Seattlest: "We're Unsinkable!": Local Newspaper Downplays Nationwide Condo Slump

The Tim

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 09:01:06 -0800

Again, I'm not saying he did take his ideas from my post, but I don't really know how you can't see the overwhelming similarities. Allow me to list the points made in each post, with items appearing in both posts in bold. Main points of Michael's post, in order: - Seattle P-I article is "boosterism" - Cohen's source is a marketing firm - Cohen probably exaggerating claim of consensus - "Boston metro" being compared to just "Seattle" (with wikipedia links) - no mention or measure of actual condo demand in Seattle - not included are 7,000 conversions "tagged onto the end of the article" - condo developers misread demand elsewhere and probably here - comparison to Titanic's "unsinkable" claim Main points of my post, in order: - claim that you can't buy a brand-new condo today is false - Seattle P-I article is "fluff piece" - "Boston metro" being compared to just "Seattle" (with wikipedia links) - not included are 7,000 conversions "apparent later in the article" - no mention or measure of actual condo demand in Seattle Granted, he discussed the use of a marketing firm as the source, but that's about the only substantive difference between the posts. When four out of five of my main points show up in another person's post later in the day, you can't blame me for at least wondering. Again though, I want to stress that without any actual proof to the contrary, I'm assuming the best: that it's just a startling coincidence and we both had the same thoughts as we read Ms. Cohen's worthless spew.

Courtney

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 23:11:57 -0800

Hey Tim, I just read your post and don't see the striking similarities you mention. Yes, Michael makes the same general points that you do (the Boston comparison lacks benchmarks, this is just a fluff piece), but he also goes into further detail about Cohen using a marketing firm for a reference, and throws in a nice Titanic zinger at the end. I think you both read the same article and reached the appropriate conclusion, but beyond that I'd stick to the "great minds" theory. I'd wager you'll see something along the same lines over at the SLOG within the next day as well...

The Tim

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 21:48:43 -0800

Um, did you guys read my post on this today? Because this post sounds awfully similar to what I wrote. You guys have been pretty good about linking to me in the past when I've made posts that interest you, so I would be a bit surprised if this post was really just ripped off from me with no attribution at all. I'm hoping it is just coincidence, great minds thinking alike and that sort of thing. However, if it's not just a coincidence, I think at least a link would be in order...

drrew

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 14:50:48 -0800

As a renter who would certainly like to purchase if prices were at all reasonable, I'm rooting for a collapse!