Update: The Escapist Needs Newsies!
- Thread starter Mike Kayatta
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You're right. Antagonizing you was both unprofessional childish, and I apologize for it. I'm sorry that I've written articles that you haven't found up to snuff, but I will do my best to keep honing my skills. If you find errors in my articles, please point them out, and I will endeavor to correct them.Monoochrom said:
Not to sound like an ass, but if you wanna be the better guy, why just not drop it? it's clear you disagree strongly with the way things are run around here. So why be here and why add fuel to this fire? It's really not making a difference; those who want to apply will apply (Like me) and those who share your point of view already left. Just check the past posts.Monoochrom said:
I don't know. That's just what I do when I see someone posting something I disagree with. I either wiggle my finger and move on because I couldn't care less or...I just ignore it. Because I couldn't care less. But I just don't see what you're expecting out of this. An apology? A change-of-ways from them? A removal of this thread? A pat on the shoulder? Or you're just sharing your opinion? Because if that's it, you made your point a couple of posts back. I really don't know.
Huh. I think I will give this a shot. Worse that can happen is that I don't hear anything I guess... *laughs*
Not to butt in, but... well, yeah, actually, butting in here:Monoochrom said:
Seems to me you're not interested in providing "feedback" to either of these guys -- at least not in any useful way. What you've provided is an insult (or at best a "complaint"). Yet then you feign surprise when they don't immediately rush to find out the justification behind your feelings?
You didn't present what they can do better, or even any specific grievance you have with how they do things now. You just said what basically amounts to, "You're not very good," and then make a pretty ballsy assumption about the inner financial workings of the publication itself.
You know what that sounds like from the outside? NOT the start of a "conversation," that's for sure. It sounds like someone who already thinks they know it all, and they're gonna tell you how it is... and that isn't much fun. That's, you know, the kind of person that doesn't really pay much attention to feedback...?
If I had some tips on how you could optimize your living room furniture arrangement, I could say, "Hey, here are some tips I have to blah blah blah." Uninvited? Sure. A little rude? Eh, "presuming" might be a better word. But it could start a conversation that leads to a productive conclusion.
Now, if I stomp into your living room uninvited and throw one of your chairs across the room and say, "This place sucks," how likely do you think we are to have a conversation? No matter how good my advice would have been, you're going to deal with my prickishness first -- because that's what I led with. I did not begin from a place of helpfulness, or with any manners whatsoever.
Just some, y'know, "feedback." Please consider.
Your initial comment wasn't criticism, it was just snark. There's a common fallacy that "professionalism" means turning the other cheek to insults and unjust criticism. My job is to inform and occasionally entertain you, not act as your personal punching bag.Monoochrom said:
YOU!Grey Carter said:
That's right, now I remember why I wanted more people on the news team. Unbiased, un-self-satisfied news-bringing. More people capable of bringing the facts and stories that interest the Escapist community as a WHOLE, in as much of an unbiased fashion as possible.
I'll consider it, but while I have the time, I don't think I have the skill. I guess I hold creating public opinion to be more sacred than others do...
I can think of a few people I know who might be interested in this. I'll send them the information and hopefully, whoever we get, they'll be what
we've all been hoping for.
Wow, I had no idea there was so much (that is, any) hostility towards content collation in general and Escapist news writers in particular. It's like going to Cracked.com and reading comments complaining that there are too many snarky list articles.
Anyway, it was super fun to rewrite this story; I love its sheer preposterousness. The cringe-worthy detail about social media pokemon was a particularly nice touch. Good luck to all the hopeful news writers, and particularly to the people (I HOPE it's not just Susan) who have to read the deluge of submissions next week!
EDIT: And about five minutes after sending the email, I've realized I forgot to include a link to the source. Curse my absent-mindedness!
Anyway, it was super fun to rewrite this story; I love its sheer preposterousness. The cringe-worthy detail about social media pokemon was a particularly nice touch. Good luck to all the hopeful news writers, and particularly to the people (I HOPE it's not just Susan) who have to read the deluge of submissions next week!
EDIT: And about five minutes after sending the email, I've realized I forgot to include a link to the source. Curse my absent-mindedness!
Lol. That was pretty funny and also fairly accurate.Racecarlock said:
Does that make it more funny or just sad?
I'd ask that you not confuse me with Grey, or any news writer, or Escapist staff. Now, if you're meaning that to indicate that I'm somehow "acting like a dick," I really have to question your judgement on the matter. I'd prefer instead to move on from that, and boil your post down to its constituent elements, as perceived from out here:Monoochrom said:
1. You seem to believe that being "the customer" shields you from any expectation of decorum. There's a reason such things are called common courtesy in many circles. I realize that, to someone with your outlook, appealing to manners really isn't going to do much, but here I go anyway: Being "the customer" doesn't entitle you to treat "the employees" like crap without any reprisal. They're people, and people tend not to like being insulted. But...
2. You seem to believe that what you said wasn't insulting. I could understand that perhaps you don't intend it that way, but by the phrasing you've used, it can only be properly understood in that way. If I call you a moron, but then insist that it's "accurate," would you accept that as not being an insult? The issue, again, is your phrasing. You weren't directing your comments at their work. You were directing your comments at them. It's a fine line in some cases, but critically important for clear communication.
3. It seems you don't feel criticism should be constructive. If criticism isn't in some way constructive, it's just bitching. If you're not going to specifically mention what you had a problem with, and recommend some type of solution, it's just plain ol' bitching. And while, yes, you can technically still label it "criticism," it's not useful in any way.
4. You seem to believe it's the best idea to open a dialog by firing a shot across the bow. If you really wanted anything to change, you'd want to ensure a successful conversation. Starting it out with that tone (and then claiming you'll only dial it back if the other side shows themselves willing to put up with that shit) doesn't accomplish that anywhere on the planet. Your approach is commonly referred to as "picking a fight."
If you're interested in seeing change, I think you could make it happen. Start a conversation about what you feel is going wrong. Express yourself clearly. And I bet that you wouldn't be willing to just roll over and give up the first time someone disagreed with you (evidenced here), so don't expect that of them, either. As long as you stick to attacking the problem and not the person, they'll be less apt to go on the defense.
Conversations can either be about solutions, or they can be about who's right and who's wrong. They can't be both, sorry.
(Also, you didn't really even give anyone the opportunity to "be a dick to you" before you evidently decided you weren't going to "be nice to them." That doesn't provide much incentive to trust your intentions, you know.)
Hi Monoocrom,Monoochrom said:
After your many posts in this thread, I think I finally understand your confusion. If you'd please reread my initial post, I asked that only talented, exceptional, and insightful writers apply to become newsies here. In fact, the only time I did describe the current news team, was with the adjectives "quirky" and "international". I'm sure you'd agree that any company looking to hire talent would call for the best to come forward. My post is no different.
This response is not meant to imply that I don't feel as though our writers are exceptional (because personally, I absolutely do), but that was not the content of the posting, as you have stated. I sincerely hope that clears all of this up. Thanks!
Just sent my entry in. Not a lot of confidence, but one can always hope.
EDIT: Just noticed that they will only be responding to people who are being offered jobs. Not to tell the Escapist how to do their jobs, but that seems a little...rude. Like a polite form rejection email would be appreciated.
EDIT: Just noticed that they will only be responding to people who are being offered jobs. Not to tell the Escapist how to do their jobs, but that seems a little...rude. Like a polite form rejection email would be appreciated.