A lot of people are reading the Forbes article that attacks bloggers. It’s the most written about story right now on the Meme, too.
Registration is required for the story (note Steve Rubel gives the bugmenot login/password “forbesdontbug” which also works for me).
The article is misinformed, unbalanced and sensationalist. It looks like it took about an hour to research and write it.
My favorite part:
Web logs are the prized platform of an online lynch mob spouting liberty but spewing lies, libel and invective. Their potent allies in this pursuit include Google and Yahoo.
But besides the standard criticism that a hack job like this deserves, there is another side of this story.
I am in complete awe of what a real journalist such as Daniel Lyons, who wrote the piece, can accomplish when they put their mind to it. What a great first paragraph! (the one quoted above).
This may be the most read article on forbes.com ever. Not only has Daniel found a compelling angle to show how scary bloggers are (to get the attention of all those non-bloggers out there), but he’s also attacked a group with a huge collective voice (all screaming and pointing back to the article). Controversy breeds discussion, which in this case centers on this article.
It’s a one-two punch: scare the audience, and attack someone who can fight back (creating a discussion). Who cares about the facts!
I’m inspired.
Spreading FUD… I really like “Bloggers are more of a threat than people realize, and they are only going to get more toxic. This is the new reality,” What alarming statements.
Although, isnt Daniel Lyons simply doing the very same thing that he claims bloggers are wrong for doing? “…spewing lies, libel and invective” How is his story, posting it on Forbes with its wide circulation, any differnt?
Hmmm… I am no uber blogger, more of a media consumer from many sources.
So what would he say about ABC News article regarding ‘Scooter’.
Quote:
Send in your questions using the form below and an ABC News reporter in Washington, D.C. will respond to a selection of the questions.
Now the public are being probed for interesting questions that journo’s just no longer can think of themselves
Is it possible that Mr. Lyons is setting us all up - knowing that he is going to get attacked/skewered/circumcised by bloggers - and do a follow-up later to prove his point?
I am also inspired. I think I will create a blog named crunchnotes to talk abou…. damnit you’ve beaten me to it. Looking forward to good things.
Wow.. I’ve read Frobes for over 10 years and this is an amazing low point. usually they are pro-innovation, pro disruptive technology and balanced… they must feel threatened!
finally a forbes talks about the one topic that bloggers are concerned with: blogs.
i’ve been reading forbes for years. this is nothing new for me.
Spot on!
With this article Forbes (no not Dave Winer, not Scoble) has put blogging finally, squarely on the map. I predict it is only a matter of time before Daniel Lyons announces his own blog (This web 2.0 train moves damn fast!) linking to CrunchNotes for proof that he only wanted to inspire debate!