Protein Wisdom (blog)

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).

Background

The blog's media profile was raised after a series of attacks by Dr. Frisch^[1][2] 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." ^[3] 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.^[4] 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,"^[5] and "the protein wisdom conceptual series",^[6]). He's also known for his highly ironic entries^[5] (one of which was picked up by Howard Kurtz of The Washington Post^[4]), and discussions of hermeneutics (from an intentionalist stance^[7]), 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,^[8] racialism^[9] and multiculturalism.^[10]

Controversies

Goldstein vocally opposed the abrupt change of financial arrangements by Pajamas Media 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 Arizona 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."^[11] She later resigned and apologized,^[12] saying "I don’t think professors should do that. I crossed the line."^[1] Her behavior gained nationwide news coverage.^[13] 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.^[14] 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.^{[15] [14]}

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.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Blogger returns to Eugene amid criticism". Associated Press via The News-Review. July 17, 2006. http://www.newsreview.info/article/20060717/BLOG/60717008/-1/BLOG08. Retrieved 2007-06-06. 
2. ^ McElroy, Wendy (July 19, 2006). "The Great Blogosphere Brawl". Fox News. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,204283,00.html. Retrieved 2009-01-27. 
3. ^ "Protein Wisdom and the Radness of Crowds". The Huffington Post. Oct. 6, 2009. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barrett-brown/protein-wisdom-and-the-ra_b_309112.html. Retrieved 2011-03-01. 
4. ^ ^{a b} Kurtz, Howard (February 9, 2007). "Strafing the Speaker". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2007/02/09/BL2007020900629_3.html. Retrieved 2007-06-06. 
5. ^ ^{a b} Goldstein, Jeff. "red pills behind the sofa cushions". Protein Wisdom. http://proteinwisdom.com/?cat=14. 
6. ^ Goldstein, Jeff. "the protein wisdom conceptual series". Protein Wisdom. http://proteinwisdom.com/?cat=18. 
7. ^ Goldstein, Jeff (May 16, 2006). "Somebody’s been hitting the frozen rum drinks, I see! (UPDATED)". Protein Wisdom. http://www.proteinwisdom.com/index.php/weblog/entry/20320/. Retrieved 2007-06-06. ^{[dead link]}
8. ^ "Goldstein, Jeff (December 1, 2005). "Defining the terms: racism, feminism, and the problem of identity politics". Protein Wisdom. http://proteinwisdom.com/?p=5561. Retrieved 2007-07-14. 
9. ^ "Goldstein, Jeff (Jan 17, 2007). ""There's no such thing as 'race," (and it's a good thing, too)"". Protein Wisdom. http://proteinwisdom.com/?p=8149. Retrieved 2007-07-14. 
10. ^ "Goldstein, Jeff (September 1, 2006). "The Limits of Boutique Multiculturalism". Protein Wisdom. http://proteinwisdom.com/?p=6860. Retrieved 2007-07-14. 
11. ^ Calhoun, Patricia (July 20, 2006). "Blog Eat Blog". Denver Westword. http://www.westword.com/Issues/2006-07-20/news/calhoun.html. Retrieved 2007-06-06. 
12. ^ Smith, Kim (July 11, 2006). "UA lecturer resigns over blogs furor". Arizona Daily Star. http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/137374.php. Retrieved 2007-06-06. 
13. ^ Hume, Brit (July 12, 2006). "Professor Goes Postal". Special Report with Brit Hume. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,203225,00.html. Retrieved 2009-01-27. 
14. ^ ^{a b} Goldstein, Jeff (July 12, 2007). "Thanks, everyone". Protein Wisdom. http://proteinwisdom.com/?p=9430. Retrieved 2007-07-13. 
15. ^ "Deborah Frisch Timeline". http://debfrischtimeline.blogspot.com/. 

External links

• Protein Wisdom Blog
• Protein Wisdom under DoS attack
• Jeff Goldstein Biography
• Truth Laid Bear Protein Wisdom Ranking
• Don't Hire Dr. Deborah Frisch Website