Comments on: Zoe Williams http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/ June 2000 to June 2010 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 21:48:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Caren http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3846 Caren Sat, 15 Apr 2006 16:30:49 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3846 Usually I skip over her work, but I thought her last column, Conservative to the Core (Guardian 14th April), was concise, well written, true and needing to be said. I will be reading her column in the future, even on those days when she isn't as on the ball as that. Let's hope that it is the start of some really well considered careful journalism. Usually I skip over her work, but I thought her last column, Conservative to the Core (Guardian 14th April), was concise, well written, true and needing to be said. I will be reading her column in the future, even on those days when she isn’t as on the ball as that. Let’s hope that it is the start of some really well considered careful journalism.

]]> By: Robert http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3845 Robert Wed, 15 Mar 2006 22:27:24 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3845 Jon Ronson's more idiosycratic. He has that kind of faux-naif understated technique of giving interviewees enough rope to dig their own graves, and indeed shoot themselves in the foot, which I think was pioneered by Sue Arnold in the Observer in the early 80s. His style is self-consciously astringent yet disarming, and I find him almost, but not quite, irritatingly disingenuous, and in the end he charms me. I'm in the pro-Zoe camp. I noticed her stuff and remembered to remember her name when she used to contribute to the Evening Standard. I find her witty, clear-headed and un-dumbed-down. Head and shoulders above most columnists. Jon Ronson’s more idiosycratic. He has that kind of faux-naif understated technique of giving interviewees enough rope to dig their own graves, and indeed shoot themselves in the foot, which I think was pioneered by Sue Arnold in the Observer in the early 80s. His style is self-consciously astringent yet disarming, and I find him almost, but not quite, irritatingly disingenuous, and in the end he charms me.
I’m in the pro-Zoe camp. I noticed her stuff and remembered to remember her name when she used to contribute to the Evening Standard. I find her witty, clear-headed and un-dumbed-down. Head and shoulders above most columnists.

]]> By: Jez http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3844 Jez Thu, 10 Nov 2005 19:10:01 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3844 Jon Ronson is absolutely not the equivalent of Zoe Williams. He's funny, for a start, and clever. I'd hate to think with Zoe Williams would come up with if charged with interviewing Jonathan King following his conviction, or Omar Bakri Muhammed. Jon Ronson is absolutely not the equivalent of Zoe Williams. He’s funny, for a start, and clever. I’d hate to think with Zoe Williams would come up with if charged with interviewing Jonathan King following his conviction, or Omar Bakri Muhammed.

]]> By: wunderwoman http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3843 wunderwoman Thu, 10 Nov 2005 14:47:07 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3843 Bit late catching up with this - but totally agree with Jonathan - whichever Jonathan it is - about Alexander Chancellor. What a total waste of space, and he's been there for ever. Also don't rate Jon Ronson - I suppose you could say he's the male equivalent of Zoe Williams. The answer? Ignore them, don't read them. The fact that Jez is obviously compelled to read Zoe W. in spite of what he feels about the content, says something about her skills! Force for evil? Definitely not. Bit late catching up with this – but totally agree with Jonathan – whichever Jonathan it is – about Alexander Chancellor. What a total waste of space, and he’s been there for ever. Also don’t rate Jon Ronson – I suppose you could say he’s the male equivalent of Zoe Williams. The answer? Ignore them, don’t read them. The fact that Jez is obviously compelled to read Zoe W. in spite of what he feels about the content, says something about her skills! Force for evil? Definitely not.

]]> By: Pete Ashton http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3842 Pete Ashton Sat, 05 Nov 2005 01:09:27 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3842 She wrote a novel? How come nothing comes up on <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books-uk&field-keywords=zoe%20williams/ref=xs_ap_l_xgl/202-3641781-3370269" rel="nofollow">Amazon</a>? Maybe it really was that bad... Then again most columnists have bashed out a dodgy chick-fic novel or two in their time. Jenny Colgen is a classic - shite novels, quite entertaining columns. Go figure... She wrote a novel? How come nothing comes up on Amazon? Maybe it really was that bad…

Then again most columnists have bashed out a dodgy chick-fic novel or two in their time. Jenny Colgen is a classic – shite novels, quite entertaining columns. Go figure…

]]> By: Mardou http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3841 Mardou Sat, 05 Nov 2005 00:18:50 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3841 I don't read the papers so I don't know about her column, but her novel was DIRE! I don’t read the papers so I don’t know about her column, but her novel was DIRE!

]]> By: Pete Ashton http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3840 Pete Ashton Thu, 27 Oct 2005 22:32:28 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3840 What tidy up that bit about buying the Daily Mail? Surely some mistake! What tidy up that bit about buying the Daily Mail? Surely some mistake!

]]> By: Jim http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3839 Jim Thu, 27 Oct 2005 22:23:13 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3839 Now I'm double posting. Trebles all round! Now I’m double posting. Trebles all round!

]]> By: Jim http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3838 Jim Thu, 27 Oct 2005 22:22:08 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3838 Oh dear, can someone tidy up that last post for me- I''m off to my Pilates class. Oh dear, can someone tidy up that last post for me- I”m off to my Pilates class.

]]> By: Jim http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3837 Jim Thu, 27 Oct 2005 22:20:24 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3837 Oh dear, can someone tidy up that last post for me- I''m off to my Pilates class. Oh dear, can someone tidy up that last post for me- I”m off to my Pilates class.

]]> By: Jim http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3836 Jim Thu, 27 Oct 2005 22:15:41 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3836 I know this is off topic, but I cannot stand when columnists use what they think are and cool expressions like " natch" which I think is short for "naturally". Example: " the useless Simon flaked out on the sofa- natch." I think "natch" has gone out of fashion now, thank christ, but theres bound to be some other zietgiesty word doing the rounds. That's why i buy the Daily Mail, to avoid these snooty Notting Hill types. You know where you are with the Mail. I know this is off topic, but I cannot stand when columnists use what they think are and cool expressions like ” natch” which I think is short for “naturally”. Example: ” the useless Simon flaked out on the sofa- natch.” I think “natch” has gone out of fashion now, thank christ, but theres bound to be some other zietgiesty word doing the rounds. That’s why i buy the Daily Mail, to avoid these snooty Notting Hill types.
You know where you are with the Mail.

]]> By: Jonathan http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3835 Jonathan Thu, 27 Oct 2005 03:10:35 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3835 Oh! Two consecutive Jonathans in the comments box! Well that was bound to happen sometime- we both seem to frequent some of the same places. Well it couldn't have happened in a more fitting place than a discussion of the merits of Guardian columnists. So to clarify- this is Jonathan from Crinklybee here by the way not Jonathan from Assistant- regards to my Brighton namesake! Oh! Two consecutive Jonathans in the comments box! Well that was bound to happen sometime- we both seem to frequent some of the same places. Well it couldn’t have happened in a more fitting place than a discussion of the merits of Guardian columnists. So to clarify- this is Jonathan from Crinklybee here by the way not Jonathan from Assistant- regards to my Brighton namesake!

]]> By: Jonathan http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3834 Jonathan Thu, 27 Oct 2005 03:04:15 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3834 Hmmm. Well I wasn't entirely sure which one Zoe Williams was so have just unearthed last Saturday's Weekend Section to see... ah, yes, she is the one who used to do those 'Things You Only Know If You Work From Home' isn't she? I used to find those mildly entertaining- but now she seems to be sharing a page with Alexandor Chancellor, and has more of a free rein. Let's see now... this week's is about the evils of networking and contains the arresting insight that 'the parties most closely associated with work- office ones- are those at which everyone acts with least regard to their careers'. You know what? I think this is very good- closely argued and witty-so a thumbs up from me for Zoe. Now Alexander Challencor by the way I do find pompous, unoriginal and lumbering. I know he's supposed to be representing the older generation but he seems out of place to me in the Guardian and would be better off in the Telegraph or even the Daily Express. Does anyone else agree? Hmmm. Well I wasn’t entirely sure which one Zoe Williams was so have just unearthed last Saturday’s Weekend Section to see… ah, yes, she is the one who used to do those ‘Things You Only Know If You Work From Home’ isn’t she? I used to find those mildly entertaining- but now she seems to be sharing a page with Alexandor Chancellor, and has more of a free rein. Let’s see now… this week’s is about the evils of networking and contains the arresting insight that ‘the parties most closely associated with work- office ones- are those at which everyone acts with least regard to their careers’. You know what? I think this is very good- closely argued and witty-so a thumbs up from me for Zoe.

Now Alexander Challencor by the way I do find pompous, unoriginal and lumbering. I know he’s supposed to be representing the older generation but he seems out of place to me in the Guardian and would be better off in the Telegraph or even the Daily Express. Does anyone else agree?

]]> By: jonathan http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3833 jonathan Wed, 26 Oct 2005 16:20:50 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3833 I like her a lot; when she initially started I was unsure about her, and she's one of those writers who doesn't <em>always</em> have something to say, but she's a good read and has grown on me a lot. Which is the point of columnists incidentally. The answer as to why we should read them is because over time we get to know them and start to feel interested in their opinions. If I pick up an Independent or a Times and read the columnists I often don't get very far because I don't follow them regularly. But the job of a columnist is to build up a rapport with the readers - which most of the Guardian writers do, in my experience - and that in itself makes them interesting, so long as they succeed. I think Zoe Williams is someone who does. I like her a lot; when she initially started I was unsure about her, and she’s one of those writers who doesn’t always have something to say, but she’s a good read and has grown on me a lot.

Which is the point of columnists incidentally. The answer as to why we should read them is because over time we get to know them and start to feel interested in their opinions. If I pick up an Independent or a Times and read the columnists I often don’t get very far because I don’t follow them regularly.

But the job of a columnist is to build up a rapport with the readers – which most of the Guardian writers do, in my experience – and that in itself makes them interesting, so long as they succeed. I think Zoe Williams is someone who does.

]]> By: SM http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3832 SM Wed, 26 Oct 2005 14:13:57 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3832 Can't stand her. Can’t stand her.

]]> By: mooncat http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3831 mooncat Wed, 26 Oct 2005 14:05:06 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3831 <blockquote><i>matt b said:</i> also can someone explain why columnists are there? I don't understand... Who are they? Why should we read their opinions</blockquote> I always though they were there to provide gigs for illustrators

matt b said:
also can someone explain why columnists are there? I don’t understand… Who are they? Why should we read their opinions

I always though they were there to provide gigs for illustrators

]]> By: Jez http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3830 Jez Wed, 26 Oct 2005 06:39:22 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3830 I've never said she was a force for evil. She's just not fucking funny. Ever. Which is a major flaw in someone who's job it is to write humour filler items. And she lacks any kind of insight. And she's up herself. And logically inconsistent. OK, maybe she is a force for evil. I’ve never said she was a force for evil. She’s just not fucking funny. Ever. Which is a major flaw in someone who’s job it is to write humour filler items. And she lacks any kind of insight. And she’s up herself. And logically inconsistent. OK, maybe she is a force for evil.

]]> By: Anonymous http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3829 Anonymous Wed, 26 Oct 2005 06:13:15 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3829 She's shit. She’s shit.

]]> By: Pete Ashton http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3828 Pete Ashton Wed, 26 Oct 2005 04:44:35 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3828 There what we had before we had A-list bloggers. Same applies. There what we had before we had A-list bloggers. Same applies.

]]> By: matt b http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/comment-page-1/#comment-3827 matt b Wed, 26 Oct 2005 04:36:36 +0000 http://peteashton.com/2005/10/zoe_williams/#comment-3827 also can someone explain why columnists are there? I don't understand... Who are they? Why should we read their opinions? also can someone explain why columnists are there? I don’t understand… Who are they? Why should we read their opinions?

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