I've been seeing a really disturbing trend lately, and it involves people making arguments and leaving comments that are simply inaccurate.
Now I'm not talking about opinions. You're perfectly entitled to think that the Phillies are the best team in baseball or that horseracing is stupid.
I'm talking about facts.
I'm talking about saying that X is worse than Y without bothering to check first.
I'm talking saying Coach So-and-So is a jerk because he didn't shake the other coach's hand when, in fact, he did.
This is a site for having fun and swapping opinions and ripping on other sports fans. We all get it. But come on. If you're going to say something that is factual, try to make sure you get it right!
We all make mistakes and think the wrong things from time to time. And no one can be expected to keep up on every bit of news. But when I go through blogs and TDs lately I feel like so much of what's being written in based on conjecture, rumor, or word-of-mouth that it's really degrading the quality of what's posted.
Two things:
1. If what you're stating is an opinion, be prepared to back it up. Someone may want to know why you think what you think. Someone may want to discuss it with you. So if you're going to believe something, please have good reasons for doing so.
2. If what you're stating is a fact then you had better get it right. Any good writer knows you have to verify your sources. Just because you think something is true, heard that something is true, or assume that something must be true doesn't make it so.
And if, by chance, you say something, and somebody else proves you wrong, don't be a tool about it. We've all been corrected, and none of us knows it all. There's nothing wrong with being incorrect or uninformed- isn't that part of why we're here? To talk sports, learn about sports, and get other viewpoints?
Apologies for the rant, but it's frustrating when facts are ignored or misrepresented.
Ariel Meredith
Deanna Clover
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Amen Brother Porkins....
big difference between thinking one team is better than another and actually having the facts (and the stones) to back it up.
rstowe
Newport News , VA
Total Comments (47606)
Nice blog, Porkins. You're exactly right. I'm not well-informed all the time, but I try to be instead of just getting bits and pieces of the truth while adding in whatever I want.
G.O.A.T. is back?
Scranton, PA
Total Comments (12359)
I'm not always well-informed either, but if I don't know something, I try to just shut up...
Porkins: I stole…
The Triangle, NC
Total Comments (30249)
Beware, homers... Porkins is comng for you. Better get your books ready.
hiya | 06/24/08, 03:28 PM
Nah...I'm not like Pimp.
Porkins: I stole…
The Triangle, NC
Total Comments (30249)
Good stuff Porkins.
Nickb23 - Holland…
Arlington , TX
Total Comments (6711)
The Raiders take the AFC West GUARANTEED!!
Just kidding Porkins. Nice blog. I tend to shut up alot since my knowledge is mostly homerific. Wish a few others would too.
LoveItHateIt
Portland, OR
Total Comments (3163)
I find a situation where I don't have the answer to be a perfect opportunity to actually learn something new, to expand my knowledge base... and I recommend that every other user of this site... NO, that every other human on this earth take these opportunities as well when they come up...
Bigalke
Springfield, OR
Total Comments (22305)
Good job Porkins. Nice rant!
Dyhard
Germantown, WI
Total Comments (77894)
Well, my dad always told me to "dazzle 'em with your brilliance or baffle 'em with your BS." I suppose that's what I've lived by, especially for the essays on tests in school. haha
G.O.A.T. is back?
Scranton, PA
Total Comments (12359)
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