This is a demonstration of just how powerful social media can be:
Even the stupid can organize under one, albeit misguided, banner.
The reality of the matter: It was created by a bunch of stuck-up sorority girls exhibiting to the Web 2.0 world what sorority girls do best - be bitches incapable of thinking beyond the newest fashion trend and cup of coffee.
It's joined by a bunch of stoned and stupid frat members and people who don't know better.
But I prefer to look at it this way - one person created a group, and 300+ people joined it in little more than two weeks. It's kind of petered out by now (thank God), but the point remains. It's the new age letter to the editor, one adviser told me. The Media should heed it.
It also exhibits Henry Kissinger's famous quote perfectly - "College politics are so vicious because the stakes are so low."
And I tend to agree with them. For these people, it's expressing their frustration in the only way they know how. Lord knows, an e-mail is too old fashioned.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Hands in the cement
It's amazing, this tool we call social networking. You can use it find information about just about anyone.
Give me a person, any person, and I bet you I'll find them on Facebook, MySpace, Google, or somewhere on the 'net unless they are a hopeless shut in.
It's such a great tool for journalists. Because unless you're marooned on an island in the middle of the Pacific, there's some imprint of you on the series of tubes, and it's just a matter of finding it.
I do find it amusing that, when you Google my name, nothing from the Spartan Daily comes up until the second page. This makes me look like a hopeless nerd, because the top find is my old author profile from when I did bad strategy articles about Magic: the Gathering for Pojo.com.
The Heretic's Sermon for the win, folks.
I started taking names and e-mails and plugging things into these publicly available resources just to prove a point. Everyone posting on this article that is criticizing the Spartan Daily on this article is a member of San Jose State's Greek system, because they weren't smart enough to mask it with a different e-mail address.
There are many others I've done this with, some I prefer not to mention because it is internship sensitive.
In short, everyone is on the Web. We all have taken our hands and pressed them into the cement somewhere. Part of the job of a journalist, nowadays, is to find where that may be.
Give me a person, any person, and I bet you I'll find them on Facebook, MySpace, Google, or somewhere on the 'net unless they are a hopeless shut in.
It's such a great tool for journalists. Because unless you're marooned on an island in the middle of the Pacific, there's some imprint of you on the series of tubes, and it's just a matter of finding it.
I do find it amusing that, when you Google my name, nothing from the Spartan Daily comes up until the second page. This makes me look like a hopeless nerd, because the top find is my old author profile from when I did bad strategy articles about Magic: the Gathering for Pojo.com.
The Heretic's Sermon for the win, folks.
I started taking names and e-mails and plugging things into these publicly available resources just to prove a point. Everyone posting on this article that is criticizing the Spartan Daily on this article is a member of San Jose State's Greek system, because they weren't smart enough to mask it with a different e-mail address.
There are many others I've done this with, some I prefer not to mention because it is internship sensitive.
In short, everyone is on the Web. We all have taken our hands and pressed them into the cement somewhere. Part of the job of a journalist, nowadays, is to find where that may be.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Refusing to let the Chronicle fade out
As the job market worsens, and the news business sees major layoffs, the Hearst Corporation continues with its lavish spending plan and redesign for the San Francisco Chronicle, a perennial money loser that holds a special place in the company's heart.
There's change afoot at the San Francisco Chronicle.
The newspaper has recently introduced a redesign. In his open letter to the newspaper's readership, Chronicle Editor Ward Bushee explained that part of the reason for the redesign
"In June, when we flip the switch on the most modern newspaper presses in the United States, readers can look forward to a high-definition version of The Chronicle," he wrote.
But it's not the printing presses or the redesign that is the most eye-opening portion of the column. It's the numbers Bushee puts on the table.
Some background - it's become a well-worn path to bring up the Chronicle as the pinnacle of print's struggles right now, mentioning that its losing almost $1 million each week, or how services like CraigsList are pulling readers to the Web.
In short, the Chronicle has become the poster child for the failing print publication, a newspaper expected to fold at any given point because it's hemorrhaging money.
What Ward Bushee lays on the table gives new insight into the plight of a print publication, and even more, the sheer stubbornness of the Hearst Corporation not to give up on the San Francisco market.
In his letter, he highlights the costs behind the a Sunday edition of the Chronicle: $10 for each paper from production to delivery, a staggering figure for a paper that is sold for one-fifth of that cost.
But these two facts - the new presses and the costs of the newspaper - show a commitment made by the Chronicle's parent corporation not seen at any of its other publications. Despite all of the speculation about the Chronicle's impending doom, the Hearst family and board of directors are displaying a major commitment to its future, the costs be damned.
Yes, the Chronicle did have a major round of layoffs in 2007 that resulted in the publication jettisoning multiple high ranking editors, but as the situation gets worse for print in this tanking economy and major newspapers continue tocut staff, the Chronicle is giving the impression that is will proceed, damn the torpedoes.
So, as the company abuses its other publications, the parent company continues to let what is by all observers opinions a sinking publication.
The reality of the matter, as I see it - The San Francisco Chronicle is the Hearst Corporation's flagship paper, or at least holds a special place in the family-owned company's heart since William Randolph Hearst got his start in San Francisco. To let it die would be retreating from the company's legacy, which is even less acceptable for a family that values tradition.
Hearst has a bonus that other news corporations don't — it's privately held. The Hearst family never took the company private like the Sulzberger's did with the New York Times or like Tribune was. And so far, it may be keeping publications like the Chronicle with as full a staff as it can have.
While it is too much to say that the paper will survive long term, I can say that the company would rather cut around the it than from it. By in large, the San Francisco Chronicle has avoided the worst of the layoffs as a newspaper.
While I can only imagine how grim the news room must be right now given the job market, and the knowledge that the Hearst family can't keep up the no-cuts, full-speed-ahead charade forever, the bigwigs seem to be pushing for the upgrades and changes that cost a lot of money.
Its the ultimate "let them eat cake" moment for the news business— as the Seattle Post-Intelligencer prepares to close, the Chronicle will fire up its new, high definition printing presses. And it makes me wonder about the priorities of the company.
(Graphic by John Hornberg, front pages courtesy of Newseum.com)
There's change afoot at the San Francisco Chronicle.
The newspaper has recently introduced a redesign. In his open letter to the newspaper's readership, Chronicle Editor Ward Bushee explained that part of the reason for the redesign
"In June, when we flip the switch on the most modern newspaper presses in the United States, readers can look forward to a high-definition version of The Chronicle," he wrote.
But it's not the printing presses or the redesign that is the most eye-opening portion of the column. It's the numbers Bushee puts on the table.
Some background - it's become a well-worn path to bring up the Chronicle as the pinnacle of print's struggles right now, mentioning that its losing almost $1 million each week, or how services like CraigsList are pulling readers to the Web.
In short, the Chronicle has become the poster child for the failing print publication, a newspaper expected to fold at any given point because it's hemorrhaging money.
What Ward Bushee lays on the table gives new insight into the plight of a print publication, and even more, the sheer stubbornness of the Hearst Corporation not to give up on the San Francisco market.
In his letter, he highlights the costs behind the a Sunday edition of the Chronicle: $10 for each paper from production to delivery, a staggering figure for a paper that is sold for one-fifth of that cost.
But these two facts - the new presses and the costs of the newspaper - show a commitment made by the Chronicle's parent corporation not seen at any of its other publications. Despite all of the speculation about the Chronicle's impending doom, the Hearst family and board of directors are displaying a major commitment to its future, the costs be damned.
Yes, the Chronicle did have a major round of layoffs in 2007 that resulted in the publication jettisoning multiple high ranking editors, but as the situation gets worse for print in this tanking economy and major newspapers continue tocut staff, the Chronicle is giving the impression that is will proceed, damn the torpedoes.
So, as the company abuses its other publications, the parent company continues to let what is by all observers opinions a sinking publication.
The reality of the matter, as I see it - The San Francisco Chronicle is the Hearst Corporation's flagship paper, or at least holds a special place in the family-owned company's heart since William Randolph Hearst got his start in San Francisco. To let it die would be retreating from the company's legacy, which is even less acceptable for a family that values tradition.
Hearst has a bonus that other news corporations don't — it's privately held. The Hearst family never took the company private like the Sulzberger's did with the New York Times or like Tribune was. And so far, it may be keeping publications like the Chronicle with as full a staff as it can have.
While it is too much to say that the paper will survive long term, I can say that the company would rather cut around the it than from it. By in large, the San Francisco Chronicle has avoided the worst of the layoffs as a newspaper.
While I can only imagine how grim the news room must be right now given the job market, and the knowledge that the Hearst family can't keep up the no-cuts, full-speed-ahead charade forever, the bigwigs seem to be pushing for the upgrades and changes that cost a lot of money.
Its the ultimate "let them eat cake" moment for the news business— as the Seattle Post-Intelligencer prepares to close, the Chronicle will fire up its new, high definition printing presses. And it makes me wonder about the priorities of the company.
(Graphic by John Hornberg, front pages courtesy of Newseum.com)
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Turning Airport Security into a Game
I've never been airborne via commercial airliner, but I can imagine this is an accurate representation of what the security checkpoints are link.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Following the footsteps of the Civil Rights movement
Many people who follow this blog already know, but for those that don't several students from San Jose State are following the footsteps of the Civil Rights movement en route to President Barack Obama's inauguration.
You can follow it here. The work that is being put out is fascinating and interesting, although Dr. Cheers is in far too many pictures.
You can follow it here. The work that is being put out is fascinating and interesting, although Dr. Cheers is in far too many pictures.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Honoring Bush the Right Way
I love the shoe thrower. I could just as easily look up his name, but I prefer to just leave it in the same category as the Lone Ranger. He doesn't have a name, he could be you or me.
He is the Shoe Thrower, the man who rectifies the wrongs of eight blunderful years with his god damn size ten loafers!
But he did something else, too. He has reinvigorated how we hate the outgoing president! I really like the comment about sticking an effigy of the president with sharpened five-inch heel stilettos.
Full disclosure, as well - I've hit the president in the face with at least 300 shoes at Sock and Awe.
If only the proposal to rename a sanitation plant after the Dubya had passed in San Francisco. Her assertion that the plant doesn't smell bad enough is a good one to be named after Shrub is good, but I think people gagged on the idea of spending money to honor the outgoing president, even if it was to mock him by naming a place that handles human excrement after him.
My last question - who will we make fun of when Chimpicus Presidentus is gone? Do I really have to poke fun at President Obama?
Nah. I'll just keep throwing shoes at Bush in effigy.
He is the Shoe Thrower, the man who rectifies the wrongs of eight blunderful years with his god damn size ten loafers!
But he did something else, too. He has reinvigorated how we hate the outgoing president! I really like the comment about sticking an effigy of the president with sharpened five-inch heel stilettos.
Full disclosure, as well - I've hit the president in the face with at least 300 shoes at Sock and Awe.
If only the proposal to rename a sanitation plant after the Dubya had passed in San Francisco. Her assertion that the plant doesn't smell bad enough is a good one to be named after Shrub is good, but I think people gagged on the idea of spending money to honor the outgoing president, even if it was to mock him by naming a place that handles human excrement after him.
My last question - who will we make fun of when Chimpicus Presidentus is gone? Do I really have to poke fun at President Obama?
Nah. I'll just keep throwing shoes at Bush in effigy.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Feinstein's Temper Tantrum
The Central Intelligence Agency has become use to operating a certain way. It used torture to get the information it wanted and generally has acted less like an intelligence agency and more like the nation's secret police.
While I understand California Senator Dianne Feinstein's concern about Leon Panetta's nomination, I think she misses the point of his nomination. He's a good candidate for the position because he's a good administrator with no prior experience with the CIA. Perhaps, then, he can change the culture of the organization from one of thuggery to one more reputable.
SFGate.com also points out that this is likely not personal, but rather the senator's attempt to wear the daddy-pants in the Democratic Party.
My problem? Feinstein is as bad as that snake in the grass Joe Lieberman for piping up about her problems with Leon Panetta, especially for the reasons suggested.
Sure, she has the wonderfully powerful committee chairmanship in a post relevant to Panetta's position. But in a moment when it's important for the Democrats to be circling around the Republicans armed with the regulation sticks and welfare stones in preparation for the mugging of a life time, it emboldens your political foes to see dissension in the ranks after less than two days in power.
Feinstein is helping no one with this temper tantrum. She needs to stop, and save her concerns for the confirmation hearing.
While I understand California Senator Dianne Feinstein's concern about Leon Panetta's nomination, I think she misses the point of his nomination. He's a good candidate for the position because he's a good administrator with no prior experience with the CIA. Perhaps, then, he can change the culture of the organization from one of thuggery to one more reputable.
SFGate.com also points out that this is likely not personal, but rather the senator's attempt to wear the daddy-pants in the Democratic Party.
My problem? Feinstein is as bad as that snake in the grass Joe Lieberman for piping up about her problems with Leon Panetta, especially for the reasons suggested.
Sure, she has the wonderfully powerful committee chairmanship in a post relevant to Panetta's position. But in a moment when it's important for the Democrats to be circling around the Republicans armed with the regulation sticks and welfare stones in preparation for the mugging of a life time, it emboldens your political foes to see dissension in the ranks after less than two days in power.
Feinstein is helping no one with this temper tantrum. She needs to stop, and save her concerns for the confirmation hearing.
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