Denton On Gawker Shift: ‘Like a TV Network, We Have to Back Our Hits, And Clear Out Our Schedules Of Less Popular Shows’

By Dylan on July 3, 2006 12:38 AM

Gawker overlord Nick Denton‘s official post on the “retrenching” and “reshuffling” of his company:

We’ve never liked crowds, nor believed in their wisdom. Gawker launched and expanded in the middle of the web bust; as, four years later, web 2.0 enthusiasm reaches dizzying new levels, it’s time for another perversely countercyclical move. We’re retrenching: disposing of two of our 15 sites, Sploid and Screenhead, and reshuffling staff on four more, Gawker, Gizmodo, Wonkette and Gridskipper.

We’re intrigued by Denton’s subtle rewording of this part of his post:

Finally, even successful sites such as Gawker and Gizmodo can settle into comfortable habits. Over time, on the same beat, all journalists get into a routine, or too close to sources, or go native. For Gawker titles, which have always sought to take the outsider’s perspective, this is a particular risk.

In an earlier draft, Denton had phrased it this way:

Finally, even successful sites can settle into comfortable habits. Over time, on the same beat, all journalists get into a routine, or too close to sources, or lose their nose for a story. Bloggers are far from immune. We want always to be open to new editorial talent, even if that means making painful changes.

Battening Down [NickDenton.org]

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