What Digital Literature Can do for the Environment

The other day I was thinking about the positive impact digitalized literature could have on the environment. Given the amount of paper that goes into publishing production, it would make sense to think that sparing all those trees could do wonders for our Earth. After a little research, I came across a fantastic article from Earth2Tech.com. 

The article focuses on the rising number of e-book users, and mentions that according to a study done by the Cleantech group, every Kindle user averages a purchase of 22.5 books a year, or 168 kg of CO2. 

Emma Ritch, author of the Cleantech group report calls publishing 'one of the world's most polluting industries,' and figures that multiplying the numbers of one e-book user, by every e-book user, yields some very promising results. 

For the whole story, click here

For more on Cleantech, click here

A Dismal Perspective of Publishing

From May 25th to the 27th, New York City hosted the annual Book Expo America; three days devoted to all facets of writing and literature. Paul Constant, a writer for The Stranger attended that expo, and his expose is nothing to be comfortable about. Images of less-than eager publishing houses and old-timey writers left Constant feeling sober and unenthusiastic about the future of his industry. Additionally, he was made only more uneasy by the publishers who "bought smaller booths, and were giving away noticeably fewer advance copies of their fall lineups." 

Constant notes in the second half of the article that of all the tragically ominous transitions taking place, the BEA did yield two faintly shimmering rays of hope, domestically and abroad. 

for the whole story, Click Here

for more information on Book Expo America, Click Here

Starbucks; Everywhere!

As the future of print media is in a tremulous state of being, no one seems to wonder about the future of television journalism. Well, if this is any indicator of the future of the aforementioned journalistic medium, we have a whole new debate on our hands!

Stupid Comedy Central videos never embed properly :(

Click Here

Ominous Threat to American Journalists in Saudi Arabia

Any journalist traveling with President Obama on his tour of the Middle East has been warned by the Saudi government against covering any stories unrelated to the American president via penalty of imprisonment. 

Domestically, everyone is concerned with the 'death' of print journalism. I think we have bigger issues to worry about as news gatherers, such as the tyrannical rule pundits face routinely abroad. 

Here's Stephen Colbert making light of the harsh and unjust reality...

(I tried posting the video, but I'm facing problems :( so just click the link above)

Inspiring Story for Aspiring Journalists

Nigel Barlow, a 42 year old resident of the United Kingdom, and seasoned accountant, recently gave up that career to get into journalism, a self-proclaimed 'secret path' he had dreamt of walking down since his mid-teens. After twenty years of counting money, Barlow is now counting words, and he couldn't be more excited.  

Barlow figures the shifting journalistic landscape is opening more opportunities than it is closing doors. He sees the blogosphere and microblogosphere as a revolution fraught with new ideas, and he claims that though the traditional industry is dying, 'in its place, a new beginning is around the corner.' 

Some Wise Words, More of Which Can be Read Here

Barlow's Article on Journalism.co.uk

The P.I.'s 2 Month 'Post-Print Death' Celebration!

Last Sunday; just two months after the Seattle Post Intelligencer released its last issue and went strictly digital, the 'paper' held a celebration/conference to reflect on the past sixty days. The atmosphere was optimistic, given that the site's director, Michelle Nicolosi, mentioned The PI's 4.3 million new user increase, over one year. 

Critics of the PI's new look claim the online version has far too many celebrity, fashion, and pet pictures, and not enough hard news. As Eli Sanders, a writer for The Stranger (a still functioning print/online news source) puts it, 'it's worth noting that celebrity photos and pet pictures are not exactly a unique offering on the internet.' 

So what are the lot of unfortunate ex-PI employees up to now?

Click Here to Find Out

Or Just Go to This Website 

Thanks to Alexandra Kain for the tip

I love living in Seattle

Well, That Shut Me Up...Almost

Here is a fantastic article from Journalism.co.uk about the numbers concerning print and online news circulation from 2008.

As it happens, print news circulation increased by 1.3 percent this past year, however online readership grew by 8 percent, via a study from The World Association of Newspapers. These numbers, in effect, suggest people are simply reading more news sources; ultimately, a fantastic thing! 

However, I was discussing the article with my roommate, and he posed the idea that the population also grew larger in 2008, thus adding an unprecedented number of new, news readers to the circuit. This, is a good point...

What do ya think, do these numbers speak sympathetically for the amount of layoffs the industry has seen recently? 

Wan President dismisses print naysayers again, as global circulation rises

Aspiring Journalist's Project Sees Similar Fate as Print Media

BBC World Service's Your Story, a program that offers amateur journalists across the globe the chance to be published on the World Service's website and/or broadcast, got its funding pulled as a result of 'funding priorities,' said Nina Robinson, the programs leader. The saddest part is that the project started just one year ago; so much unforeseen potential!

The bright said is that Robinson also mentioned plans of a program for hopeful documentarians that is expected to take flight in 2010, as well as positions with The World Today.

Read the story on Journalism.co.uk

Enter Witty 'Yoo-phemism' here

John C. Woo, author of the 'postemtpively' divulged torture memos of the Bush administration, has been a long time contributing writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer, however was never necessarily noticed, until he was recently named an opinion columnist for the paper. I think the questions via this mind-bending situation are obvious...

Here's the story from NYTimes.com

Editorial Columnists get Slammed for What They do; Express Their Opinions!

The union that backs the Los Angeles police department contributes $30 million a year to a private firm, Platinum Equity, via pensions funds of public employees. That contribution recently helped Platinum Equity purchase part of the San Deigo Union Tribune, a newspaper in the area. The editorial columnists at the Tribune however,  are already somewhat critical of the wages of public employees, and seek cutbacks in 'salaries and benefits for public employees in order to help close gaping budget deficits.' 

As a result, public employees, such as the LAPD, are not too happy about this, and either want to see their contribution returned, or the editorial columnists fired.

Here's the story on the LA Times blog

Final Class Post

This project has been nothing but beneficial for me. This is my third attempt at creating a blog, and the first two were prematurely ended via my lacking, ambition, I suppose. Conversely, this blog was for a school project, thus I was obligated to post at least five times. I'm happy to say I now have about 12 posts on this blog, and definitely plan on continuing it (and I encourage everyone to periodically check this blog after the class is over). 

As an aspiring writer/journalist entering the field at such a decisive time, I realized I have an obligation, of sorts, to document the process by which mainstream media goes overwhelmingly digital. Furthermore, if I keep this blog afloat over the next decade or so, there is no telling what sort of readership I could put together, and ideas the readership and myself could foster. 

Blogging for a class project is a wonderful idea because it introduces people to the newest forms of journalism, which is what this class is all about. Additionally, the blogosphere has something to offer everyone, and I sure hope at least a few people in this class go on to start a new blog about something which they are passionate for, as well as regularly read a blog or two.

--5 forever--

I stand by my thesis as I have this whole semester; Print journalism is wrapped up in an unwarranted changing of the guards, and the blogosphere, micro and macro, is developing at a rapid and increasingly convenient rate. The capital to print a newspaper and the logistics of the thing are now being seen as a nuisance and thus strayed away from. Unfortunately, it is the employees feeling the effects. 

'Newspapers vs The Internet'

Here is a fun animation by Mark Fiore of a personified newspaper/blogosphere debate.

Video courtesy of Journalism.co.uk

Coming, Summer 2009; the Dawn of Microblogging Conferences

Roughly two weeks after Media140, New York's New World Stages will play host to it's first annual Twitter/microblogging expo, The 140 Character Conference, organized by Jeff Pulver, an undeniable internet 'virtuouso.' Pulver is co-founder of major phone service provider, Vonage, as well as an author and entrepreneur, amongst many other things. Pulver's website describes him as "one of the true pioneers of the VoIP industry and a leader in the emerging TV on the Net industry."

As a part of Pulver's The Voice of the Net Convergence, a group of internet entrepreneurs who set up events pertaining to internet culture, the 14o Character Conference finds itself a leader in the currently unraveling history of microblogging and social networking. 

The 140 Characters Conference

@140conf; Twitter Account

Jeff Pulver dot com

London's First Ever 'Microblogging' Event!!!

Tomorrow at 2 p.m., Media 140 will commence it's first ever 'microblogging event' at Iris Digital, a marketing and PR firm in London. Media 140 was founded in February of this year, and brings together individuals from the fields of journalism, advertising, marketing, and PR, to foster discussions and debates, as well as organize workshops that help people better understand the implications of the torrent of social networking sites that have recently flooded the internet. By examining case studies and 'tools of the trade,' as well as the possibilities of these sites actually changing the world of journalism, the conference will give attendees a very solid grasp on the apparent turn, news gathering and distributing is taking. 

The conference is open to the public, and more information can be found here. 

Freelance Writing and Blogs

I started following @journalismnews on Twitter for a good reference about breaking news in the world of journalism. The twitter user, @journalismnews, is an account for www.journalism.co.uk, a British website devoted to developments in journalism and blogging throughout the World. 

One particular story I found that I felt fit this blog was of a British journalist named William Knight, who decided to move to New Zealand and, well...blog about it. Knight is receiving some funds for official freelance work while he is abroad, but believes "the numbers of commissions from the UK [will] slowly diminish," and "that breaking into the Australasia market would take time," so he decided to start his blog, This New Zealand Life. 

Knight's story is a growingly classic one, of a displaced writer doing something they have always wanted to do, and blogging about it for money. Blogs are increasing the number of 'average' individuals with a passion for something, and allowing them to capitalize on that passion, with no middle-man. Blogs are the definitive tool in grassroots organizations and platforms, and I feel as though they are broadening the scope of common men and women, with extremely practical and well thought out ideas for the future.   

Read the whole story here...

Follow Journalism.co.uk on Twitter here...

Another Hit on 'Credible' Print Journalists...

Maureen Dowd, a columnist for the New York Times plagiarized a part of her story for last Sunday's paper via Talking Points Memo blogger, Josh Marshall. Thus, to those of you who feel as though print journalism is due some sort of credit that online mediums are not, how does this make you feel?

The Story on HuffPo

A more fun type of article from The Christian Science Monitor's, The Vote Blog

The Internet as a Free Forum

In response to my blog, a friend asked me the other day about the charged takeover of the internet; 'charge' representing both economics and, interpreted hostile, takeover. In lieu of this valid worry, I did some research, and found these two links to articles written roughly a year ago about AT&T, Comcast, and Time Warner Cable raising internet usage fees for only those users that, "download large amounts of data." Given the fact that not even this threat has been fulfilled thus far, the idea that internet usage fees may skyrocket is not a concern of mine at this time. Furthermore, it would be my best estimation that even in the event of an internet fee, printed publications would have surpassed the precarious print/online decision marker they are facing right now. 

USA Today on the matter...

Newsvine.com's story...

What Blogs are Best at...

Kanye's Blog

The above link is for pop sensation Kanye West's blog. West uses the blog to post information about his personal and public life. Everything from responses to negative publicity, photos from soirées he attends, and music/celebs he enjoys. Oh, and most importantly, to boast his already pulsating ego. 

Music Ruined My Life

MRML was created by a 39-year-old teacher from Canada named Jeffen. Jeffen uses his blog to post mp3's of out-of-print punk and indie pop 7 inches and cds from the past few decades. He also writes small blurbs about the groups, their era, and their sound. 

Via Kanye West's blog, one has to wonder about the future of celebrity magazines. Why pay to read about a celebrities life when you can follow them in real time; via twitter, myspace, facebook, and the blogosphere. As for MRML, and more specifically, blogs that cover modern music, magazines like Rolling Stone may soon see a lack of need for print resources.   

Vanity and Info blogs make up much of the blogosphere, and they can be incredibly reliable and sometimes, straight from the source. Both blog types have the same general make up, short and sweet posts, and it suits the seemingly increasing short attention span and the necessitating of a fast-paced life, found, in much of America. And as I can't stress enough, the unprecedented low costs of internet media compounded by the current economy places blogs at a very convenient place in history, and the pocketbooks of journalistic divisions everywhere.

...Like...Rolling Stone?

Never Give Up On What You Believe In

5

Lets Not Forget...

While conversation roars over the 'little too-early-to-tell' demise of print media, the most important thing, being the transfer of news itself, is being overlooked, and in fact, increasing. People are getting all hung up on the death of a medium, and shift in the market for news and features, that no one is acknowledging the rise in news circulation. 

Arianna Huffington is quoted in a story written two days ago from the Wall Street Journal Blog as saying that there is something inherent in our 'collective DNA that makes us want to sip our coffee, turn a page, look up from a story, say, 'Can you believe this?' and pass the paper across the table.' Huffington was delivering a speech to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, when she also proclaimed that traditional journalists suffer from 'attention deficit disorder,' while bloggers languish under 'obsessive compulsive disorder.' What Huffington means is that traditional journalists have, more or less, one shot to get a story, before their next issue comes out. A blogger, with no capital to 'print' their stories, can research a subject time and time again, posting again and again, until they get a story right. For the full story, click here 

Something for Everyone

Here is a video I found of Wikipedia co-founder, Jimmy Wales, and author of The Cult of the Amateur, Andrew Keen, debating the death of print journalism. 

I believe Wales' argument for a shift in the different niches of journalism is much stronger than Keen's yearning for tradition. I also liked Wales' demeanor more, and not to mention his companies non-profit status. 

Please Feel Free to Start a Discussion in the Comments 

Out With the Old, In With the New

River Cities Ezine

River Cities Ezine is an Ezine dedicated to news and happenings in the Ohio River valley, from central Ohio to northeastern Kentucky.

Slog

Slog is the Blog version of the Stranger, one of Seattle's free, weekly newspapers. Slog covers local, national, and international news.

I enjoy Blogs more than Ezines because Blogs seem more organic. Ezines, though cost effective and open to the public, still feel like they need a substantial support system to get off the ground. Blogs are just so incredibly easy to create and finance that any other business venture seems to pale in comparison. Critics will say that blogs are too easy to create, and foster the spreading of invalid news, but I think that the sifting of news stories should be up to the reader. It causes the reader to do more research on a story, and theoretically, read different view points. I believe too many people put too much credibility into print news sources, and thus, we are dumbfounded when we hear of a Jayson Blair or Stephen Glass. No matter who one hears information from, it should always be questioned and researched. Thus, the inherent untruths of open online forums is a travesty, but I would go so far as to say those who read something, and take it as truth, are a more detrimental travesty. 

I stick by my thesis with full conviction...5

Big Blogging Business

Hype Machine

Hypem.com, or Hype Machine is quite possibly the largest mp3 and music news blog/aggregate on the net. With roots buried deep inside the indie scene, Hype Machine is known for its obscure music coverage, however the site also features an aggregated mp3 system that allows users to search for, and easily listen to, thousands of songs.  

Yes, Some blogs are profitable - very profitable

The above story comes from the San Francisco Chronicle, and is a feature on entrepreneurial blogger, Michael Arrington. A few years back, Arrington started a blog about developing Web companies that quickly rose to a point of fame, and now has a staff of five, and a newly appointed CEO.

Is Blogging really an industry? 

This second story comes from a blogger for Web-Strategist dot com, whom was blogging from the first annual World Blog Expo. The writer explains that the WBE was just like any other industry expo, full of  'buyers and sellers, advertisers and content creators, celebrities, personalities, press, media, analysts, and even booth babes.' 

Interview with Hype Machine Founder, Anthony Volodkin

 It is clear that blogs are sanctioning off a well-deserved nook in modern history, and that this little nook is creating more passionate careers for every day individuals than most any other tech phenomena. The web in general has fostered a wider palette of self-promotion since its inception, but the degree to which that promotion is producing worthwhile rewards is unprecedented. Take for example, seemingly increasingly archaic means of promotion from the past; a spot in the local magazine, a commercial on public access at two a.m., or coupons in the mail. Though these and other forms of business promotion are still in favor amongst small businesses, the potential for motivated individuals that the blogging industry has created is still yet to see its apex, and thus far already has a long list of ‘benefactors.’

Given the inexpensive startup costs of a blog, I believe a lot can be said for the opportunity that the blogosphere has to offer. Any individual with access to a computer can start a blog, and reach potentially millions of people. Obviously a business opportunity as promising as such can’t be beat, and its creation has already begun, right under our noses.

 

5: Strongly supports my thesis.

A Fond Farewell to a Fading Fad

It has become clear in the last two or three years that news reporting and gathering is, while much harder on the 24 hour news-cycle gatherers, much easier on the companies footing the bill to release the news. Blogging communities have taken over what only a few specialized groups were capable of, and thats providing the public with news stories ranging from soft news features to hard news, breaking stories. From Pitchfork Media, which covers music stories in the vein of Rolling Stone, to Huffington Post, an aggregate company which compiles news stories dawning on leftist ideals, journalists and their superiors have been able to cut their capital exponentially, and with convenient results. Perhaps the newest of these capital cut backs comes from the Post Intelligencer, a local newspaper out of Seattle, Wa, which in March of this year, put an end to its daunting 146 year career. The Post Intelligencer is just one of many print papers playing the victim to a technological advance too beneficial to pass up, and it is by the estimation of many that the P-I will soon be remembered as a precursor to the untimely...wait, timely demise, of print journalism. As an aspiring journalist, it is somewhat painful to see my dream job crushed under the unforgiving thumb of a dwindling economy. However at the same time, it is extremely exciting to see what the future of journalism holds for its devout employees, and to find myself at a budding junction in the industry is even more exciting. 

For more information on the death of the Post Intelligencer, refer to...

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/post-mortem/Content?oid=1178019

For more information on aggregate news sites, and the realized threat they pose to big print media, refer to...

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20090406/1515164406.shtml