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Dear Brittney Gilbert,
We know you have our contact information, because you've used it to ask us for interviews (which seem to have been canceled altogether, it seems.) And that's fine. But when we see a post on the CBS5 blog speculating on the health of our organization, we have to wonder why you didn't do the responsible thing and, um, ask us?
We know that you're "just a blogger" and yes, there was a time when bloggers weren't expected to do any reporting, just provide speculation. And, sure, we still do it every now and then, but we try not to do so when we have access to the people we're writing about.
If you're honestly concerned about the fate of "bloggers employed by big media," bloggers like YOU, here's one hint that might help you retain your job: open your email and contact us. (Our deep self-absorption means we're totally open to blathering on and on about ourselves! You can even contact us here! It's just that easy!) Because the Bay Area market just got the gift of a couple of excellent unemployed bloggers who have the chops to do just that, and if you're not careful, your bosses might be wondering if those guys are available.
Much love,
SFist
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I love a smack down on a Friday. Well done!
I'm getting a little tired of all these girls named Britney. Even worse are all the super original types who go with alternative spellings: Britnee, Brittnee, Britniee, Brittannee and so on.
Just sayin'.
ZING!
Okay, I'll bite. :)
So how is SFist doing healthwise?
Wow, I'm really sorry. It was really not meant to be a slight toward you, but rather an open ended question about the state of problogging in Silicon Valley.
Terribly sorry to offend. My apologies.
(P.S. The interview is on hold til I can get my MacBook fixed so that I will have some editing software. Not that you'd agree after today.)
Does SFist have AIDS?!?!
Seriously, I do not get what CBS5's plan is with that blog.
Maybe I'm just making excuses because I like Brittney*, but I can only assume that CBS5's management is to blame for that unfocused mess of a blog. For an organization that purports to be a professional media outlet, this mix of excerpts, irresponsible speculation, and personal anecdote is doing neither CBS5 nor the blogging community any favors.
*I should note that asked her about this on more than one occasion and she's been very circumspect in her responses to me, so this is just a all guesswork.
I heard SFist had a heartache this morning. I read about it on CNN.
Oops, I mean heart attack. :)
I'll admit to a small conflict of interest as I'm dating the aforementioned, but aren't you being a little sensitive about a pretty innocuous question? Sure, she could have clicked Compose, but you could have done the same, rather than call her out.
I'm sure Gothamist is fine but that doesn't mean SFist doesn't need a new editor.
oh like you do any "reporting." just a bunch of lazy, passive-aggressive bitching. what a joke this blog is -- shameful work compared to the excellent flagship gothamist. it's a wonder you haven't been dumped as editor yet.
lavidalibre, I respect what you're saying, and think it's admirable that you're defending your girlfriend.
So will Jackson come back to SFist?
soundths like air ethcaping in here...
This is not the first time I have seen some seriously bizarre content on that blog. Smackdown well deserved, IMHO.
Nice one, BK.
Thanks - I meant to say hello to you at the EoB party last week but didn't get the chance. Anyway, enjoy your weekend.
Gibson, I agree.
There are hardly any new posts each day, let alone relevant ones. And no, one photo du jour does not count as relevant.
9 posts today thus far.
4 of those posts are tiny little new briefs that I already read on SFgate.com
1 is a photo du jour.
1 is a posting bitching about some other blog posting.
2 are somewhat relevant (death and politics)
1 is an embedded flash cartoon.
------------
Oh yeah, moving along with that train of thought, why does it seem like I go to SFist to learn about everyone who has been murdered in SF?
"z0mg! another shooting! over 9000 people died already this month!"
1. Post stuff that is entertaining, offers a fresh perspective, highlights history, activities or anything else in the Bay Area. Encourage people to go out of their comfort zones and explore new districts in the city, new restaurants, new bars, new anything.
2. Stop fearmongering. Yeah, I said it. Fearmongering. Between SFist and the SFGate, when I first moved here I was scared of the city, constantly hearing about people getting shot. Six weeks later, meh. It's not so bad. I live in OAKLAND, and I was more scared of the Mission district. That's just wrong.
3. Quit relying on news briefs, pictures and cartoons to keep readers around and engaged.
-SquirrelMaster
Your mutual sense of self-importance is hilarious.
"I'm kind of a big deal."
Brock,
I like a good shit talking any day of the week.i mean just look at my ridiculous posts. But seriously Brock could you answer the question/accusation? Is everything okay?I havent seen any classifieds in a while so I know there is less revenue coming in. What can we do to help besides send you money. Maybe you should get scientology to be a corporate sponsor and then promise to not post anymore anti-scientology posts. i would be okay with that, just dont try to convince me to do any scientology emeter, dianatics crazyness.
Love,
A Fan
things are peachy. thanks.
It's simple media criticism, Ian, the kind of criticism that SFist has been doing since we founded it (I explain this because I can see from your profile that you're new to the site). SFist has a pretty decent tradition of calling out half assed reporting from the MSM.
The issue that concerns me isn't that the question was posed, the issue is that with very little work, Brittney could have pinged Brock to ask him the question she asked in her post. I certainly don't think there's anything wrong with asking the hard questions, even in relation to the livelihoods of ones' friends. But at least ask the questions *of them*, especially when you have an in to the subject. I'd expect that of CBS5's broadcast news reporting, why should I expect anything less from a blog post on their site?
@kristinester: Welcome to SF! I think a site like the one you propose would be a welcome addition to the local blogosphere. Go start it.
Hmm, I must be missing something: some people were laid off (sucks), Britney wondered about the health of other blogs, including this one. Who is upset, and why?
@lavidalibre, rollingj415
I agree. If she had written something like, "And the word on the street is that SFist is next for layoffs!" then I'd understand the vitriol. What Brittney wrote seemed much more like a rhetorical question, not some statement of rumor or fact.
/two cents
half assed reporting from the MSM
The CBS blog is not the MSM, it's some crappy blog that I don't think anyone other than other bloggers read. Certainly the only place I ever hear about it is here.
Brock - don't post stuff like this. We just don't care. It's one of the reasons sfist is going from 'must check several times a day' to just another 'mark all as read' in my newsreader.
And now I'm going to spend the afternoon working rather than reading blogs ;)
her boyfriend?
that's rich. its a couple of thin allusions and crocodile tears about not feeling important... tupac and biggie this is not. jets and sharks even this is not.
but what are blogs for except needless vitriol?
"This blog posted a question instead of just asking us! See! We're posting about it RIGHT NOW instead of taking the time to ask her, sparing you the 5 minutes it takes to email! News first!"
Y'all know I like SFist, but but my that kettle be black.
SFist complaining about irresponsible speculation is like Larry Flynt complaining about visible labia.
/shows self into exile
Yawn.
@izzyizzy: True. But shouldn't it be needless vitriol about something of interest to the folks of San Francisco?
@DJTennessee:
/I'll be at the bar.
@DJTennessee
Yes, well; I'd say the difference would that much like Hustler, SFist wears its irresponsible speculation gleefully. (As well as its visible labia.)
I'll be at the [figurative] bar with you and mpantone. Wild Turkey x2, please. First figurative round is on me.
I
I love DJBurrito.
biggie/tupac this is not
letterman/mccain this is
which is totally better
"journalism" makes me vom
Hey, I realize it's Friday and everyone is blowing off some post-VP-coitus steam, but tell me again why this is all so important enough to be waving your dicks around at each other?
Go have a drink, FFS.
Happy FRIDAY!
Acckk. The LAST thing I want to read on sfist is "blogosphere" style bitching. How about, I dunno, news?
No arrests have been made.
@Eve: Fair enough. I'm not exactly new to the site - more of a "long time listener, first time caller" scenario, although I can't claim to read daily. And I know of your background and respect that your views on the responsibilities of journalists are certainly more valid than mine. I also agree that B could have easily pinged Brock rather than ask an open-ended question. But I guess I just don't get why not doing that is worthy of a full-post call out (including a moderate threat to her job) when it really was nothing more than a rhetorical question with no ill intentions behind it. You guys may see creating blog drama as fun, worthwhile, and traffic generating; as someone who deals with snark for a living, I see it as annoying. Not a big deal though, just backing my girl.
boredpeon ftw
Here:
https://www.notfortourists.com/JobsWebsite.aspx
Not for Tourists needs some writers with time on their hands to waste. Knock yourselves out.
@Eve Good idea. But I came up with something even better.
Press release to follow in a week or so. :p
Brock, Eve and Britt are all tops in my book.
You know who I don't like? Anyone who takes time to comment with the age-old "Yawn."
God, I hate that.
"You bore me so much, I'm going to register and publicly remark that I've fallen asleep, except that I haven't, because I'm typing YAWN for the 28th time today."
Take an Ambien, get some rest and come up with something clever to say. Or at least something with five letters.
(Oh wait, other than 'bitch')...
You know who I don't like?
Those whose comments are just bitching about other people's comments.
I may hate myself after I hit the submit button.
after?
is this the pre-lovefest chat room?
Oh snap.
I wish I couldn've come up with a sassy detailed daily list of all SFist does wrong/just plain doesn't do, then coyly imply I'm going to start my own "something" that is apparently "better."
Alas, I am not The Squirrel Master.
But your point is well taken in that I did not comment directly on the post:
Brock, normally you're dicier with the clip art. I'm horribly disappointed...
I'm so having "Alas, I am not The Squirrel Master" embroidered on a pillow.
Also, you're right, Beth: Brit is "tops." This has nothing to do with her as a person.
Oh Brittney, so lovely and lazy. Are you single?
Lazy enough to have my boyfriend stick up for me in this thread.
(Not true, actually, but too good to pass up.)
@jacksevanroo Read closer, amigo!
Did anyone hear that Clay Aiken is gay?
That's preposterous.
Whoa! It's a local blog war around here! Incoming!!!!!!!!
Even my own blog angries up the blood of others (Akit's Complaint Department)
@iris
absolutely. this thread is pretty ridiculous.
not just HIV but full blown aids
we've got the aaaiiidddssss
And then, and then! She took off her earrings and it was ON.
this thread is awesome.
but, agreed: we need more bloggers.
who's the bay area version of julia allison?
Robert Scoble?