Point of reference: When a writer uses the term “cyber”-anything without a modicum of irony, you should not trust said writer’s opinions on technology.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s look at Marketwatch space-filler Jon Friedman’s column today: “‘Cyberphobia’ afflicts many Time Inc. writers.”
Jon wants Time Inc. staffers to battle their “cyberphobia,” which is sort of like “homophobia,” except instead of hating gay people, you hate computers. (Why so much hate when computers = free porn?) Advises Jon-Jon:
I would like to propose a sure-fire solution to Rick Stengel and Andy Serwer, the respective top editors at Time and Fortune. Both are published by Time Inc., a division of Time Warner Inc.
What’s required isn’t an outpouring of tender loving care — not that Time Inc. is exactly a touchy-feely company these days, anyway. Instead, I’d recommend that Stengel and Serwer kick prima donnas, who think they’re too good for online bylines, in their backsides.
The editors should issue this warning: “Write for my Web site or you’re history.”
And the staffers should issue this rebuttal: “I’ll write for your website when you pay my ass to do it.”*
* Despite Serwer’s assertion that “their compensation, in part, will be tied to how much they do online,” we’ve heard from a number of staffers who insist either: 1) They aren’t being paid anything additional to work online; or 2) What they earn from writing online is good for a Starbucks latte each day.
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