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July 28, 2008
To the Editor:
First to definitions: In my opinion, News from Cornwall & Cornwall-on-Hudson is—by virtue of its title as well as the broad scope and consistent high quality of its informational content—not a blog, but rather is a web-delivered Journal…the equivalent of a newspaper on the internet.
Its reporting is straight forward and does not deal with innuendo, rumor-mongering or the sort of sometimes salacious material associated with traditional or modern yellow-journalism.
To repeat my point: News From Cornwall & Cornwall-on-Hudson Is not a blog.
Yet even in that free-wheeling, wild west arena of information and mis-information there’s a revolution brewing that involves personal responsibility.
One of the most recent writings on that front comes from Lev Grossman’s ‘Nerd World’ column in TIME Magazine (July 21,’08). Titled ‘Post Apocalypse’, Grossman quotes the author of a Seattle blog, who quit because she couldn’t stand the comments people were making on her post. In her sign-off she said, ‘The word I would use is cruel.’
Grossman reminds us in his TIME piece that the so-called humble comment is, in theory, a great thing…but the reality is that commenting either attracts loathsome people or somehow causes ordinary people to express themselves in a way that is loathsome.
As an example, Grossman refers to a YouTube video called My New Gerbil, where the first comment was: ‘sweet’, but by comment #4 had turned south: ‘id hit it’. After a week: ‘Kill yourself fast’, and so on.
Writes Grossman in TIME: The horribleness of commenters isn’t really a mystery: internet anonymity is disinhibiting, and people are basically mean anyway. Nor is it any mystery why people who run websites put up with commenters: the economic model for internet content is based on advertising which means it’s based on traffic volume, and comments mean traffic.
What is more, says TIME’s Grossman: Commenters tend to respond with surprise—they’re shocked, shocked!—when people call them on being not nice. In their social universe, this kind of rhetorical slap-fighting is just how you do business, and anybody who feels otherwise is thin-skinned and humorless.
Lev Grossman thinks that sometime in the future, we may all be on the same page, but for now, he makes it clear he opposes web-anonymous comments to blogs.
And to reiterate, News from Cornwall & Cornwall-on-Hudson is not a blog.
Sincerely,
Lee Murphy
Cornwall-on-Hudson
Editor’s Note: Even before this letter arrived in my in-box, the decision had been taken to require people to identify themselves by their real names when posting a comment and a blog. The new requirement should be in place within a month.
Once in place, community members are still welcome to discuss the issues, but with identities revealed to encourage a more open debate.
Comments:
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YAY! I get to be the first one to comment. First off let me say, this is Cornwall. A "comment" we are all used to locals spewing out and many people get sick of hearing. I grew up here. One thing that gets teenagers sick of, that makes young people move away, and then later in life makes many of us move back is the same thing. This is Cornwall. We are all up in each others business and people dont need to blog or comment on websites in this town - they are frequently unkind in person. I have been outspoken about the honking and my opposition to it. I wrote a letter to the mayor about it and he asked me to write one to the Local, I am hesitant to do so. I am 28 years old. I grew up here and I would like to raise kids here, and yes if my children are interested that might mean I would have them in little league. I have been wary of coming out personally against the honking because I dont want children that are not even conceived yet to be targeted years from now because I am outspoken. Any yes, this is Cornwall, I can very well see that happening. I think I signed one post with my name, so anyone paying attention could know who I am. However, I really like the ability to say what I like and have a pen name as my signature. The fact is this is a small town, if you are really going to get involved with someone you probably know their screen name. I have seen a lot of petty bickering on this website, but no more than I have ever seen happen in person as I was growing up in pre-internet Cornwall. At least this is a forum where we can have our differences and have them out and then meet at the local deli and be friendly, unaware of this petty bickering.
Melissa Vellone
posted by gump3b on 07/28/08 at 9:09 AM
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I believe the Editor's decision to require real names demonstrates a commitment to real journalistic integrity. Thank you.
posted by Howard Protter on 07/28/08 at 11:41 AM
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I concur with Messrs. Murphy and Protter about the requirement that letters to the Editor identify the writer. Blogs are different and are not the stuff of high quality journalism, to which this on-line paper aspires. When in doubt, check the New York Times' or Wall Street Journal's practices; both require proper ID.
Kirkpatrick MacDonald
posted by Supporter on 07/28/08 at 1:38 PM
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I think this is absolutley the right decision to make-
Tricia Haggerty Wenz
posted by Tricia H Wenz on 07/28/08 at 1:53 PM
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If one is truly convicted in his or her beliefs, and have the inspiration to write a letter, why bother to hide behind a moniker?
Thank you Lee.
posted by KrisSeiz on 07/28/08 at 4:43 PM
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I don't know, King o' D., shouldn't there be some minimum standard of wit (that way I can keep posting)or word play? I love a spirited argument, even a ridiculous one, but trash talking and name calling are out. Tha's my vote. KATE BENSON
posted by kate benson on 08/20/08 at 8:41 PM
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Anyone should be able to post UNTIL they start using name calling as part of their post - there is no reason for that!
posted by DP on 08/21/08 at 12:02 PM
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Ah-haaaa! Here is the conundrum of cyber posting; we gain ease of commentary, rapidity of response, and variety of opinion. We lose tone of voice, subtle nuance and facial expression, and to some extent, meaning and accountability. I was not implying that King o'D. was trash talking, you inferred that. I was referrring to the folks on various other posts that engage in name calling and such. (Although, I absolutely refuse to rescind my use of the term "pencil head" in reference to the guy trying to dial his cell phone while rolling through the stop sign at a three way intersection.)
posted by kate benson on 08/24/08 at 11:15 PM
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