Nepotism in action, yesterdayOff travelling?
Yes! I'm doing that Gap Year thing like a twat.
Thinking of writing a blog whilst you’re there?
Yes! I figure if Misssy M can do it, then so can I!
The perhaps the Guardian might showcase it on their website?
Oh that’d be lovely! Flipping heck that was easy! I didn’t have to spend years building up a readership or anything.
Yes! I'm doing that Gap Year thing like a twat.
Thinking of writing a blog whilst you’re there?
Yes! I figure if Misssy M can do it, then so can I!
The perhaps the Guardian might showcase it on their website?
Oh that’d be lovely! Flipping heck that was easy! I didn’t have to spend years building up a readership or anything.
Oh but hang on...
What is it? Oh, will the blog have to be good? Maybe original or refreshing?
No, no that’s not a problem. It’s just, well...your Dad’s not a travel writer on first name terms with the travel editor of the paper is he?
No, my Dad works for the gas board.
Oh dear. Better sling your hook then. Get to obscurity and damn your insolence!
*******
For those of you who haven't seen this story already. It's this:
A 19 year old man-boy has hugely dull and unimaginitive first blog post showcased on the Guardian Travel site. What has he done to garner such a gig? He's got the right parents. Luckily the site's commenters sussed this out straight away. Read the blog, but then, even better, read the comments. Some comments are evil (some Guardian site commenters make Genghis Khan look like a pussycat) but most are extremely funny.
Just a little note to all my overseas readers writing incisive, witty and dedicated blogs about life abroad. You know who you are. My dears, don’t be down about the fact that the Guardian chooses to showcase the mutterings of an annoying teenager traveling the well beaten track of Thailand courtesy of his Daddy’s connections in the travel writing game.
Don't be annoyed that they chose to do this instead getting off their arses and actually reading any of the quality blog writing already out there with a proven track record, authenticity and readers.
Don’t be disheartened ....because poor little backpacking Max Gogarty will be lucky if he can get a letter posted without vitriolic comment when the Guardian website regulars are finished with him.
Read of the week, this. Says a lot about the media today, I think.
Read the original post here.
And then read the response from the Travel Editor who needs a kicking here.
4 comments:
It's an interesting phenomenon. A national newspaper has a huge readership, which means that any old tripe it publishes is assured of wide exposure. The comments were deserved, but who is to stop them from publishing whatever they want to?
Fair point. I guess the Guardian is the latest paper to go down the toilet. They used to be the gold standard in good quality writing.
Gorilla and Emma: You can't blame the boy. He got an opportunity thrust upon him. Who wouldn't take that up? I know I would have. But the Guardian made a editorial cock-up.
As some have pointed out, the writing of young Max was sub Myspace and really...hasn't every Tom Dick and Jeremy been backpacking around Thailand? So yes, they can't print what they want, but readers will soon let them know if it stinks...particularly of nepotism. Which this so clearly is.
I have nothing against 19 year olds though...I believe Keats and Byron were seriously rocking and rolling around that age. With no help from Dad.
And he gets paid for this, you say? Talk about Mummy For Old Rope!
We're in the wrong game, Misssy.
Innnit?
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