pmalott

While not a regular contributor on UrbanOhio, I have been offered an opportunity to address some of the issues brought forth by my editorial. 1.) The meaning behind the Surburbanite theory was lost in the amassing defensive comments. It was written satirically, inspired from Robert Putnam’s research in Bowling Alone. The book discusses the decline of social interactions since the growth of suburbs in the 1950s. Surburbanites paying for face-to-face interaction; a theory so ridiculous it was intended to amuse, but unfortunately was taken at face value by readers. It was a humble lesson to learn as a writer. 2.) Regarding the numbers, there was one miscalculation, one that was immediately corrected when brought to our attention. The use of a person icon and a bus icon in place of worded descriptions on the Diner En Blanc website caused confusion. I understood the icons to indicate a separate fee for both bus and admission, not either or. One error, immediately corrected, should not discredit the entire article which cited links to other numbers researched. 3.) As for revenue, transparency of cost is important for consumers, especially when there is additional effort and out-of-pocket expenses that are not included in the ticket price. An independent estimate was conducted after sources suggested the costs may be inflated. An estimate, which was reiterated with an itemized list in the comments, is not to be confused with fact. It may be more, it may be less. The objective was to examine the possibility of organizers profiting, whether in excess revenue or as a franchise fee, after advertising that ticket proceeds contributed directly to putting on the event. 4.) The editorial was effective in that it stimulated discussion about differing viewpoints. It was not intended to discourage people from attending Diner En Blanc. The dinner’s image would benefit from organizers being aware that location also influences the perception. Both guests and onlookers should enjoy an event's spontaneity rather than be puzzled by it.