Gawker, gossip and comments
This article in New york magazine is probably the most ambitious article about the Gawker empire to date. While there are many personal conflicts revealed and many new to begin after the article, one paragraph was more interesting from a web perspective. The first outtake is by Gawker founder Nick Denton, who is described just short of a monster in the article.
“Gawker comments, long an embarrassment, frankly, now represent one of the strongest aspects of the site,� he wrote recently (in Gawker’s comments!). “They reintroduce an element of anarchy, which was in danger of otherwise being lost, as the site became more professional. I *want* secrets to be exposed, memos leaked, spy photos published, arguments to fly.�
“There are no immediate plans to reward comments, but it is a natural way for us to scout for talent. I wouldn’t be surprised if comments who are promoted regularly end up as paid contributors.â€?
Denton seems to have an extremely high belief that comments will drive the value of the content. When writing about gossip, comments can be your additional thousand eyes and ears on the streets.
The problem is to create a social architecture that foster good and valuable content, where traditional media has a lot to learn about how to reward and how to manage comments.
[tags]gawker, nymagazine, nick denton, gossip[/tags]
skvaller, gawker, new york magazine, new york
