The Steve Hirschhorn Saga.
Another twist of fate, I joined a group on Facebook called ‘Research into Language Education’ and had a difference of opinion with someone called Steve Hirschhorn who told me he was the external for the EFL board at the University. This was something which did not exist when I was there as far as I am aware.
He turned out to be another person who runs away having personally insulted someone. A very strange coincidence. Will make a nice story to tell. What is it about the character of some human beings that they find it impossible to agree to disagree and resort to arrogant personal insult and apply the act of belittling someone by implying they are not worthy of their time and attention.
What is it about so many human beings, when given a certain level of power they take pleasure in abusing the power to satisfy their over inflated ego.
This is a fun story because in some ways it epitomises a regular type of interaction on internet social media groups and the level of arrogance linked to actions of cowardice which is displayed by so many. It also includes a communication with the group owner.
In this case a thread was started, as already stated, in a group I had joined called ‘Research into Language Education’. Cannot remember exactly the title however it was about aspects of teaching and teachers, which people were expressing their opinions both positive and negative and as such it inspired me to post the link to the Dellar website.
This Steve Hirschhorn, an apparent Group Expert, who I had never met or even knew about had posted some very negative comments about other people’s posts including my own to which I had replied comprehensively, defending others plus my own post.
As a result of this instead of replying on Facebook, he deleted his post thereby deleting my comment and any other posters responses and instead sent me a personal message.
“Hi Russell, I am writing to you in the spirit of old acquaintanceship! You might recall but I was the external for the EFL Board at Westminster around the mid 2000s so I know all the personalities involved with your case against HD. In fact I’m still in touch with Ken and Caroline. I am truly sorry that you have been the victim of bullying; you see I have little doubt that what you allege is true but I do think that the methods you are using to bring attention to the case might be better directed. Just my view. I imagine that most people don’t have the time nor patience to read the lengthy and (forgive me) somewhat rambling texts you present. I think you would do better to stick to the facts, summarise what you have and perhaps leave the longer version(s) where anyone can reach them if they feel the need for more detail. I offer this in the hope that you’ll be able to focus on a more effective way to achieve whatever it is you want to achieve with this case. By the way your attack on me was completely uncalled for, my comments about jealousy and showing off were nothing to do with you but addressed to other member of the group who had complained about colleagues, Since you had responded rather aggressively and in the wrong place, I deleted my post and rewrote it. Hope that is clear. Not about censorship but about appropriacy. I hope this message will help you to clarify in your own mind what you need to focus on.
incidentally, imo, a legal route might be worth considering."
I REPLIED:
Not quite sure how to reply to this. First I have no idea who you are re the University since there was no EFL board in existence during my time and as far as I am aware we have never met. I find it a little strange you say in one sentence you have little doubt what I say is true and in another you say I have a legal case and in other sentences attack my actions in dealing with the latest developments and make derogatory statements about the style of my writing. What you see on the website is a summary of 5years of bullying and I have twice as much material I had gone through in designing the site. I have to say I find its somewhat insulting to criticise my actions when you know nothing about the situation. If you think I did not consider the length and structure of the site you again know nothing about me. Do you criticise books you read which describe i9n great detail as rambling? Attacking total strangers is not the best way to influence them. My way, in the circumstances which I have knowledge of are both efficient and effective and are definitely achieving even more than I hoped it would. As for what you characterise as an attack on you was created in the same tone you used in your comment. Sadly I cannot prove this since you disgracefully deleted it by devious means. It was also not the wrong place. It is not your place to decide on how and what people decide is the best way to respond. Time to respect other people’s actions and thoughts and not arrogantly censoring them. You are acting in the manner of Dellar. I also have knowledge which you are not aware of which enables me to analyse language in a manner unavailable to others. Sorry I have been so negative however I am only responding using the same level of aggressive language you have used. Unlike you I would never deliberately find a way to delete someone’s negative comments about my opinions, I would respect and respond to them. Do you deserve this response, I believe so and I also believe you owe me an apology for your actions and Emotionally negatively driven comments. I think you will find my comments are all based on Factual Reality as opposed to the Emotional Realities you have constructed without the knowledge to justify them. More ramblings????
HIRSCHHORN REPLIED:
Ok, wat a waste of time that was. Let’s leave it therre. I tried and failed. Arrivederci.
I HAVE LEFT THE SPELLING MISTAKES HIRSCHHORN MADE IN THIS LAST MESSAGE, WAS HE SEETHING WITH ANGER? :-) HE THEN BLOCKED ME MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO SEE HIS POSTS OR RESPOND. OF COURSE THERE ARE WAYS ROUND THIS AND I MADE IT CLEAR I WAS READING HIS POSTS BY POSTING AMUSING COMMENTS. :-) THIS RESULTED IN ME BEING THROWN OUT OF THE GROUP SINCE AS A 'GROUP EXPERT' HE HAD A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GROUP OWNER, WHO IT SEEMS IS ONLY INTERESTED IN ‘RESEARCH INTO LANGUAGE EDUCATION’ IF IT FITS INTO HIS BELIEFS. SADLY A PERFECT REFLECTION OF MUCH ACADEMIC DEBATE ON LINGUISTIC USAGE AND EDUCATION. BOTH ACTING DUE TO THEIR LACK OF EMOTIONAL CONTROL AND PRESUMABLY THE LACK OF FACTUAL REALITY JUSTIFYING THEIR SIDE.
CLASSIC CASE OF ARROGANCE
MY BACKGROUND IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION IS IN DIRECT TEACHING OF EFL TO ADULTS AND ON ODD OCCASIONS CHILDREN FOR 45 YEARS PLUS LIVING WITH AN EYFS TEACHER HERE IN THE UK, WHO WRITES CURRICULUMS AT AN OUTSTANDING OFSTED SCHOOL FOR A NUMBER OF SUBJECTS.
WE BOTH AGREE, ALL SUBJECTS BEING TAUGHT TO YOUNGER MOTHER TONGUE LEARNERS INVOLVE THE LEARNING OF NEW LINGUISTIC TERMS IN ORDER TO ABSORB NEW CONCEPTS. WE ALSO AGREE THERE ARE THREE BASIC FORMS OF LANGAUGE EDUCATION.
LANGUAGE FOR LANGUAGE SAKE AND LANGUAGE FOR SUBJECT SAKE
LANGUAGE FOR KNOWLEDGE SAKE.