Where is SmartPlanet headed, anyway? I prefer news.
Andrew,
I know that e-mail and blog posts do not carry tone, but your attempts to elicit feedback seem rather defensive to my critical review. People are telling you that they want something other than product endorsements when they read smartplanet. I understand that you are trying a new feature, but defending it and then asking for input doesn't really elicit the most supportive response, does it?
I will tell you that I do not like the idea of "The Goods" as a part of smartplanet. SmartPlanet used to send me provocative, insightful, and even inspirational science-related news stories. I used to save the e-mails until I had read every story in each one. Then you changed the format.
I now scan my smartplanet e-mail. If the teasers don't "hook" me, I won't read it. Before the format change, I found merit in almost every article. After the new format, so many stories lead to little "sound bites" that had all the newsworthiness of "tweets."
Is smartplanet an info hub where I can keep abreast of science and green technology? Or is it a cool and fun social network that is trying to keep a buzz and excitement going just to generate interest in a great cause like, you know, eco-green-vegan-enlightenment consumerism for the coolest kids using the latest cell phone technology? Populating smartplanet with a section like "The Goods" makes me think you are pursuing the latter.
Do me a favor. Do not get "The Goods" off the ground, but endeavor to bury it six feet under. Please focus on journalism and news with a scientific, ecological bent with interest to consumers. That's why I'm here. Thanks.
