Feedback Discussion: Episode One of "Why We Cant Have Nice Things"

[MEGATRON]

I like the fact that MetroJax has been able to pull together the video piece, but you will completely turn off a large segment of potential viewers if you continue the smug @sshole shtick.  Two cents.


Site Administrator's Note: This thread is a discussion of viewer feedback on the video: Episode One of "Why We Can't Have Nice Things".  The video can be viewed by visiting this link:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-may-episode-one-of-why-we-cant-have-nice-things

[JayBird]

I like the fact that MetroJax has been able to pull together the video piece, but you will completely turn off a large segment of potential viewers if you continue the smug @sshole shtick.  Two cents.

+1

[thelakelander]

Stephen, Arash and I don't fully agree on this but from my perspective, I'd say you have a strong point. So strong that even I agree 100%.

[MEGATRON]

I like the fact that MetroJax has been able to pull together the video piece, but you will completely turn off a large segment of potential viewers if you continue the smug @sshole shtick.  Two cents.

+1

Probably true.  But its really just a satirical segment.  The rest of our video is pretty straightforward.  But thanks for noticing only the one video!  Although don't you think that in itself kind of proves the point?

Sorry, life's short.  Closed it down due to the condescending tone.  Not sure if that proves any point but whatever.

[MEGATRON]

see above.  And I wouldnt be criticizing people for being condescending too gratuitiously if I were you, considering .  In fact I usually don't.

Ha!  Well, point taken.  Except MEGATRON's posts on MJ =/= MJ publication.  Just saying.  I want to see this thing succeed hence my comment.

[fieldafm]

Stephen, Arash and I don't fully agree on this but from my perspective, I'd say you have a strong point. So strong that even I agree 100%.

I also echo these points.   

[CityLife]

Stephen, Arash and I don't fully agree on this but from my perspective, I'd say you have a strong point. So strong that even I agree 100%.

I also echo these points.

Hate to pile on, but I also agree. If MJ is going the condescending route...maybe throw a little more humor in there. Like Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler on the "Really!?!" segment on SNL Weekend Update.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdE4FIYSmk8

[Cheshire Cat]

Stephen, Arash and I don't fully agree on this but from my perspective, I'd say you have a strong point. So strong that even I agree 100%.

I agree with you Ennis.  This type of segment will only appeal to a very small segment of viewers.  Stating facts about the park itself as opposed to going after the small minded actions of the most pathetic council members is not going to get traction for further viewership.  IMO  Folks know we have some jokers on council, not sure pointing that out is going to change what happens to the park.  On the flip side pointing out the flaws in the council plan and giving an alternative may work to inspire action.

[Tacachale]

Stephen, Arash and I don't fully agree on this but from my perspective, I'd say you have a strong point. So strong that even I agree 100%.

I also echo these points.

Hate to pile on, but I also agree. If MJ is going the condescending route...maybe throw a little more humor in there. Like Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler on the "Really!?!" segment on SNL Weekend Update.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdE4FIYSmk8

Agree entirely here. I think a lot of it is the tone. If the intention is to be satirical it could be funnier.

[JayBird]

I like the fact that MetroJax has been able to pull together the video piece, but you will completely turn off a large segment of potential viewers if you continue the smug @sshole shtick.  Two cents.

+1

Probably true.  But its really just a satirical segment.  The rest of our video is pretty straightforward.  But thanks for noticing only the one video!  Although don't you think that in itself kind of proves the point?

You always run the risk of turning of viewers, I think.  If you simply repeat the bland half stories that are the usual coverage, then you turn off a huge potential segment of viewers.  If you do something a little spicy, then you turn off a huge segment of potential viewers.

But thats the beauty of this site.  Its open.  If you want to produce something thats very different, then by all means do.  In fact join us.  But I think we will always provide a variety of points of view, and lots of different ways of saying them.

People have been warning us about our complete loss of credibility literally since our first month of operation nearly 8 years ago.  Weve lost enough credibility, if our comments are to be believed, to cause three major religions to stop recognizing Moses, if he were in our position.  But I think our first total loss of credibility---the one which cancelled any possible future for us came back in 06, when were had less than 10k posters and readers.

That was a pretty long time ago.

But seriously, (and I do mean this sincerely) thanks for weighing in, because I know that you only do so because you care about the site and the future of our collective mission.  Your concerns are noted, and reflect a conversation which has already taken place internally, and we actually all agree with you.  Not everything can or should be sarcastic.  Thats why this is a specially labelled segment with the kind of name that should tell you its going to be snarky.

Relax, have fun, and if you have ideas for segments or material, seriously do not hesitate to contact us!

affectionately
Stephen

I have watched and enjoyed every video on MJ's channel, including this one.  However I agreed with Megtrons comment simply because it is true.  To those who aren't regulars, the video makes it seem like instead of trying to point out the issues about the park the city council is mishandling, that you have a vendetta against them.  And nowadays people are so happy to put "vast right-wing conspiracy" on everything that they can, why give them something else to write off?  There is a way to give a satirical with class, so you ave the humor but also get the point across.  Because I use this site a lot as reference in conversations and make it a required reading for my finance and politics class, I get a lot of feedback. Most is great, some is good, and a very small minority is bad.  The biggest comments regard certain posters and how they use this and other blogs as a soapbox.  Mr. Dare, I enjoy your comments on this site.  I don't always agree with them, but they make people look at something from another angle they might not have before.  Snarkiness,witty comebacks and trying to force others to see your view only detracts from your original meesage.  Psychology 101.  Take the constructive criticism, laugh, cry, roll your eyes, and then move on.  And continue posting your views and reading that of others.

[tufsu1]

Stephen, Arash and I don't fully agree on this but from my perspective, I'd say you have a strong point. So strong that even I agree 100%.

I also echo these points.   

and I have kept quiet on this, but also concur....the snarkiness is a bit over the top....you're filming in a news studio, so keeping it relatively serious and professional seems appropriate.

The new video, on San Marco Square, is more subdued....but still has a few sensational statements

[tufsu1]

Guess I should have just kept my mouth shut and make it seem as if I didn't care one way or another

[ssky]

Focus! The webcast is not the issue. The park/plaza is. Downtown JAX is. The seemingly unsolvable issues, which remain unsolved year after year, are. As long as we constantly allow our attention to be polarized by relatively unimportant matters and, what appears to be, an irresistible urge to back bite and bicker, we shall accomplish no more than city government.  We will instead become just a microcosm of that very sad, ineffective and broken machine. I sincerely doubt that was ever the intent of this forum.

[Noone]

Well the segment isnt going to change its tone, so if you don't like satire, then don't watch them, I suppose is the quick remedy.

There will be other coverage that is more to your liking, and in the interim, we are definitely open to your submissions.



On the whole, being able to poke fun is a lot more effective than always being outraged, or angry

Some things are worth getting exercised about.

How about a fishing video? We can put in at a Downtown Redneck kayak launch that needs a Mayor Brown Kayak logo and then take it over to the brand new No Fishing signs that was never before Waterways. Along the way we can do a Vivian Harrell blue bag cleanup and leave it at The Jim Love, Kevin Kuzel, Berkman floating dock compromise that was misrepresented by OGC to Waterways during the 2013 FIND grant application process and then get to show everyone why we are Downtown and you aren't.

WWCNHNT should make a highlight film at 11 somewhere!

[thelakelander]

From my understanding, none of these videos will be aired by News4Jax. Right now, we're still in practice mode and the Hemming Plaza segment was from Stephen's perspective. 

Earlier, I briefly commented that I agreed with MEGATRON's first comment in this thread.  I figured, I'd explain my perspective in more detail. The main reason I contribute as a part of Metro Jacksonville is to influence positive change in the community.  With everything I do with this site, that's always been my underlying goal.  Since 2006, I think we've been pretty successful at building professional credibility within the community on our understanding of public policy and influencing tactical urbanism.  With that in mind, the Hemming Plaza video and script came off to me the exact opposite of stimulating community collaboration to encourage change for the better. 

Overall, I believe we have a great opportunity to expand our influence with our partnerships with radio and television media outlets in town. As more videos are produced under the Metro Jacksonville name, I'd encourage all our writers to revisit some of the older video segments we produced.  We didn't have expensive cameras or a news studio at our disposal but we were able to get compelling messages across for the issues they challenged.  Better yet, those messages were highly effective in pulling people together from all sides and doing the right thing.

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/ria/ShizVidz-2008120101.swf?s=ZT0xJmk9NDU4MjQ2ODIzJms9dEpSZUQmYT03MDg2NjQzX1l6UEFMJnU9bWV0cm9hY2tzb252aWxsZQ==
October 2007 Metro Jacksonville video illustrating why a downtown bus only mall would be a bad idea for Jacksonville.