Let's all take Blindboy seriously now...

One eyed Jack wrote: »

Danny as I said to IO, I could have phrased that better, but it's not coming from a place of anger at all, more frustration. I freely admit that his whole presentation and his message pisses me off, because it does nothing whatsoever to address the issues he has not only acknowledged, but has happily made a living off the negative stereotype which has long been held about young men living in certain areas of the city. In order for me to be angry about that, I'd have to take him seriously, which I don't, because I know better.

Like I said, I have no doubt he's sound and all the rest of it in private, but I can only judge him on what he presents as his public persona, and I have made no criticism of him as a private citizen, as I simply don't know him in that regard.





No I can't direct you to where he stated that any of what he says about things is a new idea. My point is that he presents the idea that young men experiencing difficulties with their mental health need feminism, as though that is the new idea that men in those circumstances weren't aware of before. Presenting those men with an ideology that is entirely centred around the welfare of women, is missing the whole understanding of the experiences of those men as men entirely. He's speaking from a place of privilege as opposed to demonstrating any genuine understanding of the issues experienced by the men he purports to represent, and that's why to him, feminism would appear to be the most obvious ideology through which to parse those men's experiences that aren't his. That's why I could never take him seriously, it was never just the plastic bag. It was that his public persona has no authenticity, and when something has no authenticity, it's going to inherently have a credibility problem.

And just to reiterate that what he speaks of is nothing new. If you care to research into this field you will find many articles similar to the one below all based on rigorous research carried out by the WHO.

So is there really a link between mental health, gender and inequality?

The World Health Organisation certainly thinks so and views gender as an important determinant of mental health. Women and men experience the world in different ways and as a result they can suffer from very different mental health problems. There are some mental health problems that are more common among men. Men are more likely to commit suicide – in some countries up to three times a likely. This is a curious fact given that women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression and are as likely to attempt suicide.

The impact of gender stereotypes on men’s mental health

Mental health is also of course not just a women’s issue. We all experience emotion and distress. However, many men suffer alone needlessly due to harmful gender stereotypes which lead them believe that they should not show or share their feelings. As a result, men are significantly less likely to seek help for depression even when it leads to serious suicidal ideations. This has prompted researchers to conclude that this is a core reason for higher suicide rates among men, particularly when we consider that women are more likely to suffer from depression but also more likely to seek help. Another factor linked to heightened rates of suicide among men is unemployment which is linked to the perception that men must be the ‘bread-winners’ and provide for their families. A tragic side-effect of the economic crisis in countries and areas most affected by the recession was a marked increase in male suicides among ages groups which were most prone to unemployment. In Ireland the suicide rate among men during the recession jumped by a staggering 57pc.

pumpkin4life wrote: »

Brilliant. Fucking brilliant and I probably wasn't even alive when this aired.

Skip to 1:49 for Eamon Dunphy ranting about dolphins.

Wish we had comedians who could match this or nail this lol.

****ing love scrap Saturday genius.

NIMAN wrote: »

I maintain that the bag makes Blindboy a celeb. Without it, he's just another punter with an opinion.

Literally everyone in the world is just another punter with an opinion. Why being a "celeb" makes someone's opinion more valuable is beyond me

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

True. But none of us have time to listen to everyone in the world. And while their celebrity may be the launch pad to it, some have the eloquence, clarity of vision and expression, and a particular ability to distill the essence of what the masses are trying less successfully to articulate. These become the voices of their generation. Blindboy is one such.

Pretty pathetic and phucked generation if hes the voice of it. I fail to see how a guy championed by RTE can be the voice of anything when all RTE do is lie to and push vapid braindead tv to a public they have nothing but contempt for.

Trust me if he had anything relevant to say or even a shrewd of truth he wouldn't be on the Late Late every few weeks.

Hes another Russell Brand type. "man of the people" nonsense when their souls are well are truly bought and paid for.

Sadly he's as much a corporate lackey if not moreso than those confused desperate people on "The X Factor".

Retrovertigo wrote: »

What are you on about?

He's pushing mental health issues and awareness and everything to do with it every chance he gets. Where's your links on being him a corporate lackey exactly?

Citation needed.

He is simply a voice, not one I always agree with but his arguments are solid and create discourse.

Which is the point.

He wears corporate logos on his head!. Was Spar now Swords shopping centre. Even name dropped them numerous times before on Late Late.
Having worked in marketing I can tell ya that money has certainly changed hands and its no coincedence that the logo/name is always visible and always to the front.
Why not wear clear plastic bags if hes not a corporate lackey?. Cant whore himself for a few shillings that way see. Hes a walking advertisment for them, like someone wearing a sandwich board.

My other point was RTE never give a platform to anyone with anything relevant to say. He by dropped by Swords shopping centre or RTE if he said anything to upset his masters or anything relevant for that matter.

Brian? wrote: »

You think JCs in Swords are paying him? That’s absolutely hilarious. You’ve clearly never been to JCs.

You don’t like the guy or his art, I get it. But this is now the 4th or 5th anti Blindboy argument you’ve invented. And I do mean invented, because there is zero basis in fact for it. I think he’s struck a chord with you, he’s challenging you to address something within yourself and it frightens the life out of you. You respond with anger and that’s perfectly natural.

I hope you take some time for introspection and discover an answer for yourself that isn’t supernatural.

Stone Pilot is a conspiracy theorist, no he has never been to JC s, but will never ever believe you that they are not paying him [however Im guessing here so apologies in advance if Im wrong but he will have no problem whatsoever if someone like Paul O Connell or Johnny Sexton wear addidas boots with the logo and get paid for it] has no idea about how music is created, [he thinks rubber bandits is done by finding a loop and repeating it] thinks being on the late late 4 times in 8 years is every few weeks. Thinks writing works of fiction is not art.

Stonedpilot wrote: »

Agreed, oh they all are jealous of me. What arrogance. No dude we just see you for the total chancer you are, a pied piper to disconsolate naive youth.


It's strange the the OP was making the point why a eejit with a plastic bag on his head making obvious points was such a celebrity and fawned over in Ireland.

Think this thread highlights that point. People are besotted with him and go nuts with ad hominem attacks dare anyone question him.

Can you copy and paste all the quotes where people have "gone nuts"?

Retrovertigo wrote: »

He's pushing mental health issues and awareness and everything to do with it every chance he gets.

So does Bressie, for €€€€

seachto7 wrote: »

I see he is cooking now too, and is endorsed by Under Armor. He's supposed to be a bloody musician....

Just the Irish Z list celebrity cycle. Get mildly famous for something you're not especially good at. Appear regularly in the Independent. Reappear as a spokeperson for mental health / cooking / fitness / combination of the three.

Brian? wrote: »

You think JCs in Swords are paying him? That’s absolutely hilarious. You’ve clearly never been to JCs.

You don’t like the guy or his art, I get it. But this is now the 4th or 5th anti Blindboy argument you’ve invented. And I do mean invented, because there is zero basis in fact for it. I think he’s struck a chord with you, he’s challenging you to address something within yourself and it frightens the life out of you. You respond with anger and that’s perfectly natural.

I hope you take some time for introspection and discover an answer for yourself that isn’t supernatural.

Utter garbage. Never said I don't like him have said I admire him in a way for being a pied piper to naive gullible people who he's playing like a fiddle. I admire his balls and nerve.
Don't think I invented any argument against him no need to, Stevie Wonder can see he's another lackey vacuous celeb who thinks his opinion is more relevant than yours or mine as he's 'on da telly' despite the fact they are rubbish ie depressed men need feminism:rolleyes:

Yes he frightens me something terrible!. :rolleyes: Good what nonsense.

Not anger just amazement that foolish people would pay for his book or to listen to him frankly, why?????
His opinions are are no more relevant than any Joe soap on this.