Comments on: No E-Mail Interviews for You! http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/04/24/no-e-mail-interviews-for-you/ Insight and Analysis from North of the Border Sun, 12 Oct 2008 06:07:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Joseph http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/04/24/no-e-mail-interviews-for-you/#comment-5256 Joseph Fri, 27 Apr 2007 18:07:17 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/04/24/no-e-mail-interviews-for-you/#comment-5256 I'd prefer to talk, just because I spend a lot of time typing out code each day. One thing that occurred to me recently was that my words and ideas were attributed to another person mentioned in the article. The journalist did attribute part of my thoughts in the article in the proper context, but unless the other person who was cited was wire-tapping the phone line during the interview, I just can't see how it would have been possible for both of us to have used the exact same words. I completely understand why some people would choose email, especially in light of my own experiences with misrepresentation. I’d prefer to talk, just because I spend a lot of time typing out code each day.

One thing that occurred to me recently was that my words and ideas were attributed to another person mentioned in the article. The journalist did attribute part of my thoughts in the article in the proper context, but unless the other person who was cited was wire-tapping the phone line during the interview, I just can’t see how it would have been possible for both of us to have used the exact same words. I completely understand why some people would choose email, especially in light of my own experiences with misrepresentation.

]]> By: Mark Evans http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/04/24/no-e-mail-interviews-for-you/#comment-5239 Mark Evans Wed, 25 Apr 2007 12:07:36 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/04/24/no-e-mail-interviews-for-you/#comment-5239 Fred, You're right that the interview "choice" works both ways depending on what each party wants. As much as interviewees get to choose how they want to an interview (and if they want to do one), journalists have the same right as well. If an e-mail interview doesn't provide the "color" you'd like, you can ask for another option. And if that doesn't materialize, you have the choice to move on to the next interview subject. Mark Fred,
You’re right that the interview “choice” works both ways depending on what each party wants. As much as interviewees get to choose how they want to an interview (and if they want to do one), journalists have the same right as well. If an e-mail interview doesn’t provide the “color” you’d like, you can ask for another option. And if that doesn’t materialize, you have the choice to move on to the next interview subject.

Mark

]]> By: Jason Calacanis vs Wired on Phone Interview » SELaplana http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/04/24/no-e-mail-interviews-for-you/#comment-5238 Jason Calacanis vs Wired on Phone Interview » SELaplana Wed, 25 Apr 2007 08:53:36 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/04/24/no-e-mail-interviews-for-you/#comment-5238 [...] Mark Evans:  e-mail is a better tool than a phone call because you can take your time to answer questions and you have a record of what exactly you said. If your quotes are misinterpreted or misconstrued, you have a way to go right back at the journalist. [...] [...] Mark Evans:  e-mail is a better tool than a phone call because you can take your time to answer questions and you have a record of what exactly you said. If your quotes are misinterpreted or misconstrued, you have a way to go right back at the journalist. [...]

]]> By: fvogelstein http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/04/24/no-e-mail-interviews-for-you/#comment-5236 fvogelstein Wed, 25 Apr 2007 04:58:36 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/04/24/no-e-mail-interviews-for-you/#comment-5236 Mark - What I don't understand is why anyone has to choose what is the best way to do an interview. Some people like email. Others, like me, would rather do it in person or on the phone. There is no right or wrong answer here. What I basically told Jason was that I would rather not do the interview than do it by email. I also said I was happy to tape it, if we did it on the phone (which is what we ultimately did). But if neither condition suited him he was free not to talk to me at all and move on. I have versions of these conversations with people every day. No one talks to me to do me any favors. Fred Vogelstein Wired Magazine 415 276 4922 Mark -

What I don’t understand is why anyone has to choose what is the best way to do an interview. Some people like email. Others, like me, would rather do it in person or on the phone. There is no right or wrong answer here. What I basically told Jason was that I would rather not do the interview than do it by email. I also said I was happy to tape it, if we did it on the phone (which is what we ultimately did). But if neither condition suited him he was free not to talk to me at all and move on. I have versions of these conversations with people every day. No one talks to me to do me any favors.

Fred Vogelstein
Wired Magazine
415 276 4922

]]> By: rod http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/04/24/no-e-mail-interviews-for-you/#comment-5235 rod Wed, 25 Apr 2007 04:21:15 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/04/24/no-e-mail-interviews-for-you/#comment-5235 Mark - have you followed the various Wired comebacks and blog-dialog around this? Funny stuff. Winer brings it all together here: http://www.scripting.com/stories/2007/04/24/transcriptionErrors.html Patrick - fwiw, email interviews have a place, depending on context. If you're interviewing a F500 PR flack, I can see your point. Conversely if you're having a conversation with Calacanis, you can pretty much guess its going to be off the cuff whether email, phone, or what. Mark - have you followed the various Wired comebacks and blog-dialog around this? Funny stuff. Winer brings it all together here:

http://www.scripting.com/stories/2007/04/24/transcriptionErrors.html

Patrick - fwiw, email interviews have a place, depending on context. If you’re interviewing a F500 PR flack, I can see your point. Conversely if you’re having a conversation with Calacanis, you can pretty much guess its going to be off the cuff whether email, phone, or what.

]]> By: Patrick Pichette http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/04/24/no-e-mail-interviews-for-you/#comment-5234 Patrick Pichette Wed, 25 Apr 2007 03:16:59 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/04/24/no-e-mail-interviews-for-you/#comment-5234 I can see where Wired is coming from. Can answering questions via email be considered an “interview”? If you’re a reporter, conducting an interview allows you to get real spontaneous answers, which makes the story more interesting. But by email the “interviewee” (or his/her communications people) can take the time to carefully craft a response, filled with corporate speak and marketing verbiage. Personally, I hope email interviews do not become the common practice. I can see where Wired is coming from. Can answering questions via email be considered an “interview”? If you’re a reporter, conducting an interview allows you to get real spontaneous answers, which makes the story more interesting. But by email the “interviewee” (or his/her communications people) can take the time to carefully craft a response, filled with corporate speak and marketing verbiage.

Personally, I hope email interviews do not become the common practice.

]]> By: Wired pwns Jason Calacanis « Neomeme http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/04/24/no-e-mail-interviews-for-you/#comment-5233 Wired pwns Jason Calacanis « Neomeme Wed, 25 Apr 2007 02:13:24 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/04/24/no-e-mail-interviews-for-you/#comment-5233 [...] Mark Evans says it’s Calacanis’ right to decide the type of interview [...] [...] Mark Evans says it’s Calacanis’ right to decide the type of interview [...]

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