Workaday World III
The bulletin board in my office just fell off the wall. I hardly even touched it.
Tuesday, July 16, 2002
Monday, July 15, 2002
Sketchy Ethics
Not one to shy away from controversy, a former colleague of mine, Steve Friess, recently penned an opinion piece for Editor & Publisher. I was originally going to list it in today's Pieces, Particles entry, but I think it begs further comment.
Steve's piece bothers me for several reasons. One, it's an example of the classic Ugly American story. A Western journalist goes to work for an overseas news organization and is appalled by what he finds. He goes on to portray the locals' journalistic gaffes and foibles as humorous and quaint. (Steve secures his rebellious outsider role in his tagline to the piece: "Friess wrote frequently [and illegally] for USA Today from China last year.")
Two, Steve shares his experience giving no real sense that he seriously tried not to be complicit in -- much less to counter -- those very same gaffes and foibles. As an employee of the Chinese Ministry of Information, Steve passed on the party line. Colleagues changed quotes and invented people. Sure, Steve "wrote a query into the text" questioning the veracity of a statistic, but it's unnerving to think that -- if the practices of the Chinese journalists Steve worked beside were so wrong -- he didn't do more than he alludes to in the article.
Now, I didn't spend Steve's time overseas. I'm sure the role he found himself in was challenging. I'm also sure that he was surprised and not always delighted by how the China Daily's journalists worked. But Steve was in the mix. He was complicit in the very practices he's criticizing in what's supposed to be one of professional journalism's trade magazines. The point of this opinion piece -- outside of highlighting the humorous and quaint gaffes and foibles (and romanticizing Steve as a journalist) -- is weak. He helped local staffers apply to American journalism schools, "spreading the subversive gospel of the First Amendment." Please.
Higher up in the last column of the piece, Steve asks himself, "How did we stomach it?"
I ask, how did you sleep at night?
Not one to shy away from controversy, a former colleague of mine, Steve Friess, recently penned an opinion piece for Editor & Publisher. I was originally going to list it in today's Pieces, Particles entry, but I think it begs further comment.
Bull in China Shop
Our man in Beijing and his Year of Living Ridiculously
Steve's piece bothers me for several reasons. One, it's an example of the classic Ugly American story. A Western journalist goes to work for an overseas news organization and is appalled by what he finds. He goes on to portray the locals' journalistic gaffes and foibles as humorous and quaint. (Steve secures his rebellious outsider role in his tagline to the piece: "Friess wrote frequently [and illegally] for USA Today from China last year.")
Two, Steve shares his experience giving no real sense that he seriously tried not to be complicit in -- much less to counter -- those very same gaffes and foibles. As an employee of the Chinese Ministry of Information, Steve passed on the party line. Colleagues changed quotes and invented people. Sure, Steve "wrote a query into the text" questioning the veracity of a statistic, but it's unnerving to think that -- if the practices of the Chinese journalists Steve worked beside were so wrong -- he didn't do more than he alludes to in the article.
Now, I didn't spend Steve's time overseas. I'm sure the role he found himself in was challenging. I'm also sure that he was surprised and not always delighted by how the China Daily's journalists worked. But Steve was in the mix. He was complicit in the very practices he's criticizing in what's supposed to be one of professional journalism's trade magazines. The point of this opinion piece -- outside of highlighting the humorous and quaint gaffes and foibles (and romanticizing Steve as a journalist) -- is weak. He helped local staffers apply to American journalism schools, "spreading the subversive gospel of the First Amendment." Please.
Higher up in the last column of the piece, Steve asks himself, "How did we stomach it?"
I ask, how did you sleep at night?
Pieces, Particles VI
The following media-related stories recently spotted in print publications -- and now online -- might be worth a look. Heads and decks, only. Heads and decks.
A Model Journalist, by Richard Connelly, Houston Press, July 4-10, 2002
A TV anchor does a little promotional work on the side
Board the Weblog Bandwagon Now, Please, by Steve Outing, Editor & Publisher, June 26, 2002
Newspapers missed most Internet trends; isn't it time to catch one?
Journalistic Blogging, by Barb Palser, American Journalism Review, July/August 2002
Mainstream news organizations could steal an idea or two from blogs.
Midgets in Advertising, by Don Preziosi, Postcard Collector, July 2001
No Longer the Cat's Meow?, by Dave Astor, Editor & Publisher, June 17, 2002
Their core daily-newspaper market isn't what it used to be, but syndicates are improvising by finding new revenue sources
Radio: The Rookies, by Ariel Hart, Columbia Journalism Review, July/August 2002
"Sentinel" Seeking Drive-By Business, by Lucia Moses, Editor & Publisher, June 17, 2002
Electronic billboard is designed to steer Orlando motorists to the print product
The following media-related stories recently spotted in print publications -- and now online -- might be worth a look. Heads and decks, only. Heads and decks.
A Model Journalist, by Richard Connelly, Houston Press, July 4-10, 2002
A TV anchor does a little promotional work on the side
Board the Weblog Bandwagon Now, Please, by Steve Outing, Editor & Publisher, June 26, 2002
Newspapers missed most Internet trends; isn't it time to catch one?
Journalistic Blogging, by Barb Palser, American Journalism Review, July/August 2002
Mainstream news organizations could steal an idea or two from blogs.
Midgets in Advertising, by Don Preziosi, Postcard Collector, July 2001
No Longer the Cat's Meow?, by Dave Astor, Editor & Publisher, June 17, 2002
Their core daily-newspaper market isn't what it used to be, but syndicates are improvising by finding new revenue sources
Radio: The Rookies, by Ariel Hart, Columbia Journalism Review, July/August 2002
"Sentinel" Seeking Drive-By Business, by Lucia Moses, Editor & Publisher, June 17, 2002
Electronic billboard is designed to steer Orlando motorists to the print product
Event-O-Dex V
Several upcoming DIY and other media gatherings you might be interested in:
July 18, Allston, Massachusetts: So & So, the In Out, Choo Choo La Rouge, and the Rudds at O'Brien's
Erin says, "Judy and I are playing a set under the name So & So. Dave and Dan of the Fightin Dogs will back us up on bass and/or drums. Plus! I'm gonna wear a Canada shirt." Maybe she'll even sing in Canadian!
July 19-20, Somerville, Massachusetts: Somerville Arts Council Art Beat
Food, folks, and fun, as well as the Art Beat Sideshow organized by Handstand Command. The Anchormen will play several songs at the Sideshow.
August 10-24, New York City: In the Wire
A friend from college who just today re-entered my life is putting on this play with her husband. I don't know if there are puppets involved, but the InterWeb sure is!
Several upcoming DIY and other media gatherings you might be interested in:
July 18, Allston, Massachusetts: So & So, the In Out, Choo Choo La Rouge, and the Rudds at O'Brien's
Erin says, "Judy and I are playing a set under the name So & So. Dave and Dan of the Fightin Dogs will back us up on bass and/or drums. Plus! I'm gonna wear a Canada shirt." Maybe she'll even sing in Canadian!
July 19-20, Somerville, Massachusetts: Somerville Arts Council Art Beat
Food, folks, and fun, as well as the Art Beat Sideshow organized by Handstand Command. The Anchormen will play several songs at the Sideshow.
August 10-24, New York City: In the Wire
A friend from college who just today re-entered my life is putting on this play with her husband. I don't know if there are puppets involved, but the InterWeb sure is!
From the In Box: The Story of Spam III
I like the spam on your site today and kinda thought this was one of the better spams I've seen. Hope you enjoy, too. And hope all is well with you otherwise. -- Marty
I like the spam on your site today and kinda thought this was one of the better spams I've seen. Hope you enjoy, too. And hope all is well with you otherwise. -- Marty
You have just received the Amish virus. Because we don't have any computers or programming experience, this virus works on the honor system.
Please delete all the files from your hard drive and then manually forward this virus to everyone on your mailing list.
Thank you for your cooperation and God bless you.
The Amish Computer Engineering Department
Metafilter Down!
Following the trend set by Ditherati, Metafilter is now down. Happy birthday, server maintenance.
Following the trend set by Ditherati, Metafilter is now down. Happy birthday, server maintenance.
The Story of Spam III
This is the best spam I've received in a long time:
Well, at least they've clearly defined their target market.
This is the best spam I've received in a long time:
Subject: LOOK! Desparately Seeking 100 Lazy People.... Who Wants To Make Money
Dear Friend,
We are desparately looking for 100 lazy people who wish to make lots of money without working.
We are not looking for people who are self-motivated. We are not looking for people who join every 'get rich quick' scheme offered on the internet. We are not looking for class presidents, beautiful people, career builders or even college graduates. We don't even want union workers or trade school graduates.
We want the laziest people that exist - the guys and gals who expect to make money without lifting a finger. We want the people who stay in bed until noon. We want those of you who think that getting out of bed to go lay on the couch is an effort that is best not thought about.
If you meet this criteria, go to this site and join free:
[URL deleted to protect the guilty]
In case you haven't figured it out yet, we want the kind of people who DO NOT take risks. If you are the kind of person who will consider doing something that's NOT a 'sure thing', then do NOT respond.
This is too easy a way to make money and there's no challenge in it.
If you can get to the website, you will be able to see the first home business in history that requires no work. NONE.
By clicking on this link and going to this website, you will be aknowledging the fact that you want to make enough money that you can quit your regular job and sleep all day.
We are not looking for a commitment from youand we don't even want your money.
As a matter of fact, we don't even want you to hear from us again if the idea of making lots of money without working does not interest you.
So if nothing else, remember this -
to make money without working for it just "Join Free". Simple as that.
[URL deleted to protect the guilty]
We look forward to hearing from you.
In all seriousness,
This is NOT a "no work" program that will make you money without lifting a finger.
Advertising effectively requires WORK and plenty of it. Oh, for sure, it's not like picking cotton under a broiling sun, but it IS work, nonetheless.
And we DO want peoples' money ONLY when they see the value of our products, services and upgrades.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Cordially your lazy friend,
[Name deleted to protect the guilty]
Well, at least they've clearly defined their target market.
Friday, July 12, 2002
Tickle Me Emo
Several friends have asked me to explain emo music to them recently. And I've had some trouble doing so. Well, if you haven't read the newsweekly magazines' recent expositions on emo, I've found the best emo song ever. "Three Easy Steps to Emo" by Girlband is a three-ingredient recipe for the perfect emo song. You'll have to listen to it to truly appreciate its greatness, but here are Girlband's three easy steps to emo:
That's basically it. Listen to the song, and you've heard almost every single emo song. Truth.
Several friends have asked me to explain emo music to them recently. And I've had some trouble doing so. Well, if you haven't read the newsweekly magazines' recent expositions on emo, I've found the best emo song ever. "Three Easy Steps to Emo" by Girlband is a three-ingredient recipe for the perfect emo song. You'll have to listen to it to truly appreciate its greatness, but here are Girlband's three easy steps to emo:
Lesson 1: Start out mellow.
Lesson 2: Scream.
Lesson 3: Go for the throat.
That's basically it. Listen to the song, and you've heard almost every single emo song. Truth.
Community and Reconstruction
Fellow Webby Awards nominating judge Cliff Figallo is recruiting about 50 volunteer online facilitators to help with part of New York's recovery from 911. A recent email from Cliff says, "Volunteer online facilitators are needed between July 29 and August 14 to help gather citizen input for planning the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan and the design of a memorial for WTC victims from 9/11. Discussion will take place using Web Lab's innovative Small Group Dialogue interface and technique."
If you're interested -- or if you know people who might be -- check out the full announcement.
Fellow Webby Awards nominating judge Cliff Figallo is recruiting about 50 volunteer online facilitators to help with part of New York's recovery from 911. A recent email from Cliff says, "Volunteer online facilitators are needed between July 29 and August 14 to help gather citizen input for planning the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan and the design of a memorial for WTC victims from 9/11. Discussion will take place using Web Lab's innovative Small Group Dialogue interface and technique."
If you're interested -- or if you know people who might be -- check out the full announcement.
From the In Box: Comic Book Collections
I first read Swamp Thing ("Love and Death") from the Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Public Library. We had a good library back then. I don't know if they had other graphic novels; I didn't look for them much, but my friend Chris Breitenbach was a pretty big Alan Moore fan and he told me to go looking for it.
I bet they stock a few graphic novels at CCPL. I used to check out pop music charts when I was playing the guitar. They had lots of good stuff, although you had to order it from the regional branch.
I don't go to the library enough any more. I had a phase in the winter when I got some real good stuff, but the Chicago branches are usually pretty mediocre. When I lived near Sulzer Regional in Lincoln Square, that was promising, and Evanston will let me check out up to three books at a time on my Chicago card, so that's good.
The best library book i got during that binge was Basil Davidson's "The Lost Cities of Africa," about the history of Africa before colonialism. So much that we don't learn in school! But understandable in the sense that there's not much written record, and archaeology has only been digging this stuff up (sorry!) for about fifty years now. -- Joe Germuska
I first read Swamp Thing ("Love and Death") from the Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Public Library. We had a good library back then. I don't know if they had other graphic novels; I didn't look for them much, but my friend Chris Breitenbach was a pretty big Alan Moore fan and he told me to go looking for it.
I bet they stock a few graphic novels at CCPL. I used to check out pop music charts when I was playing the guitar. They had lots of good stuff, although you had to order it from the regional branch.
I don't go to the library enough any more. I had a phase in the winter when I got some real good stuff, but the Chicago branches are usually pretty mediocre. When I lived near Sulzer Regional in Lincoln Square, that was promising, and Evanston will let me check out up to three books at a time on my Chicago card, so that's good.
The best library book i got during that binge was Basil Davidson's "The Lost Cities of Africa," about the history of Africa before colonialism. So much that we don't learn in school! But understandable in the sense that there's not much written record, and archaeology has only been digging this stuff up (sorry!) for about fifty years now. -- Joe Germuska
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