GET SOME CLASS HANNA
DAY BOOK
THE CAT BROTHERS DRAMA
She is not the only one, only the most recent, but Hanna Rosin of Slate is another of those prince or princesses of "snark."
Her offense, and there are many of us who have felt
compelled to say so, was this line she penned on the death of Jan Berenstain.
“The world today brings news that Jan Berenstain, co-author with her husband Stan, of the 45 years and running Berenstain Bears series for children, has passed on to a better world. As any right thinking mother will agree, good riddance.”
There are certainly more egregious offenses, but it is the insensitivity that bothers me. Too many people today are too busy trying to be cute, clever, bitchy or whatever, to measure the impact of their words. People have written that Jan Berenstain was a kind and gentle woman, her family is hurt by the line and she deserves more respect.
As a reporter and later as a news manager I tried to avoid the all too common gallows humors or cynicism that can abound in veteran news people. I thought it was important to never mask or hinder our sensitivity with any form of callousness. To do so was to loose touch with the real emotion of a moment.
It is a prevalent attitude today. Rosin's, and others, form of snark is more about themselves, their own cleverness, than it is illuminating.
She offended people. She appeared shallow and mean spirited. But more seriously she displayed an ignorance about the importance of words and how they are received. She
appeared to be more concerned about her desire to be in the spotlight than with the audience who would receive her words. Hanna, it is not all about you. Please share that
with a few other media practitioners.
THE CAT BROTHERS DRAMA
"Hey little bro. Let's go through the fence again"
"See, that's cool."
"Easy for you. If I keep putting on weight it's going to be a hassle."
"Oh, that sun feels great. Time for a nap maybe."
"Yea, this is the life."
"Hmm?"
"What was that?"
"It's me. I said you were snoring"
"You trying to start something?"
"No. Just smelling this plant"
"You're trying to start something huh?"
"Bring it on big brother."
rumble
wrestle
"Gotcha! Say dog! SAY DOG!!"
"If that's the way you're going to play, I'm going in the garage."
"That's cool. Think I'm going through the fence again."
"Too many people today are too busy trying to be cute, clever, bitchy or whatever, to measure the impact of their words."
ReplyDeleteNow you've hurt MY feelings! :(
But seriously, that cat drama is classic!
Bruce-but you ARE cute, clever and bitchy.
DeleteThought you might like the cat brothers.
That reporter is probably jealous of how beloved the late author was. I can close my eyes and conjure up wonderful moments with my son sitting on my lap while we read about those Berenstain Bears. Priceless memories. Thanks, Jan.
ReplyDeleteStephen-
DeleteWe too have those wonderful memories with our daughters.
Hey Tom. Good words on journalistic insensitivity. When you write for a living you can start feeling that you can say whatever and everyone gives you a pass.
ReplyDeleteLinda-
DeleteThanks. Great point. We should never overlook those who will read it. They are
the important people in the equation.
Hope you are getting through the "winter" all right. See you when you
get on this side of the Rockies.
One more thought. Is it me or have you noticed it too? Lately with all of the information we read/see/hear with the plethora of information channels (not the least the written word) it seems people are straining to be even more provocative and "outlandish" in order to grab the attention of potential readers. I could name a few of these...but won't here. Know what I mean?
DeleteSee you soon
Charles Krauthammer did a vicious takedown, calling the Mother Bear the "insufferable girl in your 6th grade class you wanted to drown". Talk about psychological problems!
ReplyDeleteDiggin your Cat Bros.
Jager-
DeleteI agree. Think he's a little too smug sometimes.
I think the Cat Bros want to grow up to be cool cats.
Sadly, Rosin's husband is the online magazine editor for 'Slate.' That might explain how such a tactless, talentless writer has been able to get published. It might also explain why she wasn't pressed to give a better apology. If any of you have not yet read her 'apology,' you might want to check it out. She seems to have totally missed why so many people are upset with her article.
ReplyDelete