on internet etiquette
A survey conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project back in 2006 estimated that 57 million Americans participate in the blogosphere (I hate that word, btw) in some fashion. This growing trend has everyone in “old media” all in a tizzy about “new media.” And, well, they have a right to be.
One of the major criticisms about the “blogosphere” (ugh) is that without the accountability of face to face interaction, users are getting away with saying things they would never say in “real life.”
When “old media” articles started coming out about this emerging trend, my first reaction was: “Omg, you are just too old for the internet. Go back to Boca.” (In my world all old people are Jews that have left Brooklyn for Florida. FYI) There is a level of snark that I love about radar and on gawker blogs that is just impossible to find in traditional media. And, honestly, if you don’t like it, then go back to reading USA Today.
However, this week it got a little personal. When my friend/obsession Spencer was on crappy hour on Thursday and Friday I was actually offended at the personal level to which the commenters took their postings. The comments went from snarky to downright surly. It started to make me wonder: with the prevalence of the blogosphere (omfg) in our culture, have we forgotten how to fight fair?
Don’t get me wrong, I love a debate. I consider arguing over an issue to be one of my favorite pastimes. However, all of this has to be done with a certain level of respect not only for the person’s opinions, but for the person themselves. Telling someone that they are “fucking clueless” is no way to argue on or off-line. It’s just downright disrespectful.
So, as trite as this is about to come off, just… be nice. Go for wit instead of spite. If you do it, then I’ll stop hating on Julia Allison. Or… at least try to.
on douchebaggery
Joy: Remember at smart kid camp when I made out with Adam?Kate: yes-ish
Joy: He is being profiled on crap ____ from a dude. This might be further proof that there is something wrong with me. I like, attract the crappy ones.
Kate: nah, can’t be you. You’re perfect. I checked
Joy: thanks. That’s…. reassuring?
Kate: that’s how I get through it, its not that he didn’t call, it’s that he was distracted dialing my number and was hit by a bus, because I am just that good
Joy: see, in my experience he calls so much I wish he would get hit by a bus
Kate: that only happens to me after I break up with them
Joy: yes, it continues after I break up with them. Sigh.
Kate: well, you’re fun to talk to. Try being boring
Joy: working on it.
the hills effect
I am starting to think that there is something fundamentally wrong with me. I am unable to have a conversation with Spencer without doing the following:
- Humming the tune to a Natasha Bedingfield song
- Asking him for advice on my dating life
- Wondering if he has overly-bleached teeth
Considering the fact that I haven’t seen an episode of The Hills since Lauren refused to have sex with her dirty hipster under the Eiffel Tower, I am worried about the long-term effects this show is going to have not just on me, but — more importantly — on those who still watch it.
a defense of chuck bass
I’ve been thinking about the most recent episode of Gossip Girl, and I have to say, I find some of the events a little disturbing. And I am legitimately worried about the kind of message we are sending to the youngsters out there. No, it has nothing to do with teen drinking or drug use, premarital sex or cheating on the SATs: I am talking about the sketchy actions of Asher Hornsby.
So here is the scenario: Asher and Jenny meet. They arrange a first date — a lunch date — and then Jenny cancels. What does Asher do? He hightails it from the Upper West Side to have lunch with her and her dad. At her house. In Brooklyn.
I know you’re probably sitting there being all, “aw, Joy, that’s so sweet!” Shut up, you’re wrong. That is seriously messed up. What if that happened in real life? You cancel on a first date — a lunch date — and then the guy not only looks up where you live, but then travels over an hour to arrive totally unexpectedly at your house to hang out with you and your dad. Stalker city.
You know who wouldn’t pull a stint like that? Chuck Bass. If you cancelled on Chuck Bass, he would be on the phone finding a new date the moment you hung up. Sure, he might get a little pushy when the two of you are alone and some might find issue with his scarf choices (I love them) but Chuck Bass is good in a crisis. If you’re late to the SATs because someone slipped a roofie in your drink the night before, Chuck Bass is there with a decoy test taker. Totally clutch.
So who would you rather have in real life? The boy whose entire Saturday is dependent upon you and what you decide to do, or the one who is independent but totally there for you in a crisis? Chuck Bass all the way.
If there's one thing we're good at in America, it's multitasking ignorance.
Most depressing line of the day: “The attention to Sen. Obama’s Christian church hasn’t dispelled misconceptions that he is a Muslim.”
Amen
“…and that’s when we decided that, for the good of humanity, the Web had to be destroyed.”
