Pewsitter: Brilliant Irony or Self-Parody?

Last updated on: February 4, 2015 at 6:06 pm by Sam Rocha

Pewsitter: Brilliant Irony or Self-Parody? 2015-02-04T18:06:52-06:00 Sam Rocha

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I had never visited Pewsitter* before, and had only heard of it, in online passing, until about ten minutes ago. I don’t know about their history or mission of anyone (that I know of) who writes or works there. My sense, prima facie, is that much like The Vortex is made in the image of the O’Reilly Factor, Pewsitter is an imagus Drudge. So be it. My comparison here is simply that: a one to one comparison.

Recently Simcha Fisher posted a fiery post, critical of Pewsitter’s phrasing in a headline about rape. The post consists of a screen shot, as evidence, and the follwing commentary:

It seems fair to surmise that, despite her outrage (which seems understandable considering the subject matter), Simcha’s protest here is qualified: She first admits that Pewsitter is using a headline as-is from another source. She then extends her critique to make the claim, however, that Pewsitter frequently takes liberties with headlines.

I don’t know what to make of these claims, since I am unfamiliar with the site. But Pewsitter’s response to Simcha is as follows:

Remember: The only issue relevant to Pewsitter in this case is Simcha’s accusation that they take liberties with headlines. Considering the original post and the bold headline it generated, this is surely either a brilliant moment of irony or self-parody. The other links lead me to suspect the latter, but I remain hopeful that it is the former.

There is much to be said for collegiality and peace among the blogs, but it does not seem healthy to exercise a timid caution in the face of things that may in fact be harmless, but nonetheless very funny. This strikes me as one of them.

*I’ve ommited links to both Pewsitter and Simcha because I do not want to give the impression that this is trying to stir up trouble or drumming up cross-posting page views.

Nonsense

Previous Post

July 15, 2014

"The incendiary scene reminded me of Nativist mobs" --- Dolan on the Dignity of Immigrants

Next Post

July 17, 2014 The Art of Blogging No. 4: An Interview with Calah Alexander

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category aesthetics audio class notes conversation Education En Español Interviews jazz jazzhop link Liturgy Music Nonsense pastoral philosophy phenomenology Philosophy philosophy of education photo Poetry Political Theology quote Race regular Schooling Uncategorized video Weekly Apocalypse

Select a Month June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who led a rebellion called "the men of Belial" against David near his end?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Amasa Absalom Sheba son of Bichri Adonijah