Re: Er... sniff test fail
@Simon --
> Really? For starters, I won't have my byline on native marketing.
As a reader, I can't be expected to do an in-depth analysis of every journalist's background, or even every news source. Obviously, I like El Reg. I'm here afterall... and I'm across the pond. You guys are good enough to have an international audience. And bluntly, I think you guys have more journalistic integrity and balanced reporting (albeit with a comedic twist) than most of what passes for "journalism" in my own country. Plus, I admire the self-deprecating humor that is so common to Britains; I have that myself, and it's a rarity in 'Murica. Maybe it's just the constant cloudyness and raining that does it, but I love it nonetheless.
But please, consider the position I'm in before getting outraged: This is becoming increasingly commonplace and many organizations either don't adhere to their own standards, or quietly change them, and it's just too much of a mess to expect anyone to sort out. It's an industry-wide problem -- be honest! I have to go with how it appears to be, which isn't always what it may actually be. This article stood out to me as unusually dry and free of the usual color commentary I expect (and love) from this publication.
I was wrong this time, I can admit that. But step out of your own shoes and ask yourself if a reasonable person could justify that suspicion. Every writer, and every organization, has a certain culture, style, and tone in their publications... and as a writer myself I'm sensitive to that cadence and when it's off I get suspicious. It *was* off on this one, be honest. I just got the reason wrong.