Jared Evans of DeafRead published an official blog regarding the role of commercial sites in DeafRead. I took the liberty of leaving a comment to his blog, posted below
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Deafread Staff,
I would understand your decision only if there was sufficient evidence to indicate that Rachel of Cochlear Implant Online was marketing one brand of cochlear implants over others.
There is a difference between advocating for a certain type of technology and marketing specific brands.
I spent some time looking for indications that Rachel had indicated a preference in regards to specific products, but could not find any. The only connections to Cochlear Americas was through her own admission that she received the Nucleus 22 and recently that she was a member of Cochlear Awareness Network, a volunteer support group for recipients of the Nucleus implant and Baha.
Certainly there was no “aggressive marketing” on behalf of CAN or Cochlear Americas anywhere in Rachel’s blogs. Therefore to insinuate that her website is a commercial website that markets products out of Cochlear Americas is inaccurate and falls within the definition of libel.
The reality of it is that more and more deaf children and adults are receiving the cochlear implant, so it makes sense to have an independent website that provides resources, information, and experiences for those with an interest in cochlear implants.
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Even though everyone knows I disagree with this decision, I understand the rational in forbidding blogs that carry out active marketing of certain products when the author benefits from such posts. In this case it's just mind boggling that the DeafRead staff found Rachel's website to be a case of "aggressive marketing" when many in the CI and AVT communities perceives her website as a source of information and resources and as an outlet for sharing experiences.Certainly the guidelines are open to interpretation and it's apparent DeafRead has made its choice. Instead of focusing on the negative, I'm looking forward to the positives that this situation has created through DeafVillage, a separate aggregator which will be more lenient in moderating entries and provide an alternative forum for members of the deaf and hard of hearing community. I still will continue to keep my blogs a part of DeafRead so that I will contribute to whatever diversity that remains, but will always know that readers have the option of customizing their DeafRead page to their own tastes.
18 comments:
When does 'resource' become marketing ? seems to be deaf.read's problem. But the overwhelming opposition to deaf.read's ban, is that neither were the real issue, simply that CI's were being highlighted too effectively, and this, upset cultural purists opposed to CI's, and any suggestion it could help deaf 'hear', deaf.read has not made it very clear that wasn't the reason they pulled the plug, it's a mess of their own making. Passing it all off as a 'commercial plug' and inferring abuse, was pretty thin a reason I have to say !
Are you saying that it is libelous to say that someone is associated with a cochlear implant corporation?
mountain out of a molehill indeed.
Deafread policies will be identical to a Gumby toy. The rules will always be twisted and bent over and over and over. Thats because the deafread system is ruled by hypocrites.
Ha! I'm laughing.
"Aggressive Marketing".....that is as it is.
For instance, Tayler has been pushing all of us to sign the petition to destroy Sorenson and its products to the congressional hearing. That is an aggressively behavioral.
He is a DR editor......
White Ghost
If Deaf read is practising what it has done to Rachel and her blog, then Deaf read editors will have to do the same thing towards Video text advertisements, ASL courses, Deaf books, Gallaudet programs, etc. Therefore, the fine line becomes rather jagged and riddled with biases. The solution: Just leave it all up to us. What happened to diversity? I see it all messed up and facing extinction? And one cannot send a comment to Deaf read without having to log on. What happened? I am now losing respect for Deaf read editors for their attitude, biases, and inflexibility towards people who have chose a different life.
~ Just enough
Aaron ..
Really, why would anyone expect different from Tayler/Jared? Neither are very smart or intelligent. Tayler might be a great webmaster/coder but it's obvious he lacks an ability to think constructively.
The evidence is there for all the world to see and has always been.
So, why do people expect differently? Jared/Tayler are busy being "experts" of their silly little tree-house club called, "DeafRead".
Frankly, I'm not surprised at all. In fact, I once warned Jared to shut his mouth because the more he commented at my blog, the more of an idiot he looked like.
Fast forward to today ..
:o)
Paotie
I agree with Anon (II), if deaf.read can flood the aggregate with signed support issues, classes, and all the other paraphernalia that accompanies deaf culture with zeal, and allow it through without question,it is in no place to ban the CI user doing the same.
What about 'Deaf' organisations that 'sell' services to other deaf people, blatant advertising surely ? I'd be the last to complain about it, but drawing attention to the ambiguity of deaf.read splitting up what is advertising and what isn't.
Ban one, ban all surely ? So the next time we read a blatant plug from a Deaf group or individual, we can ask for it be removed ? There seems as much 'zeal' for that as there is for CI's or anything... Of course if deaf,read is saying this IS a 'Deaf' site.......
Should we all get along?
Forget DeafRead.
Now, we have DeafVillage aggregator.
Why worry and waste time on DeafRead aggregator?
Just stay away from DeafRead.com
Whaaa whaaaa, Anonymous. Quitter never win!
Thank you for your comments.
I'm Deaf and has been watching the situation with Deafread and Rachel. I wasn't pay attention to Rachel cuz Im Deaf and ASL who don't have similar experience with her. I respected her writings but some of her writings were harmful to me personally like the quote she wrote "no hearing, powerless" so on.
She can use free speech as much as she want. All I can do is just ignore her.
Deaf Village is a good place for those who can share the experience with CI.
Remember Howard Garner, Frames of MInd, 1983 and Intelligence Reframed, 1999
Thanks,
Ecnarb
Brance Long,
As a guest blogger of Cochlear Implant Online, I am sorry if you feel being offended by Rachel's remark, "no hearing, powerless."
It is a fact that in order for deaf people to survive in the real world, "Knowledge without spoken language is powerless." I wrote this quote in my article, "Confession of A Former Anti-CI for Deaf Babies."
So I wholeheartedly agree with Rachel. You know the truth that there are times that we are frustrated because we are legal blind individuals on the land of acoustic atmosphere where we cannot see the beauty of sounds.
I don't know if you are using HA but you know the fact that the less hearing, the powerless so I am sorry if you are angry about it but it is fact of life.
its going to be interesting when people realize that both sites are freaking aggregators. that's all it is no matter how you cut it.
Wont be long til Deaf and ASL blogs start appearing on DeafVillage. It should be a wonderful difference and we, as internet surfers, have another site to look at.
Seriously, who's still talking about this shit? I for one, am joining DeafVillage... while i'm at it, may as well join Digg.com
Angry?
No and I just shared my comment with you and I didn't say anything malice toward Deaf Village in my previous comment. If my previous comment has offended you, then accept my apology.
I just enjoy my life. I have families and friends. The richest thing is not about power, money, or success, or "the survival of the fittest" as Darwin mentioned, Jesus Christ fills my joy.
Your friend,
Ecnarb
It's my understanding that Deaf Village is not a C.I. aggregator but a deaf aggregator that welcomes all deaf people whether they're deaf or hoh or CI or cuers or ......name it.
It is just another aggregator, but, hopefully, better! One that embraces all regardless.
I find it very laughable when someone keeps changing the rules as if to say they are "explaining it clearer." when in fact, they just kept changing the rules to suit their reason.
This is a lesson to be learned by all current and future aggregators. We don't want history to repeat itself.
And, to Opened Minded Deaf Observer, you quoted: "Knowledge without spoken language is powerless."
However, not everyone who is deaf and hears not a pin drop will agree with you on that. Being deaf doesn't have to be powerless. Everyone deals with being deaf in a different way and there are plenty of deaf people who do NOT feel powerless! Probably more so from DOD than DOH.
It has to do with role model in their life and attitude which usually is found within DOD than it is with DOH.
Brance Long,
Jesus healed deaf people.
One strongest quote for CI from a commenter is "it is manna from the sky." Amen to this quote!!!!
At least I am glad to know that you still have a joy in your heart by Jesus Christ. I do have a joy of Jesus in my heart. Smile!!!Some CIers have joy from Jesus as well.
So my bibical perspective regarding deaf people with lack of acoustic/spoken language is that they are deficit forms of the society.
I accept that I am a deficit form of the society since I feel that I am a partial human being of the real world due to my inability to use my ear and voice. So CIer is almost whole human being.
No offense to you, I pray!!!
My brother in Christ
open-minded deaf observer,
Exodus 4:11
"And the Lord said to him, Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, or the deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord?"
Whatever the Lord creates is perfect so therefore, Deaf people in the society aren't deficits. :)
-Ali
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