I suppose that this post could get me into some proverbial hot water. It’s a good thing, then, that I tend to enjoy showers that nearly scald the skin off of my back. I’ve never been afraid to speak my mind in the past. I’ve oft wondered lately why I keep yelling things at my Twitter client instead of writing them down. It’s time I stop hiding what is rattling around inside this rock attached to my shoulders. If I don’t win any friends, that’s okay with me. I’m not trying to kiss up to anyone. I just feel it is time that I speak out on a subject that gets me fired up nearly every single day.
Being a girl behind the scenes doing what I do is honestly probably more fun than it would be were I the one in the spotlight. It’s also a whole lot easier. I don’t have to constantly take flak and have bullshit flung at me every time I write or speak. I can research and write about technology and social media to my heart’s content and not have to worry about what everyone else thinks. That’s the beauty of being a ghost-writer. I can write the news and stories, publish them and know at the end of the day I did one hell of a good job.
Being a community manager for Chris Pirillo, I spend a lot of time keeping my eye on Twitter. Where else will I get scoops on all of the latest news and hot stories? There are also a lot of interesting tidbits to be found there, if one is inclined to pay attention. I’ve noticed lately that there seems to be an even larger amount of bashing of Michael Arrington than usual. Sure, he’s controversial. You bet your ass he tells it like it is. He pulls no punches. If he thinks something, he’s going to say it. Personally, that’s why I follow the man. I could care less that he’s the boss of TechCrunch. I don’t care if he’s worth a dollar – or a million of them. I find his honesty and willingness to speak his mind refreshing. I disagree with him often. Does that mean I should slam him publicly? Should I start ranting and calling him names every time I think differently than he does?
We seem to have forgotten that it’s a GOOD thing to disagree with someone. Listening to what others think is a great way to expand our own minds. It helps us to look at things with a different perspective than we might have otherwise. Why has this become so taboo? I see people pointing fingers and saying some damn nasty things every time Arrington dares to open his mouth. I admit that a few things he’s said have ticked me off. Instead of throwing a temper tantrum, though, I end up trying to find out WHY he thought the way he did. You just never know when you might learn something new.
Michael Arrington isn’t the devil. He’s just a guy who likes to tell the world what’s on his mind and doesn’t really give two shits if you agree or not.
Great post, Kat! I completely agree with everything here. What amazes me is why there aren’t more people out there like yourself and Arrington…oh yeah…we’re in the 21st century. Everything is full of controversy….
Well I get your point but the problem I have with him lately is that he is supposed to be a journalist. Rather than reporting news and facts which would contribute to the tech community, he chooses to air his dirty laundry and take pot shots at people. I said some things over the last few days simply because I was sick of it. Acting like that is not professional and he should be addressing the person directly rather than using his website to take shots.
Tawnie – I absolutely get what you’re saying. However, I don’t think of Michael himself as a journalist. TechCrunch has writers who are journalists. I think Arrington is simply being himself… a human being with his own thoughts, feelings and ideas. Is he crass sometimes? You bet he is! I never said that I agree with the way he says things at times. I do, however, applaud him for having the guts to speak his mind when so many people out there don’t.
I think it is true that even thought you might not like someone or something you should still listen to them
In furthering the argument of Arrington being a journalist or not, I would personally liken TechCrunch to a radio station. The many writers working there could be seen as the various journalists, newsreaders, sports readers, etc. Arrington would be the talk show shock jockey that keeps it all glued together and keeps people listening. All in all, a good combination.
Awesome post! I can identify with a lot of what’s written here.. I guess I am a mini-Arrington myself in my own small world
There is always room for healthy discussion but with many it can turn ugly easily.
spot on kat
“We seem to have forgotten that it’s a GOOD thing to disagree with someone.” Your statement seems, somehow, contradictory, when you ban someone for voicing their honest opinion. Hypocrisy at it’s finest??