Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Mebloggin Asks: What do I think about local bloggers.
Mebloggin asked for my opinion of local bloggers. I answered, but with trepidation. Here is my take on a few bloggers-
- Ed Cone, Lex Alexander are experienced, professional writers and all of us should pay attention when they correct us. What I appreciate about both of them is that they will stay with an argument to its end- and they have moderately thick skin.
- I've written about this before- Ed's site and Greensboro101 are my favorites.
- My take on Lex is that he is smart, too defensive and absolutely hates being labeled.
- Hoggard, Joel Gillespie, Guarino and Joe Killian are great writers and extremely smart. They go out of their way not to offend people they dissagree with.
- Beth (Greensboring) is - I think- as creative and humorous as many national bloggers. You only cross swords with her when you have to.
- There are 2 resident geniuses- Dark Moon and Potato Stew at Plead The First. PS is always inquisitive, respectful and enlightning. DM is extremely observant and direct. Both of these bloggers' fate is sealed. They will be turned away from the Dark Side.
- Sue is smart and cynical. She never concedes. I read her blog because I think she has captured the pulse of the left.
- Mr. Sun kicked me off his site because I told him if he spoke to my teenage daughter like he wrote about proms, I'd kick his ass. He failed to grasp my humor, but his site is truly on a national level- beyondanyone here in Greensboro. He just hates to be criticized.
- Chewie and Patrick Eakes have been off the radar for a long time, blogging very little. Patrick runs his own business and is busy being a husband, Dad and community leader. Patrick has an uncanny talent for picking winners in Golf. I think Chewie travels alot- don't know for sure. Chewie seems to have a big heart, great taste in cars, but when she is repectfully challenged she is quick to take offense. But both have extremely thin skin and are quick to insult people who disagree with them.
- Cara Michelle- don't read her blog if you don't want to be challenged. She's a peacemaker on other sites and no one is more helpful to others.
- Bubba is someone I totally agree with- and I cannot wait to meet him- based on his Bio.
- Fecund is all over the map on every issue. He's quick to anger, but he is really funny, honest and a fun read. Like Bubba, I look forward to meeting him.
- Sam, the young student is really a remarkable read.
- Matt Comer is a genuine leader.
- One really unfair and trite method of argument many Greensboro bloggers employ in debate is to ignore the subject matter and -in the most condescending manner- point out spelling errors and misuse of words or factual errors unrelated to the point of the argument. In contrast, Cara Michelle will politely point out a misspelling and goes overboard not to belittle the culprit. Ed and Lex may be blunt- "words have meaning"- but they do it in a challenging manner rather than a humiliating one.
- Hope I haven't left anyone out. There are alot of commenters (like Spagnolia and Mebloggin) that add as much as most bloggs. I miss Wharton- though I'm glad he is still around.
- Where is your blog, Mebloggin?
- UPDATE:- Dr. Mary Johnson, Hraka and Caserta are on my must read list.
Comments:
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Interesting take. I agree with some, disagree with others.
One thing I strongly disagree with is when you say that correcting factual errors is trite and unfair. I agree that correcting spelling, punctuation, syntax errors can be considered trite. Those things are pet peeves with me. I admit I make those mistakes. We all make typos (Except Lex and Ed.) But FACTUAL errors are another thing. If you can't get basic facts correct, how can you support an argument? Worse still are those who say the facts don't matter, OR represent something as fact which isn't.
Facts matter.
One thing I strongly disagree with is when you say that correcting factual errors is trite and unfair. I agree that correcting spelling, punctuation, syntax errors can be considered trite. Those things are pet peeves with me. I admit I make those mistakes. We all make typos (Except Lex and Ed.) But FACTUAL errors are another thing. If you can't get basic facts correct, how can you support an argument? Worse still are those who say the facts don't matter, OR represent something as fact which isn't.
Facts matter.
WHAT! I'm turned away from the Dark Side??? MAN. That's totally the much cooler side. I mean heck. You get to carry a RED lightsaber. And totally make people fly through the air. And get way cooler robes.
I'm so disappointed. :p
I'm so disappointed. :p
JW- We do agree about facts. I'm talking about something like me saying the GGO was played 2 weeks before the Masters instead of 1 week before. It is an error and should be corrected- but the error did not detract from the point that was being made.
When we make an error- including spelling- point it out- but you should not do it in an insulting manner.
When we make an error- including spelling- point it out- but you should not do it in an insulting manner.
Certainly should one be inclined to correct certain mistakes, it should be done in a civil manner. However, there are those who wouldn't consider it civil, no matter how it was said. Civility is important to me.
THAT being said, you really told someone, on YOUR blog or in some comments, that you would "kick his ass?"
THAT being said, you really told someone, on YOUR blog or in some comments, that you would "kick his ass?"
I wsa born under the same curse as our friend "Fecund Stench." Mr. Sun's piece on Proms came out the same week of my daughter's prom. It is one of his or anyone's funniest entries of all time. There is an undertone in it that mocks kids who are straight and still have a good time- so I did- on his site -tell him if he talked to my daughter like that I'd kick his ass. I was trying to be funny, harsh, but funny- so he banned me forever and ever. Its a good example of my earlier works.
I've done worse, but I have tried to reform.
I've done worse, but I have tried to reform.
Chip,
Thanks for the thoughts. A few that you described I have not read...but will.
I think it is fascinating that some reporter's story somewhere becomes a blogger's FACTS.
I may create a blog later but for now I like learning from others and trying to add content from time to time. I agree that correcting typos and getting crappy about structure is silly....unless of course the same folks correct others face to face. (they probably don't due the "kick his ass" probability) Of course a great response to such a challenge/threat is ...Pack a lunch for both of us as you are gonna be here for hours...smile
It would surprise me if you would write like that today as I note that your communication style has changed. (for the better)
thanks again,
meblogin
Thanks for the thoughts. A few that you described I have not read...but will.
I think it is fascinating that some reporter's story somewhere becomes a blogger's FACTS.
I may create a blog later but for now I like learning from others and trying to add content from time to time. I agree that correcting typos and getting crappy about structure is silly....unless of course the same folks correct others face to face. (they probably don't due the "kick his ass" probability) Of course a great response to such a challenge/threat is ...Pack a lunch for both of us as you are gonna be here for hours...smile
It would surprise me if you would write like that today as I note that your communication style has changed. (for the better)
thanks again,
meblogin
i know alot of the folks- even you. (if you are the poet.) sorry i left you out.
Everone knows rude and mean when they see it. I suppose you are frustrated I haven't come to the meet-ups enough....
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Everone knows rude and mean when they see it. I suppose you are frustrated I haven't come to the meet-ups enough....
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