The most sensational event at Les Blogs 2.0 was when Mena Trott, co-founder of the service on which this site is hosted, skidded on a monumental banana skin.
The gist of the action went like this: Mena was pleading for civility and called out Ben Metcalfe (of the BBC) who had posted on the back channel, that Mena's words were 'bullshit.' This lead to Mena losing her cool and as David Tebbutt says:
“All day yesterday you’ve been an arsehole,” said Trott, spluttering and stumbling her way to “why the fuck?”
So much for civility. David has more to say here.
Needless to say, the irony of the situation has not been lost among a number of people who follow such events. A detailed analysis and round up of what this about and its impact can be found on Burningbird.
Afterwards, I saw Mena deep in conversation with Ben outside the main conference area. She was clearly troubled. And Ben looked suitably sympathetic. The bottom line is this: if you put yourself in the fire, expect to get burnt. Sometimes it's painful, but necessary. Even when that criticism is coming from your own customers.
Sadly however, it has to be said there are some that have nothing better to do than have a crack at someone or something. Sometimes it's amusing. Often it is hateful. The easiest way to eliminate crap is to ignore it. The more air these things get the worse they seem. While the Mena and Ben show was at once hilarious, distasteful, embarrassing and worrying, at least there has not been a single accusation of mis-reporting.
Learn the difference between informed opinion and crap. The difference isn't always obvious.
BTW - Thanks to Tebbo for coming up with the post title...
Technorati tag: lesblogs, Mena Trott
Recent Comments