Protein Wisdom (blog)
Encyclopedia
Protein Wisdom is a conservative and libertarian weblog created by former academic and sometime fiction writer Jeff Goldstein—a self-described classical liberal. The blog has received news coverage for its content (as well as for Goldstein's legal dealings with an infamous former reader, Deb Frisch).
Barrett Brown of The Huffington Post has described the blog as catering to "one of the most collectively cerebral audiences one may find within the right side of the blogosphere." Goldstein's respect for the legacy of Hunter S. Thompson
is an enduring theme, as is his sardonic allusions to such popular cult figures as Martha Stewart and the fictional Billy Jack
. The blog is known for its bawdy overtones, surrealistic sense of humor, and biting wit.
The site moved past the nine-million-hit mark in March 2008; Goldstein is noted for his eccentric, intellectual work, best captured in his oddball collections of posts (e.g., "red pills found behind the sofa cushions," and "the protein wisdom conceptual series",). He's also known for his highly ironic entries (one of which was picked up by Howard Kurtz
of The Washington Post
), and discussions of hermeneutics (from an intentionalist stance), with a concentration on how interpretive strategies both inform and reinforce certain philosophical assumptions and, by extension, social policies. Goldstein is particularly critical of identity politics
, racialism
and multiculturalism
.
in 2009, which deprived him — and other bloggers such as The Anchoress and Ace of Spades HQ — of income from PJM-mediated advertising.
adjunct professor Deborah Frisch started writing comments at Protein Wisdom. Two days later, she wrote "You live in Colorado, I see. Hope no one JonBenets
your baby." She then added: "I reiterate: If some nutcase kidnapped your child tomorrow and did to him what was done to your fellow Coloradan, JonBenet Ramsey, I wouldn't give a damn."
She later resigned and apologized,
saying "I don’t think professors should do that. I crossed the line."
Her behavior gained nationwide news coverage.
Following further incidents, Goldstein obtained a restraining order and preliminary injunction against her. Goldstein has said he took temporary breaks from blogging to deal with continued harassment from Frisch, who has faced continued legal problems since her relocation to the Pacific Northwest.
Goldstein has been accused by some of "overreacting," whereas others from the "Gerbil Nation" (those who track Dr. Frisch's movement online) have applauded him for "standing up to her."
Conservative bloggers have alleged cyberstalking
and other strange behavior by Dr. Frisch since then.
After the 2010 midterm elections, Protein Wisdom placed less emphasis on the linguistic/academic dissection of news coverage, and has become a more full-blooded conservative voice, emphasizing news summaries and straightforward commentary on the issues of the day.
Background
The blog's media profile was raised after a series of attacks by Dr. Frisch sent Goldstein into a much lower-profile mode for a period of months.Barrett Brown of The Huffington Post has described the blog as catering to "one of the most collectively cerebral audiences one may find within the right side of the blogosphere." Goldstein's respect for the legacy of Hunter S. Thompson
Hunter S. Thompson
Hunter Stockton Thompson was an American journalist and author who wrote The Rum Diary , Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 .He is credited as the creator of Gonzo journalism, a style of reporting where reporters involve themselves in the action to...
is an enduring theme, as is his sardonic allusions to such popular cult figures as Martha Stewart and the fictional Billy Jack
Billy Jack
Billy Jack is a 1971 action film. It is the second, and highest grossing, in a series of motion pictures centering on a character of the same name, played by Tom Laughlin who also directed and co-wrote the script. Filming began in Prescott, Arizona, in fall 1969, but the movie was not completed...
. The blog is known for its bawdy overtones, surrealistic sense of humor, and biting wit.
The site moved past the nine-million-hit mark in March 2008; Goldstein is noted for his eccentric, intellectual work, best captured in his oddball collections of posts (e.g., "red pills found behind the sofa cushions," and "the protein wisdom conceptual series",). He's also known for his highly ironic entries (one of which was picked up by Howard Kurtz
Howard Kurtz
Howard "Howie" Alan Kurtz is an American journalist and author with a special focus on the media. He is host of CNN's Reliable Sources program, and Washington bureau chief for The Daily Beast. He is the former media writer for The Washington Post. He has written five books about the media...
of The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
), and discussions of hermeneutics (from an intentionalist stance), with a concentration on how interpretive strategies both inform and reinforce certain philosophical assumptions and, by extension, social policies. Goldstein is particularly critical of identity politics
Identity politics
Identity politics are political arguments that focus upon the self interest and perspectives of self-identified social interest groups and ways in which people's politics may be shaped by aspects of their identity through race, class, religion, sexual orientation or traditional dominance...
, racialism
Racialism
Racialism is an emphasis on race or racial considerations. Currently, racialism entails a belief in the existence and significance of racial categories, but not necessarily that any absolute hierarchy between the races has been demonstrated by a rigorous and comprehensive scientific process...
and multiculturalism
Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism is the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level, e.g...
.
Controversies
Goldstein vocally opposed the abrupt change of financial arrangements by Pajamas MediaPajamas Media
PJ Media is a media company that uses the Internet to present and comment on the news.Founded in 2004 by a network primarily, but not exclusively, made up of conservatives and libertarians led by mystery writer, screenwriter, and blogger Roger L...
in 2009, which deprived him — and other bloggers such as The Anchoress and Ace of Spades HQ — of income from PJM-mediated advertising.
Deborah Frisch incident
Beginning on the 4th of July, 2006, University of ArizonaUniversity of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
adjunct professor Deborah Frisch started writing comments at Protein Wisdom. Two days later, she wrote "You live in Colorado, I see. Hope no one JonBenets
JonBenét Ramsey
JonBenét Patricia Ramsey was an American child beauty pageant contestant who was murdered in her home in Boulder, Colorado, in 1996. The six-year-old's body was found in the basement of the family home nearly eight hours after she was reported missing. She had been struck on the head and strangled...
your baby." She then added: "I reiterate: If some nutcase kidnapped your child tomorrow and did to him what was done to your fellow Coloradan, JonBenet Ramsey, I wouldn't give a damn."
She later resigned and apologized,
saying "I don’t think professors should do that. I crossed the line."
Her behavior gained nationwide news coverage.
Following further incidents, Goldstein obtained a restraining order and preliminary injunction against her. Goldstein has said he took temporary breaks from blogging to deal with continued harassment from Frisch, who has faced continued legal problems since her relocation to the Pacific Northwest.
Goldstein has been accused by some of "overreacting," whereas others from the "Gerbil Nation" (those who track Dr. Frisch's movement online) have applauded him for "standing up to her."
Conservative bloggers have alleged cyberstalking
Cyberstalking
Cyberstalking is the use of the Internet or other electronic means to stalk or harass an individual, a group of individuals, or an organization. It may include false accusations, monitoring, making threats, identity theft, damage to data or equipment, the solicitation of minors for sex, or...
and other strange behavior by Dr. Frisch since then.
Protein Wisdom today
Goldstein is a writer and producer of martial arts videos who remains in Colorado. Though Protein Wisdom reflects his own voice, it also relies heavily on the work of his co-bloggers, such as Darleen Click—who lives in the desert in Southern California. Some of Goldstein's other fans and commenters maintain a presence at his sub-blog, The Protein Wisdom Pub.After the 2010 midterm elections, Protein Wisdom placed less emphasis on the linguistic/academic dissection of news coverage, and has become a more full-blooded conservative voice, emphasizing news summaries and straightforward commentary on the issues of the day.