a thought from the Editor on UC debating
I've learned multiple lessons this week, and I thought I'd share one of them with you (rather than trying to pass my classes). Since Ian's resignation, Clay's election and Lurie's column, it's been hard not to be involved. Accusations thrown left and right at people who I care about, accusations thrown back, libel, not libel, conspiracy, not conspiracy, coup and cabal, blah blah blah. It's intoxicating, frustrating and in the end, not very important. I'm not going to get into who's right and wrong, I think most people know my take on that at this point. But what is abundantly clear to me is how perceived injustices (however legitimate), whether it's Ian's resignation or Lurie's accusations, can turn into such poisonous debates where no one's motives go unquestioned, no one's integrity remains intact and no one wins. That's the sad thing, after something like this, there's simply no way for anyone to step away clean and happy, confident in some self-righteous victory. We're all guilty of taking our politics and ourselves too seriously, and we're the only people who care.
(more in expanded post)
(more in expanded post)
I'm not trying to say that the UC, or the journalistic practices at the Crimson are unimportant. They're not, both affect thousands of lives in small, but occasionally significant ways. But, regardless of who is right, who benefits from Lurie's OpEd or my post impuning it? We will both claim to personal knowledge of Truth (which hopefully in time will be further established), and point to "the people's right to know," "to be represented," etc. etc. But the people don't give a shit. They just want a hundred a fifty bucks for a dinner they're throwing and an occasional cheap movie. None of them care about the bickering, the politicking, or any of our accusations. As my roommate's girlfriend said, in the end, it's just "entertaining breakfast reading."
So, if everyone wants to keep debating, attacking each other and whatnot, I guess that's your perogative. I, for one, am tired, and need to try to pass Kloppenberg's class.
Good luck on your finals,
The Editor
posted by andrew golis @ 10:41 PM
4 Comments:
Wait, Andrew. Are you suggesting we stifle these inspired debates (the lifeblood of this website)? I love the Daily Show (really, I do, so keep posting those clips), but these things actually got people talking - at least the people who are checking out the website these days. I get what you're saying, enough UC - so say something controversial and let people flip out. Somewhat along the lines of my roommate's earlier comment: "Pop culture is glorifying homosexuality and it shouldn't be." I don't know.
fyi, the daily show has been on hiatus or i'd be posting as many as possible...
http://www.thecrimson.com/today/article507818.html
whoa there steller, it's totally the other way around: homosexuality glorifies pop culture (and it shouldn't be).
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