Comments on: e-mail of the week

By: tarun

tarun — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 02:34:33 +0000

Does Michael Baldeon do this every time he comes across a site he doesn’t like?
What helpfulness!

By: drbrett

drbrett — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 02:13:53 +0000

General consumption? Mr Baldeon is welcome to it. The land of fast moving consumer goods, big brands, market research, homogenised creativity and safety. Toilet paper, soap powder and dog food.
All those Stormhoek drinking, English Cut wearing GapingVoid card carrying “stupid fucks” like the rest of us, please stand aside for those wise enough to know ahead of time what “works.” Like the creators of Pretty Woman, Lost, YouTube and PostIt notes before them — none of whom had ANY idea that what they were up to would be hits — I say here’s to Hugh, Ze Frank, Judson Lapailly and others for having no idea what works, and sticking to it.

By: Sheamus

Sheamus — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 20:23:22 +0000

Baldeon has got to be pulling someone’s leg, quite possibly his own!
Hugh writes “Is it just me, or is that a paradox?”!!
I say “Damn right!!!”

By: hugh macleod

hugh macleod — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 19:12:53 +0000

At, judging from his second e-mail to me [which included the words, “Fuck you you stupid fuck”], I’m in no doubt whatsoever he was talking bout my stuff. Heh.

By: stam

stam — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 18:29:59 +0000

Sure this B. –yes why mentionning him, it’s doing him a favour, no way– is a grumpy guy somewhere on the planet. He should drink this geek wine you are representing, Stormhoek (hoek in flemish means “corner”, so it’s stormcorner, it’s exactly what his little mind needs, no ?). I just added today your “thing” on my blog, before I saw this Mr M. curious sentence about your drawings. Who cares about general consumption, anyway. Do we want to wal-martized our lifes & blogs. NEVER.

By: Charles Frith

Charles Frith — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 16:10:38 +0000

These are the best cartoons going. I’ve never liked cartoons before!

By: Brett Nordquist

Brett Nordquist — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 12:55:07 +0000

»No talent. None. Way too obscure for general consumption.
I love it! It’s going on my chalkboard at work tomorrow. Something like this let you know you’re on track and haven’t sold out.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 12:52:31 +0000

Och,perhaps he was talking about his own work ? Is that perhaps the case ? And I don’t mean that in a condescending way.

By: veedub

veedub — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 08:17:23 +0000

bang on hugh. if it doesn’t stir you first it’s never going to move anyone else. you’re proof of that.

By: hugh macleod

hugh macleod — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 07:25:15 +0000

Hey Rich, point taken…
Frankly, I dunno. What I’m doing works for me, and it seems to be working for my clients. Yes, it des have its challenges, but compared to how most poor souls make a living, we’re not complaining. Whether it works or not for some mid-level corporate marketing dork is frankly not my problem.
Besides, the people who say “let’s be bigger than Starbucks” in corporate meetings are invariably never the people who become bigger than Starbucks. Their currency is more about fear, politics, mediocrity and golf handicaps. Their lot is simply not that interesting to me.
AFTERTHOUGHT: I know there’s a lot of “caring about the customer” talk going on in marketing circles these days.
From my experience dealing with mainstream corporate marketing types, hell, these guys find it hard enough caring about their wives, let alone their customers.
Is it just me, or is that a paradox?
PS to Everybody else: Thanks for the kind words =)

By: Randy Maugans

Randy Maugans — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 07:08:06 +0000

I have ONE word: Brilliant! (can I count the exclamation point?)—who gives a fuck about “general consumption”—your audience found you and defined who THEY are. You, in turn continue to, unapologetically, produce Gaping Void to the chagrin of witless cretins.
Rock on!

By: KG

KG — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 04:23:38 +0000

Don’t change your humor or perspective one bit (well, unless it’s an authentic change, then it will still seem like your humor). You gotta be you!
Those who are remarkable and interesting tend not to aim towards pleasing the “general consumption.” They aim to be authentic just by being their remarkable and interesting selves. Often, their unique success is a happy by-product.
So, keep up the great work.

By: Simon

Simon — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 03:59:01 +0000

Is he General Consumption’s Aide de Camp? The General probably prefers it short sharp and snaaaapppy!!!

By: krzysztof kurowski

krzysztof kurowski — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 03:42:47 +0000

I pity Mr Baldeon .

By: Tara Hunt

Tara Hunt — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 02:55:02 +0000

Obviously your talents baffle and confuse Mr. Baldeon, Hugh…
The rest of us big fans, well, they dazzle and delight. Thanks for continuing to teach us introspection through humor.