Author Topic: Hmm... Should we...?  (Read 13725 times)

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Meg

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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #20 on: June 18, 2008, 01:48:03 AM »
Question #3) Should we pre-apologize for stuff or wait to see if someone brings it up?

For example, the production values of our Origins' reviews are not up to our standard mostly because of it being summer (yes, that makes sense somewhere).  In the thread about the episode, should I say that, knowing that full honesty is good, but it might mean people listen for it?  Or wait to see if someone points it out and then sound like I'm just covering my ass?(

(Also, I'd still like commentary on #2)
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Dragon Snack

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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #21 on: June 18, 2008, 03:54:16 AM »
Unless it's REALLY bad (in which case you should probably redo the show, barring hilarious spontaneity), I wouldn't bother saying anything.  Most people won't even notice a problem...

According to my Program Director, you should never apologize for technical difficulties or making a mistake unless someone calls you on it.  He says it's unprofessional (but there are plenty of national radio hosts who do say something).

Of course, sometimes I do anyways (if it was really blatant).  And when I don't I'm usually laughing about it anyway...
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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #22 on: June 18, 2008, 04:00:46 AM »
Never apologize for something unless you're sure you're at fault of something.

I can't count the number of times I've bumped into someone accidentally and said "Oh pardon me." to which they reply "I'm sorry."

As if you're the one that bumped into me?

Equally offensive is when you tell someone something like "I feel terrible because I had something bad happen to me today(that you were not involved in at all)."   They reply "I'm sorry."

No, you're not "Sorry."  You cannot apologize for something you had nothing to do with.

So just don't do it, it's lame and your podcasts have been anything but so far (although you do stray pretty far from your topics occasionally).

Irthos Levethix

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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #23 on: June 18, 2008, 04:11:20 AM »
In answer to #2, I gotta say no.  Your 'casts have been great, half the reason I like them is because its just people being, well, people.  I can see why you'd like to put something WS in there, but since most of the show is NSFW, then.... wtf?  It would detract from the show to have a segment in the "midst" of it that just totally changed tact.  I say, if something ain't broke, don't fix it.  (I would probably get shot for that on the Min/Max board)

On the other hand, if you felt you really had something, and wanted to make a mini-segment that was playable by itself, then I guess that would be okay.  Seems like a lot of work, though.  Thats my $2.  Yes, two dollars.
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EjoThims

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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #24 on: June 18, 2008, 10:22:57 AM »
No, you're not "Sorry."

Actually I am.

I'm sorry I didn't have any advice to give. I'm sorry I didn't have any comfort to give. I'm sorry that there's nothing I can do for you.

I'm sorry I didn't realize you weren't going to be able to avoid bumping into me on your own until it was too late for me to get out of the way myself.

I'm sorry I didn't hear what you said, I will now wait for you to repeat it.

I'm sorry that so many think an apology automatically means something was done wrong.

I'm sorry [that so many can't see the bracketed ideas that should be so obvious given the context of the discussion and the tone in which I speak].

If you're commenting on it anyway during the thread and you feel something should be should be explained, then explain it. If you feel something apologized for, then apologize for it.

But not everything that might warrant explaining needs to be apologized for.  ;)

As for #2, if you want think an idea is good enough to be pulled out of the flow of the talk, then go back afterwards and extract a summary with a link (and warning) back to the original.

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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #25 on: June 18, 2008, 01:48:53 PM »
Ejothims you're the sorriest bastard I know  :lol

Straw_Man

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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #26 on: June 18, 2008, 05:10:54 PM »
...

Question 2)
When we have a cool idea, what do you think about us having a WS mini-description in the midst of our (usually) NSFW full out description?  I ask this because of DragonSnack's comment about the Stoplight speech-- the idea of a stoplight speech is a really good one and essential for proper marketing, and it is traditionally called an "Elevator Speech" but we gave it a dirty twist.  I think if we had been more clear about "You could also call it an Elevator Speech if you were in mixed company" then the issue DS had may not have come up. 

I don't want to be seen as pandering, but I think the highlight of our show is #1 Good advice and #2 funnies.  I don't want the #2 to detract from the #1 either.

Thoughts?

I object to the idea you have to be WS to be funny, but yeah, I know what you mean. The only answer I have, why not try it. We'll tell you if it detracts from the show. Right now I can't think of any huge negatives if its a short quick bit.

Question #3) Should we pre-apologize for stuff or wait to see if someone brings it up?

For example, the production values of our Origins' reviews are not up to our standard mostly because of it being summer (yes, that makes sense somewhere).  In the thread about the episode, should I say that, knowing that full honesty is good, but it might mean people listen for it?  Or wait to see if someone points it out and then sound like I'm just covering my ass?(

(Also, I'd still like commentary on #2)

Don't apologise for lack of quality for practical/real reasons, it is what it is. If you put out a redone ver., great, say you weren't satisfied with the previous version.

Of course, this is different from making a mistake and hoping no one notices *wry grin*.

Hope thats of assistance Meg.
« Last Edit: June 18, 2008, 05:14:48 PM by Straw_Man »
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EjoThims

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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #27 on: June 18, 2008, 09:26:17 PM »
Ejothims you're the sorriest bastard I know  :lol

Only a half bastard... My parents were wed by the time I was born, just not by the time I was conceived.

 :lol

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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #28 on: July 10, 2008, 12:56:16 PM »
Regarding #2: More likely than not, that would mean more work for you guys, which would mean potentially less enthusiasm/energy on the actual podcast and less frequent podcasts.

If that is at all correct, I'm going to vote no.  Nobody seems to be in a terrible place where they can only listen on loud speakers in the middle of a half-dozen cubicles.  NSFW is fine (for me at least).

Regarding #3: Again, I'm going to vote for no.  It may seem like it'd be polite to apologize for whatever might happen, but it also makes you sound like you're pandering to the audience (which I'm not a fan of).

Besides, you guys are the ones producing the 'cast.  If it meets your standards, then good.  If it doesn't, redo it.  Don't try to guess whether people will be happy with the quality or something.  Who are they to complain?

Meg

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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #29 on: July 11, 2008, 03:05:12 PM »
If it meets your standards, then good.  If it doesn't, redo it. 

Actually, this brings up a great point.  A lot of times redoing it isn't an option.  Maybe the quality isn't great and I don't realize until 5 days after we've recorded when I actually edit.  Or when we know the quality isn't up to our normal standard, but there are reasons for that.  So we put it out anyway, knowing that our standard isn't completely satisfied.  I think those are the times I struggle with a pre-apology or not.
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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #30 on: July 14, 2008, 04:49:01 PM »
I think that boils down to a question of quality versus consistency.

Maybe I'm way off, but it seems to me that redoing the episode is an option, but it might cause the episode (or other episodes) to be late.
On the other hand, you can put out the episode of questionable quality, and keep your consistency up.
If you choose the latter...  I can see your problem.


If it means anything, in the latter situation (choosing consistency), I'd put out a warning; not an apology.
Something to let the viewer be aware beforehand that the quality isn't great.
That way the viewer isn't let down, you keep consistency, and you don't look like you're pandering to the audience.

Does this help you?

jimmersault

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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #31 on: October 09, 2008, 07:10:15 PM »
As for apologies...I was offended and off-put by the last episode as I'm a devout Catholic, but while I think one thing, I think that apologies in general are pointless if you are simply trying to cut off someone's misinterpretation of your real point. I'm sick of that...we all need to listen for context. The listener is downloading, they are responsible. I could stop listening if I were so offended that you have to just "go". But until then, how can I be 'completely offended' twice? I would be, by definition, complicit. If you say something for which you think you are right, allow us to bash you here (which you do and encourage, I might add) but don't falsely apologize for anything.

Also, why aren't you using the hot "Meg" pic?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:AE.jpg

I know Meg is uberhot already, but I found that and figured it to work out for the style of the no-pic agreement.

James

p.s. I know I'm late to the question.
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Talen Lee

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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #32 on: October 15, 2008, 08:31:02 PM »
Question #3) Should we pre-apologize for stuff or wait to see if someone brings it up?
Honestly, I don't think so. I also don't think you should do anything for which you feel the need to apologize. If you find, post-fact, that you disagree with what you did in the light of new information, sure, apologize for it, but if you look at what you're doing and think: "Hm, we should apologize for this," I'd suggest not doing it. If you have to, provide a reason and let it be at that.

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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #33 on: October 16, 2008, 12:06:11 AM »
Don't censor yourselves. OTOH, don't include obscenity just for the sake of obscenity (well... don't do it too much) because that's just attention-seeky. For example, I liked the first episode I heard, but I did get awfully sick of the word "buggery".

Don't apologise for anything you're not ashamed of, don't do anything you'd be ashamed of. Or in other words: if you make a mistake, apologise. If you're told you should apologise, screw that noise.

*forgets what the second question was* *goes back and checks* ...Hmm. I really have no idea ^^;

Meg

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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #34 on: October 16, 2008, 12:51:35 AM »
p.s. I know I'm late to the question.

Not at all- this is meant to be an ongoing discussion!

As for the apologies- I think I may have mentioned already, but I'm mostly looking for technology apologies.  For example, we may record and then when editing I find out the dog snoring is audible.  Going back and re-recording a week after the fact isn't an option so I usually just have to make it work.  Do we apologize and say "sorry the dog is loud" or wait to see if anyone says something?

For the swearing-- we've never used naughty language just to use it-- we've cut back from the way we normally talk quite a few times.  We swear a lot.  For the most part, we're fans of a range of vocabulary- we try not to just swear because we're lazy.  I believe a lot of words like shit and fuck convey a lot of message in a little space and honestly convey the message better than another word.
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Talen Lee

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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #35 on: October 16, 2008, 12:52:13 AM »
"Dog snoring" is a metaphor, right?

Meg

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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #36 on: October 16, 2008, 12:53:36 AM »
 :P  No-- I have 2 dogs and they snore.  Loudly.  Under our recording table.
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Talen Lee

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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #37 on: October 16, 2008, 12:54:51 AM »
Why couldn't you lie to me?

Anyway, yeah, technological apologies are okay? But honestly, most people won't notice technological failings until they're drawn to their attention. A constant whine in the background? They'll notice that. Little snuffles until you guys get your ducks in a row? Probably not so noticeable.

To clarify why that's a deal - if you open by apologising for something, most people will then look for the thing you apologise for.
« Last Edit: October 16, 2008, 12:56:22 AM by Talen Lee »

Meg

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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #38 on: October 16, 2008, 01:00:52 AM »
Why couldn't you lie to me?
Tired?  I could've said that Dog Snoring actually means the excessive amount of gas we pass while recording, but I'm sleepy and uncreative.

To clarify why that's a deal - if you open by apologising for something, most people will then look for the thing you apologise for.
Totally agree.  Hence why I ask.  So far I haven't apologized in advance except for things like admitted there was little gaming content in the drunk cast. 
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Re: Hmm... Should we...?
« Reply #39 on: October 16, 2008, 01:24:19 AM »
Which was a good move. I've not listened to the drunk cast (I find that drunken humour appeals only to those people who have been drunk.)