tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146512.post2578830260085838793..comments2024-03-12T22:31:46.500-04:00Comments on What Would Phoebe Do?: 'When I was her age...' UPDATEDPhoebe Maltz Bovyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17996039330841139883noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146512.post-2408516405262186942008-12-15T22:47:00.000-05:002008-12-15T22:47:00.000-05:00Fair enough.I think the problem that the Times has...Fair enough.<BR/><BR/>I think the problem that the Times has is that bits of it are read online (and linked to, etc.) by so many people that aren't the target demographic - which I imagine is somewhat well-off urbanites. These poachers, as it were, look for a certain type of liberal thought and then take it to be indicative of something much bigger.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17672420828736001275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146512.post-9998066221263480672008-12-14T18:41:00.000-05:002008-12-14T18:41:00.000-05:00But the paper also reports about layoffs. It's not...But the paper <A HREF="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/14/fashion/14lost.html?_r=1&ref=business" REL="nofollow">also</A> reports about layoffs. It's not either-or. <BR/><BR/>The piece was not ostensibly about anyone suffering, but about how even those <I>not</I> in dire situations are experiencing changes, thus revealing both the depth (working-class unemployment; layoffs) and breadth (rich girl must give up Pilates) of the problem. <BR/><BR/>It's just by beginning with the story most likely to aggravate; by offering a few details about the girl's life meant to get people riled up (her house has HOW MANY square feet?); and by asking commenters about their own work experience, thereby soliciting comments only from those who <I>did</I> work during high school, the paper sought to invite class warfare. The anger seems to be overall much more at the girl and (to a lesser extent) her family than at the paper.Phoebe Maltz Bovyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17996039330841139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146512.post-67465509573258738172008-12-14T18:32:00.000-05:002008-12-14T18:32:00.000-05:00What I find obnxious about the article is not the ...What I find obnxious about the article is not the teens (or the parents), but the Times actually reporting this. The intention, I think, is to show how the economic times are creating hardships. Surely there are more significant sacrifices being made by people in New York! Like actual layoffs or something... by reporting this as examples of what the current troubles are creating it belittles the actual problems that people are having.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17672420828736001275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146512.post-23384214205438720942008-12-14T09:38:00.000-05:002008-12-14T09:38:00.000-05:00"The real question is why anyone allows the Times ...<I>"The real question is why anyone allows the Times to interview them."</I><BR/><BR/>I'm outraged that these over-privileged high school kids are taking Times interviews away from folks like <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Packer" REL="nofollow">Greg Packer</A> who really need Times interviews.<BR/><BR/><I>"Even $100 sounds like not that much ... a few Frappuccinos and trips to the Gap could get through it. Nothing outlandish would be needed."</I><BR/><BR/>Indeed. One can go through $50 a week at coffee houses alone without breaking a sweat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146512.post-9060438784264555592008-12-13T23:55:00.000-05:002008-12-13T23:55:00.000-05:00School lunch is $1, or was when I was in high scho...School lunch is $1, or was when I was in high school. $5 would not get you much further. <BR/><BR/>Even $100 sounds like not that much, but then I remember that I go through that amount quickly because of things like groceries, Metrocards, laundry detergent, 99 cent bags of Whole Foods store-brand non-organic pasta... things the weekend's most demonized teenager probably doesn't have to buy. Still, a few Frappuccinos and trips to the Gap could get through it. Nothing outlandish would be needed.<BR/><BR/>And, back to the grade sheets...Phoebe Maltz Bovyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17996039330841139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146512.post-61702795266571299852008-12-13T22:26:00.000-05:002008-12-13T22:26:00.000-05:00What is the use of a $5 a week allowance for a h.s...What is the use of a $5 a week allowance for a h.s. student in NY?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com