A Post-Journalistic Age

What's next?...

As I sit here blogging my little heart away, yearning for my peep to be heard over the roar of virtual information, millions of other type away, commenting, reporting, logging their thoughts on the web. While working as a collective and connecting ideas, these blogger's are providing something more interesting and accessible than print media has ever been able to avail in any of its forms. Meanwhile, the media mogul cronies occupying the downtown high rent real estate cant figure out how to earn a buck off of free news. When I wake up and skim through the newspaper in the morning, all I really get is a recap of all the news that I heard from the day before, really just confirmation that it actually happened. Why bother? Something to read while eating cereal?

Whether have allowed ourselves to admit it or not, the fundamental way in which we consume news, media, and information is changing dramatically. I have compiled a brief disquisition on the state of print media, which takes a glimpse into a new post-journalisic era.

1. The Atlantic comments on a post-journalistic age | One of the more relevant articles ive seen tossed around lately.

2. One correspond ants idea for a new journalism network | Jeff Jarvis wants to build an ecosystem around hyperlocal bloggers. Can local news be accurately reported by individuals? Surely it would provide for interesting perspectives. Though something tells me this could have a polarization effect on communities.

3. Press accuracy at a two decade low | Pew Research evaluates the public on perceptions of press fairness and accuracy. The age of instant information now makes the layman a fact-checker.

4. Eleven things i'd do if I ran a news organizations | "#11. We would never publish lists of 10. They’re a prop for lazy and unimaginative people." -- thats right, you would publish lists of 9...

5. A critique and conclusion of where journalism is headed | One of the most insightful and valuable things that I have seen written about the direction of print media. Its implications are far reaching and apply to a number of other fields.. its long-- but read it.

There is no simple answer, but I would like to think that whatever process of information exchange and reporting evolves from our antiquated systems will sharpen the lens from which we view the world. As the masses acquire more individual freedom of speech the risk of polarizing mans attitudes runs rampant, he starts to see only in black and white-- the fellow without an outrageous opinion is trampled in the rush of controversy. I would venture to say that, today, the print media is regarded as a sort of "voice of reason". Though keep in mind that 100 years ago the print media held the opinions of the masses in a vice grip, swaying the cries of the public to the whims of their own agendas. Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard saw it "People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use."

Many today look for some common ground to be had, a balance between organizational media and independent blogging-- whether it will be found is yet to be seen. People will always want news. News will always find its way to people. The New York Times is a great publication, so is the Wall Street Journal-- but are they economically sustainable? We'll find out...

I do however know that critically acclaimed blog, Nineword.com, is economically sustainably, and interesting-- we're looking for our one millionth reader [to be born in the next decade or two].