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Safire, author of the New York Times Magazine column On Language, has written a blog for The Oxford University Press. Gawker's dismissive reference to Safire's first entry as "circular and confusing" notwithstanding, the excerpt from Safire's post (which makes up more than half the content of the Gawker entry) is itself intriguing: Safire urges us to investigate the origins of blogging, arguing that "we ought to dig more deeply to place blogging in the great scheme of human communication." It's a rather uninformative blurb, useful mostly for the link it provides to Safire's actual blog entry.
Posted 5:20, 4 April 2008
This abstract was written by
Ana Anderson
and edited by Brijit.
Gawker takes a look at the latest "hipster parent flamewar," and declares everyone losers. Writer Neal Pollack started a website called Offsprung, and named the discussion area "Playground." Meanwhile, Nerve.com's parenting site Babble also has a discussion section called "Babble Playground." Pollack is appalled, seeks legal action, and says mean things about Nerve's founder. The end? Here's hoping, although Gawker's conclusion that "all the hipsters went back to ruining their children and the world forever" is apt. Snark at its best, and a welcome diversion from the real issues.
Posted 5:12, 3 April 2008
This abstract was written by
Sarah Erdreich
and edited by Brijit.
Maxim publisher Felix Dennis is an eccentric man who, outside of his publishing duties, writes poetry and is trying to recreate an ancient forest in England. In a recent interview with the London Times, he talks about trying to save a young prostitute for three years and -- after a couple bottles of wine with the reporter -- claims to have killed a man who was harassing her by pushing him off a cliff. He refuses to say when or where, just that it happened and he'll never get caught for it. This sensationalist claim by a drunk press baron is hilarious -- and perfect -- fodder for Gawker.
Posted 4:49, 2 April 2008
This abstract was written by
Francis Merlie
and edited by Brijit.
The mathematicians over at Gawker whipped out their calculators, did a little research into Eliot Spitzer's finances, and came to the conclusion that the press has been misreporting the hourly price that the beleaguered former gov paid for his high-class call girl. While it's become accepted fact that the former governor of New York paid $5,000 per hour to see "Kristen," that figure isn't quite accurate. Spitzer did hand over a total of $4,700, but $200 of that was a tip, and $1,500 was "on account," so the cost of an individual session was $3,000. Because the session lasted four hours, he paid the "more modest" fee $750 per hour. It's trivia, but it's still kind of amusing.
Posted 3:52, 26 March 2008
This abstract was written by
Francis Merlie
and edited by Brijit.
Famous Scientologist and deliriously happy Tom Cruise is the subject of a video clip obtained by Gawker, showing Cruise celebrating his birthday in 2004 with Scientology chief David Miscavige on board the cruise ship Freewinds. Scientologists maintain that Cruise has no official or unofficial position in the church, but Gawker questions that claim based on the extravagant party thrown for Cruise in this clip. Unfortunately, the video is mundane and Gawker's assertions come across as baseless, making this piece an easy one to avoid.
Posted 2:52, 18 March 2008
This abstract was written by
Francis Merlie
and edited by Brijit.
Political sensitivity reaches new heights in this amusing post, which examines an open letter to liberal bloggers from Clinton Internet director and blogger Peter Daou decrying the mean-spirited nature of Barack Obama's campaign. While media outlets have given a good deal of coverage to the attacks Clinton has leveled against Obama, Daou feels not enough attention is being paid to Obama's insults. He argues that the candidate is unfairly getting away with a squeaky-clean image, as his campaign has at times described Clinton as "too polarizing to win; divisive; untruthful; dishonest; calculating," and a slew of other disparaging phrases in what is a "full assault" on her character.
Posted 10:10, 18 March 2008
This abstract was written by
Brian Willett
and edited by Brijit.
Gawker recounts the 48-hour saturation coverage of the Eliot Spitzer scandal after The New York Times revealed that he was a client involved in a prostitution ring. From the 2 pm revelation on the Times website on Monday, news networks pounced and suggested resignation before Spitzer could deliver his hurried apology. The next day shock turned to outrage and everyone and their mother weighed in, until the New York governor finally announced his resignation on Wednesday. Featuring extensive links to Spitzer coverage, Gawker criticizes the speed and ruthlessness of the media -- even though their own "Should Spitzer Quit?" poll ran that Monday.
Posted 3:58, 14 March 2008
This abstract was written by
Francis Merlie
and edited by Brijit.
Gawker rings in with a timely post applauding the "old-fashioned reporting on sexy stories" that's helping the Gray Lady remain relevant. The central example is William Rashbaum's scoop, launched via the paper's website, that first broke Eliot Spitzer's prostitution scandal. Gawker accurately points out that because the Times broke the story, their website became the must-read source for follow-up information. The author also mentions the Heath Ledger story, which the Times also "owned." The piece ends with an enthusiastic pat on the back for Metro editor Joe Sexton and a cheer for "Team Metro."
Posted 10:23, 14 March 2008
This abstract was written by
Laura Dixon
and edited by Brijit.
in Gawker
by
Hamilton Nolan, 11 March 2008
Nolan asks two crisis PR professionals what they would do to save Eliot Spitzer's reputation and career after he was linked to a prostitution ring. Both feel things are hopeless. Michael Robinson from Washington, DC-based Levick Strategic Communications says Spitzer has to resign. Spitzer's reputation was built on fighting crime, a reputation that now seems to be "built on sand." The second PR specialist remains anonymous and agrees Spitzer must resign; simply put, he's "screwed." Obviously, neither expert should be hired by the beleaguered governor, but Nolan's piece at least offers the view of those in crisis management.
Posted 4:28, 11 March 2008
This abstract was written by
Jonathan Pinoli
and edited by Brijit.
This long, insider-riffic blog post concerns a former Gawker blogger, a writer, and his former intern ... and the blogosphere, ex-boyfriends, literary magazines, writers, newspapers, the kitchen sink -- everything's in here. Gawker's trademark snarky tone is in full effect, with a few more notes of disdain than usual, and it's hard not to wonder how much of this is personal (not only does the former blogger come in for some hits, but so does her new boyfriend's work). While this story is undoubtedly the subject of much gossip in certain circles, for the average reader it's likely to inspire little interest and less caring.
Posted 3:56, 7 March 2008
This abstract was written by
Sarah Erdreich
and edited by Brijit.