In today's Globe and Mail Christie Blatchford has an article commenting on the current trend of journalists, particularly those covering the Beijing Olympics, being expected to create large amounts of content, especially in the form of blog posts and other web based content. Ms. Blatchford seemed particularly upset that a moment of relaxation she shared with a colleague was blogged about (or that such a moment would be blogged about). In a more general sense, she just seemed upset at the direction in which the creation of news related content was heading, particularly that it was heading away from the tradition in which she was trained.
One concept introduced in the article that I found particularly shocking was that a reporter or writer might only be able to write a limited number of words per day. While I don't mean to suggest that one can produce an unlimited number of quality words per day, or even that most people can produce several thousand words a day of high quality content, the idea that there is some kind of invariable hard cap on the number of words one can write a day is somewhat ridiculous. It seems to me that a more reasonable to suggestion would link the number of possible words with available content and skill, and that this, rather than a somewhat mechanical limit, is the limiting factor when it comes to most journalistic output.
A more pertinent point raised by the author is that much of what is written about on blogs is somewhat unimportant, maybe even mundane and unworthy of attention. While I agree with Ms. Blatchford on this point (as this blog is no exception), the reading of such content is completely voluntary and in the hands of the reader. No one is forcing blog content on anyone. Readers are free to read my posts or not read my posts, and, as I am not being paid for such content no employer is being ripped off when I produce sub-standard content (though a few of you may waste a few seconds skimming my drivel).
What Ms. Blatchford completely neglects to mention in her anti-blog rant is the important role that blogs play when it comes to disseminating views and information. In many cases blogs have started to play a vital role in contemporary political discourse, frequently providing a venue for views and opinions that might not be found in more traditional news sources. Furthermore, and this can sometimes be a problem, the ability for blogs and digital content to skip many traditional production processes allows for quicker transmission of information. In some cases those who have experienced an event are then able to provide their own reports on events before such events are covered by traditional media (if they events ever would have even been covered by traditional media). That most of this content is created by unpaid individuals makes it all the more impressive.
Anyway, maybe I missed the author's point, but I don't really think that is the case as the title "I'm not blogging this, mark my words" is pretty explicit. Unfortunately, I imagine that the views expressed in the article likely sum up the sentiments of a large number of individuals. As long as this view is widely held we will fail to gain the full benefit of these powerful new media.
Showing posts with label communication. Show all posts
Showing posts with label communication. Show all posts
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Sint Maarten: Day 4
While my father was at school to give his second lecture, I was busy doing our laundry.
I quickly learned why they charged $4.00 a load for laundry, which is because they only have commercial washers, each of which is able to hold two or more normal loads. These washers seem to be able to take about twice the load that a typical washer is capable of handling. Fortunately, the driers are also commercial size and therefore able to handle in a single load the same quantity of laundry that can be washed by the washers.
One thing that I noticed while I was transferring the laundry from the washer to the drier was that I managed to forget a number of my own clothing items. Most notably, I forgot to wash my swimming costume and the shirt that I have been wearing to the beach (likely the two dirtiest items of clothing in my possession). I was able to remember all of the other key pieces of laundry.
The only problem, that I have noticed so far, is that one pair of my fathers pants came out completely covered in lint. Though I tried to shake them off I wasn’t really able to make much progress and they are still pretty bad looking. Hopefully he knows how the stuff without an additional washing, or he doesn’t need them until they can be washed again.
After my father’s school related activities, and then a quick lunch, we went on the hunt for diving fins. After checking at a diving shop we ended up making a purchase at the same place where we had previously purchased a mask and snorkel. The main deciding factor was that the fins at the latter shop were adjustable, making them usable by a wider number of people.
With fins in hand we went back to Baie Rouge, the location we scouted the previous day. The waves, which had been sizeable yesterday, were quite reasonable today. Without much trouble we made our way around the rocky out cropping and towards the intended destination. The only problem that we had was that we couldn’t really tell when we were at the spot as the water was loaded with so much sand that visibility was significantly reduced. After a fair test and a bit of drift and watching we returned to the beach having seen a few fish, though many less than we expected.
After another Carib from Gus’s Beach Bar we made our way back to Mullet Beach where we again strapped on our flipped and masks and entered the water. Immediately we noticed an appreciable difference between the visibilities at the two sites, with the latter being much better. We soon were both able to see all kinds of fish, both larger and more colourful than during previous outings. Furthermore, the water was of a more uniform temperature, meaning fewer cold spots to contend with while drifting along.
As Mullet Beach is within walking distance, and as it is pretty good snorkeling, it is likely that we will be back here at least a few more times before we head off.
The major problem posed by visits to the beaches seem to be the resulting sand problem. Unlike when visiting sandy beaches at lakes, this sand seems to go everywhere and then want to stay. Even after a shower and a shampooing of my hair my head is still quite covered in sand. The most effective removal method I have yet come across is to brush my hair with the narrowly spaced tines of my comb. With each stroke I am able to remove some number of grains of sand, though never all of them.
Another problem, though much less troublesome, is that while swimming in the ocean one tends to have salt water in their mouth. While this is not the end of the world it is certainly less than pleasant. Fortunately, this problem can be easily rectified by the drinking of a beer or two.
******
While I am able to get some internet access each day it seems that we might still be some time away from having full internet access at our apartment.
The sudden departure of the IT guy and the appearance of a new class have likely slowed down movement on this front. The only good news, from our perspective, is that just when we arrived a few days ago so too did an IT consultant. Hopefully her presence will mean the smooth transition from one regime to another.
******
We were both quite hungry by the time we made it back to our apartment after our trip to two beaches and a number of commercial outlets. Fortunately, we were able to relatively quickly prepare a meal from groceries that we purchased a day or so ago.
While the meal that we did end up preparing was nothing fancy, it was satisfying. Each of us had a pork chop along with white rice, boiled and buttered carrots, and brocoflower (some kind of broccoli/cauliflower vegetable). For desert my father had a tangerine while had another helping of rice along with two brocoflower sprigs.
It is likely that we will kill off most of our remaining vegetables tomorrow, necessitating another trip to the grocery store. The positive aspect of this is that we will have a very satisfactory lunch and the chance to select a new range of groceries from the store (and maybe even visit a new grocery store).
******
As we just finished a relatively satisfactory meal and are now completing various computorological errands it is likely that we will keep things quiet for the rest of the evening. Ideally, this might mean that we play a game or two of rummy and sit on the balcony drinking Caribs straight from the bottle.
I quickly learned why they charged $4.00 a load for laundry, which is because they only have commercial washers, each of which is able to hold two or more normal loads. These washers seem to be able to take about twice the load that a typical washer is capable of handling. Fortunately, the driers are also commercial size and therefore able to handle in a single load the same quantity of laundry that can be washed by the washers.
One thing that I noticed while I was transferring the laundry from the washer to the drier was that I managed to forget a number of my own clothing items. Most notably, I forgot to wash my swimming costume and the shirt that I have been wearing to the beach (likely the two dirtiest items of clothing in my possession). I was able to remember all of the other key pieces of laundry.
The only problem, that I have noticed so far, is that one pair of my fathers pants came out completely covered in lint. Though I tried to shake them off I wasn’t really able to make much progress and they are still pretty bad looking. Hopefully he knows how the stuff without an additional washing, or he doesn’t need them until they can be washed again.
After my father’s school related activities, and then a quick lunch, we went on the hunt for diving fins. After checking at a diving shop we ended up making a purchase at the same place where we had previously purchased a mask and snorkel. The main deciding factor was that the fins at the latter shop were adjustable, making them usable by a wider number of people.
With fins in hand we went back to Baie Rouge, the location we scouted the previous day. The waves, which had been sizeable yesterday, were quite reasonable today. Without much trouble we made our way around the rocky out cropping and towards the intended destination. The only problem that we had was that we couldn’t really tell when we were at the spot as the water was loaded with so much sand that visibility was significantly reduced. After a fair test and a bit of drift and watching we returned to the beach having seen a few fish, though many less than we expected.
After another Carib from Gus’s Beach Bar we made our way back to Mullet Beach where we again strapped on our flipped and masks and entered the water. Immediately we noticed an appreciable difference between the visibilities at the two sites, with the latter being much better. We soon were both able to see all kinds of fish, both larger and more colourful than during previous outings. Furthermore, the water was of a more uniform temperature, meaning fewer cold spots to contend with while drifting along.
As Mullet Beach is within walking distance, and as it is pretty good snorkeling, it is likely that we will be back here at least a few more times before we head off.
The major problem posed by visits to the beaches seem to be the resulting sand problem. Unlike when visiting sandy beaches at lakes, this sand seems to go everywhere and then want to stay. Even after a shower and a shampooing of my hair my head is still quite covered in sand. The most effective removal method I have yet come across is to brush my hair with the narrowly spaced tines of my comb. With each stroke I am able to remove some number of grains of sand, though never all of them.
Another problem, though much less troublesome, is that while swimming in the ocean one tends to have salt water in their mouth. While this is not the end of the world it is certainly less than pleasant. Fortunately, this problem can be easily rectified by the drinking of a beer or two.
******
While I am able to get some internet access each day it seems that we might still be some time away from having full internet access at our apartment.
The sudden departure of the IT guy and the appearance of a new class have likely slowed down movement on this front. The only good news, from our perspective, is that just when we arrived a few days ago so too did an IT consultant. Hopefully her presence will mean the smooth transition from one regime to another.
******
We were both quite hungry by the time we made it back to our apartment after our trip to two beaches and a number of commercial outlets. Fortunately, we were able to relatively quickly prepare a meal from groceries that we purchased a day or so ago.
While the meal that we did end up preparing was nothing fancy, it was satisfying. Each of us had a pork chop along with white rice, boiled and buttered carrots, and brocoflower (some kind of broccoli/cauliflower vegetable). For desert my father had a tangerine while had another helping of rice along with two brocoflower sprigs.
It is likely that we will kill off most of our remaining vegetables tomorrow, necessitating another trip to the grocery store. The positive aspect of this is that we will have a very satisfactory lunch and the chance to select a new range of groceries from the store (and maybe even visit a new grocery store).
******
As we just finished a relatively satisfactory meal and are now completing various computorological errands it is likely that we will keep things quiet for the rest of the evening. Ideally, this might mean that we play a game or two of rummy and sit on the balcony drinking Caribs straight from the bottle.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Sint Maarten: Day 3
After a breakfast of some scrambled eggs and toast my father went to the main building to give his first lecture. While my father was working I stayed at home and read, an activity I find quite pleasant.
While out walking this morning I spotted several lizards along the side of the road. The first that saw was so small that I first thought it might have been a grasshopper (or some local equivalent). Only on closer inspection was I able to confirm that it was actually an inch and a half long lizard. Shortly thereafter I saw several other brown lizards, all about six to eight inches long. For the most part, these lizards, in attempting to flee from me, drew attention to themselves. One of them, fortunately, stayed still long enough for me to get a picture.
----------------------------------------
Since our arrival we had been hoping to make operative our apartment’s internet connection. As we arrived on a holiday weekend we were aware that there would likely be a delay of several days, but we both imagined that by some point on Monday would be would able email and Skype from the comfort of our fourth floor apartment.
It seems that at some point this weekend the resident IT specialist at the university decided to quit, and subsequently left the island. Not only does this mean that we likely won’t be online in the coming days, but that all but two computers at the school are offline. Surprisingly, though it may have been a catalyst for the staff member’s untimely departure, there is an external IT consultant on campus for the coming weeks. Hopefully her presence will help get things back on track in the very near future.
Until then it is likely that we will have to take advantage of a casino based internet connection that we spotted last night while dining.
While out walking this morning I spotted several lizards along the side of the road. The first that saw was so small that I first thought it might have been a grasshopper (or some local equivalent). Only on closer inspection was I able to confirm that it was actually an inch and a half long lizard. Shortly thereafter I saw several other brown lizards, all about six to eight inches long. For the most part, these lizards, in attempting to flee from me, drew attention to themselves. One of them, fortunately, stayed still long enough for me to get a picture.
----------------------------------------
Since our arrival we had been hoping to make operative our apartment’s internet connection. As we arrived on a holiday weekend we were aware that there would likely be a delay of several days, but we both imagined that by some point on Monday would be would able email and Skype from the comfort of our fourth floor apartment.
It seems that at some point this weekend the resident IT specialist at the university decided to quit, and subsequently left the island. Not only does this mean that we likely won’t be online in the coming days, but that all but two computers at the school are offline. Surprisingly, though it may have been a catalyst for the staff member’s untimely departure, there is an external IT consultant on campus for the coming weeks. Hopefully her presence will help get things back on track in the very near future.
Until then it is likely that we will have to take advantage of a casino based internet connection that we spotted last night while dining.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
A Few Quick Notes 43
-In the past 24 hours the temperature has really risen in St. John’s. Yesterday at about this time it was almost -10, and now it is just about 0. The forecast is predicting that it will hover at about this or a slightly lower temperature for the next few days.
In Montreal they are in the midst of a freezing rain warning. Such events have a history of causing serious problems in the areas. Earlier this year freezing rain brought down all kinds of trees and branches, knocking out people’s power for days.
-Yesterday I went skating for the first time in a few years. It was a strange feeling to be back on skates after a multi-year absence. The up side was that I learned that my skates needed to be sharpened, the downside was that I did not figure this out until I was on the ice.
My current plan is to take my skates back to Montreal so that I can go skating in the various ice rinks that are built around the city, particularly the one that is located in the Old Port of Montreal. This rink in particular is impressive when it is all open, skaters have access to a huge ice surface.
-Today is New Years Eve.
-I finally got around to getting some contact info for a few friends of mine. The nice thing was that in one instance I was actually able to talk to my friend rather than just getting his phone number.
-Sorry about the slow down in posting over the Christmas season. This should be rectified upon my return to Montreal. It is likely that Neil will still post less than his fair share once he returns to Halifax.
In Montreal they are in the midst of a freezing rain warning. Such events have a history of causing serious problems in the areas. Earlier this year freezing rain brought down all kinds of trees and branches, knocking out people’s power for days.
-Yesterday I went skating for the first time in a few years. It was a strange feeling to be back on skates after a multi-year absence. The up side was that I learned that my skates needed to be sharpened, the downside was that I did not figure this out until I was on the ice.
My current plan is to take my skates back to Montreal so that I can go skating in the various ice rinks that are built around the city, particularly the one that is located in the Old Port of Montreal. This rink in particular is impressive when it is all open, skaters have access to a huge ice surface.
-Today is New Years Eve.
-I finally got around to getting some contact info for a few friends of mine. The nice thing was that in one instance I was actually able to talk to my friend rather than just getting his phone number.
-Sorry about the slow down in posting over the Christmas season. This should be rectified upon my return to Montreal. It is likely that Neil will still post less than his fair share once he returns to Halifax.
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