Ruminations 7.0

This blog has already established the fact that people are getting lazy with both the written and spoken word. I often fear pointing out such errors since many are easy to make and I don't want to come-off as a hypocrite, but I have website so why-the-fuck-not?

Much of this laziness is apparent in the world of sports journalism. While errors of the like are far more permissible in sports writing than they are in other avenues of journalism, they are still preventable. As a writer who often dabbles in the field of sports journalism, I am often privied to some strange choices.

One that has really been bugging me lately is the usage of the following sentence:

"Michael Vick is better than people are saying"

"I disagree with the fact that people are saying Greg Oden is the second coming of Sam Bowie"

These notions are typically stated by a host of sports program, where his opinion is seemingly contrary to the ones shared by the 'people'. Sure, the majority of 'people' (who are these people? the layperson, the pundit, the expert?) feel one way, but by no means can the majority sentiment be expressed in terms of the 'people'. Recall the fact that opinion are like assholes.

It's a simple correction really. Instead of referring to the people, say the majority or the masses:

"Michael Vick is better than the majority of people are saying."

Or preface it by pointing-out some specifities using some qualifying agents:

Any of the following will work: naysayers, cynics, conservatives, white people, d-bags, etc.

How novice does using "people are saying" sound? That's what people do - they say things. There's no need to qualify the fact that people are saying things, because last time i checked, animals and inanimate objects keep their feelings to themselves.

All I'm asking is that people in the sports media use more qualifying and literal terms to be specific and shy away from making broad statements like the aforementioned.

"People are saying this blog blows"

Actually, only people that can read and have read this blog think it blows. See what I'm saying.

"People who have stumbled upon badnewsblog think it blows, the illeterate are impartial."

If you disagree - you're playing yourself.