Hi, E.P.
I can go with "lively"! It is a very "real" controversy.
Ah hah - we get to the root of the problem - you're
JEALOUS of Britt!
Yes, I threw in that remark to expose my own baser motives.
Since I've talking about everybody else's ulterior motives, it's
only fair I print an "expose" of my own petty biases...
Sterling K. Webb
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----- Original Message -----
From: "E.P. Grondine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Meteorite Mailing List" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, August 18, 2006 8:18 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Pluto May Get Demoted After All
Hi all -
Sterling, I want to arise in defense of Rob Roy Britt.
--- "Sterling K. Webb" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
Second: you'll notice that much of the
"coverage" of the planet definition controversy is
coming out of Space.com. In searching up articles, I
have become aware that Space.com and particularly
Mr. > Britt, who's doing most of their pieces, have
adopted a tabloid-esque approach. They're trying to
boost "circulation," so to speak.
That's the reporter's job, Sterling: boost circulation
= get an an audience with reportage.
Encouraging controversy and then getting people
to then react to it is an old trick of the yellow
rag. Of course, the controversy is REAL,
Yes, as you can see by reading the meteorite list
messages, this controversy is REAL, and was not
created by Britt.
but what tone it has is another matter.
In one piece discussing the "double planet"
concept, Britt uses a phrase about them having that
"barycenter thing going." Hey! Making bad slangy jokes
about science is my job! I doubt the working
astronomers are talking about it that way. Maybe...
Ah hah - we get to the root of the problem - you're
JEALOUS of Britt!
Well, Sterling, not every story is as good as this
one, and the pay is lousy, frankly. Britt recognized
a good story early on, lined up his contacts, works
them, and writes good copy that people read.
I think that's what a journalist does. Just because
the story is sensational and he got there first does
not allow you to accuse Britt of being a
"sensationalist". We prefer the word "lively".
good hunting,
Ed
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