I guess I shouldn’t call this my “new” annoyance, as it’s bugged me for a while. It’s just that I’ve started to see it more and more as of late. Really, it’s just an outgrowth of the fact that a lot of people who post online don’t think before doing it.

To whit: Why on Earth would you read an entertainment or gossip story from an entertainment or gossip section, and then post a comment complaining that the outlet ran an entertainment or gossip story?

I largely see this at AOL. People will read the latest about Britney Spears and her kids or Britney and her knocked-up sister or Britney and white trash or whatever, and then post to bitch that THIS was covered while soldiers are dying in Iraq.

First thing: if you want to read about Iraq, AOL news probably isn’t your best bet. If you want to read about Iraq, don’t click on an item about Britney. If you want to read about Iraq, go somewhere other than the entertainment section.

You know what I don’t see? People posting under box scores and game wrap-ups that they would rather read about Iraq. You know why? Because some people are smart enough to know that when you go to the sports section, you find sports.

It’s this simple: if you don’t want to read about that type of thing, DON’T READ IT. If you read it and complain, you’re a hypocrite. If you read and go back to read more, you’re part of the problem.

So take some time, show some restraint, and don’t read it. And for God’s sake, don’t post to complain if you do.

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 5th, 2008 at 2:57 pm and is filed under Culture, Op-Ed, Shotgun Reviews (The Column), Troy Brownfield. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.