“Generation Y, those born between 1979 and 1989, spent the most money on books in 2011, taking over long-held book-buying leadership from baby boomers…with 43 percent of GenY’s purchases going to online channels, they are adding momentum to the industry shift to digital.” ”
—Publishers Weekly.The Diary of a Writer
People often ask me why I chose to become a journalist, especially as we’re approaching the precipice of total print annihilation. And after evaluating my dreams of living and making it big in New York, I’ve realized that my career probably isn’t going to lend itself well to said dreams. And though I thoroughly understand that job security and financial stability – rare gems in the Big Apple – are paramount, I’m here to show you more pragmatic-minded people that they’re not everything.
Following your passions (which, in retrospect, sounds really cheesy) isn’t a straight ticket to poverty, as most Asian parents will have you believe. My philosophy in life is to make what you love into a viable career, and if you truly love what you do, you’ll find every means possible to survive – of course, that excludes escort services and/or drug peddling.
I’m a writer. I live to write. I don’t write to live. I love what I do, and if being a journalist means I have to live a piece of my life in complete squalor or I have to forgo a bit of the luxuries I once knew, so be it. Life isn’t about making money or having enough stuff to prove to people that you’re a valued member of society. What exactly is the real gauge of success anyway? Do what you love. Fuck the rest. Living your passions to the fullest is plenty to feed off of for a lifetime. And if what you love to do happens to be cardiothoracic surgery or investment banking, then lucky you; you get the join the happy millionaires club.
And that, ladies and gents, is why I’m a journalist.
“Don’t trust the newspaper. Those are reporters. We want someone who lives that beat all day long, not someone who does a bit of research and tries to put the story together. Old school journalists are concerned with the w’s, the where, when, why and…how. You can only get so far asking questions. But if you live it all day long, you know the history and you know the context. Chances are, on everything other than front page news, there’s a maven online with a website who knows more about it than the traditional reporters.”
—Barry Ritholtz, The Big Picture
“What is the magic of holding a piece of paper in the air when you read? You [in the news media] think you have to preserve this? Why?”
—Harvey Levin, TMZ founder says magazines, newspapers should ditch print | Poynter.“Augusta, Ga-based Morris Communications Co ., which operates Georgia newspapers including Athens Banner-Herald, Savannah Morning News, and The Augusta Chronicle, is undergoing a major restructuring of its newspaper group to implement a wide-ranging "digital-first" transformation, according to a statement released by the company.”
—Morris Communications takes on “digital-first” restructuring - Atlanta Business Chronicle
“Now, I love print magazines. I’ve spent most of my career editing them. But I am under no illusions: If print’s not dead, then it’s certainly in hospice care. ”
—#realtalk: This isn’t another ‘golden age’ for print - CJR
Enquirer to shrink, move printing to Columbus
gannettblog.blogspot.comAlthough previously announced in August, it’s now official that the Cincinnati Enquirer will close its Cincinnati printing plant, laying off 200 employees, and move printing operations to the Columbus Dispatch’s plant.
Gannett, of course, glossed over these details and chose to tout the new “easy-to-use format” coming soon to the Enquirer. Although the new format will allow for more use of color, it will shrink to just 10 1/2 by 14 2/3 inches.
To me, an “easy-to-use format” would consist of an improved website, RSS feeds, and perhaps a good iPhone/iPad app. Of course, these would only be relevant if I were interested in the Enquirer’s content.
The Enquirer frequently publishes anti-city attack pieces, often bordering on absurdity, in an attempt to cater to its largely suburban readership. The closure of their printing plant is another strike to a city they don’t care about and have no desire to serve.
The winning quote goes to Jake Mecklenborg:
I can’t wait for the first time I-71 is shut down by snow and no old people get their papers.
