Dr. V's magical putter

If it does NOT matter, then why make the reference of putting your neighbor's history/past in the LEDE? Aren't you contradicting yourself?

And as far as the neighbor calling a lawyer, I'd guess the lawyers at grantland/ESPN could hold their own against Yar/Vanderbilt/Jordan. Especially if it was true the ESPN/grantland lawyers read it before it saw the internet.

 

Because if you are willing to write something in the last sentence you need to be willing to write it in the first sentence.

 

Good gravy, you're an idiot. This is one of your favorite points to make, but it has no relevance in this case.

This wasn't a straight news story. This was a feature. It was -- wait for it -- a narrative.

And, the author has every right to set up the narrative as he sees fit. He thought it made for a better story to save the big reveal for the end. And, he was probably right. Lot's of sports journalists thought it was a great piece of nonfiction.

The problem wasn't the basic structure of the article, it was that he revealed her transgender status at all, and that he treats it as freakish.

His big reveal is: SHE'S A MAN!. Can you guys fucking believe it, I discovered she wasn't only not a PhD., but, she's a fucking man.

 

Devil's point is spot-on, and nothing you say addresses what he actually posted.

The first sentence of the story and the last sentence of the story both need to be true. That was his point.

If you have a detail you're uncomfortable putting in the lede, you spike it. You don't put it in the last sentence and hope no one notices.

 

Is THAT clear enough?

 

What does it have to do with the Grantland article?

 

Why is grantland/espn the only one under scrutiny?

In 2010 AND 2012, Golf Week writer James Achenbach was only going on what he was told and no verification:

http://golfweek.com/news/2010/mar/16/putters-all-shapes-and-sizes/
By James Achenbach | March 16, 2010 12:52 p.m.
"The GX1 was designed in Tempe, Ariz., by physicist Essay Anne Vanderbilt. The putter head is neither face-balanced nor toe-down, but hangs with a heel-down orientation."
http://golfweek.com/news/2012/may/08/toy-box-notes-fowler-carries-mixed-bag-victory/?print
By James Achenbach | As of Tuesday, May 8, 2012
"The second putter was seen at the Wells Fargo Championship and used by Aaron Baddeley. It’s from Yar Golf and is sold in two models – Yar GX1 and Yar GX1-WB (Wide Body). The putters were designed by aerospace engineer Essay Anne Vanderbilt, who maintains that the face-balanced concept seen in many putters is all wrong. Yar putters, if balanced on someone’s finger, will point almost toe up."


Should Danielle Tucker, host/producer of the The Golf Club Radio Show® say something?
http://www.hernco.com/golfclub/archive10.htm
"The Golf Club Radio Show
Date: August 28, 2010 Show Number: 35/10 Click Here To Listen
In the Clubhouse:
Gary Planos: VP Kapalua
Marilynn Smith, LPGA: Founder Marilynn Smith Foundation Charity Tournament
Dr. Essay Anne Vanderbilt: Owner, Yar Golf"

LINK: Audio of Vanderbilt on Tucker's GCRS:
http://www.hernco.com/golfclub/ac82810.htm
http://www.hernco.com/golfclub/radio/2010/82810gc.mp3
EDIT: Vanderbilt did NOT speak. Vanderbilt was scheduled to, but Gerri Jordan spoke for her.

In July 2011, Golf Central Magazine had a feature on the Yar putter.
http://golfcentralmagazine.com/2011/07/the-yar-gxi-wb-wide-body-putter/
"Designed by Dr. Vanderbilt whose background and education come from Aeronautical Physics"
"According to Dr. V, “It’s just the normal way of designing things that fly”."


Even ING (International Network of Golf) had the "doctor" up for a 2013 award:
http://www.examiner.com/article/achievement-the-golf-business-to-be-recognized-by-ing
"The YAR putter, designed by Dr. Essay Ann Vanderbilt"
Aside: Assuming Vanderbilt was still alive, I'm guessing tomorrow would be an important/awkward day: The ING Industry Honors Presentation Press Conference is Thursday, Jan. 23, 12:30 p.m. in ClubING (309A) at the PGA Merchandise Show.

Seems the whole thing was like Manti. Manti and Vanderbilt made up stuff. Big names (ING, Golf Week, host of golf show in a notable golf state) bought it hook, line and sinker. Several media members chose not to do research.

Now ING, Golf Week, Golf Central Magazine and Tucker didn't out Vanderbilt. I get that.
But they weren't truthful about her when they wrote/mentioned her, either. And they COULD have researched her.

 

Publishing personal details is publishing personal details. Period. It doesn't make it more OK that it's at the end of the story.

You attacked Devil for posting something that's absolutely, 100 percent correct.

 

No. It's not ok. And, I don't get Central-KY-Kid's point that you had to read deep into the article to get to the information. That doesn't make it any better. Are we assuming most people don't read to the end?

But, Hannan didn't put the reveal towards the end because he was unwilling to put it in the lede. He wasn't trying to bury the information. He was trying to build suspense for a big reveal, and he did.

 

Devils' broader point, that Grantland's publishing of Dr. V's story in toto could somehow be actionable at law under some "Private Details" consideration, isn't remotely spot-on. First of all, Dr. V WAS DEAD when her details were published. Second of all ... well, the first one is more than enough.

 

Right. You can't "libel" a dead person.

Even if you could, your "libelous" contention would have to be proven false.

 

Really ... doesn't that sort of make all this a bit of a moot point?