How bloggers wage war
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
John Gruber’s Daring Fireball Gets Comments (Whether He Likes It or Not)
The influential site Daring Fireball, John Gruber’s web site that covers all things Macintosh, iPhone, iPad and Apple in general is a weblog with the commenting feature turned off. On popular sites like DF moderating comment threads can be a full time job and Gruber has said he’d rather spend time thinking and writing than moderating and responding.
The problem is, Gruber doesn’t quite say it like that, he says it in an incredibly egotistical way and when questioned about it he calls people names like “jackass” and “douchebag.”
Gruber is an excellent writer and his coverage of Apple technology is first rate but his self-important attitude has bothered me for many years. I read him but I cringe at times.
It seems others feel this way as well and John Casasanta has built a web site that is going to allow them to express their feelings about all things Apple and Gruber: Daring Fireball with Comments.
While I share some of this feeling, reposting the content, look and feel of a site with the addition of comments is not a great way to express it; a quick look at the comments at the site supports exactly why Gruber decided not to allow them on his site.
No doubt John Gruber needs to be taken down a few pegs but this isn’t the way to do it.
[via Jon Moss]
You’ve hit the nail on the head about Gruber Richard.
I briefly checked out the mirror site and I don’t think it will last long if Gruber doesn’t want it. It’s a blatant infringement on copyrights and trademark (if he has trademarks). He could easily shut that site down.
I think it will be interesting to see how Gruber comments about this and/or shuts the site down. No doubt he’s thinking and writing a thoughtful reply… or, is going to simply label Casasanta another “jackass.” Even if the comment site disappears tomorrow, it’s nice to know I’m not alone in my mixed feelings about Gruber.
Many years ago when he started using the “jackass” label on people he disagreed with I politely wrote him to tell him he was cheapening his brand. I’ve written him numerous times about this but in fact, he may be on to something because his brand has gotten bigger and stronger over the years. However, my guess (and hope) is that he could have done just as well or better had he cut out the name calling.
I was an early supporter of his site by subscription and buying t-shirts but stopped when the “jackassery” started.
Gruber makes a living with this site and no doubt people clicking on his adds and affiliate links is how he does it. The way to get his attention is to get people who want to make a statement about his attitude to stop clicking on adds.
I really hope it makes him sit up, think, and start being a little more polite.
I did read his blog, did buy a T, but no more. He comes across as an arrogant , but informed idiot. I like people being informed, and I can occasionally manage idiots. Arrogance I cannot stand.
Jon