Just a little "Inside Baseball" stuff here folks. Those of you who aren't interested in a throw-down between the Simon Cowell of the autoblogosphere (us) and the Paul Abdul (Autoblog) are free to wander about the cabin. Autoblog's Noah Joseph was kind enough to link to TTAC for a post about Tata Motor's rumored resurrection of the once-storied Daimler marque. I mean, the Maserati-loving, Italian junketeering scribe (just sayin') could have followed his colleagues' lead and simply linked to our source for the story; following our news agenda without alerting their readers (most of which never darken our server) that they'd done so. All's fair in love and linkage. But no. Joseph felt compelled to take a shot at TTAC. "NOTE: I didn't know what our policy was about sourcing TTAC with all their flame-throwing, so feel free to remove the via from below." Howzzat? The site that allows more flame-throwing in its comment section than ever produced by the Silent Scope's heavy accuses US of incendiary behavior? Anyway, cool! Bring it on! But, uh, how does an Autoblog reader remove an attribution? Is it one of those "don't think of a pink elephant deals?" UPDATE: AB's pulled the post.
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I think the post has been deleted. I can’t find it on Autoblog’s site and when I click the link you gave me, it just goes to their two sidebars pressed together with nothing in between
Well, there’s two things.
1. TTAC hates domestics. Autoblog very much doesn’t. (poke, poke, poke)
2. Autoblog’s comments tend towards the vitriolic, but the actual blogger postings are pretty sanitary next to TTAC’s (well, unless it’s about the Prius or Tundra, in which case AB does let loose a bit).
Very funny, RF.
I stopped commenting there because they did not want to rein in the flame throwers in their comments section.
I commented on a “GM is great” post once about my Buick having problems once and I was shot down pretty good and called some pretty interesting names. I rarely comment on Autoblog anymore.
The fact that TTAC gets mentioned on Autoblog just goes to show TTAC is on their radar. I love this site!
BLOGFIGHT! BLOGFIGHT!!
Good times. There’s no question TTAC has more in the way of invective than Autoblog, but it’s too well-supported be dismissed as a flame. Mostly.
:)
Catfight!
Errew! Hiss Hiss
I don’t think AB has met any type of car they didn’t really like and there’s nothing wrong with that. But their comment section is beyond worthless.
I really wish TTAC didn’t compare itself to Simon Cowell.
Simon Cowell is a wanker and knows fuck all about music. But personally, he’s a nice bloke (met him twice).
Pardon my language.
autoblog has had a puky volvo piece as their lead story for at least 2 weeks. will they ever update their lead story? i’ve gone there about a dozen times but haven’t found any reason to continue.
I don’t quite understand why it is necessary for TTAC to take pot shots at Autoblog. I understand the converse situation. I read Autoblog all the time (for the sheer number of articles) and can figure out for myself that the writers never consult Strunk and White (or even MS Word’s spell and grammar check — it’s better than you think!) and that the comment section represents the end of civilization.
My point is, I think this is a bit beneath TTAC.
I like autoblog as a news source, tend not to read the comments though. Generally speaking, it is a “here’s the link, you sort it out” story with little commentary.
It is rather humorous though that a website like TTAC which caters almost exclusively to the “I hate domestics, hope Detroit goes down in flames” crowd gets in catfights with other sites and accuses them of being pro-domestic.
The feeling I get from other on line auto communities is that just about everything is considered pro domestic compared to TTAC.
I stopped commenting there because they did not want to rein in the flame throwers in their comments section.
Same here.
I commented on a story a couple of years ago about Bush not meeting with the Big 1.6. I said that I thought (my opinion) that the government shouldn’t be in the business of bailing out failing companies.
The next thing I know, a couple of other commenters were accusing me of being a warmonger and hoping my children would die in battle or a terrorist attack. They also called me and my boys some names I won’t repeat here.
None of the comments were deleted until I finally gave an email address and told the two that I would gladly meet them anywhere in the continental U.S. to “discuss” the matter. I guess that’s when Autobitch…er Autoblog decided that was enough.
I think most other automotive sources avoid referencing TTAC, because the content here is so obviously superior to their own.
I am fairly certain that most carguys read religiously, but TTAC is “contained” by being ignored–or going unreferenced by mainstream/consumer automotive sites. Congrat’s Robert, you are living an Ayn Rand plotline.
Does this make Jalopnik Randy Jackson? I’m feeling you dawg!
I’m just a bit lost. Doesn’t this site pride itself on slamming Autoblog and other sites that “represent what this site *isn’t* about”? If that’s the case, then wouldn’t the other party consider this flaming? Hell, this post is inflammatory itself. Besides, this site has pulled at least one post in the past which was a far more severe “attack” on Autoblog (just sayin’).
For websites such as TTAC and Autoblog, content wins and pithy wit is the cherry on the sundae. I’ve not seen any type of blog that has the wise-ass, piss and vinegar down as well as TTAC does. I’m talking about both the stories AND those that post comments.
I love this site specifically because we all seem to keep our senses when discussing things that other sites see posters go postal.
I feel that the comments among the B&B here are much more educated than Autoblog. RF does a good job of weeding out the bad (as I have been warned on 1 occassion). The news hits AB much faster than TTAC, but the editorials are vastly superior here.
I feel that alot of commenters here do hope that the domestics would do better, but would like to see a change of leadership within those companies. Because that is what they truly need to change and become competitive. There is nothing wrong with being critical, especially when it is deserved.
jkross,
That’s because RF edits/removes those that go postal.
I’m all for vigorous debate. But the sort of senseless namecalling that is all too common at AB is over the line.
@phil
You may want to try clearing your browser cache.
Nothing pisses me off more than people delighting in petty interpersonal politics and meaningless disputes. I can kind of appreciate this whole TTAC vs. The World vibe you’ve cultivated, but when the site singles out offenders (Autoblog, MotorTrend, etc.) we all come out looking like catty little bitches. I don’t expect anything’s going to change, really, but I come here for cars and car news, not to be embroiled in some horseshit blogsquabble.
I love Autoblog. I love Inside Line. I love Jalopnik. I really love TTAC. Rather than further this young craft of blogging, this he-said-she-said is just going to make us all look like slap-fighty bitches. Get over it already.
Student driver:
One of the amazing things about TTAC is that we do not flame each other, despite the fact that we range from the far left to the far right, politically. This means that we are able to listen to each other, and sometimes learn from each other, despite vast political differences. Its great. Most other sites don’t have that advantage.
My opinion is this:
I can’t stomach Autoblog’s comments, as they quickly become childish name calling rants. The stories/blogs/editorials (whatever they’re called) are weak and typically boring because they simply are not very critical.
My other opinion is this:
TTAC’s comment section is the best I’ve seen on the web. The reviews/stories/blogs/editorials are often polorizing and that often leads to good debate. I find it interesting that a Chevy Cobalt review gets almost twice the comments as a Maxima review. Again, the “meh” Cobalt’s more polarizing than a “good” Maxima.
Sorry TTAC, but there is an overt anti-domestic tone about this site and it can be just as grating as Autoblogs fluff.
I know, I know. I can’t change the channel if I don’t like what’s on the tube.
DT
David Holzman says:
“One of the amazing things about TTAC is that we do not flame each other”
Speak for yourself you friggin moron! (just joking!) ;)
despite the fact that we range from the far left to the far right, politically. This means that we are able to listen to each other, and sometimes learn from each other, despite vast political differences.
Well, we also tend to stay focussed on the issues at hand and not get dragged into pissing matches. (and we have a mother hen that slaps us around if we stray.)
I stopped visiting AB mostly due to the firehose of PR that masquerades as “news” over there. I value reasoned opinion over the complete BS that the automakers spew out of the PR depts. Far more interesting content over here, not to mention the best stuff is found in the comments section where all of us smart and good looking folks hang out. The commentators over there seem to be … children.
–chuck
http://chuck.goolsbee.org
Autoblog calls TTAC flame-throwers? It’s called “projection” and anyone who pays attention to the political arena (for example) should be used to it by now.
There may be what is perceived to be an anti-domestic tone to this site, but the domestic manufacturers did not start down the path to willful self-destruction yesterday. How many more chances do they want?
Autoblog isn’t responsible for what people say in their comment boxes. Would you rather they censor their readers? So don’t get mad at Autoblog for calling TTAC what it is, you are flame-throwers, its your niche, your raison d’etre, and also the reason I (and would guess most people) come to this site. Its also why, though, I wouldn’t use TTAC as my sole source for auto news/reviews, anymore than I would the buff-books, you provide an excellent counterpoint to their kool-aid drinking so I’ll keep coming back. Don’t be ashamed of who you are.
Its not even the name calling @ autoblog that bothers me.
It’s that they are mostly semi-literate. Even if they are trying to be reasonable, I’m not going to read something that is so badly written.
Autoblog used to be good, but more or less died when David Thomas, and a couple other editors, left.
Anyone else notice Jalopnik heading downhill as well? Too many critical departures there also, I think (No offense intended to the Loverman).
At least none are as bad as what LeftLane turned into.
I have to confess I’d never heard of Autoblog before I read this post. Looks like they are very adept at regurgitating the press releases they’re fed.
Don’t think I’ll bother going back.
What are some other quality auto-related blogs/sites/forums out there?
If that has been covered, please point me to the relevant post(s).
While I admit that any (without exception) unmoderated comments will eventually turn into something that makes me wonder what kind of world I am raising my children in, they are no worse than most (sports are the worst). I don’t often read the comments section, but from what I’ve seen, most there are as capable of rational conversation as anyplace. I do like the comments here better because they are moderated – it keeps people on their best (or at least better) behavior.
I like Autoblog, TTAC, Jalopnik, and a few others and have them on my iGoogle RSS feed. Differences between sites covering the same topic doesn’t necessarily mean one is better or worse, just that they have different intentions, styles, or personalities (blogalities?).
I will say that, from an opinions perspective, TTAC holds more weight.
Can’t we all just get along? :)
I know that Cowell rocks the Veyron. Any idea what Paula drives?
Or is she driven?
Last year, a situation like this arose between Jalopnik and TTAC. It didn’t do any favors for Jalopnik in my eyes, just as perpetuating this won’t do any favors for TTAC credibility.
Now back to the cars…
psarhjinian :
“Well, there’s two things.
1. TTAC hates domestics. Autoblog very much doesn’t. (poke, poke, poke)”
I (kind of) thought the same when I first stumbled upon this site last year. Stick around long enough, though, and you’ll realize this isn’t true. I just don’t believe that “TTAC hates domestics”. I believe that “TTAC hates the way the domestics are being run”. See the difference?
Several recent domestic cars have received high marks on this site. Many import models get bashed – or at least they haven’t received excessive praise. But in the end, the way in which companies like Toyota (et al) are handling the “fuel crisis” exemplifies everything that’s wrong with the domestics strategies and principles.
It’s difficult to pull for a company so badly managed – let alone a company that’s been through a similar situation at least twice (!) in the past, each time floundering to stay afloat. Add in all the folks that have been burned by shoddy product, and it’s easy to understand where some of the (occasional) vitriol comes from.
You just have to realize that at this point, praising GM/Ford/Chrysler for their half- (quarter?) assed efforts is not going to help anything. It’s like giving a puppy a treat after taking a dump on your couch – it only reinforces bad behavior.
Long ago, I actually visited Autoblog on a regular basis (before I knew any better). Someone posted a comment to a story and mentioned that TTAC had much more informative and irreverent coverage of the same topic, free of P.C. fluff/bullsh!t. From that day onward, I was a TTAC convert!
It’s very likely that a few new TTAC fans were/will be borne out of this underhanded comment.
Handbags at twenty paces! Get it on!
Sherborn, I think Paula drives drunk.
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