Regarding Ben Shapiro's lame articles (esp. The second one): Everyone fell for it I guess.Guess who's winning? I'm not psyched at the hateful response from phans even tho I totally get it. Telling someone you wish he were dead is never okay. I hated that guy but it's sad that some phans proved his point. Glad we aren't all like that. At least WE know that. Ignoring someone is the best way to make them go away. Take the high road phriends. Don't feed the animals. Thanks, -stASH

The Lauren Ober incident?

I must've missed that one.

People aren't sure if he was joking or not but did u see the reaction, the 2nd article? He summarized his hate mail from phans. Come onnnn people. Get a hold of yourselves. I know we want to defend Phish to the grave, but do it with *some* class pholks!

Okay, in retrospect killing his dog was too far. I'm sorry.

@RR1994 said:

I don't know guys... while I certainly agree that some of the comments about Mr. Shapiro needing to kill himself were a bit overboard, I don't see anything wrong with vehemently defending the band that we all love. I know if I heard this guy say some of the generalizations he made about us in real life, I would immediately walk right up to him and say something.

Also, where are you guys getting that he was joking in the first article? I didn't think that at all. It came off to me as pure hate, which is why I am not shedding tears over this guy's twitter blowing up.

I finally got around to reading it, and my impression was that it was supposed to be one of those articles where you pick something and just go over the top with how much you hate it, in order to be funny. That sort of piece only works when it's (a) creative and well-written, and (b) obviously done for the lulz instead of coming across as weirdly hostile. What I'm trying to say here is that Ben Shapiro is a terrible writer.

I want him to be dead exactly how much he hates Phish.

...having a person for a whole community of people to hate together actually creates more love, I think the dude should be sacrificed for the benefit of Phish in year 30

@harroldHOOD said:

I'm just surprised we're not used to this by now. You'd think we'd know how to react. The Lauren Ober incident was far more constructive.

It's the offseason, so there's not much to talk about. If this stupid shit came out during tour, it would be ignored for the most part methinks.

he is a sad butthurt D bag who see something that makes people happy and gets depressed about it. So he does what hipsters do complain. frankly I'm sick of the complaining get lives stop crying get over your eating disorder.
I see him around Brooklyn I will do my best not slap him and request satisfaction. (no promises)

about a million more people know the name ben shapiro than did 24 hours ago. mission accomplished.

@me_no_are_no_nice_guy said:

there are shit heads in every fan base.

Indeed there is.

I don't think I've ever been lumped in with Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge before. Thanks, Ben.

@DirtyAl1173 said:

The Lauren Ober incident?

I must've missed that one.

http://forum.phish.net/thread.php?thread=1315870000

@Doctor_Ocelot said:

lets burn a Ben Shapiro Effigy at the fest this summer. Whos on board?

.
....

@GreenSparrow said:

@DirtyAl1173 said:

The Lauren Ober incident?

I must've missed that one.

http://7d.blogs.com/blurt/2011/09/here-for-phish-how-about-you-lend-a-phreaking-hand.html

Thanks @GreenSparrow and @Johnnyd. After reading that I do vaguely remember that. What better way to encourage someone to help you out than to insult and guilt them? Kudos to creative writing!

I'm surprised we don't see her face in the Phish Memes threads.

I suspect that most people who claim to "hate" Phish haven't given them a fair and honest listen... it's more of a fashion statement. (Some might even be 'closet' phans!) The kind of people who get their lulz casting stones at what they don't understand, and who choose to avoid things based solely on social stigmas, probably aren't the sort that would be able to appreciate Phish the way I do, and it's not the end of the world if they stay home and leave more tix for the rest of us. Phish does not need Vice mag to promote their tours, and we do not need the approval of Vice's writers/readers to enjoy them. I think it's cool that these 'hipsters' are taught to stay away from Phish shows, and I think it's totally cool that they obey. It's no skin of my buttcheeks.

Then there are those who simply don't get off on improvisational/instrumental music, or just don't have a taste for Phish. As we all know, it's not for everyone! I don't personally understand it, but I can respect it. I have some friends who never liked Phish despite repeated exposure, and they tend to be more reasonable/informed in their arguments... rather than resorting to tired and unoriginal insults and gross generalizations based on zero personal experience. Just once I'd like to see one of these Phish-bashing articles make a well-reasoned argument, or at least demonstrate some actual knowledge/research on the subject. But of course, that wouldn't be as sensational or entertaining!

Ben Shapiro is IMO just another self-serving hack writer trying to draw attention to his uninspired work. Like Dick Corvette. (I still LOL at his pen name). These guys are hardly worthy of our collective ire.

(Just my 0.02 USD.)