In case you guys wanted to see the rest of that video...
Glenn Gould performing the end of Bach's Goldberg Variations
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
error
the 2 picture posts was intended for Lisa's and mine Senioritis blog =[
SORRY!
heres our media project/blog:
http://waitingforgraduation.blogspot.com/
SORRY!
heres our media project/blog:
http://waitingforgraduation.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Dick Tracey Bankruptcy Court
Dick Tracey is being fought over in bankruptcy court. Mostly because Tribune Co. filed for Chapter 11 in December. In the coming months I wonder if we will hear about more cases that are similar
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/towerticker/2009/03/warren-beattys-dick-tracy-dispute-with-tribune-media-comes-to-delaware.html
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/towerticker/2009/03/warren-beattys-dick-tracy-dispute-with-tribune-media-comes-to-delaware.html
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Death
It is something none of us ever truely want to think about, yet we know sometime in our lives we are going to have to face it. Whether its a family memeber, or your closest friend dealing with the death of one you know is never an easy task. Going to the funeral home and seeing the casket which lies the body of the deceased person is like a ten thousand pound boulder smashing into your stomach leaving tears streaming down your face. There is noo comparison to the overwelling emotion that takes place over the death of a loved one. That person will be the one you're going to think about, miss the most, and can't believe they're gone for the following days, weeks, months and years. You never understand why they had to leave, why were they the one whos life needed to end? Even with their physical body gone, their spirit and presence remains in your heart and mind forever. They will never be forgotten.
xo sam
P.S. At the cemetary today I noticed the last names on the headstones were written in Helvetica.
xo sam
P.S. At the cemetary today I noticed the last names on the headstones were written in Helvetica.
I wish my eyes were a camera
I found myself saying this phrase throughout the entire trip to Columbia. Myself an avid people watcher, New York City is one of my favorite places in the world. Simply taking the subway everywhere was one of my absolute favorite things. If I had my way, I would ride up and down the lines for hours until I needed some fresh air.
Helvetica? I think so.
The main reason I wish my eyes were a camera, however, is Wednesday night.
After our first day of treking across Columbia University and dinner at Ollie's Noodle Shop, our group filed into the lobby of the Pennsylvanian Hotel, amongst many foreign tourists and the like. Since the elevator situation is basically first come first serve, Ari, Liz S., and myself pushed our way into a croweded car of drunk Scottish men. Before the doors even close, a pale skinny man starts stripping himself of his shirt! Maybe I need to repeat this for you slow readers or skimmers.
HE STARTED STRIPPING, BEAR NAKED.
I am telling you, this man wasted absolutely no time. Since all of us were getting off at the third floor, in less than 30 seconds, he was wearing a birthday suit. He then started to push toward Ari, myself, and another young man behind Ari, who was just caught in this crazy elevator with these crazy people. When we finally got to the third floor, we all stumbled off, the former pantless man now wearing his jeans, laughing hysterically.
I guess you can never tell with some people. One moment you think they are cute foreign tourists, the next, they are stripping in your elevator.
P.S. We met Tim Gunn. Lyke zOMG.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
think about the evolution of this post
As I begin to write this, it is 11:53. Joy. I should be writing up historical context on John Keats, but he was kind of lame. He produced a little bit of really mediocre poetry for about 3 years and then died of tuberculosis. He's overshadowed by Percy Shelley. What else is there to say? Learning about all these British poets is like learning about the impressionist painters other than Monet and Van Gogh. If they were important, we'd have heard of them already, or there would be a ton of readily accessible information about them. I'm basically transliterating the wikipedia article onto Microsoft word with a little bit of a biography from onlineliterature.com integrated in so that I don't feel quite so bad.
But I guess the meat of this post would have to be the idea that the internet is too expansive to imagine. Honestly, the human race is to the internet as god is to the cosmos. We control an ever expanding, unconquerable domain. And just think about the miniscule fraction of the internet that the average American (not the average human, considering the assumed fact that most humans will never have access to the internet) will explore. I spend my internet time on facebook, wikipedia, and a tiny bit of last.fm. It's kind of interesting to categorize the different types of sites too. Galaxies would be divided into the social networking or the reference, the shopping or the professional. Planet facebook is a web of interconnected elements, each with the characteristics of the divine, yet just as inanimate as the wind or the waves. I guess the question (that only surfaced as this post developed) is the same one that religious fanatics and scientific researchers have debated for centuries: if that spark of life does come, will it be from us, the divinity, or will it spawn through events beyond our control and understanding?
That's some matrix shit right there.
But I guess the meat of this post would have to be the idea that the internet is too expansive to imagine. Honestly, the human race is to the internet as god is to the cosmos. We control an ever expanding, unconquerable domain. And just think about the miniscule fraction of the internet that the average American (not the average human, considering the assumed fact that most humans will never have access to the internet) will explore. I spend my internet time on facebook, wikipedia, and a tiny bit of last.fm. It's kind of interesting to categorize the different types of sites too. Galaxies would be divided into the social networking or the reference, the shopping or the professional. Planet facebook is a web of interconnected elements, each with the characteristics of the divine, yet just as inanimate as the wind or the waves. I guess the question (that only surfaced as this post developed) is the same one that religious fanatics and scientific researchers have debated for centuries: if that spark of life does come, will it be from us, the divinity, or will it spawn through events beyond our control and understanding?
That's some matrix shit right there.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Response
For the last couple of years relatives of mine have talked about how the internet will be the downfall of newspapers. Part of me has always ignored it because I honestly cannot imagine a world without newspapers. To me the most interesting part with receiving endowments is that I think it would be good that newspapers would not be allowed to endorse political candidates. Hopefully they will have less biased coverage of future elections and reinstall the integrity a lot of newspapers lost after this election.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
The Media is EVERYWHERE
So today, like many other juniors in the United States, I took my SATs. Of course, I was busy focusing on the questions and trying not to get distracted. However, I could not help but notice the constant reference to the media. I can say that every English passage contained something about the media, whether it was direct or indirect. One passage had the primary focus on the media, talking about the children of our generation. Other passages mentioned communication to other countries and also the use of email. Now, I am sorry to be so broad on this, but I signed a contract saying how I would not provide any information about this test. I figured that general statements such as these are acceptable and appropriate.
To conclude, I think it's pretty interesting to have every passage contain information about the media. I guess Communications class affects me more than just period 2 from Monday- Friday.
To conclude, I think it's pretty interesting to have every passage contain information about the media. I guess Communications class affects me more than just period 2 from Monday- Friday.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
OH NO!
After i read the article, I began thinking about everything going on around me. I haven't been following the economic issues maybe because im not really effected by it. My dad owns his own business and builds buildings for companies and homes for the ever-regular Joe, and right now has about 6 jobs going on. My mom is a psychiatrist, and like she always says, "everyone out there needs help". So as I was reading this article, I began to worry. Since I was little I had always used writing as my escape from my parents nasty divorce. I always told myself that the people i saw on the train reading newspapers, will someday be in love with my articles. It's funny because a few weeks ago Hartford Magazine called me and talked to me about the way I wrote and were interested in me writing a few articles for them. Than after he finished (the editor) he said, "I wouldn't get into journalism if I were you, it's all down hill from here." I was semi perplexed and glad that someone was being honest. But perplexed because it was coming from the editor-in-chief???? But anyways, luckily I have other interests like film and photography, so I think i'll be ok (crossing fingers), but as much as people always claim that newspapers might disappear, I dont think it will really happen, everyone likes simple reading on there way to work or school (especially the older simplistic generation).
Ashley G.!!
Ashley G.!!
Uh-Oh Influence
After reading this article, I immediately tried to pick up on one side of the argument... I sort of had a quick mental struggle and bounced back and forth between a few pros and cons. At first an alarm went off when I thought about donations from special interest groups, which would undoubtedly lead to some bias. My little liberal mind fast-tracked to a vision of a New York Times run on big oil money. That doesn't seem like the source of income I'd be in favor of, but I can't imagine any sort of fair regulation.
But then I realized that the influence such potential endowment-givers wouldn't be that much greater than your average scheming advertising agency, would it? What do I know about spheres of influence in the land of cash-money, I'm only making assumptions here.
Also, I read a couple responses below, and I got a completely different vibe from the article than some people. I'm not thinking about endowments as comparable to recent bailouts in the slightest. Newspapers aren't asking the government to erase their debts, they're asking for private groups to help fund their publications. Right? Isn't there a difference? Am I totally wrong? The media seems to me to be at the wrong end of the stick, which companies relying on bailouts seem to be closer to the cause of.
Blah blah blah, who knows the answer to this big moral questions, blah blah blah, not me.
But then I realized that the influence such potential endowment-givers wouldn't be that much greater than your average scheming advertising agency, would it? What do I know about spheres of influence in the land of cash-money, I'm only making assumptions here.
Also, I read a couple responses below, and I got a completely different vibe from the article than some people. I'm not thinking about endowments as comparable to recent bailouts in the slightest. Newspapers aren't asking the government to erase their debts, they're asking for private groups to help fund their publications. Right? Isn't there a difference? Am I totally wrong? The media seems to me to be at the wrong end of the stick, which companies relying on bailouts seem to be closer to the cause of.
Blah blah blah, who knows the answer to this big moral questions, blah blah blah, not me.
Never Imaginable
The world without the newspaper, is something i clearly never imagined. How could the newspaper simply stop, and not be produced anymore. The newspaper to me is one of the most versatile media coverage ever. Including everything from the weather to the latest fashion styles, it's information that we want to know. As a teen i must admit that i don't generally read the newspaper every day. I'm more of the internet surfer, yet this is not the case with everyone. Newspapers are read world wide, from adults to kids. I understand our economy is in a severe economic crisis, yet i am informed by this through the newspaper. What will we read on every morning to inform us with what occuring in the world today? We need to solve this issue and come the conclusion that the newspaper is here to stay, and will never leave.
Reaction to Homework Article
In all honestly, and this may be the blonde coming out in me, but I'm really kind of confused. From what I'm gettng, newspapers are experiencing economic hardship, similar to, gee, I don't know...every other business out there? Anyways, so I get that they need money, but I'm confused - do they want the government to bail them out or not? It sounds like they do, but they also wanna be "non-profit," but do they mean that in a government sense, or in someone, like a business man, owning the newspaper and therefore affecting the bias of what it prints? I'm not even going to go near the finance stuff, because, after all, I am a blonde, not to mention a girl, and me and money don't exactly tend to mix, especially where banks or analysts or any other type of expert-institution thingy is concerned. So, I guess as far as my basic, initial reaction is concerned, besides "what?" would have to be...eh.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Response
In response to this article I'd have to say I too am conflicted. When I am a signed an project needing research the first thing I do is jump on the computer. Or if I need to check the weather I hop on the good old internet. But the thought of losing the newspaper is scary. Its scary for the simple fact this can be the domino that could possible wipe out all print. This means no one will be able to imagine and create their own worlds while reading a book. Or be informed by the newspapers or read peoples opinions on topics they are interested in. When I read I get to picture and create my own vivid image for any story i want, with movies its created for you and sometimes it's nothing compared to what you could have thought up. And with the television being taken over by reality T.v creativity is slowly disappearing.
A world without newspapers or even books would be the end of a major part of education and progression. If newspapers, magazines and books are gone society is going to lose a vital and necessary part of life the chances to form their own opinions and think for themselves.
A world without newspapers or even books would be the end of a major part of education and progression. If newspapers, magazines and books are gone society is going to lose a vital and necessary part of life the chances to form their own opinions and think for themselves.
Reaction
Almost every time I read a newspaper, a magazine, watch the news, listen to the radio, basically anything where I can hear news, I hear the word "bailout." The auto industry, banks, you name it, need bailouts from the government in order to stay afloat (some need more than others, ahem, AIG). But as I keep hearing about how these industries and companies are failing, I can't help but wonder if they deserve to fail. Why is it that these companies are getting what seems to be free money from the government?
So now newspapers need to be saved. I'm not all that surprised that they are asking for a (do I have to say it again?) bailout. Granted, this b****** is for only $5 billion, it pales in comparison to many of the other b******s (let's go with a different one this time...Bank of America). But this bailout (I'm too lazy to use those asterisks over and over again) would render the newspapers as NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. So the newspapers would be funded solely through outside sources who don't expect anything in return. No "good" press for themselves, these contributors just want newspapers to survive. For the sake of argument, there could be some who are like that. What I think, and I know I'm just a caucasian, Jewish man, with a high school education and no "real world" experience, is that there are few people left who are truly that virtuous. Not like there isn't some bias in certain newspapers already, but I think it would be much more prevalent when given these "endowments."
Now to tackle the problem, there is a simple solution (not mine, I heard it on The Daily Show a few weeks ago), start charging money to read the day's news online. Just like people can buy a paper at a newsstand for maybe $1 a day, the people can pay $1.25 a day to read their news on the internet. This price (hypothetical) would provide the physical newspapers with an edge in price and would drive people away from their internet news. And I know that my plan is not perfect. I obviously haven't tested the theory or have any real expertise on the matter, but nowadays it seems like everyone is looking for their bailout...
Sample Dialogue (fake)
Boss-"Our company is failing, we need to file for bankruptcy. What should we do?"
Employee-"Oh I KNOW! I KNOW! Let's find new and better ways to make money!"
Boss-"Shhh, we don't care about all that fancy new things to do. We need an easy way out."
Different employee who, after his suggestion will receive a promotion-"Let's ask for a bailout from the government!"
Boss-"Great idea! It's easy, and why should we take responsibility for our failure? You get a promotion, no pay raise though."
So as it seems as if every company and every industry asks for more and more bailout money from the government, can newspapers please ask themselves if they can find some other way of making money?
So now newspapers need to be saved. I'm not all that surprised that they are asking for a (do I have to say it again?) bailout. Granted, this b****** is for only $5 billion, it pales in comparison to many of the other b******s (let's go with a different one this time...Bank of America). But this bailout (I'm too lazy to use those asterisks over and over again) would render the newspapers as NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. So the newspapers would be funded solely through outside sources who don't expect anything in return. No "good" press for themselves, these contributors just want newspapers to survive. For the sake of argument, there could be some who are like that. What I think, and I know I'm just a caucasian, Jewish man, with a high school education and no "real world" experience, is that there are few people left who are truly that virtuous. Not like there isn't some bias in certain newspapers already, but I think it would be much more prevalent when given these "endowments."
Now to tackle the problem, there is a simple solution (not mine, I heard it on The Daily Show a few weeks ago), start charging money to read the day's news online. Just like people can buy a paper at a newsstand for maybe $1 a day, the people can pay $1.25 a day to read their news on the internet. This price (hypothetical) would provide the physical newspapers with an edge in price and would drive people away from their internet news. And I know that my plan is not perfect. I obviously haven't tested the theory or have any real expertise on the matter, but nowadays it seems like everyone is looking for their bailout...
Sample Dialogue (fake)
Boss-"Our company is failing, we need to file for bankruptcy. What should we do?"
Employee-"Oh I KNOW! I KNOW! Let's find new and better ways to make money!"
Boss-"Shhh, we don't care about all that fancy new things to do. We need an easy way out."
Different employee who, after his suggestion will receive a promotion-"Let's ask for a bailout from the government!"
Boss-"Great idea! It's easy, and why should we take responsibility for our failure? You get a promotion, no pay raise though."
So as it seems as if every company and every industry asks for more and more bailout money from the government, can newspapers please ask themselves if they can find some other way of making money?
Going With the Flow: Adapting to Change
This past summer, I was spoken to by Michael Weisskopf, a very well-known journalist. A senior correspondent for TIME magazine, Weisskoph was sent to Iraq on an assignment. He was riding in a tank with three other soldiers when a grenade was thrown into the vehicle. Before it could explode, he picked it up and attempted to throw it out of the tank. In doing so, he had his right hand blown up and now uses a prosthetic hand in place. He has worked for TIME for many years and loves the job of reporting and investigative journalism.
During his speech, however, he too mentioned the issue that this article brings to mind. When an audience member asked him about if he thought there was a decreasing amount of newspapers and an increasing amount of people using the internet as their main source of news, he responded with "absolutely."
At the time, this statment blew my mind. How could a man of such prestige that feels so much passion towards the magazine, a printed form of media, he works at admit defeat? How could he back down, only to let newspapers and magazines alike go completly extinct without attempting any sort of prevention or fight?
However, as he proceeded with his point, it started to make sense. He nor anyone else was "admitting defeat." They were simply adapting. Whether we like it or not, the internet is here to stay. Nothing will get worse about the internet, only better. It is highly unlikly, both in the near future and the long term, that we will revert back to the time when you got your news strictly from newspapers and other forms of printed media. Now that the internet's potential has been realized, it will not be limited.
What we need to do is find a way to make newspapers and magazines unique in a way that is not applicable to the ways of the internet. Though it will be hard to find such a way, it is possible and I believe this will someday be acheived.
During his speech, however, he too mentioned the issue that this article brings to mind. When an audience member asked him about if he thought there was a decreasing amount of newspapers and an increasing amount of people using the internet as their main source of news, he responded with "absolutely."
At the time, this statment blew my mind. How could a man of such prestige that feels so much passion towards the magazine, a printed form of media, he works at admit defeat? How could he back down, only to let newspapers and magazines alike go completly extinct without attempting any sort of prevention or fight?
However, as he proceeded with his point, it started to make sense. He nor anyone else was "admitting defeat." They were simply adapting. Whether we like it or not, the internet is here to stay. Nothing will get worse about the internet, only better. It is highly unlikly, both in the near future and the long term, that we will revert back to the time when you got your news strictly from newspapers and other forms of printed media. Now that the internet's potential has been realized, it will not be limited.
What we need to do is find a way to make newspapers and magazines unique in a way that is not applicable to the ways of the internet. Though it will be hard to find such a way, it is possible and I believe this will someday be acheived.
Conflicted
After reading the article, I am a bit conflicted. Do not get me wrong, I am an avid Internet user. Research for a paper? Google. Article for my AP Psych Class? Internet. I hardly ever venture to a library anymore. Sad, but true. However, I am a fan of newspapers. Nothing quite gets me like the sound of the papers rustling, and all the fresh, local news that my eyes are about to set on. So, I really would like to do whatever possible to keep newspapers alive. I love reading printed materials. Whether it is newspapers, magazines, or even books, sometimes the internet cannot even compare. Let's be honest, who wants to sit at a computer all day, reading pages and pages of news? I know that I would rather have something printed, that I can hold in my hands.
That being said, I am not in total agreement with the endowments the article talks about. If a newspaper is not allowed to print information about upcoming elections and politics, what is the point? If a newspaper cannot voice their opinion, then is it defeating the purpose of the paper?
As you can see, there is no solution to this problem. The only conclusion I have come to is that in the end, not everyone will be happy.
That being said, I am not in total agreement with the endowments the article talks about. If a newspaper is not allowed to print information about upcoming elections and politics, what is the point? If a newspaper cannot voice their opinion, then is it defeating the purpose of the paper?
As you can see, there is no solution to this problem. The only conclusion I have come to is that in the end, not everyone will be happy.
As Video Killed the Radio Star
In life there will always been phases and trends. As video killed the radio star, it is easy to see that the Internet is killing print media. With society in need of speed and instant feedback, it is difficult to even expect a daily newspaper is going to compete with not only the Internet but a blog, or a podcast.
The percentage of people that appreciate print media is shriveling. Personally, I love having a tangible newspaper, and trust it so much more than anything I read on the Internet. There is something virtuous about a newspaper, that in my eyes at least, the Internet will never have.
But I do believe that society needs to adjust to the times. It would be unrealistic for me to believe that with all the debt, that the newspaper will survive. In these economic times, everyone needs to cut luxuries and the newspaper is becoming one of them. With the number of newspapers that have filed for bankruptcy, most economic solutions are unlikely. Couple that with the environmental issue and you have good reasons not to invest in print media.
So for now, until we reach a point where America is economically stable enough to bring back print media, newspapers companies should embrace the Internet. Without any print media to support, a strictly online newspaper will have a better chance at surviving. I am no economic expert but I feel that the 2008 research report from Sanford C. Bernstein & Company stating that ads to support and online newspaper are "is idiotic on its face" is a little extreme. There are plenty of websites that are self-sufficient and a newspaper can be one of them.
Maybe these websites need to provide something more than text content. I do not know what that would exactly be but things need to be changed. Pouring money from one place to another will not give you any solution. Some evolution needs to take place and I think the decline of print media is just the start of a new era.
This just ties in well with the start of article :)
The percentage of people that appreciate print media is shriveling. Personally, I love having a tangible newspaper, and trust it so much more than anything I read on the Internet. There is something virtuous about a newspaper, that in my eyes at least, the Internet will never have.
But I do believe that society needs to adjust to the times. It would be unrealistic for me to believe that with all the debt, that the newspaper will survive. In these economic times, everyone needs to cut luxuries and the newspaper is becoming one of them. With the number of newspapers that have filed for bankruptcy, most economic solutions are unlikely. Couple that with the environmental issue and you have good reasons not to invest in print media.
So for now, until we reach a point where America is economically stable enough to bring back print media, newspapers companies should embrace the Internet. Without any print media to support, a strictly online newspaper will have a better chance at surviving. I am no economic expert but I feel that the 2008 research report from Sanford C. Bernstein & Company stating that ads to support and online newspaper are "is idiotic on its face" is a little extreme. There are plenty of websites that are self-sufficient and a newspaper can be one of them.
Maybe these websites need to provide something more than text content. I do not know what that would exactly be but things need to be changed. Pouring money from one place to another will not give you any solution. Some evolution needs to take place and I think the decline of print media is just the start of a new era.
This just ties in well with the start of article :)
Response...
A couple of years ago my dad expressed to me that he believed in twenty years from now written works would be a thing of the past, a keepsake whose purpose was only for nostalgia. Instead, he predicted that we'd all be carrying around tablets that contained every published work in a microchip; something that would allow us access to every book, newsource, and other publication in the country. Now, two years later, as a society that can carry around classic literature on our iPhone and will turn to Google news briefs before the newspaper, we are fast approaching my dad's premonition. The article from the New York Times was one that reinforced my dad's idea. As devastating as it is to admit, the newspaper is no longer the glory it once was, and now as publication after publication run out of money, the American public is forced to question the purpose of the paper. As an active member of my school newspaper, The Westword, I have come to understand the importance of the written word and its role in our society. Therefore, the extreme methods the article mention to preserve the newspaper, although drastic, seem to be a foolproof plan to preserve the newspaper in our history. Otherwise, the newspaper is destined only to be the next hot application in the iTunes store.
In Response...
The little boy depicted more than just a youngster carrying around a newspaper. To me, an even bigger theme was attached to this cartoon. The big hand holding him represents our society today, full of comotion and variety. He is trying to show to us that the media is needed in our hectic lifestyles today. The reason i keep emphasizing words that mean "busy" is because that is one of the vibes I recieved from this cartoon. The boy appearrs as if he is trying very hard to sell the paper and I immediatly thought of some big city behind him. This is also in relation to our society today where people are going crazy trying to find jobs in this tough economy. It was also yesterday where I realized how personal this cartoon can actually be. This upcoming summer, I have decided that I want to get a job but don't know exactly where. Currently, I want a high paying, laid back, and simple job. In addition to these wants, I have not started looking for anything as I don't want to work anyway until school ends....but I realized I should look at the situation more realistically, especially when my mom slapped me an article from the Greenwich Times. Thank you dearly, George W. Bush, for putting me into a situation where I may not be able to find a job. Thank you dearly.
I'm Skeptical....
I understand that the United States is currently experiencing an economic crisis, I understand that newspapers and other elements of print journalism are taking a big hit right now, but I do not understand why this means that we should turn newspapers into nonprofit, endowed institutions..
Although the New York Times Op-Ed piece made some very compelling arguments, the idea of newspapers relying on endowments just seems unnatural to me. Call me cynical, but the thought of wealthy individuals donating money to newspapers with no strings attached seems far too good to be true (especially considering the current economic state). The role of the newspaper has always been to objectively inform the American public about matters of pressing concern, and I just don't think it's possible for papers to continue to play this role when their bank accounts are controlled by private individuals with their own agendas.
I feel like the NYT Op-Ed piece's assertion that a newspaper could remain autonomous despite the fact that it is funded through endowments is untrue. Sadly, in this day and age, the freedom to print the stories of your choice with the angles of your choice hinges partially on your fiscal autonomy.
I understand that it would be naive and just flat out wrong for me to assert that newspapers have a chance of survival if they continue to run the way they currently do. As the NYT Op-Ed piece pointed out, newspapers which are run like businesses will only continue to fail during these economic times. However I think that, despite their seemingly dismal future, newspapers have been given a great opportunity to prove themselves and cement their role in society.
Now is not the time for newspapers to throw in the towel and give up their precious autonomy; now is the time for newspapers to reinvent themselves, alter their business approaches, and do whatever it takes to continue to survive and serve the American people. I believe that if newspapers are able to do this they will be more widely respected once this economic crisis is over.
Although the New York Times Op-Ed piece made some very compelling arguments, the idea of newspapers relying on endowments just seems unnatural to me. Call me cynical, but the thought of wealthy individuals donating money to newspapers with no strings attached seems far too good to be true (especially considering the current economic state). The role of the newspaper has always been to objectively inform the American public about matters of pressing concern, and I just don't think it's possible for papers to continue to play this role when their bank accounts are controlled by private individuals with their own agendas.
I feel like the NYT Op-Ed piece's assertion that a newspaper could remain autonomous despite the fact that it is funded through endowments is untrue. Sadly, in this day and age, the freedom to print the stories of your choice with the angles of your choice hinges partially on your fiscal autonomy.
I understand that it would be naive and just flat out wrong for me to assert that newspapers have a chance of survival if they continue to run the way they currently do. As the NYT Op-Ed piece pointed out, newspapers which are run like businesses will only continue to fail during these economic times. However I think that, despite their seemingly dismal future, newspapers have been given a great opportunity to prove themselves and cement their role in society.
Now is not the time for newspapers to throw in the towel and give up their precious autonomy; now is the time for newspapers to reinvent themselves, alter their business approaches, and do whatever it takes to continue to survive and serve the American people. I believe that if newspapers are able to do this they will be more widely respected once this economic crisis is over.
$400 billion. That is a big number. Sadly, this is the amount of debt that important papers such as the times are facing. How did we get here? I know that the economy is in the crapper, and someone, somewhere made a mistake, and their address ended in "United States of America."
As a student who wants to pursue a career in journalism and who will definitely have to make a living off her writing, I am dismayed by the impending death of print journalism. I dont want to try to break into an industry that is crumbling at its foundation. Even as a simple fan of magazines, the affect of the economy and technological progression on print media concerns me. I love being able to physically pick up a copy of my favorite magazine, or peruse an article at length during breakfast. I do not rely on the internet for news, I simply don’t have time to spend searching for news on the computer. This might make me lazy, or ignorant, but I like reading PAPER, not PIXELS.
As a student who wants to pursue a career in journalism and who will definitely have to make a living off her writing, I am dismayed by the impending death of print journalism. I dont want to try to break into an industry that is crumbling at its foundation. Even as a simple fan of magazines, the affect of the economy and technological progression on print media concerns me. I love being able to physically pick up a copy of my favorite magazine, or peruse an article at length during breakfast. I do not rely on the internet for news, I simply don’t have time to spend searching for news on the computer. This might make me lazy, or ignorant, but I like reading PAPER, not PIXELS.In addition to my personal reaction,I believe that a society's public forum is an important reflection of its' ideals, attitudes, and growth. Up until the past 10 or so years, newspapers have provided this necessary space for discussion. Although the internet has become an important component of public discussion, keeping the value in print journalism alive is necessary since the newspaper format has more authority than bloggers or internet gossip.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Homework: Must Read
This is an article about the press, the economy and the government. Everyone should read it and comment in one way, shape or format. You will be graded on the quality of your response.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Un-noticables.
Today I took my camera outside to capture the sunset against the sillouhettes of the treetops. I must have been there for about 7 minutes when I finally noticed that there was a birds nest staring me right in the face. As a kid i remember finding these on the lawn sporadically, and I would get so excited because I thought I could return them to the birds. They fascinated me until I learned that birds would never take back the nests that were touched by people. It shocked me that something so delicate and awesome was staring me in the face and I didn't even notice it. I was too occupied with my camera and the fading sun to appreciate the simplicity of nature.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
http://www.mosstika.com/
I think this guy is awesome for what he does. This one of the most interesting forms of graffit I have ever seen.
I think this guy is awesome for what he does. This one of the most interesting forms of graffit I have ever seen.
BEARING WITNESS
"I had watched the news and seen and heard the destruction of the 9th ward. But it’s not until you see it with your own eyes that it really sinks in and hits home. I've always believed that the spirit of skateboarding is making something out of nothing, and I have applied this mentality all over the world in any and every environment, but try as i might I could not imagine riding my skate board through the 9th ward. I did not feel it appropriate. And really, as I drove through the tattered streets, skate boarding was the farthest thing from my mind."
When I woke up yesterday morning, the feeling that can really only be described as "snow day mania" grabbed hold of me with full force. I rolled out of bed and downstairs to start a long day of lounging. I was not surprised to find the TV in my living room on, thanks to my brother who has yet to learn to shut it off when he leaves the room. What startled me was what was playing in his absence; it was a show called Drive-The South: Part 1. It quickly became background noise until I heard the quote posted above. The show was an episode in a mini series which features a skateboarder, Mike Vallely, who drives around the world exploring people, places, and issues that affect skateboarding and other aspects of youth culture.
In this episode, Vallely was driving down the devastated region of the 9th ward in New Orleans. The damage and destruction was something I was too familiar with. Having directly seen and felt the pain of those in New Orleans, this show brought a different perspective to my experience. You can never estimate how far damage and destruction will influence and affect life as we know it. I never considered that the skateboarding culture of New Orleans was affected by the hurricane. All the media mainly focused on following the storm was damage damage damage and rescue rescue rescue. Once the immediacy of the problem faded from the media's focus, New Orleans' recovery has all but faded from view. The city which was once the cause of inspiration for thousands was washed away in the months following the storm. Musicians, football players, teachers, swimmers, soccer players, students, party animals; all the facets of the city's culture has to be pieced back together, one by one, until the mosaic of life, love, and laughter which embodies New Orleans can once again be seen by all.
This was an interesting juxtaposition for me; the direct experience along with a national media perspective. Which one do you think prevails in our daily lives?
Monday, March 2, 2009
WHY BOREDOM CAN KILL
Well over a break many teenagers realize just how bored you can get. Well i surely did when i and my brother played tag in a dark house and used cameras to tag the other person out.(this was def. ROCK BOTTOM)
JERRY! JERRY! JERRY! ....and Maury Povich too
Brace yourselves Stamfordites(?), the biggest thing to come to Stamford since (your choice) Boyz II Men or Hootie and the Blowfish is coming! That's right, Jerry Springer AND Maury Povich are moving their shows to be filmed in none other than our town, Stamford, Connecticut.
I am relatively certain that every single person in our class knows who Jerry Springer and/or Maury Povich is. We have all undoubtedly watched a show or two of theirs on a sick day when absolutely nothing else was on TV (Or it could just be a guilty pleasure show for you, to each his own.) So lets all pause to revel in the greatness that is the two legendary talk show hosts...
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All done?
Ok. I for one am extremely excited for these two shows to be filmed in Stamford, and even MORE excited at the possibility of actually ATTENDING one of these shows. I don't think anyone can disagree with that.
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