Rethinking Barstool?

Reverend

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So what do your farts smell like?
Does it ever occur to you even to try to have an original thought of your own or is the satisfaction from throwing your hand up in the air to have your buddies high-five you for repeating something you saw on television simply too great to ask for anything more out of this life?
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

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This place has turned into South Parks Prius episode. Good for you!!
Sweet. I can't wait for Matt and Trey to weigh in, tell us that both sides suck, make fun of everyone because caring about anything is so fucking lame and then do the same thing for ten weeks a year for 20 years straight.

They have such fresh, fun takes on everything!
 

Phragle

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Does it ever occur to you even to try to have an original thought of your own or is the satisfaction from throwing your hand up in the air to have your buddies high-five you for repeating something you saw on television simply too great to ask for anything more out of this life?
I could explain why this is funny, but then it wouldn't be funny anymore.
 

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I could explain why this is funny, but then it wouldn't be funny anymore.
I think it has become exceedingly clear to all that not everyone in this forum shares the same sense of humor, yes?
 

southshoresoxfan

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For some reason, you can't seem to fathom that other people can both understand that some people have a different sense of humor and also think that it's a bad thing.

Some of these people might even explain why they think it's bad. You could listen--that's one option. Or you could just say it's ridiculous to have opinions about the evil that others do.

I think the latter is weird.

Also, Barstool is not the fucking ocean. That's the whole fucking point--we can change some parts of our world. Disagreeing is one thing, but ridiculing people for wanting to change the world for the better, even if you think it their specific plan is misguided, strikes me as bad form.

I've met you in real life, I believe, yes? You strike me as the kind of guy who would throw an asshole out of a party, or am I mistaken?
So if I enjoy Barstool I’m not a good guy? It’s a good distraction for me from my job / real world / PC culture. To me they are no different than a comedian, where it’s the shock value sometimes that makes it funny. Do they cross some lines? Sure. I truly believe they aren’t malicious whatsoever.

That’s my opinion and you certainly are entitled to yours.

For the record I’d bounce Lewandowski from a party but not the guy mocking Lewandowski. That’s my moral compass.
 

SirPsychoSquints

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So if I enjoy Barstool I’m not a good guy? It’s a good distraction for me from my job / real world / PC culture. To me they are no different than a comedian, where it’s the shock value sometimes that makes it funny. Do they cross some lines? Sure. I truly believe they aren’t malicious whatsoever.

That’s my opinion and you certainly are entitled to yours.

For the record I’d bounce Lewandowski from a party but not the guy mocking Lewandowski. That’s my moral compass.
First bold - I'm pretty sure no one criticized you for liking Barstool. They criticized Barstool and you criticized them for criticizing Barstool. If anything, you've been the one arguing against the second bold.
 

southshoresoxfan

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“You Strike me as the kind of guy who would throw an asshole out of a party or am I mistaken?”

That’s implying me defending Barstool = not a good guy. I really don’t care either way but the two are not correlated.
 

Dummy Hoy

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I would guess the implication was that you seem the type of guy who would recognize asshole behavior and do something to prevent it.

Edit: I actually read it as a compliment.
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

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So if I enjoy Barstool I’m not a good guy? It’s a good distraction for me from my job / real world / PC culture.
Of course not, I don't know you but you seem like a good guy. I'm not going to talk you out of liking what you like, that's not really a good use of anyone's time. In 2018, there are people who still love Andrew Dice Clay. There are folks who find Jack Benny hilarious. Despite being 70+ years old, the Three Stooges still make people laugh.

Humor, escapism, etc. is a way to blow off steam and I'm not going to say that one person is wrong in how they laugh and relax.

What my point was is that not every piece of content is gold. Not everything needs to be defended. The people at Barstool seem to be proud to be assholes. They say assholish things. So when someone says, "Hey, that asshole said an assholish thing", I don't know if your first defense should be, "No. They're not assholes! You just don't understand what they're saying." I think most people do get what they're saying, they just don't agree with it and that's a big distinction.

In a more philosophical sense, I am interested in why you want to be distracted from a PC culture? To me, a PC culture is making sure that you treat everyone decently and I'm not sure why there is a need to get away from that. I mean, do you want to just sit around and call all women bitches or sluts or minorities slurs without repercussions? Perhaps you have a completely different perspective, I don't know. You seem like a good guy, I'm just trying to figure out why you think that you need a time to be less than a good guy.
 

Senator Donut

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Barstool had done little since then to try to distance themselves from redpill behavior and its market. It's OK to call them out every time they are a horrible entity. If you want, I will waste time finding examples you dont want to hear.

Stop being triggered because you are want to believe your are not part of the problem.
That's clearly untrue. I discovered the blog in 2008 to kill time at my summer job, but soon after stopped reading it, due to the litany of incidents most people in this thread are aware of and the overall tone of the site. Ten years later, it is light years away from what it used to be. Portnoy is still there, but they've hired a professional CEO and the list of contributors now encompasses many people who I enjoy reading. It's clear the site no longer relies on the kind of shock value that made Barstool infamous.

That's the solution; it's no coincidence the surge in the site's popularity accompanied the shift towards a more buttoned-down culture.
 

Reverend

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So if I enjoy Barstool I’m not a good guy? It’s a good distraction for me from my job / real world / PC culture. To me they are no different than a comedian, where it’s the shock value sometimes that makes it funny. Do they cross some lines? Sure. I truly believe they aren’t malicious whatsoever.

That’s my opinion and you certainly are entitled to yours.

For the record I’d bounce Lewandowski from a party but not the guy mocking Lewandowski. That’s my moral compass.
Possible. I don't know shit about Barstool.

But the idea that you can't judge a person based on what they like is kinda insane, don't you think?

Some things matter, some don't, sure. And people disagree on which is which in some cases, right? Isn't that the exact position your taking?

So yes... correct. People have different opinions on right and wrong. Some of them are expressing them here and whether or not you realize it, you're just as much telling the others that their position is invalid based on your belief that they're claiming yours is.

I mean, that's what moral disagreement IS. I just don't get why you or anyone else seems so surprised by it.

And, as I said, we've met over tequila--I wouldn't even be talking to you like this if I didn't think you had the basic Throw the Dude Out of the Party ethos in you. :D
 

Reverend

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I would guess the implication was that you seem the type of guy who would recognize asshole behavior and do something to prevent it.

Edit: I actually read it as a compliment.
Goddamn right it is!! :)
 

joe dokes

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So if I enjoy Barstool I’m not a good guy? It’s a good distraction for me from my job / real world / PC culture. To me they are no different than a comedian, where it’s the shock value sometimes that makes it funny. Do they cross some lines? Sure. I truly believe they aren’t malicious whatsoever.
That’s my opinion and you certainly are entitled to yours.
For the record I’d bounce Lewandowski from a party but not the guy mocking Lewandowski. That’s my moral compass.
I'm not sure what you mean by a "distraction from . . . PC culture." The term "PC" has become, for many, a figleaf of an excuse to be a piece of shit. "I know its not PC, but she (or they) . . . . . ." I have no reason to think that's you, so what *do* you mean by "distract from PC culture"?
 

Reverend

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I'm not sure what you mean by a "distraction from . . . PC culture." The term "PC" has become, for many, a figleaf of an excuse to be a piece of shit. "I know its not PC, but she (or they) . . . . . ." I have no reason to think that's you, so what *do* you mean by "distract from PC culture"?
Where can I go to view this PC culture? Is there a zoo or a museum or something? Is it in a certain part of town?
 

Marciano490

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I laughed *ducks*
What would you do in your day to day life if you or a friend or co-worker made a joke you thought was fairly benign to a female associate who then told you it was hurtful or sexist. Would you double down and snicker or would you attempt to walk it back and apologize?

If the latter, do you find this funny and appropriate because you don’t know Ria or because she’s a minor celebrity or because she knew what she was getting into?
 

southshoresoxfan

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What would you do in your day to day life if you or a friend or co-worker made a joke you thought was fairly benign to a female associate who then told you it was hurtful or sexist. Would you double down and snicker or would you attempt to walk it back and apologize?

If the latter, do you find this funny and appropriate because you don’t know Ria or because she’s a minor celebrity or because she knew what she was getting into?
The latter. 100%.

I would have apologized but he’s not wrong in saying him being him has gotten them to where they are. If I worked there, male or female, I’d expect something out of his mouth at some point.
 

PC Drunken Friar

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This is not surprising... But apt for this thread, considering the OP suggested that Barstool was changing. He said this same thing like 6 years ago, telling a female reporter that her one job was to make sure his dick got hard while he looked at her and that she was a slut.
 

PC Drunken Friar

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No. That’s not what I said, and I said had I made a joke like that (I wouldn’t) I would apologize.

I said if you sign up to work there his behavior shouldn’t be a surprise. Just like if you read their website and watch their shows you know what you are getting.
So actresses that sign up to film movies know they are going to be sexually harassed and/or assaulted.

And she shouldn't be surprised by this? Apparently the #MeToo movement has gone completely over your head.
 

allstonite

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This is not surprising... But apt for this thread, considering the OP suggested that Barstool was changing. He said this same thing like 6 years ago, telling a female reporter that her one job was to make sure his dick got hard while he looked at her and that she was a slut.
Portnoy said the same thing not the OP (me). But if you look past him, who I said I couldn’t stand and is completely indefensible in my opinion, and a few others they have grown a lot and have some good content, as I said in my original post. PMT, mickstape, lights camera barstool are all great podcasts that don’t pander to asshole white college kids and actually lampoon them. It’s alright to like some things and hate some things. I avoid ESPN at all costs but I’ll still read Zach Lowe. I hate Deadspn but will read Margery on occasion.
 

kenneycb

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Portnoy said the same thing not the OP (me). But if you look past him, who I said I couldn’t stand and is completely indefensible in my opinion, and a few others they have grown a lot and have some good content, as I said in my original post. PMT, mickstape, lights camera barstool are all great podcasts that don’t pander to asshole white college kids and actually lampoon them. It’s alright to like some things and hate some things. I avoid ESPN at all costs but I’ll still read Zach Lowe. I hate Deadspn but will read Margery on occasion.
Your OP also did nothing to suggest Barstool was changing outside of making good, more diverse podcast hires, which has greatly paid off. But it’s much easier to lump every argument under one umbrella.
 

The Gray Eagle

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Ol' Handsome Dave Portnoy appears on camera. Because he is so HOT!! Too bad for this lady that five years from now, she won't be as totally HOT as he is. He is so hot, isn't he? Handsome Dave looks like a spoiled, over-microwaved sausage come to life in frat boy form, but a SEXY one! Especially when he wears a scarf!



JEALOUS?? Admit that Handsome Dave is so sexy! You want him! Everyone does!
Everyone wants to have sex with his dead eyes and swollen nose and lipless lemur mouth and his tiny, shriveled, hate-filled black heart. So totally hawt bro!
 

joe dokes

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You’re very welcome. Echo chamber, resume.
Echo chamber suggests you don't think the people who think portnoy is a piece of shit came by their opinions independently.
You're wrong. Or you don't know how echoes work and you're just flinging another term from the approved list......pc culture......sensitive.....echo chamber.....

Any other jobs where it's ok for the boss to call female co workers ugly? Asking for a friend.
 

JCizzle

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Echo chamber suggests you don't think the people who think portnoy is a piece of shit came by their opinions independently.
You're wrong. Or you don't know how echoes work and you're just flinging another term from the approved list......pc culture......sensitive.....echo chamber.....

Any other jobs where it's ok for the boss to call female co workers ugly? Asking for a friend.
It's not right, but it makes people money to be jackasses in sports media. While Wallach is obviously not a woman, Fred treats him like crap on nearly a daily basis because of his looks and nerdiness, yet nobody says anything to him. I mean, he nearly broke down a couple of months ago when Fred basically shit all over his dreams of getting the Celtics PBP job. The other morning show obviously has far greater problems than their treatment of any one employee. Felger gives people shit for taking paternity leave. And that's just the Boston market. I'm certainly not defending any of these actions or behavior (I think it sucks and takes away from the respective shows), but there's a big market for people to be fuckheads to their coworkers and make good money from it.
 

joe dokes

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It's not right, but it makes people money to be jackasses in sports media. While Wallach is obviously not a woman, Fred treats him like crap on nearly a daily basis because of his looks and nerdiness, yet nobody says anything to him. I mean, he nearly broke down a couple of months ago when Fred basically shit all over his dreams of getting the Celtics PBP job. The other morning show obviously has far greater problems than their treatment of any one employee. Felger gives people shit for taking paternity leave. And that's just the Boston market. I'm certainly not defending any of these actions or behavior (I think it sucks and takes away from the respective shows), but there's a big market for people to be fuckheads to their coworkers and make good money from it.
No doubt there's money in fuckheadery. But
There's difference between treating Wallach like crap and telling a woman shes so ugly she wont get a job, since the latter is actually is real thing.
I don't think Dale Arnold would have lasted too long if he had joked with Holley about making him his slave.
 

southshoresoxfan

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No doubt there's money in fuckheadery. But
There's difference between treating Wallach like crap and telling a woman shes so ugly she wont get a job, since the latter is actually is real thing.
I don't think Dale Arnold would have lasted too long if he had joked with Holley about making him his slave.
I don’t think Dale turned a paper he handed out in Boston into a company valued at 100million.

Money talks, bulls*it walks.
 

joe dokes

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I don’t think Dale turned a paper he handed out in Boston into a company valued at 100million.

Money talks, bulls*it walks.
Yeah. Thats the ticket. As long as you make money, nothing else matters.. One's entire value to the world depends on the size of their bank account. Portnoy's a great guy because he's rich.

OTOH--when Dale Arnold dies, there wont be very many people celebrating.
 

The Needler

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Yeah. Thats the ticket. As long as you make money, nothing else matters.. One's entire value to the world depends on the size of their bank account. Portnoy's a great guy because he's rich.

OTOH--when Dale Arnold dies, there wont be very many people celebrating.
Isn't this just Shock Jock 101? Howard Stern got world famous insulting his employees, imitating his (originally intern?) employee with a speech impediment and calling him Stuttering John. If this were off-air behavior it would certainly be unacceptable, but I don't think it's a totally unmeritorious argument to say that the on-air (or online, or whatever you call it) personalities at this place don't have an expectation of civility, or decorum, or even decency when it comes to the entertainment output. As repugnant as it may seem, in a very real way, they did "sign up for it."


Disclaimer: I have never listened to a Barstool podcast, so it's possible I'm off base with the shock jock comparison. My only real experience with the site are the pozza reviews, which I do find amusing.
 

JCizzle

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Isn't this just Shock Jock 101? Howard Stern got world famous insulting his employees, imitating his (originally intern?) employee with a speech impediment and calling him Stuttering John. If this were off-air behavior it would certainly be unacceptable, but I don't think it's a totally unmeritorious argument to say that the on-air (or online, or whatever you call it) personalities at this place don't have an expectation of civility, or decorum, or even decency when it comes to the entertainment output. As repugnant as it may seem, in a very real way, they did "sign up for it."


Disclaimer: I have never listened to a Barstool podcast, so it's possible I'm off base with the shock jock comparison. My only real experience with the site are the pozza reviews, which I do find amusing.
The podcasts, for the most part, are much different than the other stuff. It's almost like two different entities. The inter office stuff is very much like Stern as you said. It's basically one continuous WWE soap opera for their large bro audience. It wouldn't surprise me if most of this stuff that makes the press is scripted to some extent (look what the asshole boss did this time! go pres! Etc etc)