Catulle
439
On Hodinkee, censorship, conflicts of interest and The Purist
May 12, 2021,16:41 PM
There is a post on this site that refers to Hodinkee and its evolution from a rather serious venue for reviewing watches and the watch industry to becoming another internet watch merchant. Indeed, Hodinkee has “monetized” its name and the reputation built as a trusted source for information on watches. This is a common internet issue. How to “monetize” a site which manages to gather attention.
However, what I find noteworthy about Hodinkee is that its founder is a graduate of the prestigious Columbia journalism school. But, of course, you can’t expect every graduate from the Columbia J-School to aspire to a Pulitzer or to try to save the world with a pen inked with The Truth. In any case, it’s sad to see good and enlightened education pursuing dollars with a self-serving keyboard, exalted language and dubious information.
Moreover, there is the issue of their strict control and editing of comments to their publications. I can’t help imagining some nefarious and evil little Hodinkee man with wire-rim glasses checking every comment and killing half of them with a sharp red pointer. It’s all pretty disgusting.
And then there is Watchprosite, which for me has always remained The Purist. Watchprosite doesn’t pretend to be anything other than a common corner where friends gather to discuss watches and other subjects that range from photography, to cars, to trips, to even family news. And as it ought to be in such places, it’s best to avoid thorny issues and aggressive behavior. Pictures drive the conversation and comments remain congenial and succinct. Most importantly, moderators set the friendly and light-hearted tone of the conversation. No better example than wonderful Nico. But there are rare exceptions; after all, the primeval in the loins of man rears its archetypal head when you least expect it..., which is why I quit posting here over a year ago. And I mention it because I’d hate to see Watchprosite lose its freewheeling ways as a result of some self-important moderator kneeling to the power or simple perks of a brand: Patek Philippe, for instance.
Reading the comments on Hodinkee shook my memory and made me think that Watchprosite remains a very special watch site when most others have yielded to the power of the manufacturers..., and to the financial and ego needs of the people behind the sites. Indeed, I had fleeting but crappy experience with a somewhat nefarious “moderator” (?) on this otherwise great corner and would rather not to see the vile in humans veer Watchprosite in the wrong direction. Flame away now as I’ll stay away from the conversation. Hey, thank you for reading this rant.