Lexiphane: Typos and Postscripts
I have a considerably greater number of readers at the other site than I do here at Lexiphane.com. Paradoxically, I very rarely have typos or lexigraphical mistakes in my posts here, because I tend to read and re-read my posts over and over looking for any errors. With a high-volume site like Gothamist, I tend to get a post up and then am moving onto the next thing, or reading someone else's post, or answering one of a dozen emails sitting in my Inbox. Simultaneously, there are many readers who I suppose consider it kind of a parlor game to point out solecisms in the Gothamist Comments sections and heap abuse upon the site's contributors, especially Jen. Favored themes tend to be along the lines of
"Hey, you're a big-time professional site! Why don't you act like it?
"Hey, we know you're rolling in cash from all these ad dollars we're generating with our visits, how about hiring a copy editor off of craigslist, or at least hire some writers who've graduated from college?
"Hey, you suck!"
The other week, I actually had a guy email from France and identifying himself as David Sedaris, who said that my grammar was the worst he had ever encountered in an online environment. Maybe it was him, maybe not, but that hurts 'cause he is one of my favorites, I do have a huge crush on his sister Amy, and he was addressing a man who sits all day with a copy of Strunk & White's 'Elements of Style' at his elbow and at the ready. Yesterday, especially, was pretty brutal. But, fair enough.
Today I was doing a post on the filthy bathroom facilities for cab drivers at Newark International Airport that linked to an article from 1010 WINS, the NYC news station. The station's article had several errors. So I decided to add the following to my post at Gothamist:
I thought it was pretty funny, but Jen made me take it out. I guess it's kind of like poking a stick at a nest of hornets. You might have the best poking-stick ever conceived by nature, but it probably won't turn out that great for you all the same.
"Postscript: In the article linked to above, we couldn't help but notice, amid all the trademark and copyright information tailing the piece, the following disclaimer: 'In the interest oftimeliness, this story may contain occasional typographical errors.' The disclaimer itself contains a run-together typo! We are frankly and totally disappointed at CBS Broadcasting's shoddy lack of professionalism in this matter. One would think that CBS Broadcasting, as part of the 'Tiffany Network,' would have some more regard for the sensibilities of its readers and would perhaps at least consider hiring a proofreader off of craigslist or something. We plan on letting them know as much via an indignant letter."
Posted by Lexiphane on June 12, 2007 9:45 PM to Lexiphane