What's that you say? You got carpal tunnel from playing the Dudamel game all afternoon on Friday? Well then, there's no point in doing any work today now is there? You should really let yourself mend.

If you're in New York, you can spend this afternoon chasing down two tickets to Carnegie Hall's opening night concert, which is this Thursday, October 1 and has a major harp component, woot. Carnegie has been Tweeting clues here all day, and if you can find their people from 5-7pm tonight, you can enter your name into a raffle for a pair of tickets. The most recent clue is, "Duke Ellington and Grateful Dead performed on this stage. Today, concerts here promote young composers and conductors."

Well, this really throws a wrench in my idea for Wii Conductor, during which one's friends would have to wait an hour and a half in silence while someone conducted Mahler 7 at a party, but regardless: well done, Los Angeles Philharmonic and Deutsche Grammophon, on the new Gustavo Dudamel iPhone app. iPhone or iPod Touch owners can download the app (for free), set their own tempo, and condut "March to the Scaffold" or "Dream of a Witches' Sabbath" from Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique with their device.



Wii Conductor really was going to be awesome, though. You would have gotten to pick the halls and the soloists, Fantasy Baseball style. Ah well, the dream is dead.


Update 9/25 5:40pm: And if you're still on your family's Verizon plan like some publicists/bloggers who shall remain nameless and thus can't get an iPhone, there's a computer game version as well.

If you've ever e mailed with me, you'll know how much I love putting things in quotes. "Quotes"-quotes, air quotes ("   "), quotes where they in no way should be. There's a deli on 125th and Amsterdam called "Harlem" Deli with the "Harlem" in quotes. This is especially funny because it's next to a Citarella, "the ultimate gourmet market," and just down the road from a slew of cute Columbia University brunch spots. "Harlem" indeed.

Fellow ArtsJournal blogger Greg Sandow sent this over yesterday and kindly said I could post it. It's a blurb from the Philadelphia Orchestra website advertising violinist Janine Jansen's February concerts with them:

"Downloaded"? ("  ")? Allegedly that's what happened? Like my ex-boyfriend's ex-girlfriend "Lauren", if that was even her real name? You know, the "hot" one from "Kansas" "City"? "MO"? In this case, I think the orchestra feels "downloaded" is a scary and possibly not-real word. As in, "You know, downloaded: like what the kids are doing with their rap music." Or, "We remember hearing something about her and 'iTunes', but we're not entirely sure that exists." Four years ago, Jansen's Four Seasons album was in the iTunes Top 20. Currently, digital sales of that record account for over 75% of the total sales. Amazing! Why not, then, say "iTunes sensation Janine Jansen" or "iTunes it-girl Janine Jansen" and provide some background information about her success? 

Back in the "real" world, the Yo-Yo Ma box set will be selling for...$789. From the e mail to the press:

In celebration of his 30th anniversary with Sony Music Yo-Yo Ma is releasing a 90 disc box set encompassing his entire recorded career and then some. Yo-Yo Ma: 30 Years Outside The Box includes Yo-Yo's entire recorded career plus 2 bonus discs as well as a 312 page hard bound book. This is a limited edition piece with each unit numbered. Outside The Box is available for pre-order through our direct to consumer store at YoYoMa.Skyroo.com. This special D2C offer is available to only the first 200 orders worldwide and includes a personalized note from Yo-Yo Ma, a signed never-before-released photo of Mr. Ma, and a guaranteed low numbered box set, set aside exclusively for this special offer.  The standard 90 disc box set will be available at Amazon on October 26th with pre-sales being taken now.

Eight. Hundred. Dollars. Eight hundred dollars. Eight - OK, I'll stop. ((($800!))) Remember when the global economy collapsed a year ago? You know how the recently released Beatles stereo box set is only $200?

A few months back, I wrote in defense of the box set on this blog. I suspect that in not so many years time we will see strictly digital and special edition CD packaging, that is, the two extremes of the spectrum. Either I want the music in a more immediate, cheaper, and less wasteful form (digital) or I want something special, something more unique: a souvenir of an experience (a concert, a post-performance signing) or a more expensive gift in a beautiful package. The Christmas PBS' Broadway: The American Musical mini-series was released, my grandmother, father and mother all separately gave me some combination of the CD box set, the DVD box set, and the hardcover book. I think I ended up with two books, two DVD sets and three CD sets.  I still have a Borders gift card with money left on it from the returns of the multiples. Do I have room in my apartment for a stack of CDs that would go straight to my computer/iPod? No. Do special box sets make good gifts? Absolutely.

An eight hundred dollar box set, though; that is another level of gift. You could buy Art for that. Proper Art. Original Art. What could possibly come with this that would make it worth the price? A lock of Yo-Yo Ma's hair for cloning purposes? Yo-Yo glasses a la Sarah Palin glasses? The chance to play the triangle on the next "& Friends" album? Yo-Yo Ma as the godfather of your child? 

It strikes me as odd that there doesn't seem to be a digital component of this celebration. Couldn't there be a $30 30-track online version? A dollar and a track for every year he's been on the label? Wouldn't that be more in line with an "Outside the Box" campaign?

As predicted, I did end up spending $40 at Fiorello's last night along with six other people who probably doled out as much or more. Since no one would share the chocolate mousse with me, I was forced to journey over to the Empire Hotel roof bar and blow some more money on this white espresso Godiva chocolate martini concoction. THIS NEARLY WAS YOURS, Lincoln Center! My intern Nate was watching the Tosca simulcast from the plaza, and he reported today that he didn't see any food or drinks for sale. 800-1000 captive people and nothing to sell them! I'm about to break out in hives.

This is especially odd because there certainly was food and drink for sale during Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night's Swing this July, so it wouldn't appear to be a permit problem or anything.

I've said it before: Wendy at Ling Spa on the Upper West Side is a font of marketing ideas. There are few things I like more than hearing her stories about the fabulously wealthy women who come in all the time; my two favorites to date are the 1. the woman who claims her husband has never seen her without make-up (she sleeps with it on and only washes her face once a week, SO GROSS) and 2.  the 15-year-old whose mother suggested she get a Brazilian bikini wax "for her boyfriend," which is even more gross. Last week, Wendy told me that the lady who had the appointment before mine gets a facial once a week. "What could she possibly be getting done?" I asked. "If you have money, I'll tell you how to spend it." she said.  Because I have a one-track mind, this led me to wonder if arts organizations offer enough ways for me to spend the money I have.

I went to the New York Philharmonic opening last Wednesday night. The tickets were expensive ($72 - $255), and obviously people could buy tables at the post-performance gala. I can't afford a gala ticket, but my friend and I wanted to do something fun after the performance; no point in wasting the pound and a half of make-up I had on my face. We went to O'Neals' across the street. I had two martinis and a chicken sandwich and he had three glasses of wine and a burger. The bill was $100 even. No, our $100 isn't going to make or break the Philharmonic or any other arts institution, but why not take it? Human beings are lazy. There are better burgers in New York City, but no, my friend and I were not traveling farther than across the street at that time. Given the opportunity to stay, I'm sure we wouldn't have left Lincoln Center.

No sooner was I thinking this that I received a "liner notes" e mail from Berkeley Rep. I had bought tickets for the Green Day musical American Idiot for Saturday afternoon since I would be in San Francisco to see Sondra in Trovatore that evening. After a lengthy note from the dramaturg about storytelling (which perhaps wouldn't have been necessary if there was a story being told in the actual work - zing!), we came to this:

Specialty cocktails to help you rock 'n' roll

Our mixologists have gone into overtime concocting irresistible libations to celebrate the world premiere of American Idiot. In addition to Pabst Blue Ribbon (the beer of punks) with whiskey chasers, we also offer a carefully chosen beer list that includes local brews Pyramid Hefeweizen, Bison Brewery IPA, and Speakeasy Brewery Prohibition Amber, as well as imports Heineken and Newcastle. Now to our cocktails -- may we tempt you with... St. Jimmy - Taste the sweet and sour of life with this edgy mix of Jim Beam bourbon, sour apple schnapps, and cranberry juice. Whatsername - Enjoy an urban romance with this delicious blend of Absolut Ruby Red Vodka, Torani pomegranate syrup, and orange juice, served on the rocks. Jesus of Suburbia - Find salvation in this surprising mix of Skyy vodka, Midori melon liqueur, and a splash of pineapple juice topped off with bubbly club soda. Letterbomb - A classic cocktail gets a rock-and-roll makeover. Jack Daniels and Coca-Cola are bombed with a liquor-soaked cherry and a splash of cherry juice! Take advantage of our early-bird special. The lobby opens an hour before showtime, and cocktails, beer, and wine ordered within the first 15 minutes of opening are half-price! Stick around after the show because the party continues. After most evening performances, the lobby bar and the courtyard will remain open, and drinks are $1 off! Visit our website for a complete list of offerings at Marty's Place, our lobby café.

As mentioned, I went to an afternoon performance so sadly could not order a $1-off Letterbomb, but I obviously would have. Their theater is beautiful, the drinks sound fun, and the price is right. In addition to getting the money I would have spent at the Berkeley equivalent of O'Neals', the theater is curating a casual, social environment where everyone has just seen the same performance and, as they are remaining in the space, will probably be inclined to keep talking about it.

I know many presenters have "under 30" or young donor events, but that always requires a lot of advance planning and spending, and honestly: who actually wants to go to an "under 30" event?  Most likely only people over 30! We're all sheep - lazy, cheap, sheep - so just encourage us to make the last-minute decision to stick around, hand us a custom cocktail, call it the "not-Gala" and take our money.

I'm going to The Met opening tonight. For the last two years, Fiorello's - also across the street from Lincoln Center - has taken my and about ten of my friends' cold, hard cash, and I'm sure they will tonight as well. If I could spend it at The Met, I absolutely would.

A writer friend forwarded this along and asked if I'd ever tried the time-honored PR tactic of inflating a green couch, giving out free cookies, and making friends in Union Square. The short answer is no - no, I have not.

I do appreciate his total commitment to the free cookies theme; he's created a Twitter feed and a Facebook page for the promotion. The odd thing - well, the oddest thing - is that he doesn't provide a link to listen to his music in this e mail. He's "not pushing music on anyone with [his] free cookies." Does he want to sell his music, make new friends, or make strangers fat? Does he think fat new friends are The Way to selling records/concerts?

Most importantly, do you care what the music sounds like enough to Google him?

From: Free Cookies Nyc
Date: Thu, Sep 17, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Subject: I give out FREE COOKIES on a green inflatable couch to make friends.
To:


Hello,

I have been going out a couple times a week, inflating a green couch, giving out FREE COOKIES, and making friends.

I'll be out today (Thursday) in Union Square around 4:00-6:00pm.  

People have been following me on twitter: Twitter.com/FreeCookiesNyc

. . .  And becoming fans of "free cookies" on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/FREE-COOKIES/246454920363?ref=nf

And a few people have started writing about me:

http://citysnapshots.wordpress.com/2009/09/07/faceshot-scott-alexander/

http://segullah.org/daily-special/the-business-of-making-friends/#comments

I'm an independent musician in Brooklyn. I'm not pushing music on anyone with my free cookies. It's sort of a reverse promotional experiment. I'm getting to know others instead of trying to throw myself at them. Also, I like making friends, and I like attention. So I hope you'll consider writing about me.

If you do not wish to get any more emails from me (which will not send very often). Please just let me know.

Thanks,
Scott Alexander

It seems the production company AEG Live is e mailing potential ticket buyers as Michael Jackson--"MJ", to a few hundred thousand of his closest friends, actually--to promote the upcoming movie This is It, which features Jackson's last rehearsals.

Obviously this is beyond absurd because the man passed away. That said, it did make me think about faux personalized e mails. For the past two years, for example, I've been getting e mails "from" Barack Obama, and I have to say I like seeing his name in my Inbox. I wonder, then, if a presenter was marketing a Hilary concert if it would be effective to send an e mail to potential ticket buyers "from" her.  Would artists be uncomfortable lending their names to such direct marketing of their concerts? Would it sell more tickets? It certainly gets my attention when names of artists who I don't work for pop up in the ol' Inbox. Like if "Arvo Pärt" had "e mailed" to "tell me personally about" his In Principio disc? I would have knocked over the laptop reaching to open that.

Both the Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic will offer open dress rehearsals for their opening nights this year. Here are the details from their websites:

Free Tosca Open House Announced!

September 2, 2009

Don't miss the season-opening new production of Tosca--four days before Opening Night. On Thursday, September 17, the Met will launch its fourth season of free Open Houses, with the final dress rehearsal of Luc Bondy's new staging of Puccini's opera, starring Karita Mattila and conducted by Music Director James Levine.

Three thousand free tickets, limited to two per person, will be available beginning at noon on Sunday, September 13, at the Met box office only. The rehearsal starts at 11am on September 17, with doors opening at 10:30am.

Tosca is the first of three Open Houses planned for the 2009-10 season. The final dress rehearsals for Les Contes d'Hoffmann and Armida will be open later in the season.

The Open House for Tosca has been underwritten by a generous gift from Agnes Varis and Karl Leichtman.

Free Dress Rehearsal

Renée Fleming

Location: Avery Fisher Hall (Directions)

Wed, Sep 16, 2009, 9:45AM

The Philharmonic's "Opening Day" begins with a free-to-the-public Dress Rehearsal featuring soprano Renée Fleming, Music Director Alan Gilbert and the Philharmonic as they prepare the evening's program.

The free dress rehearsal is offered to the public, for the third consecutive year, by the New York Philharmonic and its Global Sponsor, Credit Suisse. General admission tickets will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis, starting at 8:00AM that morning, on Lincoln Center's Josie Robertson Plaza. All attendees will receive discount coupons to a future Philharmonic concert and have the chance to win free concert tickets, autographed programs, and pre-loaded iPods.

I was nosing around the New York Philharmonic website just now, trying to figure out how many tickets they had left to sell for opening night next week, when I was distracted as usual by something totally ridiculous.

September 16, 2009: What a truly magical night for The Big Apple! Not only is a New Yorker finally leading the Philharmonic again, but the orchestra will perform at two major New York cultural institutions--Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall--at the same time. This will mark the unveiling of the New York Philharmonic's extremely-under publicized American Orchestra Cloning Initiative, and promises to bring the city's leading interpreters of 20th century music, Trey Anasastio and Renée Fleming, together in song, albeit not on the same stages. From the homepage of the Philharmonic's website:

Eric is singing Don Basilio in The Barber of Seville at the Washington National Opera this September, which means, among other things, that I'll be throwing a DVF dress in a duffle and boarding a BoltBus on Friday to the...does D.C. have a funny city nickname? "Our nation's capital"?

For the second year in a row, the Washington National Opera is presenting a free live simulcast at The Washington Nationals' stadium, Nationals Park. According to the Washington Post, last year's simulcast attracted about 15,000 people (!). Good on their corporate sponsor Target for money well spent. More importantly, the WNO website says there will be a t-shirt toss (!).  I actually attended the first-ever Nationals game, so, in addition to being curious about the scene on Saturday, I feel some kind of loyalty to the team. Additionally, my friend Josh and his fiancé went to the simulcast last year and, inspired by the number of times the name "Plácido Domingo" was said, suggested we pen a drinking game this year.

My plans were thwarted, though, by D.C. city planning. Josh, a now-local, advised that getting back to the Kennedy Center for the gala was probably not the best plan, since traffic was unpredictable and the stadium was not close by. Changing in his car probably wouldn't have been my finest moment, either. I've never been to a gala at The Kennedy Center, and I obviously want to do that since I see no other natural way to meet Josh Lyman.

That said, if you live in D.C. and do go to the stadium, please let me know! I'd love to post some first-hand accounts on the blog.

I was dragged to Bed [why is there no comma here?] Bath & Beyond by a friend this weekend,  and while he was sticking his face in front of on-sale fans, I wandered around and tried not to buy anything. A veritable Queen of Spending on things I don't need (my KitchenAid Citrus Juicer Stand Mixer Attachment, Equally Productive with Citrus Fruits of All Sizes is still in its box), Bed Bath & Beyond is a death trap for me. "You're right: my shoe rack does not have embedded moth balls. I should get another one." "I have some knifes and don't especially like apples, but why wouldn't I want that apple cutter that also serves as a refrigerator magnet?"

I am fascinated by the number of totally unnecessary products that exist in the world and how they are marketed. Here are some of the things I witnessed but did not purchase. Victory is mine.

The Onion Saver and the Garlic Saver, which promise to keep cut onions and garlic "fresh and moist" and also to block odor. One might ask in what ways a Ziplock baggie is inferior for this pursuit.

Onto a product called Simply Strawberries, guaranteed to hull (??), strain and slice your strawberries. I like strawberries as much as the next guy--or so I thought---but could someone possibly justify buying a device that's exclusive to that berry? A coffee machine, fine: many people drink coffee every day. But who thinks, "You know what would really speed up my morning routine? Something that hulls my daily serving of strawberries for me."

The hits just keep on coming. Here are more superior Ziplock bags:

And a cleaning "system" that cannot possibly be that different from Windex and a feather duster. Or like, a cut-up old t-shirt.

This 100 Calorie Snack trend drives me bonkers. Just don't eat a whole candy bar! Or, again, utilize the Ziplock bag and just bring a set amount of chips to work rather than a whole bag. Is there some anti-little plastic baggie plot I don't know about?

And now the pièce de résistance of the Bed Bath & Beyond Unnecessary Things Collection: the Turbie Twist.

Take a break from answering the e mails that piled up over Labor Day and watch the demo video on the Turbie Twist website. Note how you will be able to jump on a bed in a robe and towel if you buy the Turbie Twist. Also please see the testimonial from Dawn M.:

I think this is the best invention ever made. It sure has made my life easier not having to worry about wrapping a towel on my head and having it fall off all the time...Thanks for making my life easier. You are a genius!!!

#   #   #

I was a history major at school and wrote my undergrad thesis was on social commentary musicals during The Great Depression. We had to take this methods class, and the professor who ran it was a highly-regarded crazy person. One of the assignments was to write a one-sentence description of our topics. Mine went something like this, "During the worst economic depression of our nation's history, the focus on the arts by the WPA and various labor unions proved that art is a life necessity."  We all had to criticize eachother's statements, and one particularly grating lad (who now of course writes for The Huffington Post) called me out on the use of "life necessity." Food, water, shelter are life necessities, he argued, not the arts, and suggested I change my language to "of the utmost importance." I was ready to accept that when the professor started shouting at him in my defense. As previously stated, she was/is a crazy person.

In the grand scheme of food, water and shelter, of course my methods nemesis was right: the arts aren't a "necessity." But in that vein, neither is anything in Bed Bath & Beyond, or in most of the places where we spend the most money. No one needs to go to a concert or to buy a CD. No one needs to go to a museum. As with the Turbie Twist, though, it's our job to convince the masses that the arts will improve their lives and perhaps, in the immortal words of Dawn M., maybe one day be considered the best invention ever made.

My friend Joe sent this over yesterday:



As the proud owner of Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park and the BBC Pride and Prejudice mini-series, I can assure those of you whose DVD collections may not be as bumpin' that the way this preview is filmed is spot-on stylistically. I didn't think it was laugh-out-loud hilarious, but it does kind of make me want to read the book.

I've never actually seen a good trailer for an opera, have you? I've seen ads with performance clips that are nicely edited, but nothing produced and designed like this. Perhaps creating a movie-esque trailer for a play, musical or opera would be false advertising; people would show up and expect something closer to a film. Or maybe a professionally done YouTube clip would get the attention of potential audiences who are just more comfortable with the movie preview format, but would be willing to give live performance a try if it was creatively marketed to them.

I was told at a meeting a few weeks back that I should teach a Learning Annex class on blog etiquette. I tell you this not to announce that I'm an expert on the subject, although not being an expert on the subject isn't going to stop me from writing this post; the problem within the problem, perhaps? No, I bring this up because while blogs have been in existence for over a decade, from PR standpoint we still don't know how to interact with them. At least I don't, and I have a blog of my own.

The Learning Annex class comment was made after the group told me about a situation that had come up in response to a press release they had sent out the week before. There was an explosion of posts and comments about the press release on a handful of music blogs, including one New York Times' writer's blog, and the organization had no idea how to respond, if at all. So many options!  Should they post a comment? Personally contact commenters involved in the discussion who had been affiliated with the organization? Initiate a private exchange with the bloggers "offline"? Send a formal statement? Find an editor figure to call? Write a blog post on their own site? Each response option had both potential positive and potential negative ramifications; worst, if the organization didn't respond at all, the bloggers would conclude they were oblivious or apathetic.  Or perhaps even more disastrous, the organization would respond and only prolong a debate that would have otherwise died of natural causes.

I wrote here about how Cleveland Orchestra Executive Director Gary Hanson (and/or his team) posted the same statement in the comment field of any blog that mentioned the Don Rosenberg firing. I won't get riled up about it again, but that is a classic example of realizing blogs are important but not knowing how to interact with the culture. In my experience, statements like his should be e mailed to bloggers in official press release or media alert form, just as Letters to the Editor or correction statements would be e mailed, mailed or faxed to the print media. Comments are a different beast entirely, as they are intended to be tailored responses to specifically address topics in an original post or a previous comment. On this blog, the best example of commenting I've received on a post was from the Detroit Symphony, whose website I was highly critical of. Rather than e mail me and ask what business I had critiquing the website they had just spent a good chunk of change on ("who asked you?"), their Director of Marketing, John O'Dell, simply commented for all to read, "'Rome was not built in a day.' Stay tuned." He acknowledged that he was aware his website was being discussed and alluded to future developments. Their website still gives me a headache, but I am extremely impressed by their public relations.

Readers may remember specific posts of mine that may have offended some organizations. It's true, I've gotten my fair share of angry personal e mails. These e mails frustrate me, but not because the blog or I am being criticized. Quite the opposite, actually: I wish readers with concerns or differences of opinion would publish their comments, just as I put my opinions out onto the interweb every week. Here are some of my responses. I've cut and pasted but removed names.

Dear Record Label,
The issues you raise are interesting and important, and your perspective is obviously well-earned and quite valued in the industry. That being the case, I'm disappointed you didn't submit your thoughts as a blog comment and have asked that I keep your e mail between us. Should you change your mind, I would be thrilled to post your note on the blog in whole or in part.

Dear Presenter,
...Also - if you want to post any of this e mail as a comment to the post, it can be totally anonymous; only I see the e mail addresses.

Dear Publicist,
Thanks for your note and your phone call, though I'm disappointed you didn't post your thoughts as a comment! The point of the blog is to spark discussion about "behind the scenes" PR topics that no one has wanted to talk about in public (ironically enough), and I'm certainly happy to be argued with. So please feel free to post your e mail in its entirety.

To date, no one who has sent an angry e mail has agreed to post their angry e mail as a comment. What then, I wonder, do they think is accomplished from just communicating with me? Will I be wounded, take the post down, alter my writing in some way? Nope, but I will most likely be extremely interested in the contrary opinion, as, I imagine, would other readers. The only thing I really do with these e mails is respond with what I've pasted above and then forward them to the ArtsJournal editor, Douglas McLennan. I feel that since he asked me to be on his site and hosts my ramblings, he has the right to know that some people out there are unhappy with said ramblings. While I always click 'send' worried he's going to kick me off ArtsJournal, he inevitably writes back something like, "Great! People are reading and care about what you're saying!" OK then.

This personal e mailing is not limited to negative correspondence. I receive positive comments a few times a week; not just "I like this blog" notes or whatever (which are lovely, and thank you for those), but actual constructive thoughts about posts and comments, sent just to me. When I suggest they post their thoughts--even post their thoughts anonymously!--they shy away. Again, I am so glad you're reading and caring, but what am I supposed to do with your e mail? Know you're smart? Tell a friend about the insightful e mail I received?

I'm not trying to discourage extra-cir-blog-ular (if that wasn't so awkward I would copyright it) personal interaction, here. I enjoy corresponding offline with bloggers I don't necessarily know personally, and it's always a treat to meet them face-to-face eventually. The same goes for readers: when San Francisco-based publicist Karen Ames organized our publicist summit (i.e. six bottles of wine) last spring, I was so thrilled when Maura Lafferty, Marketing and PR Coordinator at New Century Chamber Orchestra, came and introduced herself. "Oh! You comment on the blog all the time!" I said, all the while thinking, "I'm glad you're a real person and not just my sister writing in under a pseudonym to make me feel better about myself." This wasn't someone who had ever contacted me directly, but I recognized her from the comments she made in the public forum. Conversely, though, there are people who have contacted me directly, never having commented, and I've enjoyed getting to know them as well. But most of them commented to say hello, not to offer private content commentary. The third slice of this is talking to people I already know about what I've written in the blog, the most terrifying recent example of this being when I got coffee with an editor last month and he mentioned looking forward to seeing my haircut. So blogging has become a way - like various social networks - of updating acquaintances without actually updating them. 

Where does this off-the-record vs. on-the-record culture leave us? Is anything accomplished by an anonymous comment? I understand that sometimes people's jobs prohibit them from slapping their personal opinion in a blog comment field, but if readers don't know where a commenter is coming from, how much can they value his or her opinion? I could be commenting on my own posts, for all anyone knows! And if a discussion that was started in a public forum is made private, who benefits? Two people? What conversation could be sparked and what progress could be made if those private discussions were submitted for public consumption?

Alright: this post will either get a lot or zero comments.

Update 9/3, 9:31am: Since posting this entry, I've received four private e mails about it.  There is one public comment.