Daily Podcast: No More Mr. Nicely Nicely?
I'm a big fan of Autoblog. While there are some who might suggest that there's a good reason that re-writing (or republishing) press releases is a lost art form, and that a 53 minute podcast is the pistonhead version of waterboarding, I don't count myself amongst them. At least not until now. In any case, there's no denying that Autoblog is, as Justin says, the newspaper of record. Equally clearly, TTAC is a bunch of cybernetic muckrakers who abide by Oscar Wilde's dictum that if you can't say something nice about someone, come sit by me. While I don't begrudge Autoblog their success, there are times when I wish they'd grow a set of stones. But then I think, hang on, these are genuinely nice folks. Just because Autoblog doesn't share TTAC's jaundiced view of the auto industry doesn't make them bad people. Why be so [double] negative? Not all children are born with a desire to turn over rocks and unearth the life-and-death battles beneath. Why begrudge Autoblog their wide-eyed, unquestioning, puppy-dog enthusiasm? Because they get press credentials to the Detroit Auto Show and we don't? Well, yes, precisely. And while we await final word on that subject, rest assured we will not go quietly– or cheerfully– into that long good riddance. Or something like that.
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I was reading the Podcast when a Ford Escape ad popup got in the way. But besides that CHILL OUT. Remember Robert although they are in close proximity to one another there is a difference between having stones and being a dick. Although the latter does have more fun. Also, how did this become a dealer network debate?
Robert, I don't know if I've read everything about TTAC being denied press passes to the Detroit auto show, but do you think it has something to do with this site's policy of ignoring embargos? I believe your exact words were "Embargo This!"
Maybe Autoblog and TTAC should form some sort of partnership together? Autoblog provides the news, while TTAC provides the commentary. For official reasons, press passes for one would be good for the other. It could be a boost for both sites.