Comments on: Death by a thousand baby steps http://www.buzzmachine.com/2005/09/15/death-by-a-thousand-baby-steps/ by Jeff Jarvis Mon, 22 Mar 2010 08:57:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Mr. Snitch! http://www.buzzmachine.com/2005/09/15/death-by-a-thousand-baby-steps/#comment-6994 Mr. Snitch! Tue, 20 Sep 2005 00:46:03 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=483#comment-6994 I also commented on this specifically in regard to the Jersey Journal (which covers my area), and drew similar conclusions re the death by slow cuts. Really, it's hard to draw any other conclusion. This paper is simply going to die, and no one on board has the courage, energy and vision to prevent it. And this story is being repeated around the country, aorund the world, at paper after paper. I hate to bring up the dinosaur comparison, but it is quite like telling the dinosaurs things have changed and they must adapt. The dinosaurs can't hear it because they are, well, dinosaurs. http://mistersnitch.blogspot.com/2005/09/so-you-want-to-be-newspaper-publisher.html What's to replace the newspaper? If you have not seen this terriffic (and entertaining to boot) multimedia presentation, take this opportunity: http://www.robinsloan.com/epic/ I also commented on this specifically in regard to the Jersey Journal (which covers my area), and drew similar conclusions re the death by slow cuts. Really, it’s hard to draw any other conclusion. This paper is simply going to die, and no one on board has the courage, energy and vision to prevent it. And this story is being repeated around the country, aorund the world, at paper after paper. I hate to bring up the dinosaur comparison, but it is quite like telling the dinosaurs things have changed and they must adapt. The dinosaurs can’t hear it because they are, well, dinosaurs.

http://mistersnitch.blogspot.com/2005/09/so-you-want-to-be-newspaper-publisher.html

What’s to replace the newspaper? If you have not seen this terriffic (and entertaining to boot) multimedia presentation, take this opportunity:

http://www.robinsloan.com/epic/

]]> By: Major Mike http://www.buzzmachine.com/2005/09/15/death-by-a-thousand-baby-steps/#comment-6955 Major Mike Mon, 19 Sep 2005 15:32:09 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=483#comment-6955 I think Jim Cramer's comments are the best measure of the "buisness" of journalism. They are losing business because they cannot produce a marketable and viable product. They are stuck in a narcassitic do loop of back patting and award giving that has them living with Alice in a looking glass world that is as distorted as a circus mirror. I love "the paper." I have always gotten a paper, including such favorites as LAT, WP and now, the Oregonian. There are millions out there like me, but if these businesses...and they are businesses, cannot produce a marketable product...which it seems they can't...they will meet the Passenger Pigeon in the great beyond. I think Jim Cramer’s comments are the best measure of the “buisness” of journalism. They are losing business because they cannot produce a marketable and viable product. They are stuck in a narcassitic do loop of back patting and award giving that has them living with Alice in a looking glass world that is as distorted as a circus mirror.

I love “the paper.” I have always gotten a paper, including such favorites as LAT, WP and now, the Oregonian. There are millions out there like me, but if these businesses…and they are businesses, cannot produce a marketable product…which it seems they can’t…they will meet the Passenger Pigeon in the great beyond.

]]> By: AST http://www.buzzmachine.com/2005/09/15/death-by-a-thousand-baby-steps/#comment-6867 AST Sun, 18 Sep 2005 01:03:59 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=483#comment-6867 I was thinking the other day after reading a print columnist latest, that he'd never make it as a blogger. He's paid to fill up a certain amount of space on a page between ads. So he writes more than he needs to make his point. There are others who, one senses, aren't really interested in journalism, they want a column or they want to write a book. They write as though their reporting were short story rather than a "just the facts" summary. This approach will kill printed news. I was thinking the other day after reading a print columnist latest, that he’d never make it as a blogger. He’s paid to fill up a certain amount of space on a page between ads. So he writes more than he needs to make his point. There are others who, one senses, aren’t really interested in journalism, they want a column or they want to write a book. They write as though their reporting were short story rather than a “just the facts” summary.

This approach will kill printed news.

]]> By: John http://www.buzzmachine.com/2005/09/15/death-by-a-thousand-baby-steps/#comment-6856 John Sat, 17 Sep 2005 18:09:03 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=483#comment-6856 I have read dozens of unbelievably strong articles and columns on the Katrina catastrophe and seen powerful photographs and newscasts aplenty. Many of those reports were not produced by the intrepid staff of the Times-Picayune. Yes, that staff has suffered an overwhelming loss and it has performed courageously and tirelessly in the aftermath of the storm. But so have other members of the New Orleans and national media. Truth be told, there were others in that market who used the Internet as a news-publishing platform earlier and better than the T-P. It's often been observed that the best (albeit most painful) path to a Pulitzer Prize is to be accidentally situated in the location of a natural disaster. Shouldn't the bar be higher than that? The time will come when awards are bestowed. Let's not go handing out the Pulitzers just yet. I have read dozens of unbelievably strong articles and columns on the Katrina catastrophe and seen powerful photographs and newscasts aplenty. Many of those reports were not produced by the intrepid staff of the Times-Picayune. Yes, that staff has suffered an overwhelming loss and it has performed courageously and tirelessly in the aftermath of the storm. But so have other members of the New Orleans and national media. Truth be told, there were others in that market who used the Internet as a news-publishing platform earlier and better than the T-P.

It’s often been observed that the best (albeit most painful) path to a Pulitzer Prize is to be accidentally situated in the location of a natural disaster. Shouldn’t the bar be higher than that? The time will come when awards are bestowed. Let’s not go handing out the Pulitzers just yet.

]]> By: Jeff Jarvis http://www.buzzmachine.com/2005/09/15/death-by-a-thousand-baby-steps/#comment-6848 Jeff Jarvis Sat, 17 Sep 2005 15:33:59 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=483#comment-6848 Tim: Well said. Tim: Well said.

]]> By: phil http://www.buzzmachine.com/2005/09/15/death-by-a-thousand-baby-steps/#comment-6833 phil Sat, 17 Sep 2005 01:51:18 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=483#comment-6833 Michael Yon should definitely win a Pulitzer this year. Who else is doing the kind of reporting that he is giving us? But that won't happen. Journalism is not a profession. A career, yes; a profession, no. And as a career it needs to be reimagined. There was a time when newspapermen would have scorned the title "journalist". Michael Yon should definitely win a Pulitzer this year. Who else is
doing the kind of reporting that he is giving us? But that won’t happen.
Journalism is not a profession. A career, yes; a profession, no. And as a career it needs to be reimagined. There was a time when newspapermen would have scorned the title “journalist”.

]]> By: David Foster http://www.buzzmachine.com/2005/09/15/death-by-a-thousand-baby-steps/#comment-6824 David Foster Fri, 16 Sep 2005 22:04:32 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=483#comment-6824 One factor that has been keeping pulp-based media in business is this: It's just not very convenient to read large amounts of computer-based text. Either you read it on the screen, or print it out--both cumbersome alternatives. But very soon, we will have electronic ink / electronic paper technologies, which display text on light, flexible media that can be read easily in bright sunlight. I think this is likely to be a heavy blow at the traditional print media. One factor that has been keeping pulp-based media in business is this: It’s just not very convenient to read large amounts of computer-based text. Either you read it on the screen, or print it out–both cumbersome alternatives.

But very soon, we will have electronic ink / electronic paper technologies, which display text on light, flexible media that can be read easily in bright sunlight. I think this is likely to be a heavy blow at the traditional print media.

]]> By: John McGinnis http://www.buzzmachine.com/2005/09/15/death-by-a-thousand-baby-steps/#comment-6822 John McGinnis Fri, 16 Sep 2005 21:59:41 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=483#comment-6822 Tim, More releveant mark -- "What's read is recognized." Point is you have to have a reader to have an audience and make any sort of sale. The print press is in the midst or nothing more than a supply chain collapse. I don't care how you cast it that is what is going on. This has happened in hundreds or industries. For the news, the consumer(reader) has cut out the middleman(newspaper) and is getting more and more of their news from people on the scene (citizen reporter). Supply chain collapse requires a catalyst generally. In this case it's a double whammy for the news orgs. 1) Electronic messaging makes it possible to generate, transmit and aggregrate news online using RSS feeds. No longer a need for editors, the reader personalizes the content they need. 2) The cost structure of the new electronic methods are lower by a factor of 10 that of old rotary print. No need for a circulation dept with it's cost. No need for the large print press investment. No need for the pools of editors. No need for a lot of reporters either. And the oddest of ironies are the people that are in the new media generally are subject matter experts in the topic that is being covered. Don't believe me? Need I say Rathergate to make the point? It's a long slow slide to oblivion for the print press. Can't happen soon enough. Tim,

More releveant mark — “What’s read is recognized.” Point is you have to have a reader to have an audience and make any sort of sale.

The print press is in the midst or nothing more than a supply chain collapse. I don’t care how you cast it that is what is going on. This has happened in hundreds or industries. For the news, the consumer(reader) has cut out the middleman(newspaper) and is getting more and more of their news from people on the scene (citizen reporter). Supply chain collapse requires a catalyst generally. In this case it’s a double whammy for the news orgs. 1) Electronic messaging makes it possible to generate, transmit and aggregrate news online using RSS feeds. No longer a need for editors, the reader personalizes the content they need. 2) The cost structure of the new electronic methods are lower by a factor of 10 that of old rotary print. No need for a circulation dept with it’s cost. No need for the large print press investment. No need for the pools of editors. No need for a lot of reporters either.

And the oddest of ironies are the people that are in the new media generally are subject matter experts in the topic that is being covered. Don’t believe me? Need I say Rathergate to make the point?

It’s a long slow slide to oblivion for the print press. Can’t happen soon enough.

]]> By: J-D http://www.buzzmachine.com/2005/09/15/death-by-a-thousand-baby-steps/#comment-6819 J-D Fri, 16 Sep 2005 21:44:07 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=483#comment-6819 Great post. However, what newspapers and journalists are attempting to hold onto with all their might is power. For years newspapers could determine the outcome of elections. The visual images on CBS News night after night with Cronkite (eventually) coming out against the war stopped an American War. A couple of investigative reporters brought down a President. These guys are about power. Power to change the world, power to influence elections, power to shape and mold this country. And they are not giving up this power gracefully, even though it is rapidly being stripped away from them. Power, as someone once said, is the ultimate aphrodisiac. People without any other purpose in this world thrive on it like an addict on his dope. They will not go quietly into that good night, but go they will, never having really "gotten it". Great post. However, what newspapers and journalists are attempting to hold onto with all their might is power. For years newspapers could determine the outcome of elections. The visual images on CBS News night after night with Cronkite (eventually) coming out against the war stopped an American War. A couple of investigative reporters brought down a President. These guys are about power. Power to change the world, power to influence elections, power to shape and mold this country. And they are not giving up this power gracefully, even though it is rapidly being stripped away from them.

Power, as someone once said, is the ultimate aphrodisiac. People without any other purpose in this world thrive on it like an addict on his dope. They will not go quietly into that good night, but go they will, never having really “gotten it”.

]]> By: Tim Oren http://www.buzzmachine.com/2005/09/15/death-by-a-thousand-baby-steps/#comment-6810 Tim Oren Fri, 16 Sep 2005 18:36:26 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=483#comment-6810 There are two interlocked issues here: The future of an industry, and the future of a profession. Henry's nutshelled the former. If I may presume to interpret, I think Jeff's talking at least as much about the latter. Take a look at the <a href="http://www.pulitzer.org/CurrentBoard/CurrentBoard.html" rel="nofollow">Pulitzer board</a>. If that's not inside baseball, I don't know what is. This is how the seniors of the journalism pass out their 'well- dones', whose receipt can make the career of a reporter or editor. Now add in a hackneyed business slogan: "What's measured is managed." And perhaps append: "What's rewarded is produced." Anyone in any doubt that NOLA.com is some part of any future of journalism as public service? Anyone care to dispute that people like <a href="http://michaelyon.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Michael Yon</a> are the brilliant precursors to any future of journalism as reportage? Actually, yes. I think Jeff's wondering aloud whether journalism is the term we will be using, if that profession remains stuck to wood pulp by its rewards system. Because the audience doesn't care about that distinction any more. There are two interlocked issues here: The future of an industry, and the future of a profession. Henry’s nutshelled the former. If I may presume to interpret, I think Jeff’s talking at least as much about the latter.

Take a look at the Pulitzer board. If that’s not inside baseball, I don’t know what is. This is how the seniors of the journalism pass out their ‘well- dones’, whose receipt can make the career of a reporter or editor. Now add in a hackneyed business slogan: “What’s measured is managed.” And perhaps append: “What’s rewarded is produced.”

Anyone in any doubt that NOLA.com is some part of any future of journalism as public service? Anyone care to dispute that people like Michael Yon are the brilliant precursors to any future of journalism as reportage?

Actually, yes. I think Jeff’s wondering aloud whether journalism is the term we will be using, if that profession remains stuck to wood pulp by its rewards system. Because the audience doesn’t care about that distinction any more.

]]> By: henrycopeland http://www.buzzmachine.com/2005/09/15/death-by-a-thousand-baby-steps/#comment-6801 henrycopeland Fri, 16 Sep 2005 16:25:27 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=483#comment-6801 The people ARE deciding. Watch publishers' share prices, another notch or three down after each quarterly earnings flash. If the Pulitzer committee sticks to pulp, it soon will be as influential as the Honorable Dayton Ohio Ball Bearing Standards Association, a once-thriving group that assembles now only at funerals. The people ARE deciding. Watch publishers’ share prices, another notch or three down after each quarterly earnings flash. If the Pulitzer committee sticks to pulp, it soon will be as influential as the Honorable Dayton Ohio Ball Bearing Standards Association, a once-thriving group that assembles now only at funerals.

]]> By: Democratizing Media » Blog Archive » Reengaging Young People Through Targeted Media http://www.buzzmachine.com/2005/09/15/death-by-a-thousand-baby-steps/#comment-6797 Democratizing Media » Blog Archive » Reengaging Young People Through Targeted Media Fri, 16 Sep 2005 14:11:30 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=483#comment-6797 [...] Jeff Jarvis has an interesting post on his skeptical impressions of the new AP youth media product. Read more about the product titled asap here. In many respects Jarvis is right, and I am still thinking my way through this topic. Young people pay little attention to the news, and the proliferation of news agencies that are creating special media for the youth is designed to try to solve this problem. Sites such as Your Mom, targeted, written, and edited by the teenaged audience, has gotten reviews by many, such as here and here. But, we are not going to solve the problem if we do not reengage the youth in developing interest for real news. At the end of the day, youth need to be inspired to become more active in their communities, politics, government, and storytelling. I’m not convinced that youth media addresses targeted focus on reengaging youth with actual news. [...] [...] Jeff Jarvis has an interesting post on his skeptical impressions of the new AP youth media product. Read more about the product titled asap here. In many respects Jarvis is right, and I am still thinking my way through this topic. Young people pay little attention to the news, and the proliferation of news agencies that are creating special media for the youth is designed to try to solve this problem. Sites such as Your Mom, targeted, written, and edited by the teenaged audience, has gotten reviews by many, such as here and here. But, we are not going to solve the problem if we do not reengage the youth in developing interest for real news. At the end of the day, youth need to be inspired to become more active in their communities, politics, government, and storytelling. I’m not convinced that youth media addresses targeted focus on reengaging youth with actual news. [...]

]]> By: Nollind Whachell http://www.buzzmachine.com/2005/09/15/death-by-a-thousand-baby-steps/#comment-6772 Nollind Whachell Thu, 15 Sep 2005 22:25:56 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=483#comment-6772 "Judges?! We don't need no stinking judges!" John's right. Let the people give the awards. Actually just get everyone to tag their votes on their site or link to the award category page so that Technorati can summarize the people's votes for each of the different award categories. “Judges?! We don’t need no stinking judges!”

John’s right. Let the people give the awards. Actually just get everyone to tag their votes on their site or link to the award category page so that Technorati can summarize the people’s votes for each of the different award categories.

]]> By: John Frost http://www.buzzmachine.com/2005/09/15/death-by-a-thousand-baby-steps/#comment-6768 John Frost Thu, 15 Sep 2005 21:17:41 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=483#comment-6768 All it really takes for 'it' to be journalism is to call it that. So next years webby's can have: best online journalism, journalist, long and short catagories. Voila, recognized as journalism. All it really takes for ‘it’ to be journalism is to call it that. So next years webby’s can have: best online journalism, journalist, long and short catagories. Voila, recognized as journalism.

]]> By: JennyD http://www.buzzmachine.com/2005/09/15/death-by-a-thousand-baby-steps/#comment-6756 JennyD Thu, 15 Sep 2005 19:55:01 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=483#comment-6756 What do other editors say? Surely folks who judge these awards and sit on the board might realize the need to change the rules. And if they don't...that says something about them. What do other editors say? Surely folks who judge these awards and sit on the board might realize the need to change the rules. And if they don’t…that says something about them.

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