collegiate diversion

SO GET THIS:

looking up new music on youtube because it’s slow at work and I’m waiting for Chris to give me the go-ahead on my pitch for why Twitter is a good idea for RadioOpenSource

(I mean, I think TWITTER is narcissistic junk for the most part, and it doesn’t work for me, but it really can benefit an independent organization to generate site traffic, all good things!)

AND THEN, I stumble onto this, running across the top of YOUTUBE while I look up music videos:
“” BREAKING NEWS: For the latest videos form Iran visit http://www.youtube.com/citizentube?feature=ticker “”

And I follow accordingly, having just finished an article about the Iran elections on the NYT site myself.
…
This video comes up:
http://www.youtube.com/citizentube?feature=ticker
(and, I watch)

I feel very confused, no audio, no explanation? Just good-old-fashioned CITIZEN J (which ironically, isn’t old-fashioned at all). Just BAM! There it is! Judge away! CHECK OUT THE BREAKING COVERAGE ON YOUTUBE, by a citizen journalist.

AND PEOPLE COMMENT ON IT:
“fucking cops!”
“paki bastards”
“fuck islam”

and other assorted, unintelligent things.

BUT THIS ONE STRIKES ME (from bweazel):
“I can’t believe you guys are taking this seriously. Youtube sure is choosey about what protests and riots they cover. Can’t help but think this is propaganda so we can have a reason to “Send the UN in” as I’ve seen so many of you idiots put on here. Please people. Don’t play into their brainwashing. Oh ya. Screw you also Youtube for selling out to the mainstream press. I thought you guys were better than that.”

*******

I REPLY from me, to bweazel, in email, IN FASCINATION:
I appreciated your comment just now about the way youtube is so choosey with what is posted. I am a journalism major and I absolutely don’t believe in objectivity…it’s a lethal band-aid that covers up clearly subjective material with the label “oh, but we’re unbiased!”

What else do you know about youtube’s “sellout?” You mean, their move-in with Google? It does all seem very strange doesn’t it. And this video you commented on was very strange too, no audio and the top of the site says “BREAKING NEWS, LATEST FROM IRAN.” Is this really breaking? We can’t opt for objectivity but at least be transparent in your attempts to only showcase one side here. Don’t call it BREAKING! to get the attention of collegiate rabble-rousers(sp?), or whoever else comes on youtube to just pontificate “yeah, f*ck you authority.”

Anyway, thanks for the comment. I liked it, so don’t let others get you down, it’s a good point, even if your point was a little one-sided itself ;).

Best,
Samantha
*********

INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH!!!!! 3 people gave the thumbs down on this guys’ comment, I gave a thumbs up, I’ve returned to the site for the sake of updating you on this find and, my thumbs up is gone. I’ve tried clicking the thumbs up, not working. I’m no conspiracy theorist, I’m just saying…

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