The Mainstream Media and You

by Brandon C. on Oct 3, 2011 7:01 AM EDT in Miscellaneous

It seems like lately people have been posting more links to websites, with comments saying "this article is so awful," or "I can't believe this writer said this!"

I wrote this back in April about an awful article by T.J. Simers about Marcus Thames. A few people commented about how us reading and being disgusted by their articles is just feeding into their plans. One user, "Lord Duggan," said this:

In an age where fewer and fewer people are turning to the mainstream media for news and information, because, let’s face it, why the hell would you, some writers have sunk to the lowest common denominator. They write some total garbage that is sure to elicit rage from sane, rational people, and get their name out there again and get their story read by tons of people.

There is a big part of me that thinks that both of the writers in question, while they are most likely total morons who in some part of their brain believe what they wrote, are also trolling to piss people off and try to get as big of a reaction as possible. It’s the Charlie Sheen approach to staying relevant.

Save your animosity for people that matter.

So, I listened to Duggan, and stopped reading ESPN, and other sites that induce rage. The result was a lot less stress, and a lot more reading articles that actually are worth reading.

The Jeff Passan's of the world don't deserve your page views, nor do they deserve your sending the link to other people to read.

Try to think about who the author is, and what the title is, before reading. It will go a long way!

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Praise for Duggan from Brandon?

Something happened at the Stadium last night. I don’t know what, but something did.

Totally agree with the point, though. My reading of the MSM has gone down to almost zero. A lot of that is because of Twitter, because I have another outlet for breaking news now, and tweets can’t induce the kind of irritation articles can.

The idiot formerly known as pkyankeefan! Now in Technicolour!

by Hasan Paliwala on Oct 3, 2011 8:31 AM EDT reply actions

Only reading articles

from people with whom you agree is not healthy. One needs to see others’ perspectives in order to be objective.

"Unpleasant Internet Dude"
formerly known as "Rude Internet Guy"

by david d on Oct 3, 2011 9:35 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs

Very true. But reading someone’s work you know you do not like is just a waste of time.

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.

I believe in the Church of Baseball.
- Annie Savoy

You go through The Sporting News for the last 100 years, and you will find two things are always true. You never have enough pitching, and nobody ever made money.
- Donald Fehr

by Frank Campagnola on Oct 3, 2011 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Okay, I disagree. If someone’s opinion affects somebody in such a negative way, that “somebody” needs to take a look inside on how he or she views the world.

"Unpleasant Internet Dude"
formerly known as "Rude Internet Guy"

by david d on Oct 3, 2011 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

So True about looking inside

Most writers/reporters are nothing more than bobble head oxygen thieves, who produce nothing for society in general. Since they can’t/don’t produce anything, they believe that their “opinions”, whether in voice or writing, mean something important to the rest of us. They are just insecure, narcissistic drones who just want people to pay attention to them.

I usually just look and laugh, then move on to something else. If someone is that affected by what one of these worthless individuals have to say, I agree with David that they need to look inside. Insecurity poking out.

With all of today’s modern technology, am I the only one that thinks we should be able to “mute” the announcers for any given game, and still be able to listen to the crowd/background noise? Listening to the drivel from the oxygen thieves, with their phallic symbols in front of their mouths, is tedious at times.

I refuse to tiptoe through life, only to arrive safely at death.

by Alpha Dog on Oct 3, 2011 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Excellent point

But the suggestion I think is to ignore the junk

some writers have sunk to the lowest common denominator. They write some total garbage that is sure to elicit rage from sane, rational people, and get their name out there again and get their story read by tons of people.

by NYYankeeDude on Oct 3, 2011 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed, although with people like Passan

It’s more about not reading because 99% of the time it’s complete shit, no matter what his opinion is.

by mikefromnbny on Oct 3, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

ESPN Magazine =/= Mainstream Media.

ESPN Mag is to mainstream sports reporting what People Magazine is to the New York Times Book Review. The ‘mainstream media’ is generally considered to be more respectable outlets, such as daily newspapers, Sports Illustrated, websites like FanGraphs, and even ESPN television (with a few exceptions).

Not reading Passan is the equivalent, more or less, of not watching TMZ.

by designatedquitter on Oct 3, 2011 4:12 PM EDT reply actions

I'm late to his party, but it seems worth noting...

That is good to just read a wide range of perspectives.

Where is the fun in simply reading only things you know you will agree with? Of course few people want to read articles that just bash their favorite team or whatever, but sometimes you need that to bring oneself back down to earth.

I expect the Yankees to be excellent every year. But sometimes I need to see an article or two about how the Yankees maybe aren’t as good as I think, simply so I have to think about whether or not my own thoughts are overblown or if the author might be onto something.

Personally, I have ZERO issue with sportswriters bashing the Yankees as they love to do. Doesn’t even anger me in the least. Most times their basis is pretty easily seen as someone from the far outside so I pay no mind to it. The only reason i know they are on the outside is because I read other writers who I can tell are “inside” because of the details they provide.

Gotta know both sides of the stories, guys. And gotta be humble enough to agree with the guys you disagree with on occasion. ONCE in a while, a guy like Passan actually makes a valid point… doesn’t happen often though, lol…

"Madison Square Garden is the ultimate basketball stage. That's where I belong. That's where I live. That's the home of the New York Knicks." - Amar'e Stoudemire

by Chris Child's Fist on Oct 4, 2011 5:21 PM EDT reply actions