META: Feedback request

Submitted by BiSB on

Hi. It's me. How are you? I am good.

You may have noticed that I've been doing a little writing for the front page, and I'm looking for a little feedback. If you missed it, thus far I've done a weekly Twitter-themed thing:

I've also done a less reality-based piece (http://mgoblog.com/content/national-signing-day-wrap-post-preview).

So here's the question: do people, like, enjoy this stuff? Would people like me to keep doing the Twitter thing? Should I hide in shame? Brian has indicated I've got some flexibility as far as format, so I'm trying to please the MGoMasses (especially in light of today's discussion about how all things are terrible).

FWIW, among the options are "keep doing things as-is," "same tone, but just based on stuff that happens (non-Twitter-related)," "a choose-your-own-adventure type series of text-based adventures," "stop writing things and go away," any mixture of the above, or whatever else.

GoBlueInNYC

February 24th, 2013 at 9:48 PM ^

I really like the Twitter-based summary type column, provided it doesn't turn into too much of  a "This Week in Schadenfreude" rip off. Case in point, the Desmond Howard twitter fight with the J'ville writer was awesome. Quoting people who hate Burke when the bball team loses isn't so fun.

But seriously, the column has been great. I say keep it up.

GoBlueInNYC

February 24th, 2013 at 9:57 PM ^

It's understandable given how rough that week happened to be on the basketball court.

But I'm really glad you got a regular feature. It's been a lot of fun to read, and a welcome addition to the front page.

EGD

February 24th, 2013 at 9:51 PM ^

I love it.  Keep it coming.

I post some stuff from time-to-time that I think is humorous, and there are always people who don't get the jokes/take things too seriously/are never satisfied, etc.  Don't let the [out-of-wedlock children] grind you down.

Jon06

February 25th, 2013 at 12:50 AM ^

So yeah...is the front page thing intentionally a twitter version of TWIS? I'm not a fan, but only because (a) I don't care about Twitter and (b) it just seems derivative of TWIS.

I also didn't get why the other thing was frontpaged. But as I said in the other thread, as far as I'm concerned, this blog is Brian, and diluting that with more alternative content is a risk (and, IMHO, always going to be a downgrade).

LSAClassOf2000

February 24th, 2013 at 9:55 PM ^

"This Week In The Twitterverse" is indeed a great satirical stroll through the combination of sports fandom and the Internet. So far, I have enjoyed it and have no complaints. It's still fairly new, but it is a good concept and written well, and hopefully, this becomes a going thing on the blog. 

The Wolf

February 24th, 2013 at 10:03 PM ^

I very much enjoy the Twitterverse column and look forward to it each week. I agree with with a poster above that I would rather not see it stray too far into TWIS territory; both because I think that is Brian's thing, and also because I think you have a great (albeit similar) concept in your own right.

elm

February 24th, 2013 at 10:04 PM ^

As a non-tweeter myself, I enjoy getting an update every week about what I'm missing, for good or for bad.

 

That said, if you could pull off a weekly choose-your-own-adventure text adventure feature about the Wolverines or college sports in general, that would be awesome!

Jeff09

February 24th, 2013 at 10:05 PM ^

This week in Twitterverse is definitely one of my favorite additions to the site.  Especially important for the long offseason, and I'd be pretty disappointed if you discontinued it.  Would love to see what else you might have in store...

evenyoubrutus

February 24th, 2013 at 10:08 PM ^

I love the twitter columns. Don't feel you need to change anything. It sucks that some people on here cannot appreciate the quality of the free content and feel they have to complain. you are all doing a fabulous job.

jabberwock

February 25th, 2013 at 9:40 AM ^

when you say you "FEEL" like you coiuld be Batman do you:

1.  feel like you have the capability within yourself to become Batman?

or

2.  You feel you already ARE Batman, but you're just not sure how to tell?



PROTIP:

Check to see if you're wearing black spandex.

bdsisme

February 24th, 2013 at 10:15 PM ^

Frankly, I don't think the actual form of your column matters (whether it's TWIT, free-form, etc.) as long as it is your humor.  Your humor is quick, witty, and eccentric -- just write about what you find most interesting, and I'll read it.

ChopBlock

February 24th, 2013 at 10:22 PM ^

After scrolling down all the way to the bottom and reading all the comments, I can't remember what your four options are. Oh well

I have very much enjoyed TWIT (and it's got a very fitting abbreviation) thus far. HOWEVA, I'm not sure it's a sustainable feature. I mean, you can only poke fun at people saying bombastic things before it just becomes noise. As someone else mentioned, the Desmond Howard thing was gold, Jerry, gold, while while people telling [individual x] to suffer some great calamity after [signing with their rival; losing an important basketball game] will become repetitive after a while. So if you're going to keep going with TWIT as-is, I'd suggest branching out and focusing more on, say, really creative sayings (as if any of those exist on Twitter) and less on people just being general asswipes.

Frankly, I think doing a choose-your-own-adventure column (or perhaps alternating between that and TWIT) would be the ideal solution; don't restrict yourself unnecessarily (see my comments about the staleness of just "standard features" in the other META thread). Either way, you're an entertaining enough writer that I'll read anything by the guy formerly known as Blue in South Bend.

EDIT: I think the idea behind my post is to give your take on the week's news, whatever that might be. Of course, then you run the risk of straying too far into UV territory, so what do I know? Do whatever the heck you want, I'm sure it'll be great.

BoilerBlue

February 24th, 2013 at 10:20 PM ^

Don't change a thing. I love your writing style and input and I don't have a twitter, so TWIT is my idiot fix each week. :)

And p.s., while we're kind of on the topic, I just got done reading the post down bitching and I love your stuff too, Seth. :)

Michigasling

February 24th, 2013 at 10:30 PM ^

posters on here, I'd say go for whatever you want.  Too many times you've made me laugh out loud (seriously, though I refuse to use the abbrev.) for me to pick and choose.

ClearEyesFullHart

February 24th, 2013 at 10:35 PM ^

Until this invitation to kiss your hiney. Seriously, I like your stuff, but if you're looking for positive reinforcement you should probably get a dog.

lbpeley

February 25th, 2013 at 8:54 AM ^

really isn't my thing, I can see that other people embrace it.  Hell, I would have even tended to agree with you had it not been for the small matter of reading that other bitchfest thread.

Apparently there's no small number of disgruntled people whining about free content. It seemed to me that BISB, whom I assume has at least some vested interest in the success of this blog, is merely trying to tap the pulse and see if there's anything he can do to please the disgruntled.

I guess it says more about you that you take that instantly as a request for ass kissing instead of reading the crapfest that is the other thread and seeing someone trying to make it better.

BlueDragon

February 24th, 2013 at 10:40 PM ^

Keep on doing what you're doing. I find your sense of humor more natural and organic than some of the other front-pagers'. TWIT is a good start; I would not mind reading your impressions of other aspects of today's sports world.

BlockM

February 24th, 2013 at 10:41 PM ^

TWIT isn't my thing, but only because I'm on twitter enough already, but I'm fully capable of just skipping past it when it pops up on the main page. I could see it being pretty entertaining for people that don't see that stuff as it's happening in real time.

MaizeMN

February 24th, 2013 at 10:49 PM ^

Keep up the good work.

Also, I think Fathead might make a Batman cling to help out with the Malibu, unless it's purpley or some other non-Batman color.

If it's purpley, then be a Barney.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

February 24th, 2013 at 11:07 PM ^

I like the TWIT thing, but I hope it can branch out from just highlighting a bunch of stupid people that need to be beaten in the throat with their own keyboards.

The signing day thing was outstanding.