Yes, I backed you and Banovsky up that this needs improvement. Brian’s approach was much more direct and useful. Bashing people is a long-routed way to call for improvement. Although, maybe it took your anger at Joel to give Brian the in to say what he did and get Joel to look at this as a way to improve. It would have been sad if you and I just kept battling over who’s right.

If the Detroit Free Press had posted this, then, yes, he would have been responsible for some attribution, like who said what and when, and links to recall notices and statements from Toyota. Maybe if you were genuinely concerned that he could be sued by Toyota, these comments might have played out differently. But, just as bad journalism irkes us both, I’m more bothered by people who seem to enjoy criticising.

If we never fail, we never learn. Everything is a learning process. Chalk it up to cognitive dissonance. Often, when we’re faced with facts that defy our beliefs, we will emotionally argue in defense of our beliefs and revel in the resulting endorphin rush.

So often, “What if” scenarios focus on negative outcomes and, for that reason, I try to avoid them. What if these recalls cost jobs up and down the supply chain? What if GM realizes a boost in sales that speeds their recovery because of this? What if this all serves to further prove that the TV-watching American public are, for the most part, mindless sheep looking to place blame for another problem easily resolved with a little personal responsibility?

It’s easy to stand on the sidelines and point fingers at others. Stepping into the game and offering solutions for discussion and debate requires more thought and consideration. I like that more. It’s something with which I struggle every time I click the “New Post” button. We are either part of the problem or part of the solution. Cliche, I know, but true.

“It does not matter how slow you go, so long as you do not stop.”

I have no doubt in my mind that while this still put the hurt on Toyota’s sales numbers in January and February they will be back and dominating soon. The question is more of a what if scenario. What if this gets people talking and they do not just stroll into that Toyota dealership for the next car. Time will tell how this all plays out.

Joel (and others), I would charge you with taking the chastising in these comments and learning from it. Sure, some of the comments might have been hard to swallow. Being publicly rebuked stings even more than a bitch slap in private.

Recall a few weeks back, during the Detroit Auto Snore, how refreshing it felt to be reporting on something different; the excitement of being there and covering the big event, but doing so from a unique perspective. To succumb to mass media-style fear mongering is a step in the wrong direction.

Anyone can publish a speculative story replete with details of Scarlet Letter treatment and admonishment of Toyota as the Antichrist, but the core of true journalistic excellence is a well balanced perspective. You’ve got to temper the prevailing hysteria with logic and reason, and offer up substance which makes your content stand out.

I’d comment on Derek being a poop mouth, but if his, and Banovsky’s, comments push you to improve your writing game, then I think they stand to be some of the most valuable comments you’ve ever received.

Besides, in a couple months, Toyota will be back to selling a shit ton of new cars and dominating the market like usual. The GM c-suite is no doubt enjoying this time out of the auto industry failure spotlight.

Christy – Making excuses for shoddy work doesn’t advance things either. You can ignore my comments as vitriol, but the fact remains that some of the assertions made are far outside the realm of what is considered acceptable, and people should be held to account for opinions and unsubstantiated research passed off as fact. I

The interesting point here is that Toyota is probably watching conversations like this, and they should. Right or wrong, people have their opinions. Joel chose to recount some of those conversations. Call it market research and work on being as good of a reporter as you can be. Let Joel be as good of a social media specialist as he can be.

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Christy – if this is what passes for “reporting” then journalism is officially dead. There is nothing even approaching attribution for any of the claims made in the article, just the poorly worded (and legally questionable) ramblings of a rank amateur.