Si... but the point I'm making is that Luxton is percieved on here as your typical "village idiot" type guy. His out-and-out backward attitude almost really calls for concern, he refuses to accept that people, society and culture have moved on from the 70s and 80s.
In some ways I suppose he has left himself open to the abuse/banter/bullying (call it what you will) is the way in which he had revealed his complete identity on the forums and posted that infamous testcard article about him from some TV magazine, complete with mugshot. People have to realise that once you release something on the internet, there really is no turning back - as soon as it left your server once then it could be sent onto many people.
Whilst I see the point that he has a "out-and-out backward attitude" in some respects, he is entitled to it, if that is what he is comfortable with and believes in. Nobody should be forced to change their opinion on something just to "fit in" with the majority IMO. People will always disagree in real-life and online, and that's the best thing about it - people have differing opinions on various topics, and it would be very boring if people agreed all the time and liked the same thing.
If he had, say, chosen a username that wasn't his first and last name, and kept himself to himself, then I don't think he would have had the "problems" he would have had now - with Jamez making the mocks taking the piss about him and his liking for Grange Hill.
I do feel that the line has been crossed at some points when it comes to Simon, Martin and others. Personally, I would feel quite offended at some of the comments made about these people, but in some way, they have left themselves open to it in the respect that they've exposed their full identity and photos of themselves onto t'internet for all to see.
As for the point about Simon Luxton being added to the swear filter, I suppose it was some sort of damage limitation exercise - after all, if, for example someone was consulting professor Google, entered in your name and found a load of people a forum ripping the piss out of you, would you be happy?
