Posted August 7, 200915 yr I was thinking ... with every OH online news source being an anti-city media outlet feeding the readers with reaffirmation ... why don't we fight back a little? It can be fun, it can be serious, but I think it needs to be done. Sure, some may think it may be a waste of time, but I honestly think that when folks that have no clue and think our urban cores are literal hell holes and then they read a comment in the city's defense -some are dumbfounded. Not all, but some are. It's the same reaction that I see on people's face when I tell them I live Downtown. I'm face to face, so they won't insult me, but they are surprised. I guess I'm asking ... why don't we play their game? I hate to think of it as an "us VS them," but believe it or not, there are potential transplants that actually read these comments and form opinions before they experience it first hand. I know, because I read re-location sites. I guess what I'm looking for in this thread, is for UO'ers to post anti-city links here and we blitz the hell out of the comment section. It doesn't matter if you're from Cincinnati and someone post a link from the Plain Dealer, go on and register and support the city's progress, or correct those that are mistaken and the same is being asked of Clevelanders. EX: you have LRT, you know of the benefits, many Cincinnatians apparently have never ridden on a train, so they think it's a waste of money. Another reason why I think this is a good idea, I would bank on our major paper's writers reading the comment section. If you wrote an article that is supposed to be news-worthy and unbiased, but slants to one side ... how would you feel if 60% or 70% of the comments completely disagreed? Would your writing style change? I know mine would. You need to appeal to the general public and what better way than to read opinions of others. There are literally THOUSANDS of eyes that come across these articles & comments, how about a little free advertising?
August 8, 200915 yr Freeping. This started out with the conservative political site called Free Republic, where they would "Freep" opinion polls and even message boards to push their POV, if they didnt like the politics of the poll or message board. One could do this with newpaper comment boards, too. I think it would be a good idea but it would have to be timely.
August 8, 200915 yr Polls representing sample data and Opinions voiced by individuals (who more than likely are the minority) are two different things. This isn't about skewing any sort of data, it's about letting people know that you live in the city, you like it, you support it, and you support your city leaders.
August 8, 200915 yr I was just using polls as an example....those online opinion polls that are sometimes put up. Freepers used to vote en-mass to skew the results. The message board thing is probaby a better example. Im just saying that this is a tactic. A good one, actually. Think of it as sort of an on-line truth squad.
August 8, 200915 yr What he's talking about is counteracting the cascade of negative comments on urban affairs articles at newspaper comments sites. The idea is to provide a counterooffensive against anti-urban public opinion while also challenging factual inaccuracy and spin from the reporters.
August 8, 200915 yr I think this is an excellent idea. Another excellent idea would be to use social media to try and get some of the energy and information that's always being bounced back and forth on UrbanOhio out into the wider world.
August 8, 200915 yr I've done this before when I read comments on WCPO and how we are 'wasting taxpayer dollars' on building a transit station or streetcar. It's ridiculous how misguided people are. 'More money needs to be spent to prevent crime'. I'm sorry, but not all the money in the world will prevent crime from happening until people become better at there parenting skills and work together as a community to raise kids the right way.
August 8, 200915 yr What he's talking about is counteracting the cascade of negative comments on urban affairs articles at newspaper comments sites. The idea is to provide a counterooffensive against anti-urban public opinion while also challenging factual inaccuracy and spin from the reporters. This is exactly what I'm saying ... ... but, I'm suggesting that we do this as a state. What if users from Cincinnati and Columbus registered as users on the Cleveland Plain Dealer? I'm not suggesting that we be dishonest, but if it comes to social issues that extreme right-wing extremist disagree with and studies/history/etc. show us differently then stand up and be vocal. The same should happen with the Dispatch and Enquirer. Imagine the amount of comments? All of the 3C's online newspapers rank in the top 5,000 sites in the U.S. and all are "world sites" meaning that the sites generate decent traffic from other countries, impressive for being mid-sized cities (this is all public knowledge) ... in other words, the sites go beyond a regional news source. It's very important that our cities are portrayed in a realistic light by from its residents. On travel and relocation sites we have all read a thousand times from potential transplants "why are the people of ____ so negative on the city? Is it really that bad there?" ... We live in a world that feels comfortable in engaging in an online community (UO for example ... hell, some of us have even become friends because of this online forum) and it becomes personal ... these comments are, imo, a lot more serious than some may believe. So, what I'm suggesting is that people from Ohio post outrageous articles here and we'll be sure to voice our opinions in an appropriate way.
August 8, 200915 yr I'm all for it and have thought of this before but didn't know how seriously people would take it. If this is done though we have to do it wholeheartedly for every city in Ohio to promote this state in a better light. It would also give people like me, who mostly just research stuff in their own city, an opportunity to get to know other Ohio cities in more detail to be able to back up that city with details and specifics. How will the be carried out though, would people post the articles in this thread or will there be another thread. Also would we discuss the article a bit here on UO then post reply's on the original site or simply go at it?
August 8, 200915 yr I'm in. How will the be carried out though, would people post the articles in this thread or will there be another thread. Also would we discuss the article a bit here on UO then post reply's on the original site or simply go at it? Let's use this thread to post links and articles to rally the troops. Excellent idea Cincinnatus.
August 8, 200915 yr There is some kind of program available that can track articles of a particular subject matter. Maybe this kind of thing can be implemented to track any articles that may be related to the kind we would want to counter act. I know as a part of the anti-excessive/unnecessary noise pollution/pro-peaceful communities movement.... there is a member who has a program that tracks down an article daily, that relates noise/quality of life issues to escalating bigger and more dramatic crimes. For example, he finds an article a day or maybe 3 that are about someone getting shot, beaten or stabbed just because they asked someone to please turn down the volume. Anyway, the point is...Maybe the same kind of program can be used to find the articles.
August 9, 200915 yr First up: http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Dato=20090808&Kategori=EDIT01&Lopenr=908090343&Ref=AR ... if you're familiar with rail, be vocal ... this is a huge time for Cincinnatians. Clevelanders, Columbusites, etc. follow link and register ... very easy and quick!
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