Gripe of the day - What is yours?

[Littlepeahead]

I agree. The thing that really bugs me is when they read out the inane tweets from D list celebrities. Do media organisations think 140 characters of drivel from Lily Allen or Katie Price are actually news?

[maviczap]

Yes they do, because it's not the BBC news, it's Hello news. Lightweight and shallow

[Red Herring]

The "News" is no longer the News, it's an entertainment show and they will deliver what people demand. I think the way they report these events akin to rubber necking the scene of a crash, but the public seem to have this thirst for morbid detail and even if it is nothing more than speculation or opinion they lap it up. I find it all very disappointing.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Red Herring

The "News" is no longer the News, it's an entertainment show and they will deliver what people demand. I think the way they report these events akin to rubber necking the scene of a crash, but the public seem to have this thirst for morbid detail and even if it is nothing more than speculation or opinion they lap it up. I find it all very disappointing.

You & me both. I suppose its because we were used to the BBC news being presented in a formal fashion, not this entertainment format.

[Trev B]

LPH,the reason you get bolshy and just get on with your day is because if you don't go to work,you don't get paid !!!

[ophic]

Originally Posted by Red Herring

The "News" is no longer the News, it's an entertainment show and they will deliver what people demand. I think the way they report these events akin to rubber necking the scene of a crash, but the public seem to have this thirst for morbid detail and even if it is nothing more than speculation or opinion they lap it up. I find it all very disappointing.

Or rather, what they think people demand. But then that becomes "normal" to the people watching, so they then expect it. Chicken and egg. In my mind they're at least 50% responsible because they influence as well as deliver.

[ophic]

Originally Posted by Red Herring

Bikers get away with filtering because we are using space not being used by others and with skilful planning and anticipation we can generally emerge onto roundabouts or other junctions without stopping. If we do have to stop we should certainly be planning on doing so in a position where we won't impeded those we have just overtaken.

Completely irrelevant in London as what actually happens is cyclists filter to the front en masse, fill up the cycle boxes if provided, but forget to change to a low gear. Then everyone waits for them while they heave away on their pedals like an overloaded steam train.

[daktulos]

Originally Posted by ophic

Completely irrelevant in London as what actually happens is cyclists filter to the front en masse, fill up the cycle boxes if provided, but forget to change to a low gear. Then everyone waits for them while they heave away on their pedals like an overloaded steam train.

Around us (Shoreditch) the cycles only have one gear. Of course, it doesn't matter as they don't stop either.

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by ophic

.....Then everyone waits for them while they heave away on their pedals like an overloaded steam train.

And how does that make you feel? My point exactly! Just because it's London doesn't mean you have to chuck out your principals.

If you're going to filter, with or without a motor, then don't do anything that is going to hold up the traffic you have just passed. It's just plain good manners.

[Red ones]

When I cycled I saw starting from traffic lights as a challenge. See how far you can get before cars catch up. A cycle in low gear cant half out accelerate a car.