Open Letter to “The Committee”
Hey dude,
How you doing?
In case you haven’t noticed, the internet is an awful big place.
And by big, I mean *REALLY REALLY REALLY* big. Actually, string another 50000 *REALLY*’s and you may get a small idea of how big it really really is. Really.
It is big enough so that everyone can find something fun and cheerful, interesting, provocative, and engaging to read. Something so big that everyone who has a will to deliver their thoughts and opinions on line should be able to do so. Something for which if you don’t like what you see, you can quite easily *go* *somewhere* *else*.
Now, while I and perhaps some of the other SF Metbloggers find your intense and frequent criticism and feedback borderline creepy, but flattering for the passion and attention with which you deliver such feedback, it’s … getting towards that last nerve.
This does not mean that we don’t appreciate or like the attention that our readers provide us with. On the contrary. Many of us quite enjoy it as it provides an opportunity for dialogue and discussion, and an opportunity to be challenged and to learn as well. This is why we’re writers and bloggers. We like writing. We like being read. We like people. We love our city of SF and are doing our damndest to give you a peep into why we love it.
There are plenty of other great sites that give this kind of perspective as well beyond just our metblogs.
Try out SFist or Friscosity for other perspectives. Or maybe you’ll just find a few favorites among the SF Bay Area Bloggers linkpool. You’re a smart kid, you can figure it out yourself, I’m sure. Maybe those writers will be more to your liking.
One thing of point:
It’s not my job to be your personal tour guide into SF. I don’t *owe* you anything. Re: Annie Lin’s, Goh Nakamura, and Kris Racer’s performance this weekend, links are provided so you can read up on those artists, reviews, and mp3’s YOURSELF. That’s kinda… that whole fun thing about links and stuff from that Really Really Really big internet thing.
Ahhh, and also …frankly, based on your inflamatory and inconsiderate/inconsistant behavior in posting and directing commentary online here, it makes me want to almost *avoid* promoting some of my favorite venues and spots in case *you* decide to crash it and ruin it for me. Now ain’t that a stinker.
Cheers,
MJ
Any reason there’s no linkage for SFist or Friscosity? Yes, I could google them, but I have never heard of them, and links would have been a great addition here.
:)
I can understand your frustration with some of the critical comments here… but I have to assume even the folks at gothamist or gawker receive lots of snarky comments/corrections/etc., but they seem to roll with it. Everyone’s a critic on the internet — I wouldn’t get too upset about, or get into prolonged back-and-forth with the cranky readers. Cheers.
Links fixed. Thank you.
Jackson West, EssEffist editor here. First, thanks for the link – although I’m worried this jerk is just going to end up harassing me! Second, I like the blog, and you guys were the first on the block, so I extend my proper respects.
Just wanted to point out that you can have a lot of fun with this DB’s IP address. I checked the blogware users manual, and you can go ahead and block the comment on the IP level. I assume you can also block it based on the user account. Don’t bother trying to reason with these people – if they have nothing better to do than annoy unpaid bloggers, they are probably crazy and it’s better to just lock them.
Also, do a ‘whois’ search on the IP, which should come up with a company name. Then click the company to see if you can come up with a domain, address, etc. Take the name and google it, too. Sometimes this isn’t so helpful, but other times it can totally nail people. Also, if you can get access to your server or blog logs, check the IP they created their account with, and if the comments come from one IP all the time (probably writing in from work), from different but similar IPs (probably has a modem) or completely different IPs (probably commenting from multiple locations). I’d be really happy to help.
Lovin’ SF,
Jackson
Actually, I went back over the comments from The Committee and found them fairly interesting, and I thought his suggestions (or her) were useful and relevant. At least somebody is making some comments on this blog. Otherwise, it’s just a one-way conversation.
I need to get a username and password, but you can check (if you want) my blog at http://friskodude.blogspot.com
Thanks for keeping me up with some of the more unusual events in town, and sorry I missed that reception for the Moveable Type guys.