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August 1st, 2008
11:14 am - NJ's creature feature is hope of a strange world
 Apparently, some unknown creature has washed up on the shores of New Jersey. The Montauk Monster, as it's been named, resembles some type of prehistoric anteater, and it looks to be in good condition (except for being dead and all) with very little decomposition.
Speculation has already started that this could be some type of viral marketing campaign or Photoshop hoax (the latter conjecture I believe has been ruled out). So far, my favorite guess is that it's an escapee from a Long Island animal testing facility. I like the idea that we still live in a world where castaways from "Land of the Lost" can suddenly appear again. Or that mad scientists might be re-creating extinct species -- or possibly creating new ones. It's good to live in a strange world.
The real tragedy would be if this truly is a viral campaign for a movie, TV show, video game, Web site, lunch meat. I'm a fan of hoaxes and spectacles that yank the media's change. But only when there's a message behind it. Like some of the actions that culture jammers such as Adbusters do. Or even the stunts done by a group like Improv Everywhere. The spectacle is in service to something larger.
But if this just a way to generate "buzz" to fuel a commercial venture, it feels cheap because I want to believe in a world that still has unexplained surprises that don't involve genocide, air raids or a celebutard in jail. I don't want to feel wary that I'm being manipulated by a film studio.
So, J.J. Abrams, if this is your doing, quit yanking my chain.
(Via Gawker, BoingBoing)
Current Location: Sitting on the couch
Current Mood: Cautiously optimistic
Current Music: "Mike and Mike in the Morning" podcast
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July 30th, 2008
04:57 pm - CNN wants you to spread the word: Jesus found on someone's pussy
Recently, I noticed CNN was doing something new when it came to its Web site headlines. They're putting them on T-shirts that you can purchase. Here's one today from a story about the face of Jesus popping up in the fur of a cat:
I'm not sure why I find this tactic so ridiculous. Media outlets aren't above branding opportunities nor developing alternative revenue streams (although I can't imagine that these $16 shirts are adding huge amounts to the network's bottom line). But honestly, I just think it misses the point of what CNN should be branding. Why create T-shirts that position the network as an Onion knock-off? Does that make Larry King seem hip all of the sudden? These are as bad as CNN's attempt at a "Best Week Ever" show. What's the point?
If CNN's really trying to spread it's brand, imagine T-shirts that said, "Keeping Politicians Honest Since 1980" or "CNN: Our World Reports Are Better Than the CIA." Let your shirts trumpet your journalistic achievements, not your crank stories. Of course, that might require making sure you've got some hard-hitting articles to back up the talk. But you get the point.
Leave the goofy headlines to Jay Leno.
Current Location: Panera
Current Music: NPR's "Fresh Air"
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July 29th, 2008
04:59 pm - Is the MinnPost the future of newspapers?
 I've been keeping a curious eye on the progress of the MinnPost, wondering how viable this nonprofit news site could be in the long term. This week, the site announced additions to its staff, expanding its coverage in music, politics, business and other areas. On top of that, the site has pulled in 932 members -- all who contribute financially to the site -- in less than a year of existence, according to MinnPost's CEO and editor Joel Kramer.
MinnPost's success leaves me cautiously optimistic that a product with a focus on hard news and analysis can survive in today's market. And make no mistake, MinnPost is not simply a statewide events site like the city-centric Metromix in Chicago or our local OnMilwaukee.com. That's not a slam at those sites, but it is an important distinction. MinnPost generates the kind of stories you find in a solid regional paper, even including a World/Nation section. And these articles are held to a journalistic standard are not just a collection of reports from bloggers and community journalists, culled from other Web sites. If anything, MinnPost provides me with a regional NPR station vibe, right down to its nonprofit status. Plus, that nonprofit status delivers a powerful message -- at least for me. It shows that you can run a news organization -- albeit modest -- without having to suckle on the crack pipe of 20 percent profit margins. It also encourages the community to invest and believe in the worth of the product that you're delivering.
Is the MinnPost the spunky little mammal that will crawl from under the newspaper industry's bleaching dinosaur bones? Clearly, it's too soon to tell. But I like the idea of scrappy sites like this -- sites with strong journalistic foundations -- covering communities.
(Via Romenesko)
Current Mood: optimistic
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03:41 pm - Welcome to the dumping ground (with apologies to Warren Ellis)
Anyone expecting revealing anecdotes about my life and the people in it, I'm afraid you'll have to look elsewhere. Don't get me wrong; this site is still as self-indulgent as every other blog out there. It's just that I'll be exposing the world around me -- and the people in it -- instead of myself (and we're all thankful for that).
I'm taking a cue from writer Warren Ellis and using this space to collect news items, showcase what friends and colleagues are doing and get back into the habit of writing everyday. Granted, it's not the most original idea, but I'm hoping it will lead to bigger, more creative things. At the very least, it will be an exercise in tracking what's catching my interest.
Let the info dumping begin!
Current Location: On the couch
Current Mood: accomplished
Current Music: The concrete thuds of the neighborhood skate punks
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