Citing Sources

[hellboy997]

the only thing that bugs me about the Digg Reel or Diggnation is the lack of correct sources for videos and stories and such. a video isnt from break.com when its clearly taped off of abc or mtv. and saying the source is youtube is like saying the video was made on earth. did we learn nothing in english class? i didnt learn proper punctuation but that isnt robbing the creator of a text of his/her hard work or just happened to be there with a camera. and please post beyond the person who submitted the story. that person literally did next to nothing to create anything. please give proper credit where its due. thanks

[forbizzle]

Then again, ABC may just be broadcasting something they found on what major networks are now calling "the blogosphere". Tracking down the true source is a time sink, and I think it's appropriate that they cite the source as represented on digg. If there is hijacked material (5min) then the community on digg will likely bring that to your attention.

[bigshotprof]

Citing sources is important if you need to be able to go back to the original either for proof of the accuracy of your usage or for further information related to it. If the material is simply being used for momentary diversion--like references on Diggnation usually are--it is helpful but not necessary. It is comparable to a conversation. When you say to someone at lunch "I read the other day that Skynet is about to become self-aware." you would not need to automatically attribute the source.

That said, I applaud your concentration on citation; it's better to err on the side of too much than of too little.