To wonder why The Guardian seems to be totally in love with Russell Brand?

[fishdishwish]

It appears he's got the front page of the mag this Saturday, so doubtless we'll be hearing more tedious pseudo-radical posturing which has been trotted out umpteen times before, but is somehow deemed more palatable when it pours from the lovely lips of our Russell.

They seem to give him endless opportunities to peddle his self-aggrandising nonsense.

He reminds me of a teenage boy I know who, because he does A level philosophy and politics, likes to lecture me (and anybody else who'll listen) about how the world works and how he could run it better.

I saw a clip of Russell Brand a few years ago, way before he was famous, where he was taking part in some sort of demonstration in London. I forget why it was being filmed, but after running around and shouting a bit he decided he needed to attract some attention. He jumped on top of a car and pulled his trousers down, mooning at everyone nearby. It was cringe worthy, and just look at me, I'll do anything, as long as you look at me.

He was showing London his arse then and now appears to be speaking out of it !

Why shouldn't he discuss social injustice? So many politicians talk utter shit, I'd gladly listen to them if they spoke as passionately about social injustice and meant it.

And I'd forgive them if they used long words on purpose- plenty people do.

As for his recent call for people not to vote, I didn't see that as encouraging apathy, infact I saw it as the opposite, saying people who don't agree with the FPTP system or the policies on offer from the parties could have an impact. What other way can they have an impact? People already feel disenfranchised, even if they DO vote. Now that is fucked up .Maybe you have to be a non voter like me to agree with that.

He's obviously a bit like Marmite and it seems MN err on the side of hate I suspect he thrives on that though! I also suspect he doesn't give a shit what the perceived demographic of MN thinks of him.

He speaks out about the treatment of certain groups in society who cannot find a voice. I'm glad he uses his fame to do that, I want more people to do that, eloquent people, educated people, uneducated people, unemployed people, people from all walks of life- not to silence the ones who already do. Yes he is a complete caricature but I suspect its all an act- I'm sure he goes home and talks about what kind of potatoes to have with his dinner, like the rest of us...

(no I'm not his mum ??)

Apparently a lot of his ramblings are scripted by Johann Hari, the discredited writer exposed as a plagiarist. So much lazy thinking.

What other way can they have an impact?

Nigel Farage appears to be having quite an impact on the main parties. Perhaps that's because he's got off his arse and formed a party of unhinged racist tools? If he were younger, he'd have contented himself with a hash tag and a TED talk.

He speaks out about the treatment of certain groups in society who cannot find a voice.

Such as women are bullied by abused ex-partners who attempt to humiliate them by broadcasting their sexual history? Oh, sorry, it's Brand that is the abusive bullying ex-partner.

Let's try that, AIBU-style. "I had a brief relationship with a man, but now he's phoned my father to tell him about what we did in bed, and also broadcast same on national radio. AIBU to think he's a total bastard?"

It's also interesting that now he's earning more he's living in America, where (by an amazing coincidence) the rate of income tax is much lower. No wonder Jimmy Carr thinks he's a national treasure: they probably share the same tax avoidance schemes.

Apparently a lot of his ramblings are scripted by Johann Hari,

Christ, is that true? They really, really deserve each other.

Spouts off about stuff without any actual peer reviewed rigour

Unlike the majority of posts here on AIBU?

I think he says interesting and often moving things so I enjoy reading what he has to say.

I don't condone the phone call episode, i think it was disgusting behaviour. I do believe people can do bad things and regret them in hindsight. But who knows how he really feels about it, it's all guess work.

"People already feel disenfranchised, even if they DO vote. Now that is fucked up. Maybe you have to be a non voter like me to agree with that. "

If you think voting is a crap system, just wait til you've tried the alternative. Because one thing you can be sure of, the extremists will always get their people out to vote.

I don't think voting is a crap system. I think the current system of voting is crap.

Plenty of peer reviewing in AIBU I think you'll find.

Can't stand the man ... He's like a first year student who's read a bit of sociology and the odd socialist worker and thinks he has all the answers ... While mum and dad pay his bills

Viz, as ever, has Brand's number.

I heart John Lydon:

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/15/johnny-rotten-lydon-russell-brand-revolution-vote

BaffledSomeMore Fri 10-Oct-14 00:02:24

gordyslovesheep Fri 10-Oct-14 14:56:11 YY and he is with Jemina Gold smith isnt he, getting massages out to her country house...