So... this is the Verge today. I'll just keep adding staff quotes to the bottom of the proper category.

(Mods, don't delete this out of spite. It's a legitimate criticism and it's all factual, nothing made up, no quotes that aren't legitimate. If you have specific concerns, please address them, don't just delete the entire post)

___________

UPDATE: I think I've made my point quite clear. Apparently, the staff have no problems with what's going on here, so I'm just going to post this last conversation here and that will be my last update, barring a public response that actually acknowledges the message I'm trying to make.

BioFanatic (Reader, aka me):

We appreciate the response, Cory. :)

Please remind mods that, staff or not, the green checkmark beside their name means that they represent the Verge and their comments, like it or not, reflect back on the Verge, as they are selected as mods by the Verge staff.

Posted onSep 24, 2014 | 3:48 PM

Russell Brandom, (Verge Reporter):

I don’t think he needs to be reminded of that, because no one who’s affiliated with The Verge has a problem with anything Kirielson has said. I appreciate that you have concerns, but you’re just antagonizing people at this point.

Posted onSep 24, 2014 | 5:09 PM

BioFanatic (Reader):

I respectfully disagree.

In fact, I find it disappointing that nobody at the Verge takes issue with that type of behaviour.

Furthermore, I’m not antagonizing anyone. Let’s take the example of bullying:

An innocent person (aka one of your readers) is going about their day, going somewhere that they normally go to (The Verge website). They see someone bullying one of their peers (another reader). What’s worse, that bully (a moderator in general) actually is associated with the place (this website). If that innocent person defends the peer from the bully in real life, is that wrong? Who is wrong in this situation?

Perhaps being one of the staff being called out for bad behaviour is why you feel antagonized. If you cannot see how that same feeling affects your readers when they are ridiculed by your very own staff, you aren’t thinking critically.

I can’t spell it out any clearer, Russell.

Posted onSep 24, 2014 | 5:29 PM

If that doesn't get my point across, I don't think anything will.

____________

Video demonstrates reported banana bending issues - Chris Ziegler



http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/24/6838821/video-demonstrates-reported-banana-bending-issues

Instead of reporting on how new iPhones are bending in peoples' pockets, they decide to make a sarcastic post. If this was any other phone, I feel that this would NOT be the response, nor should it be. I don't care what brand it is, it shouldn't bend in your pocket. To say that "things bend" as an excuse isn't cool. I have a GS3 (same size as iPhone 6) that has been in my front pocket for 2 years... hasn't bent. The last 6 months without a case.

Alternate Headline: iPhone 6 and 6+ Rumoured to Bend in Pockets

Alternate Article: Actually addressing the issue, doing some research

Apple's privacy statement is a direct shot at Google and I love it - Russell Brandom



http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/18/6409915/apples-privacy-statement-is-a-direct-shot-at-google-and-i-love-it

Did you really need to express that you "love it"?

Alternate Headline: Apple's privacy statement is a direct shot at Google.

Alternate Article: Stick to the facts, don't assume that Google users are naive about what they signed up for.

My reviews are biased - that's why you should trust them - Vlad Savov



http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/24/6834955/vlad-reviews

This headline speaks for itself. Talk about a paradox... I ... I don't even know. Bragging about bias like it's something to be proud of? The idea is to review products. Instead, I feel like this is like the Perez Hilton of tech reviews. I'm almost surprised that there's no drawings of dongs on Samsung Exec pics.

Alternate Headline: Why reviews should be objective

Alternate Article: Biased reviews don't help readers, because we don't feel that we can continue to trust them when they contradict each other.

I'm not sure what's worse:

-Verge EDITOR IN CHIEF condoning this:

"Your poll results appear to be biased." - Nilay Patel, in response to this post:

http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/24/6838613/the-verge-thinks-bias-is-excusable-but-is-it

-Verge staff in the comments section condoning this unprofessional stuff:

"I love you T.C." -Kirielson, Moderator

"My orange bent, but only after I was at a wedding with it in my pocket." -David Pierce, Deputy Editor

"bias" - TC Sottek, News Editor (and this was the first post on the article)

"you’re bias" - Dan Seifert

"respectfully disagree http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/banana-phone-headset_696461422.html" - Russell Brandom, replying to TC's response to criticism of his banana post.

http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/24/6839437/are-you-serious-i-know-the-verge-was-biased-but-this-is-just

-Verge staff making snarky replies to their readers

"I guess I should complain about the developer cost whilst I’m at it." -Shaun McIlroy, Community Manager (aka head moderator), in response to a legitimate criticism about how Apple monetizes their products.

"It’s like you didn’t read the 6+ review." Kirielson, Moderator, in response to a comment calling out conflicting standards on 2 Verge reviews. The comment was a fair criticism, and the commenter DID read the review.

" 'A PHONE IS NOT A F*CKING BANANA !!!!' huge, if true" -TC Sottek, News Editor, in response to a post criticizing his Banana post.

http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/24/6839437/are-you-serious-i-know-the-verge-was-biased-but-this-is-just

"Either way, it’s stuff funny." -Kirielson, Moderator, in response to me calling his behaviour unprofessional in comments of this very article.

"Nah, I’m actually trying to joke around." -Kirielson, Moderator, in response to someone actually defending his snark in the comments of this very article. He actually wants it to be known that he's antagonizing readers.

"You’re right, I like to think it’s a lot more fun than kindergarten." -TC Sottek, News Editor, in response to someone criticizing the childish behaviour of the Verge and the disrespect towards its readers.

http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/24/6839793/the-verge-is-going-to-kill-its-community

"Maturity does not mean living a humorless existence. But by all means, please keep mansplaining professionalism to me." -TC Sottek, in response to me calling him out for being immature. My favourite part is "mansplaining," because that's a real word, and it not at all intended to get a rise out of me.