[meteorite-list] Pluto May Get Demoted After All
From: Sterling K. Webb <sterling_k_webb_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri Aug 18 22:44:43 2006 Message-ID: <04fd01c6c339$599c1030$7353e146_at_ATARIENGINE> Hi, E.P. I can go with "lively"! It is a very "real" controversy. > Ah hah - we get to the root of the problem - you're > JEALOUS of Britt! Yes, I threw in that remark to expose my own baser motives. Since I've talking about everybody else's ulterior motives, it's only fair I print an "expose" of my own petty biases... Sterling K. Webb ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Original Message ----- From: "E.P. Grondine" <epgrondine_at_yahoo.com> To: "Meteorite Mailing List" <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com> Sent: Friday, August 18, 2006 8:18 PM Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Pluto May Get Demoted After All > Hi all - > > Sterling, I want to arise in defense of Rob Roy Britt. > > > --- "Sterling K. Webb" <sterling_k_webb_at_sbcglobal.net> > wrote: > >> Second: you'll notice that much of the >> "coverage" of the planet definition controversy is >> coming out of Space.com. In searching up articles, I >> have become aware that Space.com and particularly > Mr. > Britt, who's doing most of their pieces, have >> adopted a tabloid-esque approach. They're trying to >> boost "circulation," so to speak. > > That's the reporter's job, Sterling: boost circulation > = get an an audience with reportage. > >> Encouraging controversy and then getting people >> to then react to it is an old trick of the yellow >> rag. Of course, the controversy is REAL, > > Yes, as you can see by reading the meteorite list > messages, this controversy is REAL, and was not > created by Britt. > >> but what tone it has is another matter. >> In one piece discussing the "double planet" >> concept, Britt uses a phrase about them having that > "barycenter thing going." Hey! Making bad slangy jokes > about science is my job! I doubt the working > astronomers are talking about it that way. Maybe... > > Ah hah - we get to the root of the problem - you're > JEALOUS of Britt! > > Well, Sterling, not every story is as good as this > one, and the pay is lousy, frankly. Britt recognized > a good story early on, lined up his contacts, works > them, and writes good copy that people read. > > I think that's what a journalist does. Just because > the story is sensational and he got there first does > not allow you to accuse Britt of being a > "sensationalist". We prefer the word "lively". > > good hunting, > Ed > Received on Fri 18 Aug 2006 10:44:10 PM PDT |
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