background

An overwhelming 90% of comments expressed negative sentiment towards Fife Council’s decision

We analysed hundreds of social media comments to understand how people felt about Fife Council’s decision to order the removal of the projector used by the Fire Station Creative.

Fife Council tell Fire Station Creative to stop projecting images on building   
Dunfermline Press - Jan 30th

The comments across social media overwhelmingly expressed negative sentiment towards Fife Council's decision. Only 3% (7 comments), approved of the council’s decision, compared to the whopping 90% who disapproved.

Based on the initial analysis of the comments, several key sentiments emerged regarding the Fife Council's decision. These can be broadly categorised as follows:

Strong Disapproval

Many comments use highly negative language, such as "ridiculous," "backward thinking," "useless," "incompetent," "disgrace," and "idiots." They express frustration and anger towards the council's decision.

Support for the Projection

A significant portion of the comments express support for the projection, highlighting its positive aspects like brightening the town, promoting local events, and adding visual interest.

Comments from ‌ Facebook
  • "I love seeing the projection Its cheery and professional"
  • "It enhances that corner of town and does no harm Cant see why returning that side above the car park to dull darkness will enhance lives"
  • "Its great to see events being advertised in this way Fire Station Creative are doing a fantastic job promoting the city Creating art space facilities and entertainment for the people of Dunfermline and surrounding areas is vital for commerce"

Criticism of Council Priorities

Many comments criticise the council for focusing on trivial matters while neglecting more pressing issues like road repairs, homelessness, and the state of the town.

Comments from ‌ Facebook
  • "Eh? Give over, I love seeing the lights! Surely the council has more important priorities??"
  • "Perhaps if Fife Council were concentrating their efforts on real issues they wouldnt be almost a billion in debt and having to pay huge interest costs each year"
  • "Transportation folk be better concentrating on the shambolic roads maybe just a thought"

Frustration with Council Ineptitude

There's a strong undercurrent of frustration with the council's perceived incompetence and lack of common sense. Many comments express frustration, anger, or disapproval of Fife Council’s decision.

Comments from ‌ Facebook
  • "Totally and utterly ludicrous"
  • "You would think have much more to do than concern themselves about projected images which are tasteful and informative"
  • "Oh dear, stuck in the past. It is decisions like this that make Scotland so boring and irrelevant at times."

Breaking down our analysis

Here's the breakdown of the sentiment analysis in numbers and the reasoning behind categorisation of comments.

Very Negative

15%

 

(15.19%) | 41 comments

Characterised by strong language expressing anger, frustration, and disbelief towards the council's decision. Often includes words like "backward," "useless," "incompetent," "idiots," "disgrace," and expletives.

May contain strong criticisms of the council's priorities, a deep-seated frustration with the council's perceived incompetence and lack of common sense.

Negative

74%

 

74% (74.4%) | 201 comments

Expresses disapproval of the council's decision, often using words like "disappointing," "sad," "crazy," "petty," and "jobsworths."

May convey frustration with the council's bureaucracy and lack of flexibility. Might express concern that the council is stifling creativity and discouraging community initiatives.

Neutral

8%

 

8% (7.78%) | 21 comments

May contain factual observations or questions about the situation, acknowledge the council's concerns, expressing support for finding a solution.

Can include comments where we were unable to confidently identify as positive or negative.

Positive

2%

 

2% (1.85%) | 5 comments

In favour of the council's decision, or at least understanding their reasoning. For example:

“... It appears that complaint is that the projector is attached to a street light, and his concern is that it might compromise the light.”

Very Positive

1%

 

1% (0.74%) | 2 comments

Robustly in favour of the council's decision. Characterised by strong feelings against the images displayed on the projector or the projectors benefits. For example:

“Pushing political agendas on people in public shouldn’t be permitted.”

Frustrated with the council’s decision?

Pledge support for the projector with a couple of clicks

Pledge Support