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Standing Athwart E-History

Submitted by Kristen O, Feb 19, 2008 01:45

An exceedingly large amount of bloggers are people who WERE trained as journalists. They blog rather than write for a print outlet because: 1) Newsrooms are cutting jobs, 2) Journalism schools are churning out an excess in the amount of journalists we require, and 3) They crave something they're not getting from a print outlet, whether money, flex time, writing about what interests them, or getting their name out there. You might say, "Well, why can't they just pay their dues?" but the answer is that paying their dues would not get them what they want: it's an artificial system set up because everyone can't be on top. If they're not being allowed to get ahead at a print outlet, and they happen to think they deserve to be - that people would prefer to read them rather than the person above them - then the Internet is the only place to go.

Alot of critics are threatened by this - they all end up with smaller audiences as a result. But so long as there are people who want their jobs, they are going to have to deal with competition. Either get better- incorporate the techniques you see beating you or fight back by developing a new technique of your own - or quit.

Not everyone is a pro online, but if someone is drawing a significant amount of attention away from you, then they know something you don't, and you need to get a grip, humble yourself, and learn. You don't have to become suddenly stupid, you just have to develop and grow yourself.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
When I read that, the following recent article came to mind: - Has the unbridled spread of commercialism and technology transformed... [MORE]	C. Ikehara	Mar 4, 2008 21:57
Is there a more worn-out phrase? Perhaps "X is a necessary book" might be. After the first couple of paragraphs,... [MORE]	Dan Mayes	Feb 23, 2008 03:26
1. "The fault I find with our journalism is that it forces us to take an interest in some fresh... [MORE]	Mike Boehm	Feb 21, 2008 04:14
Similar thoughts abounded with the advent of the printing press and the Gutenberg bible. I wonder if Mr. Siegel drafted... [MORE]	Michael Makowsky	Feb 20, 2008 14:15
Thanks for a thoughtful review. Over 20 years ago Neil Postman also raised questions over the impact of mass media... [MORE]	Chuck Lanigan	Feb 19, 2008 16:46
Thanks, Chuck Lanigan, for the reminder, I used to teach Postman's book (AMUSING...) and found students would feel attacked personally... [MORE]	George T.Karnezis	Mar 4, 2008 14:45
The internet is no obstruction to democracy as it is a mirror to what democracy is essentially or at bottom:... [MORE]	SL	Feb 19, 2008 11:45
An exceedingly large amount of bloggers are people who WERE trained as journalists. They blog rather than write for a...	Kristen O	Feb 19, 2008 01:45
It's unfortunate that Wikipedia gets picked on so much - it's a paradise of truth and light, compared to most... [MORE]	Paul Perry	Feb 18, 2008 23:52
i relish the fact that i'm reading this anti-technology review on a laptop in bed in between refreshing my facebook... [MORE]	massrepublican	Feb 18, 2008 23:44
This book sounds like something we need much more of ie: critical examination of a modern phenomenon that is too... [MORE]	id hamilton	Feb 18, 2008 23:20
Oh please. Lee Siegel goes to a baseball game and is dismayed to note that some people near his seat... [MORE]	Ellis Weiner	Feb 18, 2008 20:47
The advice to those who overeat should be the same to those who spend inordinate time on the Internet: .... [MORE]	Harvee	Feb 18, 2008 14:53
Ms. Rosen tells us that Siegel makes three points: the Internet, under the guise of promoting democracy, actually leads to... [MORE]	Stephen Kennamer	Feb 18, 2008 13:38
A few more minusses 1)The Internet has enabled easier Terrorist connection and action 2) Hate- groups thrive on the Internet. And they... [MORE]	Shalom Freedman	Feb 18, 2008 02:42

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