Story Comments Never Cease to Amaze Me
November 9th, 2008 by brynn grimleyWarning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/psblogs/public_html/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821
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I like to believe I have a thick skin when it comes to insults made by readers commenting on the stories I write. We as reporters are no strangers to constant criticism, unfounded accusations and other defamatory remarks because of our role in this wonderful profession we call journalism.
Before the web we weren’t able to defend ourselves on blogs, or by posting remarks to comments made on the stories we write that go online. Instead we had to suck it up and take it — unless of course someone called us, then at least we could stand up for ourselves.
I am still of the mindset that I need to suck it up when criticized, and to learn from those experiences. So more often than not I don’t make a big deal about negative comments posted below my stories. Instead I continue to do my job to the best of my ability, and stay focused on my goal to continue to produce quality work on a consistent basis.
But, I have to admit there are times when I want to scream while reading some of the comments on our web site. I can handle accusations people make toward me (even though they know nothing about me), but what I can’t handle is when readers comment about people they don’t know, and insert their two cents about how they think those people should be living their lives. Before the internet if someone had something to say about a story that they felt strongly about, they took the time to write (yes handwrite) a letter to the editor.
And they signed their name behind their opinion.
The invention of online journalism allows people to immediately publicize their first reaction to a story, usually without a second thought — and without their true identity. In some cases this is good. In others it is not.
What prompted me to write this blog entry is the response to the story I wrote for Sunday’s paper about the Tibbetts family and the help they’ve received from their church to build a much-needed expansion to their home. I am sure the comments on that story could be worse — because I’ve read worse — but I was surprised to find that instead of commending the church for pulling together to get something done for a family in need, readers felt it more important to comment on the safety of the children on the roof.
As “DoUThinkIGaf” pointed out: “For years I rode a bike without a helmet, swam with out flotation devices, played on the monkey bars (hanging upside down) without a safety net, carried packages of shingles up a ladder on a two story house, rode a few times without a seat belt, moved the cows from one place to another and even wrestled with my brothers…all without safety gear!”
I agree with him/her here. How many of us as children were running in the street, climbing trees higher than we should, riding our bikes without helmets and even climbing ladders to heights we shouldn’t be reaching?
I’m guessing most of the people who commented on the story against the children being on the roof at one point in their lives did something dangerous, likely without adult supervision, as a child.
The Tibbetts girls who were helping on the day Larry Steagall took the photos for the story were on the roof with adult supervision. They were up there with their mother and other adults from the church. The girls wanted to help out, and they were allowed.
Think what these girls are learning by this experience. They are seeing members of their church donate their time and energy to help them have a better place to live. They are watching strangers help them, because they want to, not because they are getting paid. They are learning the importance of do-it-yourself work and what it’s like to create something and the feeling of accomplishment that follows once it is successfully completed.
Instead of focusing on photos of kids on a roof, I would have hoped those commenting on the story would have seen a “feel good” story about a family working hard to provide for themselves, and the desire of their church to also help them.
I guess I am asking too much.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
November 9th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
People do seem excessively inclined to offer their safety tips, as though they believe no one else has a lick of common sense. I hadn’t paid much attention to the article, but your blog entry caused me to go take a look. It didn’t change my opinion about their excessive inclination. I wonder what they would have thought of the kids in my neighborhood climbing up on “Paw” Faris’s garage just to jump off its roof. We even tried it with an umbrella to see if we could tell the difference. (It didn’t help.)
November 9th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Thank you for the positive and uplifting story. I was shocked to see the criticisms that people posted. It would be one thing if the children were up on the roof without adult supervision (though Lord knows most of us did that a time or two in our day!), but it is clear from this story that there were many adults on hand to supervise and assist the children. I think it’s fabulous these kids were outside working on their home, rather sitting inside glued to a television or video game. Nice story!!
November 9th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Well, I did have a ‘feel good’ experience reading your story and seeing the pictures. I didn’t read the comments until now.
The story and pictures showed a family working together with their church and friends for a common cause. You did a good job telling their story.
The little girl on the roof pulling a roofing tab reminded me of a story my dad loved to tell about a family he thought the world of-parents and kids.
He was over there helping with an addition to the house…when he spotted one of the kids – two or so – walking across an open stringer – guessing here, about two or three feet off the ground. He mentioned it to his friend, the father of the child.
“Oh, she’ll be fine. If she falls, she’ll be more careful next time.”
All the kids in that wonderful big family grew up independent, healthy and self-sufficient, all -or most- college graduates.
Sometimes comments are made that, really, have nothing to do with the story.. ‘something’ grabbed the reader to react without thinking – the open mouth, insert foot syndrome.
The Tibbett kids are learning the best lessons life has to offer in terms of family, friends and church…self-reliance too. They are fortunate and you told their story well.
Sharon O’Hara
November 9th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
P>S> When I was ten or so I used to tie a rope around the second floor bedpost, back out the window and slide down the rope just to see if I could do it. Never did figure out how to climb back up.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:21 am
I too get frustrated at the blog-and-run mentality of some readers. God forbid, I actually let my boys up on the roof to do chores, have them machete the blackberries, and run power tools. They don the safety googles and cut wood for the deck without supervision after being properly trained when they are 13 and up. It’s because they understand and respect what can happen when they screw up. We have known grown men who have cut off their fingers with a power saw. We had a friend die after falling off a roof in his late 40s. It is tragic. But the jobs need to be done so we don’t shelter them, just teach them responsibility and consequences of being stupid or inattentive.
It was a good article, perhaps people will be injected with common sense and goodwill after reading it. Don’t give up hope, I am sure you reached most of your audience. And some people are just idiots. It’s politically incorrect but unfortunately, true.