The media pundit's pundit. Written by NYC insider Jeff Jarvis, BuzzMachine covers news, media, journalism, and politics.
The ratings are in
: I know some of you don’t like Maureen Dowd or Frank Rich but there’s a reason they’re employed: I just got the latest Times email listing the 10 most popular stories over the last two weeks and two Rich columns and two Dowd columns are on the list.
I wonder how much of that is due to bloggers who hate them linking to them?
“Hate” was too strong a word. I meant something more like “don’t like” or “disagree with”, though there are probably those who actually hate them.
Hey, don’t ya wanna be popular? Then sign right here on the dotted line. You’ll just feel a little prick– Oh, didn’t they tell you? You sign this contract in blood. There. What’s that? Oh, don’t worry about the references to your “soul” — that’s just some old legalese we have to leave in there. Pleases the head boss — he’s kind of old-fashioned.
“Hate,” “disagree with,” or even “mock.” This is something Bill Keller doesn’t quite understand — but which Jeff, your latest reply kind of points out — that often blogs link to certain articles in order to REFUTE them. I’d bet Paul Krugman’s high on that list too, he of the supposed “stalkers” he so worries about.
(In the case of MoDo and Krugman, I’d have to say a good deal of it is mockery. I can’t imagine but that the vast majority of the blogosphere laughs just to hear MoDo’s name; and groans to hear Krug’s. I seriously, sincerely, doubt that anyone outside the NY Times — and arguably perhaps half inside — takes them seriously whatsoever.)
The better question is not how often their articles are emailed, but how often their arguments are built upon, or how influential their views are among those whose opinions the NY Times would fight for. Let’s hear it for the sociopolitical influence of MoDo, people.
Popularity is fine and dandy…Hustler magazine is popular, Paris Hilton is popular too.
No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public.
Oohh..gotta go, The Fearful American Apprentice Survivor Factor is on!
player haters are so played out
Well, a lot of people like to watch “The Simple Life” as well.
What’s your point exactly?