Mathew's comments - Latest Comments in Bloggers need to try even harder

Re: Bloggers need to try even harder

mathewi — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:45:02 -0000

A fair point, Daniel.

Re: Bloggers need to try even harder

Daniel Gibbons — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:42:07 -0000

There are different kinds of balance -- portraying an accurate story vs. giving equal weight to opposing opinions even though one is much stronger than the other. For example, if an author is writing about evolution, the last thing I want is for the opinions of creationists to be given equal weight to the facts presented by credible scientists.

Re: Bloggers need to try even harder

mathewi — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:41:10 -0000

I guess you're just a glutton for punishment, Mike :-)

Re: Bloggers need to try even harder

ianbetteridge — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:37:27 -0000

Mike's comment about not caring about balance is both hypocritical and telling. On one hand, he's flaming Fred - and insisting on an apology - because Fred didn't call his writers and get their side of the story. On the other hand, he's saying he doesn't care about balance in his own work. How does that work again?

Re: Bloggers need to try even harder

JoeDuck — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 09:01:32 -0000

Hey, I like Mike!

But he seemed to overreact to this as you suggest here. Fred's basic points were valid and I didn't read his post as some sort of personal attack, rather an open question about journalistic standards with examples that could have been chosen more carefully.

Re: Bloggers need to try even harder

michael arrington — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 06:54:13 -0000

I overdid it? Watch out, you're next.

kidding, kidding.

why do i always comment here? Your audience hates me.

Re: Bloggers need to try even harder

ericrice — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:41:59 -0000

I thought our culture was moving towards 140 characters or less sound bytes? ;)

Re: Bloggers need to try even harder

mathewi — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:15:02 -0000

It's a deal -- sesame seed is my favourite :-)

Re: Bloggers need to try even harder

allen stern — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:54:05 -0000

i'd certainly love it Mathew... and if it happens I will fedex you a dozen bagels :)

Re: Bloggers need to try even harder

Daniel Gibbons — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:34:14 -0000

Not at all -- I actually meant it was unfair of Fred Wilson to single them out. I thought your post was bang on.

Re: Bloggers need to try even harder

mathewi — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:17:01 -0000

I agree, Daniel. And I hope my post doesn't come across as picking on
Matt or Erick, because I think they are both great bloggers, and in
fact are good examples of how much "journabloggers" can bring to the
table.

Re: Bloggers need to try even harder

Daniel Gibbons — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:11:34 -0000

Seems a little unfair to single out Matt and Erick, both of whom have a history of writing pretty insightful and newsworthy stuff. The two posts that annoyed me most recently for their lack of research, insight or accuracy were the Techcrunch piece about the "evidence" showing Yahoo users are poorer than Google's, and the one on CenterNetworks aimlessly speculating about the link between teen suicide and social networks. Those seem like much better examples of sensationalist link baiting.

Re: Bloggers need to try even harder

Chris R — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:07:39 -0000

Good points to bring up, Mathew. I like constructive criticism and it's great that writers are trying to call out other writers, if anything, to improve their craft.

Re: Bloggers need to try even harder

mathewi — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 22:56:02 -0000

I know that kind of thing happens, Allen, but I think (or would like
to believe) that if it happens enough it will drive people away and
other sites will take their place.

Re: Bloggers need to try even harder

allen stern — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:57:06 -0000

the true question is here is whether anyone gives a shit if the story is true, factually accurate or not. some sites still receive new inbounds in any case. And frankly, I (sadly) disagree with Mr. Hodson - though I'd love to see it happen.