Why ESPN and the General Media Just Don't Get It
Here's my take: http://tiny.cc/RZq7W. Basically, I argue that all we hear about are numbers of hours spent working. We hear little to nothing about whether anything was mandatory. Reporters don't ask the most critical questions like "what was the alleged punishment" for not working hard. They don't ask "who specifically told you to be there". They don't ask: "do you know what is and is not countable time".
Viewers across America are inundated with numbers and time spent, but no one asks the critical questions. This irresponsibility is really driving me nuts!
September 1st, 2009 at 10:43 AM ^
Obviously there are competent, ethical, and talented journalists out there, but it's also obvious that they're greatly outnumbered by the no-talent, brown-nosing hacks and the devious, conniving weasels.
September 1st, 2009 at 10:44 AM ^
Stop linking to your blog with a hidden url.
Your blog isn't bad at all, but if I wanted to find a link to the blog it's pretty easy since it is your sig.
September 1st, 2009 at 10:52 AM ^
Easy David. I'm happy to link to the blog. I thought I was doing everyone a favor by using the shorter URL, which I also use on my Twitter feeds. Here's the longer one if you'd prefer that one:
http://www.michiganfootballblog.com/2009/08/why-espn-and-general-media-….
Thanks for the read.
September 1st, 2009 at 10:57 AM ^
I never click on a tinyurl. I always feel like they are hiding something. Even if the full url cut off, at least we get to see the domain so we have an idea of where we are going.
September 1st, 2009 at 10:46 AM ^
... the detroit papers have nothing else to write about. if we're lucky he'll have a new sexting scandal with an intern at covisint.
September 1st, 2009 at 10:47 AM ^
I totally agree. The problem if ESPN says, "They practiced a lot, but it was a mixture of voluntary and mandatory practice and its difficult to seperate the two. Oh, also, every team does it" they wouldn't have a story. The outlets love the fact that they have a big name team that they can "work over" to get more readers/viewers. This wouldn't even be a story with most programs.
September 1st, 2009 at 10:52 AM ^
People don't want to think. They don't want to be presented with information to make up their own minds, they want to be told what to think so they can go back to reading their Twilight books. All the media cares about is creating a sensation to briefly draw attention to them.
September 1st, 2009 at 10:54 AM ^
and what bothers me most about this is that the average fan isn't reading this site, engaging in these arguments. They only read the Freep or listen to ESPN. So it's more likely to splinter the Wolverine community over time.
September 1st, 2009 at 11:01 AM ^
Yeah... My Grandpa was angry about the whole situation, and I tried to explain it to him, but the conversation went downhill fast.
Me: This whole thing is ridiculous and probably doesn't have anything to do with Rodriguez blatantly ignoring or breaking rules at the expense of his players.
Him: You're always defending him. Why do you believe everything he says? I don't like the guy. Haven't since he started.
I'd pass MGoBlog on to him, but he's scared of the internet. Great man, but he's got his idea of what he wants Michigan football to be and there's no way to convince him that this isn't the end of the world. I think a lot of Michigan's fans are this way... They watch the games and read the paper, and when something like this shows up on their sports page, they don't get all sides of the story. Luckily, most fans that aren't willing to take the time to investigate themselves probably aren't going to be getting on the phone to call the AD either.
September 1st, 2009 at 10:55 AM ^
I dunno, I kinda get the idea that the Venn diagram of ESPN's audience and Twilight readers looks like this: O O
September 1st, 2009 at 11:06 AM ^
This is just about you're awesome old school "Solsun" label. I love it.
September 1st, 2009 at 11:34 AM ^
1. Kirk Herbstreit is twitching uncontrollably at this very moment, waiting for a chance to get on the Eastern Seaboard Programming Network (or a Columbus media outlet) and wax moralistically about those dirty Wolverines.
2. The investigations will come up with no violations, or a few very minor ones. Then Rosenberg will write a column crying "whitewash."
September 1st, 2009 at 12:18 PM ^
I don't have the link, but he was on The Herd yesterday briefly. FWIW. He really didn't bash them. He agreed that it happens everywhere, but was more concerned about what the leaks in the program mean to Coach Rod. I was expecting much worse.
September 1st, 2009 at 12:07 PM ^
I think much of the tripe we see in the news today has to do with the 24-hour news cycle. The talent of writers and reporters is diluted, there is pressure to make a story out of nothing and there is even more pressure to sensationalize everything. We consume this stuff like it's crack; it's highly addictive and very bad for your mind.
My solution: Turn off the TV, walk outside and enjoy nature.
September 1st, 2009 at 2:08 PM ^
I'm with the 'If this wasn't Michigan, it wouldn't be a story' camp. Hell even with most 'Big Time' schools this would be a non issue, but we're dealing with reporters wanting to 'pop the cherry' on a school that has had no infractions, football wise.