Okay boys and girls, enough is enough. It appears to me that some of you, and you know precisely who you are so I don't need to call out names, are spoiling for a fight. What in the hell is your problem? Did you not get what you wanted from Santa for Christmas? Did your holiday cheer rub off like a cheap temporary tattoo?
I'm gonna go ahead and call a spade a shovel and tell you what I think. I think a number of you applied for the job of OS editor and didn't get it, and you're peeved that Judy did. I think it's that simple. More than a handful of you are sulking, and a few of you are sulking quite loudly. The rest of you may just always be bitchy and this is a good opportunity for you to sharpen your claws. Miss Judy got the job, you didn't. Move on, and let's try to be professional about it. Quit trying to get everyone else on the website to join your movement to overthrow the management. None of you are Norma Rae or Karen Silkwood.
Let's let Miss Judy have a chance to do the job you all think you can do better than she can. She's been on the job less than two weeks and you all have been firing pot shots at her. From the minute she introduced herself you all have been lining up to tell her how to do her job. How would you all like that if it were you? Open up your email on day one and find a couple hundred people who think they know better than you how to do your job and they are going to tell you in no uncertain terms? That's a fine "welcome" from the "community." Next, she makes a call on how to handle the inevitable "Best of 2009" posts and you all start harping on who she asked to do it. In the process you start slamming your fellow community members for being asked to do the list, or doing the list without being asked. Riddle me this? Who the fuck, other than you, cares who asked them to do it. Who the fuck, other than you, cares if they did it without being asked? All your bitchin' is insulting to the people who were asked to do it. Because they have the most EPs are they somehow less worthy of an opinion? And yes, I think it still smarts even when you say "I love So-and-So but this guest editor thing is such a bad idea." So-and-So has feelings you know.
While I'm at it. Quit fucking bitching about who does and doesn't get EPs. It's clear that your whining has been heard because since Miss Judy got the job there's been a lot more EPs and covers handed out to people who have not received them before or recently. Yeah, yeah, I'm one of those people who seems to get EPs on autopilot. Yeah, yeah, I hear you when you snidely say that about those of us who do. Guess what your comments are rude and to that I say bite me. So what. Some of us strike a chord more often than others. Does that make us lesser writers? Does that mean that what we have to say isn't worthy of note? I'd like to be one of those people who doesn't have to be on the cover to get 150 ratings. Hell, I'd like to get 150 ratings. Do I call those who do names? No, I'm a grown up and a lady (most of the time.) I agree, there are a lot of unseen writers here that deserve reading. Use your blog to promote them. Come up with a creative way to get them featured on the cover. One that doesn't involve acting like a child whose candy got stolen or being nasty to your fellow bloggers. You don't think the people who bring funny or breaking news items to your attention are worthy of EPs. That's your opinion. Frankly I'd rather read my news here on OS than go to CNN, it's less depressing when it includes a dash of humor or snark.
My next question is what fucking grade are you in? Enough with the "we're gonna take over OS" nonsense. I've read more than one comment and gotten the message from more than one post these past few days that some of you think that you can virtually seize control of this place and drive the tone and culture of the site by guerrilla tactics. This isn't high school and we're not going to have a virtual rumble in the parking lot after 5th period. You have creative ideas for community activity, put them to good use. The Colour Posts were a perfect example of using your talent for good. Don't waste them jumping from post to post snarking about each other and talking about staging some kind of coup d'etat. This is an online blogging site, not a third world country with a military dictatorship. And I can guarantee that not a one of you looks good in a beret.
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Right now. I am going into the kitchen and make you a bunch of cookies decorated like Satan and crusty weiners. Any other requests.
Well ... after my cold shower. And I give you the finger for that beret comment.
People here actually get 150 ratings? Really??? Does being "mean, sulky, nasty, and kvetching" help with that? So are you saying that my nice, sweet, caring, pure as the driven snow, kind, loving, innocent approach isn't working?
One last question: Who the hell is Judy????
P.S. I don't need claws to be a bitch, Missy! All it takes is the PMS I'm feeling right now and the fact that my feet are cold and I can't find my damn slippers... so don't mess with ME! Got it? ;)
::@@::
Like Pump Up the Volume?
Or that time on Fraggle Rock when the Doozer wanted to be a Fraggle?
Was Christian Slater involved?
I have questions. (?)
It's best I don't know.
Please tell me when Cliff's Notes are available.
(thumbified for all the dirty so-and-sos who are extremely glad to not be the editor.)
Be excellent to each other.
Party on.
well said.
Why iamsurly,
why do you ask?
Remember, huh?
We smooched with mops?
We kiss in the mop closet?
It was Not a Santa Clause!
Ya taught a\ surly clause!
pro-gig\bit a/little noun!
However, this is a free fucking country, no? How did people end up living in the United States? Mostly by not only bitching in the old country, but by getting thrown out, or even, in the case of our esteemed Southern State of Georgia, thrown in a penal colony.
And you Canadians know you really wish your ancestors were as naughty as ours.
So, not only is this a free country, but this is the internet and anyone wanting to rebel -- well -- set up your own competing site. Not OS. Or whatever. Since this place is obviously a cash cow for Salon.com, there is a fortune to be made. No doubt.
So, no. I won't quitmybitching. But Rated and Appreciated.
For the record, I kind of feel the same way, which I was trying to convey with my post yesterday. That, however, turned into a phenomenon, and I just want it known that I think the kvetching about EPs is silly and could be energy utilized actually achieving EPs.
That was as close as I could get to flaming you, surly. I tried. Sorry.
Forget the EP stuff. I could be reading about O'Really's top 10 Sex Positions, but instead.....
and mea culpa - I do come here seeking outside validation. And yes, it's disheartening when some seem to get all the attention, while others (ok, just me) seem to go unnoticed.
Very much like high school.
But to that end, I have a very good friend (the one with whom I wrote my xmas song parody) who, after blogging in some fashion for 15 years, has decided to call it quits. Seems he got tired of everyone else commenting on his personal spiritual quests, and telling him he was doing it wrong.
here's the short version of my 2¢, and it's worth exactly that or less*:
I was asked to do an end of year post and I did it. I was happy to do it. This is why: because it was a positive thing. It was also a personal positive thing. I picked 7 people who spoke to me personally this past year and said positive things about them.
That's all it was.
If anyone has any inkling of who I've been on OS, one know that that's my MO. I try to encourage and say positive things to people about what they're doing, and try to empathize with them when things go wrong. I say nice things to people (well, except those couple of things I've said to gordonO).
Here's the thing: it's just my opinion. I've stayed away from commenting on the recent injustices felt by some, and continued doing what I've always done here...since April of 2008...saying nice things to people about what they write and what it means to me.
It's just my opinion.
thank you
*I would hope, though, that the things I've said to people in a positive way is worth more than 2¢ to them. It does to me.
(I still own my B&T EA soundtrack record - on vinyl)
{confused too}
We're still friends, right?
would someone pm me and tell me who's saying what and who wants to be editor and who's undies are wadded up their ass like butt floss and who's just being bitchy bitchy kvetchy pants. okay? thank you.
carry on.
The rest I guess I missed but I think maybe if so many didn't bitch about getting an EP maybe some of us wouldn't see it as so freakin important and start thinking well maybe we just can't write well! I can, I know I can damn-it!....stomps off to go find her beret....
No flames from me...at least on an open deck!
The kvetching here *does* send people away. Sad.
Great writing, watching writers evolve and the random, vein-popping rants are reasons to tough it out.
I learn so much here.
Viva le(la?) OS!
1. does nick have directions to that penile colony?
2. i think the things bbd says on OS are hella powerful
and
3. in all seriousness - reading your list of post titles is a post in itself - you funny, surly gurl.
When you go over a certain secret EP ratio, Salon Media Group (Inc.) sends a group of Men in Mauve to turn you into a cyborg.
::click, click, BOOM!::
I'm having beef jerky for lunch.
::ziiiip, xiiiit, fredisthedevil::
I love the surly tone of this post, surly...
Like Kay Adams for Michael Corleone, I now pray every day for the soul of Judy Berman.
I think as long as the discussion or debate is of a positive note then nothing 'bad' can really come of it. It's the negativity or negative tone that is destructive by it's very nature.
OSer's are nothing, if not opinionated. Good luck stifling that. And I mean that in a good way. I only break out the flame gun on very rare and special occasions. Like Grey Poupon, anything less would be uncivilized.
Rated.
Silkstone, you have nailed it to the cyber wall: "Like Kay Adams for Michael Corleone, I now pray every day for the soul of Judy Berman."
And I was awfully concerned, going through the comments, when Ann started talking about crusty weiners - like, EWWWW!
I have to say that I know, for a CERTAINTY, that I look DAMN GOOD in a beret, especially a RASPBERRY BERET. I must, because everyone in front of me is smiling.
For anyone who's interested, here is the short version of how EPs get meted out:
See, there's this back room containing an entire case of Colt 45, some capuchin monkeys, a whole barrel full of darts, and a wall with the name of every Open Salon member on it. They lock the monkeys in the room and come back an hour later. Wherever the darts are, that's where the EPs go.
So if you STILL wanna bitch about EPs, you have to see the monkeys and they all have wicked hangovers.
'Nuff said.
*Aside to surly - this has to happen every couple of months, it gets rid of the bad blood, sort of like going to the mattresses only without the gunfire and the dead bodies.*
rated
So Judy seems like a fair choice. No matter what she does, she'll have objectivity.
I also realized I was screwed sometime around June.
The darts sting a little, but if you put a little tattoo juice on them, they make a pretty picture.
Mmmmmmmm... "Surly" + "mattresses"... now your talk'in!
Hell, throw in that Judy chick (whomever SHE is), some jello shots & some girl toys and we'll have a LOT of fun!
And I can't remember the last time I was screwed. Oh wait - of course. It was just a couple of weeks ago when they started buying votes for health care reform.
And where can I get me some tattoo juice?
Safe_bet - Can I volunteer to be the girl toy?
And, oh, yeah. The pissing and moaning about getting EPs, not getting EPs, being asked to post your favorites, not being asked to post your favorites . . . etc. . . . has really gotten old.
I've said it before and I'll repeat here. I like Judy. She gave me a freaking EP by God, which completed my Christmas wish list. Seems to me, like you noted SurlyONE, that she has pretty much thrown out the "how to and who to pick for an EP and cover" handbook.
I see a fresh start here. So I'm counting my blessings. Thomas was a weaker version of Kerry. In Judy I see a new beginning for ME ME ME (and we all know it's all about ME)!!!
If you're referring to the flap a few days ago, there was some whinging (not deeply serious, but still...) about not being on people's Best Of lists and then a bit of WTF on finding out, after the fact, by way of commenters, that the Best Of listers had been assigned. Where the EPs come in, is the people chosen to do this were chosen on the basis of having lots of EPs. (EPs are a bit of a chronic complaining focus.) For me, and for some others, it was the (inadvertent) 'secrecy' of the Best Of listers having been asked. I think that should have been announced loudly and possibly the listers (one of the later ones did) saying so in their posts, in order to avoid the (mild) paranoia of all us poor souls.
No biggie, but it was a bit of a left-field moment...
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What I found most curious about this whole episode, and what I *do* think is an issue, is that the editor approached a select group of people here to launch a guest editing program, and didn't create a simple post letting the rest of us know what was happening.
That, as far as I know, is a first, (and I've been here since beta), with entirely predictable results It gave legs to the idea that there was a Preferred Class of Writers here. Maybe there is now. If so, we've lost something. If not, a little bit of transparency would have gone a long way. It still escapes me why this couldn't or shouldn't have just been an Open Call.
I'd also like to know why the number of EPs better qualifies someone to curate content. Some people who routinely get EPs seem to never spend time here except to post and go. While I'm oddly curious who Dr. Amy's Top Ten is, I don't want her curating OS for me. Using algorithms to set editorial direction seems like a mistake. I'd much rather guest editors get picked on - who the editor thinks would be an interesting guest editor. It is the human element that keeps this place interesting (well, plus Freaky). (For the record, I didn't apply for the editor job. ;)
What's an EP? and why should I give a flying fuck if I "get one?" The only "one" I want to "get" won't ever EP me (Enlarge Penis?... is that it? Ooooo That's it isn't it?) Oh... and don't get me started on who would want to be an editor here.
Nice rant.
Can I apply to be marginalized?
I figure all I need is to feel attacked no matter what the intentions of the attackee, not be able to defend myself without a shitstorm that negates my point and perhaps a fetching pair of tights.
I especially like the ones with little diamonds all over them that make me look like a pudgy court jester.
Nah - being marginalized appears to be entirely too much work. I think I'll stick to food. I would like to keep the tights, though.
::xiiitt, zeech, seeek! Message from the mothership::
::Subscribe to The Economist!::
It makes my imaginary friend cry when you yell.
What a great writer's site !!!
Happy New Year!
I hang around because of the fun harangue.
Bank tellers contemplate who's a criminal.
`
the perfect crime would be to ask a rabbi?
who was the first Santa? Mosses or damp?
death in the desert huh? Wall Street stink.
in saint pedro DOD Oy? No dessert Hades.
huh? I am just porking? No way be Haven.
silly
some
goofy
Also, I've been pretending to be an adult for years, but only to buy liquor.
Nobody got asked to be guest editor yet (at least not that I know of).
A few people who had a lot of EPs got asked to give "Best of 2009" posts. It was openly announced on Judy Berman's blog before she left and before we were asked. She closed comments on that, which was a source of consternation.
Most of us chose not to say, "Hey! I'm a douchebag that got asked by the teacher to show you my science project!" That would have been a whole different flavor of trainwreck. I was trying to be tactful. Others thought it too secretive, which I don't dispute. Everyone has the right to their own feelings.
The few people who talked to each other about it thought there would be more of us, so we just tried to blend in with the wallpaper. It didn't work out so well. I can't imagine why anyone like me wouldn't want to say they had been chosen by the editor to do something.
Mysterious.
Anywhoo...the Men In Mauve don't let me pick EPs. I don't get guaranteed a cover or an EP just for playing along. I don't have any control over it, or I would make all of the NastyPantses sit on the cover 24/7 so they could get the same shit I do without being able to say boo about it unless I want to draw back a stump.
I want to make everyone happy again, but I can't figure out how.
Instead, I just try to be pleasant to everyone and talk about cookies, three-tined forks and Halloween costumes. Come to think of it, that didn't work out so well all the time either.
So, everyone is pissed at everyone else.
I'm not pissed at anyone because I got a spiffy hat for Christmas.
No one can take my hat from me or tell me I don't deserve it.
I like my hat.
::zzzzzip! gwart! HURK!::
::Be sure to drink your Ovaltine!::
SPLIFF!
A little information from the source goes a long way to settling the hive. I think was a rookie mistake, compounded by her absence/silence. It put everyone in an awkward position.
Now lemme get a tug on that spliff.
Writers are independent, thoughtful, opinionated and egotistical people, which makes them good at what they do, but a tough bunch to supervise. I didn’t become the editor because I wanted to make friends. Rather, I thought I knew best and I am kind of a control freak. That, and it paid a whole lot better than being a reporter.
It’s a hard job; trust me – I’ve got the bumps and bruises to prove it. I don’t envy OS’s new editor; I had a staff of 20 to manage at my newspaper; these days, I work with 30 bloggers on my new site (livingstontalk.com). As the new OS editor, Judy Berman’s got something like 10,000 active bloggers vying for her attention, including me.
And each and every day she’s expected to wade through all we throw at her to create a cover that appeals to the widest variety of people that also focuses on the issues of the day while entertaining readers and driving hits.
It’s a tough job, not one I’d consider in a million years. But it’s a job I am glad someone does. So, let’s let her do it.
Whining is the sign of a third-rate mind. I don't even bother reading the Ultra Whines all the way through.
The day I started my job as editor of a weekly paper, the editor who was leaving the position to go freelance gave me a big file folder. Inside were the resumes of all the writers and editors who had applied for the job I was about to claim.
I thought this was a bit indiscreet. But the former editor said: "It's better if you know WHY they're stabbing you in the back."
She was right. Every time some lame bit of nastiness came along, a few minutes of research revealed that it originated with one of the "not chosen." Although it was surprising to be targeted by colleagues--or dabblers who wanted to be colleagues--the pain was offset by my knowledge that the insult was about the envious faux colleague and his lack of maturity, not about me.
So, it's probably better for Judy to read the snarky comments out there. That way, she will know what she's dealing with, and which bloggers to take less seriously.
Hold up those red flags, whiners.
Who is Pete anyway? St. Peter? Is this one of those pseudo-cussing things my mom does like, "GoshDangit!"
The best part about kvetching tights is that they don't bunch up.
I do think I have my swishy skirt tucked into the back of them though. Lonnie?
The new slogan for 2010 !
SPLIFF!
My heads is in the sand once again. Thankfully. I agree with you Surly and I like you're effing attitude.
oh...and btw: I have received NO updates or insider information about the subject of this mysterious blog, as such I know nothing, nothing nothing and I am not happy about this nothing knowing. OTOH, I rarely know anything, any of the "insider" fun stuff, wouldn't recognize it if it beat me over the noggin, so I guess the status remains quo in my world.
JUDY IS AN ALIEN FROM THE PLANET WHATSIT and she was sent here to destroy the Earth.
But fooled them, the Earth is already destroyed, so she had to do something, so well, if she's cool with Kerry and Joan, she's cool with me, unless she tries to take my favorite spot over by the window, then, well, I'll have to scratch her!!
:)
Always enjoyed the surly posts, needless to say.
~R
Well, first, Surly, like ablonde, I wish you'd be more direct. heh heh
Seriously though, I don't read the new editor's blog muchover yet, but what the heck ... she can clearly do whatever she likes and so on and so forth ...
I must admit though that I would rather it have been an open call, too, so that it could have gleaned much, much more content, which is always more exciting, and as Donna very smartly points out, stop a hierarchy from developing as no one likes to feel 'less than' when at all possible, which could certainly arise from asking those with more EPs to contribute while leaving out the rest, many of whom are just as good at writing.
The interesting part is how resistant some of us (okay, not me) appear to be about admitting that such a hierarchy might arise. I'm finding myself a bit amused by it. No offense but you know, come on now! You people aren't idiots. Stop ignoring that possibility as a potential problem.
Also, I'm not sure being a good writer always makes one a good judge of writing, although I'm sure all choices contained therein are fine and dandy, as there's a good group from which to choose, and many people do have good judgment.
One of the most interesting assumptions floating aimlessly is that having more EPs means writing superior to others, which, I must say, yes and No to that idea. Yes, many of those with many EPs are good writers. However, a huge bunch of fantastic things are overlooked and/or missed on a fairly regular basis. So ... well ... just an observation on my part but it's highly interesting that I'm seeing these assumptions tossed around about it.
Finally, the only really serious problem, one which illustrates the hierarchy problem, is the Evil Rumor, which is probably true, is that an unnamed individual (who was apparently asked to write a list) thought he or she had the right to then counsel/order another individual (who was not originally asked) NOT to make a list of his or her own.
That is not good. That very clearly shows that, with only a tiny amount of power, some of us might have the inclination to run amok. Also, if it is true, it does a terrific job of illustrating the hierarchy problem I was pointing out a bit earlier up there, while I was hijacking the thread.
Anyway, just my thoughts. Just a point of view to consider.
And I love you, surly, and I know just what you mean about OS people fighting, as I had to take a break because of it, and you can certainly tell people to knock 'it' off whatever it is (I've done it in the past) but people should express themselves, too, so there's that.
Oh. And Cindy Ross. ;)
Great post surly and I agree 100%.
I've never had an EP, get few views and ratings but I still love it here. I write because it makes me happy, whether or not anyone reads my blog. I can read interesting posts from a diverse group of people - posts that make me think, laugh or cry, sometimes all at the same time. What's there to complain about?
Great comment, odetteroulette. It seems the folks in the big house don't like it when the "little people" point out that the emperor has no clothes. Apparently we are to shut up, write quietly and gratefully with no hope of "autopilot EPs," and only open our mouths to promote others on our blogs. I mean, who do we think we are we to question our betters and their divine right to all EPs all the time? I mean, they strike more chords with people!
I always love it when those to the manor born say things like the following. They don't even realize that they are being patronizing:
QUOTE I've read more than one comment and gotten the message from more than one post these past few days that some of you think that you can virtually seize control of this place and drive the tone and culture of the site by guerrilla tactics...You have creative ideas for community activity, put them to good use. The Colour Posts were a perfect example of using your talent for good. Don't waste them jumping from post to post snarking about each other and talking about staging some kind of coup d'etat.QUOTE
Jesus. Talk about us versus them spelled out in black and white. My favourite line is: "The Colour Posts were a perfect example of using your talent for good." I also like the "some of you think that you can virtually seize control of this place and drive the tone and culture of the site by guerrilla tactics." Oh noes! Quel horreur! Draw up the moat!
See, we mere filler bloggers are allowed to act up a little as long as it doesn't threaten the really important people here and the status quo, never mind their autopilot EPs. I'm crawling back under my serf rock now having been properly put in my place by my feudal lady. I'll be careful not to get too uppity again -- after all, we know what happens to people who try to rise above their station in life.
Otherwise Surly, I totally concur with what you have posted. Guess I'm going to have to backtrack a bit to see what's been going on during my absence (or is that since my presence here has become much more sporadic?).
Rated.
Your posts are funny, consistently well written, and many OS users can relate to them. Anyone who doesn't like it doesn't have to click on it.
I liked:
"None of you are Norma Rae or Karen Silkwood."
Particularly funny, in relation to OS.
And how many blogs would anybody have to read before they knew the USA is fighting two wars right now, and killing children every day?
"Narang, Kunar: Death to Obama"
I've been in other domains (not just the cyber-domain) where the disgruntled, disaffected, dissatisfied, peevish and generally small-minded few have tried to organize a junta to overthrow or otherwise reshuffle the so-called "power base" for their personal gain, resulting only in creating havoc, bad feelings and render useless the very vehicle they want to control.
Sorry for the run-on, but there you have it.