Wednesday, August 10, 2005
(10:44 AM) | Adam Kotsko:
Blog Design Clearinghouse, with Supplement (non-dangerous)
Submitted: Long Pauses has the blog design than which no greater can be thought. I think that his relatively infrequent updates actually increase the elegance of the page.Supplement: Yesterday, Ogged sent me this link to a RedEye story, saying that it was the Tribune's "Tuesday Hate." Since, as Ogged points out, I have been angry lately, after reading the article, I responded to the author's call for "L" complaints as follows:
I hate it when people can't find anything better to read on the train than the Red Eye.Yes, I did actually send that message, because I am an asshole. She responded graciously:
Hi Adam:How good natured! I'm sure that if she is giving our exchange any further thought (which is unlikely), she is satisfied at my hypocrisy in having read the RedEye article -- which, to be perfectly clear, was the first-ever RedEye article I've read and which I did not read on the "L." I don't just refuse the free copies of the RedEye handed out at some "L" stops -- I actively assault those who are handing them out, then urinate on their stock of copies. (I make sure to drink several glasses of water before arriving at the "L.") "L!" I actually usually just call it a "train," and I don't actually assault the poor people who are handing out the contemptible rag that we call the "RedEye" -- both words jammed together, because it's cool! It's hip! We have this opportunity to actually "inform" people of something, to appeal to a "younger audience," and we seize that opportunity with endless celebrity stories and mindless tripe about "don't you hate it when people talk on the phone on the 'L'?" The Reader seems to attract a fairly young audience, and they also occasionally report on "stuff that matters." Maybe newspapers could appeal to a younger audience by not being filled with unrelenting bullshit, such as "he said/she said" political "coverage," but I can understand the counter-intuitive approach of saying, "No! I've got it! Our coverage isn't shitty enough! There is a huge latent demand for even shittier shit!" Brilliant!
Thanks for your feedback. Though I'm sorry RedEye isn't your first choice for daily news, I certainly appreciate you reading our coverage and taking time out of your day to respond. Have a good one!
Her message was in blue. In fact, I receive many e-mail messages that are in blue, and I don't understand why. Is this our way, in a digital age, of paying tribute to the standard choice between blue and black pens? I don't know.
