Do you comment on social media about news posts?
August 15, 2020A month or so ago I put a post on the PBRTV Facebook page asking if people actually read the articles I post here on the website. Most admitted that they did while one or two said they only read the headline. This was apparent when someone posted a question that was clearly answered in the article. I merely answered with “I assume you read the story.”
TV stations and newspapers who post the stories they write for their outlets have to deal with that on a much larger scale. Yet they also have to deal with people flat-out arguing with other people. The political posts, heavily debated issues, and most recently the pandemic have been prime targets for these types of childish typed-out melees.
While awake part of the night last night, I read through a number of posts surrounding the decisions of restaurants around Pittsburgh to open up to the fullest capacity the other evening (not to mention this semi-related story) which was an effort to thumb their nose to the current statewide mandate*. At first, I was amused at what I was reading. But a few opinions in things turned nasty. It was then that I lost faith in humanity. *(Anyone who comments either here or on the PBRTV social media post about this restaurant or related issues will have their post deleted. This ain’t the place for it)
I get we are all living through rough times. I get that it’s an election year. I get that everyone thinks they know everything about something – particularly when it comes to novel viruses. But do we really have to be rude and insensitive toward others as we hide behind our computers and tablets?
In the post I mentioned above about whether anyone really reads these blog posts, someone automatically assumed that I was doing away with the website and strictly going to post on social media. That was NEVER the plan and this kind of behavior only cements it.
No I do not comment on social media about news posts, mainly because of many of the things you mentioned—the arguing, etc. and because I don’t have the time. Also, I am not on face book, so please keep the website going. By the way, I noticed a new vertical structure on the old KQV site behind North Hills Village. Any idea of what it will be use for?
5G… cellular… at least that’s what I’ve heard.
I don’t like that kind of social media like Facebook or Twitter, feeling like we’re all tools to tech companies, making them rich, but not thinking of or for ourselves.
Now I also think communication can help shut-ins staying in due to the virus, check-ins with family can help to stay connected, but others have anger to get rid of or spread around, and everyone seems to be letting loose that way, so it seems normal in some places.
I was on social media but left it, and would only use it now for business or promotion, and have an agent post there if needed, and just run a regular website.
Agreed with other posts, Eric. I’ll comment if the there’s bad information. I’ll comment if I want to set off a sh**storm. I certainly don’t want to start crap with other commenters-and in many cases will run. Positive thoughts can go very far though.
In case you haven’t noticed, most people are lazy and don’t want to take the time to read a news article in depth. Reading the headline makes them an “expert”. (I read a funny definition of “expert” many years ago: “X” is the unknown quantity and “spurt” is just a drop in the bucket.) I am tired of media who add opinion to the story rather than just report the facts. I don’t want someone else’s spin. Just give me the facts and I am able to make up my own mind. If the facts are skewed, then be a good journalist and report the margin of error or note the facts may not be factual…and why. I don’t want journalists doing creative writing.
Social media was created with, I’d like to think, good intentions. (It was actually a money making project.) It can be great for those who have family scattered across the globe and need a way to keep in touch, or to bring people with similar interests together. Like everything else, it has been corrupted by the fake news media, advertisers,/marketing, the “hackers”, the stalkers, and the folks who have nothing better to do but hide behind their screens/keyboards and post all kinds of negativity, or “cyberbully”. Now people are hiding behind face coverings, or trying to. I guess if you are rude and mean to someone while wearing a face covering it’s ok? You’re anonymous! Get used to it as that seems to be happening as we turn into more of a “faceless” society.
I refuse to do any social media as my business (personal and professional) is my own. If you aren’t part of my telephone contact list, you don’t need to know what I’m doing or where I am. It’s called privacy.
I appreciate this well written “blog”. Keep up the good work Eric.
I do not normally comment on news articles. Like some of “us”, I do not “do” social media. Had a bad experience during the early stages of “MySpace” many years ago. Shut down that account never to return to social media again. Unless you have a specific need, as mentioned here in some of the replies, in general, it’s a waste of time. Eric, over the years, this “blog” continues to be well written with meaningful and timely content. Please continue with your GREAT volunteer work!!
Personally I find the comments section on news stories to be the most entertaining part of the whole experience. For example, a story about a baseball game being canceled after a sewer line ruptured a the ballpark. Headline said “Raw Sewage Runs Onto Field at Dodger Stadium”. The reader comment read “So….they were playing the Padres?” I find stuff like that all the time and it amuses me. Often the commenters are more engaging than the journalist who wrote the piece itself.