The missing Spinks
For the past several months I’ve been reflecting about this blog. When I started Spink About It back in July 2006 it was after a year of being an observer in blogs and offering comments to what other people wrote. I figured it was about time to take a more active role in leading off the conversation. The focus of the blog was often observations about how New Brunswick media was treating certain stories. Often they seemed to be missing key points. I often wrote of what I called a left-winged mindset in most newsrooms. I don’t buy in that there’s some kind of liberal conspiracy going on, but I do think newsrooms for the most part are made up of a lot of like minded people which means perspectives and views are omitted simply because there’s no one in the news meeting saying, “Have you considered X?”
I was quite simply blown away by the reaction to the discussion here. Between Spink About It and my side project 101 people who are screwing up Canada (and 10 who are not), there have been more than 700 posts, 300,000 visits and thousands of comments. Among the commentators have been politicians and media which has shown me that this little blog may not necessarily be influential but it was read and cared about enough for these people to comment. At the very least the blogs offered another point of view that they at least thought about.
Now that CanadaEast, CBC and most other news sites offer comments sections, other views are making it into the public discourse. It’s something I advocated long before the mainstream media did it but there is truth to the saying, “Be careful what you wish for”.
I’m with STU Professor Philip Lee on this one. The comments section at news sites such as CBC have become a free for all. Comments which would never pass the sniff test for a news story or make it on the air in CBC’s Talkback segment are posted without question on the website. Sometimes the really bad ones are removed but by the time that rarely does happen the damage is already done. As Mr. Lee has found out the CBC has washed their hands of virtually any responsibility. Too bad.
With that said, I am walking away from blogging at least for now. I had hoped to get some of the more prominent New Brunswick bloggers together for a shared blog but many of those bloggers have shut down in recent months. If anyone is looking for a guest blogger from time to time feel free to contact me as I’m probably still good for the odd rant.
So thanks to all who have visited this site and the 101 people who are screwing up Canada (and 10 who are not) and offered comments, criticism and support. It is all appreciated. Although blogs by their nature are often critical we really do live in a great province with some great people. There’s far more good in New Brunswick than bad. Thanks for stopping by.
Crossposted -Spink About It
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I've enjoyed your posts and the reasoning behind them. Whether I agreed with your viewpoint or not (most often I did), your posts were always interesting reads.
Best of luck with your future endeavours.