Diary of an up and coming sociopath

Twitter Updates for 2010-03-10

J. Hunt — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:59:59 +0000

I can’t stop listening to white rappers. It’s starting to seriously affect my ability to work. #
@Frogory stick to discussions of the Jon Venables case, I am finding the commentary measured and insightful. #
@captainward “Sorrow!” reminds me of the board game “Sorry!”, if that sways your decision one way or the other… http://bit.ly/at0LOi #
@thatswedishgirl O M G. Tell him the Internerds hope he’s okay. #
@mcpb any news on the “listener’s manual” for TBMC? #
@marcellerby Hope it’s nothing serious, but either way, make sure you take it easy for a few days! #
@RellyAB You remind me why I don’t care for JRPGs. Unless they involve Bulbasaurs. #
@RellyAB I hear Princess Debut for the DS is supposed to be a good fusion of rhythm & otome games, but I admit, I haven’t tried it ;-) #

Twitter Updates for 2010-03-09

J. Hunt — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:59:59 +0000

@simpsonsquotes That should probably be “IF I CHOOSE to get married…” #
I think my monitor is starting to go. Might I finally join the world of LCD monitors before the year is out? #
Latitude tickets purchased. Is it July yet? #

Twitter Updates for 2010-03-08

J. Hunt — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:59:59 +0000

Twitter has never needed an “ignore tweets containing the word…” function more than right now. #
@RellyAB If you were a parent you might feel differently. #
@danielguntrip A clear case of wankercide. Completely legal. #
For those who care, I appear to have lucked out on one of my two Amazon Glitchday orders. The cheaper one, but it’s still a £50 saving. #
No word on the other order, however, which was full of omnibuses. There’s still everything to play for! #
I wonder if James Bulger’s mother feels that there are other laws she need not obey due to her (admittedly terrible) circumstances. #
Perhaps we should make it a form of compensation. Close relative hit by a car? You no longer need to obey speed limits. #
@marcellerby I never liked anything they’ve done as much as “They stuck us in a trench…”, but I will listen to the new one shortly! #

Twitter Updates for 2010-03-05

J. Hunt — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:59:59 +0000

@RealDMitchell For reference, I thought the thing you did when the lights went down was hilarious. They should leave it in! #
All this Carol Voderman talk is making me really look forward to catching up with Question Time. You can probably expect some delayed rage. #
@danielguntrip I suspect it might be quoting Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. #

Twitter Updates for 2010-03-02

J. Hunt — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:59:59 +0000

A few hours on, I am grossly irritated by the number of morons who think Becca Wilcox blew the lid off a health conspiracy. Shoot me. #
I have written a brief guide about how people can help save 6music/asiannetwork: http://bit.ly/9ZKBAv #savebbc6music #savebbcasiannetwork #
I have written a brief guide explaining how you can help save 6music/asiannetwork: http://bit.ly/9ZKBAv #savebbc6music #savebbcasiannetwork #
@CollingsA If you think it’s helpful, please retweet this saving 6music/asiannetwork guide I wrote: http://bit.ly/9ZKBAv #
I feel like I’ve done my bit today. #
@McKelvie Thompson is a fucking idiot. He also said that BBC3 represents “quality programming.” #
@38Degrees_vol Already signed it! Added a link to my guide earlier as well ;-) #
The more I think about “Who made me fat” from last night, the more I’m starting to wonder if it was a deliberate parody. #
@dipeshraichura @moomini I can’t believe it’s been 5 years since I was introduced to the concept of a chocolate fountain. #
Paxman really stuck it good to Mark Thompson on Newsnight. That took balls of iron, given that he was basically grilling his boss. #
@gomark True enough! I suspect he’ll outlast Mark Thompson at the BBC at any rate ;-) #
I only wish my digibox could pick up the same version of BBC3 that Mark Thompson appears to be watching. #

How to Save 6Music & Asian Network

J. Hunt — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:16:28 +0000

It’s been a long time since I’ve done any non-microblogging, but then it’s increasingly rare I’ve got anything I want to discuss. Except, today I have, because someone is trying to take 6Music away from me, and frankly, that cannot stand. I will now do my small part in trying to keep 6Music/Asian Network going, by telling you how you can do the same.

Most importantly, we must all take part in the consultation process. This is the very reason the consultation process exists - to get the public’s opinion, not to simply rubber-stamp the proposals. The full consultation review details can be read on the BBC site.

Things to consider:

DO e-mail the BBC trust. Unlike voting for the government (SATIRE!) your voice matters.
DO encourage others to do the same. A massive response is what’s needed.
DO emphasise that these stations cannot/do not compete with commercial broadcasters.
DO mention that you think the stations justify the license fee.
DO Listen to the stations. Preferably on iPlayer, where I imagine the BBC can see the stats themselves.

DON’T make pointless threats about boycotting the BBC - it isn’t going to happen.
DON’T try and suggest that they cut something more expensive instead. As much as we’d all love to see the back of BBC3, this decision isn’t being made by the accountants.
DON’T swear, use too many exclaimation marks or generally make yourself look like a tool. Your e-mail will presumably be read by a grown-up.
DON’T just cut and paste the e-mail below. Add some of your own thoughts and reasoning.
DON’T accuse the BBC of bowing to political pressure. It’s probably true, but it won’t help.

Here’s a template e-mail, based off the one posted by my good friend Seb Patrick. You should download the cover note from the BBC site, fill it in, and attach that to your e-mail, which should be sent to: srconsultation@bbc.co.uk

(NOTE: the e-mail address trust.enquiries@bbc.co.uk is also going around on Twitter - this appears to be a general contact address, whereas srconsultation@bbc.co.uk is specifically given on the consultation page, so I’d use the latter.)

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to address proposals announced this morning which suggest the possible closure of BBC 6music and the BBC Asian Network.

As a loyal supporter of the BBC and the licence fee, it is my belief that, contrary to the stated aim of closing these stations, they each fulfil a remit that commercial broadcasting cannot, and indeed, one that it has repeatedly shown no interest in fulfilling.

I understand that these proposals have to be considered and approved by the BBC Trust before any cuts are made, and so would like to add my voice to those requesting that the Trust strongly consider rejecting the call to close these stations. Their very existence proves the validity and necessity of both the license fee and the BBC, especially in an age when commercial pressure on broadcast media is stronger than ever.

Kind regards,
[YOUR NAME]

Feel free to customise and repost this however and whereever you like. The more people that send e-mails, the better. Note: Early support is vital, but don’t think it’s too late to e-mail just because it’s been a few days. The consultation period lasts until 25th May.

What next?

For a start, you can also fill out the consultation questionnaire.

You can also try signing the petitions at 38 Degrees and Petition.fm

Jeanette also suggests below that “it may also be good for as many people as possible to contact Radio 4’s Feedback this week as it covers listeners’ views on BBC radio programmes and policy, so may reach a wider audience of avid radio fans.” You can do so here

If you want to discuss this situation with like-minded individuals, there’s a Save 6Music Facebook Group.

Finally, if you’re so inclined, Twitter Hashtags you can use when discussing the matter include:

#save6music
#saveBBC6music
#saveBBCasiannetwork

I think that’s everything. If there are any other suggestions/ideas or if you think I’ve got any of this wrong, please let me know in the comments.

Twitter Updates for 2010-03-01

J. Hunt — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:59:59 +0000

What life giveth with one hand, it taketh away with the other. In this case, it gaveth Scott Pilgrim, then tooketh away Scott Pilgrim. #
@shanucore almost went to a screening, but it was cancelled. Fate, she is cruel. #
I want to listen to Plastic Beach but I know if I do I won’t buy it. And I want to buy it. Stupid digital future and it’s digital temptation #
I scored 10 on WALL #2. Can you beat my score? http://www.bbc.co.uk/onlyconnect/quiz #onlyconnect (My monday evenings were not wasted!) #
Just watched part of Becca Wilcox’s Who Made Me Fat? “documentary”. Clearly BBC3 fodder, as if the title wasn’t evidence enough of that. #
In all seriousness, there are toddlers on the planet who would feel patronised by that trash. I have a theory, which I will now tweet: #
it was made by people whose only experience of factual TV is BBC3. That’s why their “interviews” were just them being turfed out of carparks #

Twitter Updates for 2010-02-28

J. Hunt — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 22:59:59 +0000

@Nevskyp Damn, that looks awesome. I went into Foyles yesterday hoping they might have a copy, but no luck! #
@Nevskyp Ah, you know, I rarely go into Gosh so I’ll go have a look next time I’m in town. If not, Amazon it shall be! #

Twitter Updates for 2010-02-27

J. Hunt — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:59:59 +0000

@danielguntrip I, for one, am enjoying this semi-public semi-breakdown. #
If the BBC isn’t allowed to compete with commercial broadcasters, I think BBC3 should go, being as it is their attempt to out-ITV ITV #
Also, if 6music goes, what becomes of Radio 7? Does the name just stop making sense? #

Twitter Updates for 2010-02-26

J. Hunt — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:59:59 +0000

If 6music goes, that’s basically it for interesting, intelligent, diverse music stations. #save6music #
Worse is that BBC3 apparently WON’T get the chop. Yes, the same channel that brought us “lunch monkeys” and “hotter than my daughter” #
@gomark It’s not really a music station, is it? At least, the only shows I listen to are all talk! #
Anyway, the reason I’m on Twitter is to scream into the ether about Porter/Farage on QT. They should’ve just scraped nails on a blackboard. #
You have to laugh that “Farrage” is trending, when he had the audacity to ask Herman Van Rompuy “Who are you?” Who are you, Farage? #
Also, just in case anyone thinks I’m forgetting what Twitter is for: I got me a ticket for Metric in the end. Roll on whenever it is. #
Tickets to Karaoke Circus booked. And it’s in Sheps Bush, so pre-show Westfield foodery can occur. Excellent. #
@sebpatrick I’d rather have Lara Croft Close IF YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN. I MEAN SEXUALLY. #
I’m just tweeting something because if I drop dead for no reason, I don’t want that shitty Lara Croft “joke” to be the last thing I say. #