Comments on: Is bigotry good for business? http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/03/24/is-bigotry-good-for-business/ Marketing. Social Media. Humanity. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:31:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Social Media and the Decline of Editing | B2B Memes http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/03/24/is-bigotry-good-for-business/#comment-3364 Social Media and the Decline of Editing | B2B Memes Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:15:22 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=3120#comment-3364 [...] the old-media viewpoint, this just doesn’t seem right. Blogger Mark Schaefer wonders, for instance, “why newspapers, who have so staunchly defended the integrity of the published [...] [...] the old-media viewpoint, this just doesn’t seem right. Blogger Mark Schaefer wonders, for instance, “why newspapers, who have so staunchly defended the integrity of the published [...]

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]]> By: Mark http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/03/24/is-bigotry-good-for-business/#comment-3343 Mark Thu, 25 Mar 2010 02:41:39 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=3120#comment-3343 @Kimmo -- Fascinating story! Interesting impact. I wonder if the level of commenting dropped back to about what it was in the old "letter to the editor days?" @Billy -- Thanks! @Kimmo — Fascinating story! Interesting impact. I wonder if the level of commenting dropped back to about what it was in the old “letter to the editor days?”

@Billy — Thanks!

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]]> By: Kimmo Linkama http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/03/24/is-bigotry-good-for-business/#comment-3342 Kimmo Linkama Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:13:23 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=3120#comment-3342 In Estonia, one of the top dailies went from one extreme to the other. Comments on online articles used to be open for anyone, and the result was similar to what Mark describes. Then they introduced compulsory identification by ID card (we have chip ID cards) and the number of comments dropped to a fraction of what they used to be. My take: The prominent commenters were a very small group of people with an unproportionally loud voice and unproportionally unyielding views, making some kind of control necessary. On the other hand, you could see the control as stifling the _vox populi_. This brings about an interesting dilemma. I, for one, have always advocated free speech and the minimum of communication control, but in this case it might just be that control will ensure a more unbiased discussion. In Estonia, one of the top dailies went from one extreme to the other.

Comments on online articles used to be open for anyone, and the result was similar to what Mark describes.

Then they introduced compulsory identification by ID card (we have chip ID cards) and the number of comments dropped to a fraction of what they used to be.

My take: The prominent commenters were a very small group of people with an unproportionally loud voice and unproportionally unyielding views, making some kind of control necessary. On the other hand, you could see the control as stifling the _vox populi_.

This brings about an interesting dilemma. I, for one, have always advocated free speech and the minimum of communication control, but in this case it might just be that control will ensure a more unbiased discussion.

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]]> By: Storytelling Social Media Marketing PR Technology & Business Curated Stories Mar. 24, 2010 http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/03/24/is-bigotry-good-for-business/#comment-3339 Storytelling Social Media Marketing PR Technology & Business Curated Stories Mar. 24, 2010 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:19:00 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=3120#comment-3339 [...] Is bigotry good for business? Published: March 23, 2010 Source: {grow} The comment sections in some blogs, and many online community newspapers, is becoming a cesspool of bigotry, sexism and intolerance. Nobody has struggled more with the idea of online community than the America... [...] [...] Is bigotry good for business? Published: March 23, 2010 Source: {grow} The comment sections in some blogs, and many online community newspapers, is becoming a cesspool of bigotry, sexism and intolerance. Nobody has struggled more with the idea of online community than the America… [...]

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]]> By: Billy Mitchell http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/03/24/is-bigotry-good-for-business/#comment-3338 Billy Mitchell Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:53:54 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=3120#comment-3338 Unless the success of your business depends on selling to biggots, I don't think bigotry is good for anything. And I don't think much of any business selling to biggots either. As for obscenities, slander and outright lies, there's really no accounting for bad taste, weak minds and haters but there are, thank goodness, scroll bars and delete keys plus the freedom to avoid most of the unpleasant or misleading trash and noise of any source that does a poor job of moderating or filtering out the hatred. Great debate is such a wonderful thing either participate in or enjoy as a spectator it would be a shame if the idiots overtake the open forums. As for the online or print forums run by those I think are idiots, I try to avoid them altogether. But for the sake of arguing one side or the other in this discussion, I agree with you that not allowing total anonymity is a great idea. I believe it would eliminate most of the problem. Unless the success of your business depends on selling to biggots, I don’t think bigotry is good for anything. And I don’t think much of any business selling to biggots either.

As for obscenities, slander and outright lies, there’s really no accounting for bad taste, weak minds and haters but there are, thank goodness, scroll bars and delete keys plus the freedom to avoid most of the unpleasant or misleading trash and noise of any source that does a poor job of moderating or filtering out the hatred.

Great debate is such a wonderful thing either participate in or enjoy as a spectator it would be a shame if the idiots overtake the open forums. As for the online or print forums run by those I think are idiots, I try to avoid them altogether.

But for the sake of arguing one side or the other in this discussion, I agree with you that not allowing total anonymity is a great idea. I believe it would eliminate most of the problem.

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]]> By: steve_dodd http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/03/24/is-bigotry-good-for-business/#comment-3337 steve_dodd Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:47:49 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=3120#comment-3337 @ Mark, yup, you're right. Thanks for clarifying, my misunderstanding. @ Mark, yup, you’re right. Thanks for clarifying, my misunderstanding.

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]]> By: Mark http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/03/24/is-bigotry-good-for-business/#comment-3335 Mark Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:47:04 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=3120#comment-3335 I would like to add a comment to my own post : ) I think where I am most conflicted on this issue is that the sensationalism is being carried under the same banner as the traditional news authority. I grew up honoring the dignity of the free press and hate that it is being turned into a reality show. I actually think the local paper is doing a good job allowing the community to self-monitor and flag the most offensive comments. I just wish we could preserve some good old civility SOMEWHERE in our society. I think that's what really nags me about the whole thing. Why not force people to identify themselves? That would preserve the freedom to comment and also make the debate more meaningful. Editors could allow anonymity on a case by case basis, as they do now. Perhaps a separate forum could be created to allow the reality series to take place -- and create a new set of advertising opportunities! Maybe there is no good answer and our culture is destined to be determined by the whatever drives the most profitable Google ads. I would like to add a comment to my own post : )

I think where I am most conflicted on this issue is that the sensationalism is being carried under the same banner as the traditional news authority. I grew up honoring the dignity of the free press and hate that it is being turned into a reality show.

I actually think the local paper is doing a good job allowing the community to self-monitor and flag the most offensive comments.

I just wish we could preserve some good old civility SOMEWHERE in our society. I think that’s what really nags me about the whole thing. Why not force people to identify themselves? That would preserve the freedom to comment and also make the debate more meaningful. Editors could allow anonymity on a case by case basis, as they do now.

Perhaps a separate forum could be created to allow the reality series to take place — and create a new set of advertising opportunities!

Maybe there is no good answer and our culture is destined to be determined by the whatever drives the most profitable Google ads.

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]]> By: Mark http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/03/24/is-bigotry-good-for-business/#comment-3334 Mark Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:33:24 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=3120#comment-3334 @Steve I have to vigorously disagree with you. I think you are confusing diversity with bigotry. Yes, we are all entitled to our opinions and our quirks -- which is our diversity -- but that doesn't mean that publishing hatred of a religuous or ethnic group is tolerable. Likewise, there may be rare cases when somebody would be legitimately uncomfortable identifying themselves for fear of reprisal but otherwise people should be accountable for their opinions. Spreading hate and fear in an anonymous way, and that's what I'm addressing here, is cowardly. @Jim Appreciate your point. @Steve I have to vigorously disagree with you. I think you are confusing diversity with bigotry. Yes, we are all entitled to our opinions and our quirks — which is our diversity — but that doesn’t mean that publishing hatred of a religuous or ethnic group is tolerable.

Likewise, there may be rare cases when somebody would be legitimately uncomfortable identifying themselves for fear of reprisal but otherwise people should be accountable for their opinions. Spreading hate and fear in an anonymous way, and that’s what I’m addressing here, is cowardly.

@Jim Appreciate your point.

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]]> By: steve_dodd http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/03/24/is-bigotry-good-for-business/#comment-3333 steve_dodd Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:16:33 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=3120#comment-3333 Mark, very though provoking post indeed!IMO bigotry is a basic human characteristic. It all depends on how you define it. In one way or another, we all can be deemed as bigots from another person’s perspective on varying topics. If an opinion is stated, there will be opposing views. This is our fundamental right. Some will identify themselves, others will not. But, just because someone is uncomfortable with identifying themselves, doesn't mean their opinion isn't valid, worthy of consideration or an indication of underlying sentiment within society itself. Unlike the controlled practice of "Letters to the Editor", the online commentary allows for a better and more immediate understanding of public opinion. Controversy is a good thing. It helps us consider all the alternatives to make informed decisions. The free flow of information within the social web has given us a better understanding of the underlying issues and opinions that shape our society. We need to protect this. And, is it good for business? Absolutely, from many different perspectives! Mark, very though provoking post indeed!IMO bigotry is a basic human characteristic. It all depends on how you define it. In one way or another, we all can be deemed as bigots from another person’s perspective on varying topics. If an opinion is stated, there will be opposing views. This is our fundamental right. Some will identify themselves, others will not. But, just because someone is uncomfortable with identifying themselves, doesn’t mean their opinion isn’t valid, worthy of consideration or an indication of underlying sentiment within society itself. Unlike the controlled practice of “Letters to the Editor”, the online commentary allows for a better and more immediate understanding of public opinion. Controversy is a good thing. It helps us consider all the alternatives to make informed decisions. The free flow of information within the social web has given us a better understanding of the underlying issues and opinions that shape our society. We need to protect this.
And, is it good for business? Absolutely, from many different perspectives!

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]]> By: Jim LeBlanc http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/03/24/is-bigotry-good-for-business/#comment-3331 Jim LeBlanc Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:24:22 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=3120#comment-3331 I recognize that this is a very difficult issue, but managing the comment section based on what the legal liability is, versus what is right to do, seems like a weak policy. Jack may be doing both but that just struck me as an odd strategy. Thought-provoking post, Mark. I recognize that this is a very difficult issue, but managing the comment section based on what the legal liability is, versus what is right to do, seems like a weak policy. Jack may be doing both but that just struck me as an odd strategy. Thought-provoking post, Mark.

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