Comments on: The golden age of journalists noticing new blogs is over http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 25 May 2013 12:55:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Gatto http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306623 Gatto Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306623 "All the successful businessmen I know, earned their wealth through hard work, dedication, risk, and a small element of chance." We also have to assume that the AIG, Chase, Countrywide, BP, Enron, Exxon, Fannie, Freddie, Madoff, Goldman, WellsFargo folks didn't get at them. I don't know if that's luck, or not... “All the successful businessmen I know, earned their wealth through hard work, dedication, risk, and a small element of chance.”
We also have to assume that the AIG, Chase, Countrywide, BP, Enron, Exxon, Fannie, Freddie, Madoff, Goldman, WellsFargo folks didn’t get at them. I don’t know if that’s luck, or not…

]]> By: mike k http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306600 mike k Fri, 30 Dec 2011 01:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306600 I started blogging in 2000 and it amazes me that journalists were late to the game. They when they did, many acted like they discovered it first. Personally, journalists and marketers ruined blogs.  I started blogging in 2000 and it amazes me that journalists were late to the game. They when they did, many acted like they discovered it first. Personally, journalists and marketers ruined blogs. 

]]> By: Ethan http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306577 Ethan Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306577 Gabi, I don't think you quite get might point. I'm not suggesting that some folks are magically lucky and others aren't. What I'm saying is that it is easy to overlook that our successes are not solely based upon our own merit.  I don't exclude myself from this.  I'm a full-time art professor... Getting the position happened to come easy to me. This isn't to say there wasn't years of hard work behind getting the job--just that when I went looking for it, everyone simply fell into place. For a while my advice to fellow-artists was, "Go get an MFA--getting a teaching position isn't as hard as everyone claims." Then I realized--wait, it IS as hard as everyone says. I was lucky to get the job that I have--perhaps reasonably deserving--but definitely lucky.  So, I think folks who have experienced success (self-made billionaires, successful bloggers, tenured professors, etc.), it can be easy to overlook the fact that the success probably had as much to do with circumstance/luck as it did with merit.  Gabi, I don’t think you quite get might point. I’m not suggesting that some folks are magically lucky and others aren’t. What I’m saying is that it is easy to overlook that our successes are not solely based upon our own merit. 

I don’t exclude myself from this. 

I’m a full-time art professor… Getting the position happened to come easy to me. This isn’t to say there wasn’t years of hard work behind getting the job–just that when I went looking for it, everyone simply fell into place. For a while my advice to fellow-artists was, “Go get an MFA–getting a teaching position isn’t as hard as everyone claims.” Then I realized–wait, it IS as hard as everyone says. I was lucky to get the job that I have–perhaps reasonably deserving–but definitely lucky. 

So, I think folks who have experienced success (self-made billionaires, successful bloggers, tenured professors, etc.), it can be easy to overlook the fact that the success probably had as much to do with circumstance/luck as it did with merit. 

]]> By: Gabi H http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306500 Gabi H Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306500 I'm a firm believer in the idea that almost  *everyone* will have a lucky moment. It's silly to believe that some people are endowed with 'luckiness'. Success is taking that lucky opportunity that you're bound to get and making something out of it. I’m a firm believer in the idea that almost  *everyone* will have a lucky moment. It’s silly to believe that some people are endowed with ‘luckiness’. Success is taking that lucky opportunity that you’re bound to get and making something out of it.

]]> By: Daemonworks http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306483 Daemonworks Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306483 Without news blogs, where will journalists find things to report on? Without news blogs, where will journalists find things to report on?

]]> By: Ricardo http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306434 Ricardo Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306434 Other than a cursory glance at blogs via RSS reader, I seldom visit most individual blogs anymore (unless to comment, see otherwise compelling, un-feedable content, etc. ). I've found many of the more successful, long-running blogs have way too much browser-crippling flash advertising gadgetry, which makes it a real pain to visit. Let's face it - for the most part, blogs are like a little rail town with a new freeway running past it. No matter how compelling the content, talented the writers, etc., less people will stop by if the landscape's obscured and mired in by ad gadgetry. Other than a cursory glance at blogs via RSS reader, I seldom visit most individual blogs anymore (unless to comment, see otherwise compelling, un-feedable content, etc. ).
I’ve found many of the more successful, long-running blogs have way too much browser-crippling flash advertising gadgetry, which makes it a real pain to visit.
Let’s face it – for the most part, blogs are like a little rail town with a new freeway running past it. No matter how compelling the content, talented the writers, etc., less people will stop by if the landscape’s obscured and mired in by ad gadgetry.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306428 Antinous / Moderator Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306428 <blockquote>All the successful businessmen I know, earned their wealth through hard work, dedication, risk, and a small element of chance.</blockquote>And most of the failed businesspeople that you know used the same formula. Selection bias win.

All the successful businessmen I know, earned their wealth through hard work, dedication, risk, and a small element of chance.

And most of the failed businesspeople that you know used the same formula. Selection bias win.

]]> By: Wreckrob8 http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306392 Wreckrob8 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306392 Yeah. You have to strike a balance between writing what you want to say and what others want to hear. How many novelists paid the bills writing advertising copy on their way to recognition? It never helps to be too precious. Yeah. You have to strike a balance between writing what you want to say and what others want to hear. How many novelists paid the bills writing advertising copy on their way to recognition? It never helps to be too precious.

]]> By: HenryPootel http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306366 HenryPootel Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306366 Nice to know that the golden age of stock photography isn't dead Nice to know that the golden age of stock photography isn’t dead

]]> By: Jim Saul http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306361 Jim Saul Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306361 An open area is local news reporting. The operations of city government, the shenanigans of crony contracting in city and county contracts, local police blotters as well as oversight of police disciplinary actions, and long term tracking and followup of those stories that affect people's lives on a daily basis. Newspapers and local tv have mostly dropped that kind of coverage, and it arguably was the only thing they did that was of any value at all. An open area is local news reporting. The operations of city government, the shenanigans of crony contracting in city and county contracts, local police blotters as well as oversight of police disciplinary actions, and long term tracking and followup of those stories that affect people’s lives on a daily basis.

Newspapers and local tv have mostly dropped that kind of coverage, and it arguably was the only thing they did that was of any value at all.

]]> By: obeyken http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306342 obeyken Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306342 +1 for the stock clip art! +1 for the stock clip art!

]]> By: Ethan http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306325 Ethan Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306325 It's certainly not all about luck... A lot of hard work has to go into making it possible to achieve something great. But there's no inevitability that working hard and learning skills will lead to recognition and A-list status.  There are a whole lot of hardworking, skilled folks who don't achieve that sort of recognition and I think the gracious thing to do is to acknowledge the fact that one can have all the ingredients for doing well yet not have it come together. I certainly don't mean to imply that the BB editors (or anyone who has managed to become successful) doesn't deserve it or worked hard to get where they are.  It’s certainly not all about luck… A lot of hard work has to go into making it possible to achieve something great. But there’s no inevitability that working hard and learning skills will lead to recognition and A-list status. 

There are a whole lot of hardworking, skilled folks who don’t achieve that sort of recognition and I think the gracious thing to do is to acknowledge the fact that one can have all the ingredients for doing well yet not have it come together.

I certainly don’t mean to imply that the BB editors (or anyone who has managed to become successful) doesn’t deserve it or worked hard to get where they are. 

]]> By: Ethan http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306324 Ethan Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306324 Sure, luck in the absence of hard work is unlikely to get one very far. But hard work & the absence of luck can just as easily have you just barely getting by. Sure, luck in the absence of hard work is unlikely to get one very far. But hard work & the absence of luck can just as easily have you just barely getting by.

]]> By: Ambiguity http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306313 Ambiguity Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306313 The golden age of blogging over? If true, that would be a good thing: maybe now blogs can go back to being less "topical" and more interesting. The golden age of blogging over? If true, that would be a good thing: maybe now blogs can go back to being less “topical” and more interesting.

]]> By: Rob Beschizza http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306307 Rob Beschizza Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306307 It's also important to ignore people who will tell you it's all about luck, connections and an impenetrable A-list. Because you can make your own luck, connect with an email, and go from small-town news reporter to BB in about a year flat. The hard part: you have to have put the hours in, learning skills that the market wants and being interested in things that others want to read about. Because writing is seen as a self-actualization type of thing, lots of writers never do that stuff, then wonder why raw talent isn't getting them anywhere. It’s also important to ignore people who will tell you it’s all about luck, connections and an impenetrable A-list. Because you can make your own luck, connect with an email, and go from small-town news reporter to BB in about a year flat.

The hard part: you have to have put the hours in, learning skills that the market wants and being interested in things that others want to read about. Because writing is seen as a self-actualization type of thing, lots of writers never do that stuff, then wonder why raw talent isn’t getting them anywhere.

]]> By: TokenCapitalist http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306305 TokenCapitalist Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306305 Couldn't agree more. That's why any video I have produced has to have an accompanying Slideshare presentation, if not an outright all-text alternative. Couldn’t agree more. That’s why any video I have produced has to have an accompanying Slideshare presentation, if not an outright all-text alternative.

]]> By: TokenCapitalist http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306302 TokenCapitalist Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306302 Chance is an element in business that is understood and accepted in business culture. However, despite what some people imply, that's not all it takes to succeed. In fact, without the hard work, it's akin to waiting around to win the lottery. All the successful businessmen I know, earned their wealth through hard work, dedication, risk, and a small element of chance. Chance is an element in business that is understood and accepted in business culture. However, despite what some people imply, that’s not all it takes to succeed. In fact, without the hard work, it’s akin to waiting around to win the lottery.

All the successful businessmen I know, earned their wealth through hard work, dedication, risk, and a small element of chance.

]]> By: Daneel http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306265 Daneel Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306265 I just hope Loic Lemeur is wrong. I hate watching videos instead of reading a blog. The growing trend for video blogs on news and sports sites instead of nice text is driving me to distraction (and in the context of sport, they're increasingly region locked, too). I don't want to watch a goddamn video. I like quiet, and reading is much quicker. Sites that do videos should always offer a transcript as well. I just hope Loic Lemeur is wrong. I hate watching videos instead of reading a blog. The growing trend for video blogs on news and sports sites instead of nice text is driving me to distraction (and in the context of sport, they’re increasingly region locked, too). I don’t want to watch a goddamn video. I like quiet, and reading is much quicker. Sites that do videos should always offer a transcript as well.

]]> By: Ethan http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306258 Ethan Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306258 I'm sure that's the case from a boingboing editor's point of view :)  It's like a self-made billionaire believing all it takes to be rich is hard work & a good idea. It's easy to discount the luck/lightning-in-a-bottle factor when you have it in hand. I’m sure that’s the case from a boingboing editor’s point of view :) 

It’s like a self-made billionaire believing all it takes to be rich is hard work & a good idea. It’s easy to discount the luck/lightning-in-a-bottle factor when you have it in hand.

]]> By: MrJM http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306251 MrJM Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306251 <blockquote>media is a tough game and you won't get far by copying what other people did years ago.</blockquote> So starting a  <i>Bogin-Bogin</i> blog may not be my road to easy riches? Rats!

media is a tough game and you won’t get far by copying what other people did years ago.

So starting a  Bogin-Bogin blog may not be my road to easy riches?

Rats!

]]> By: Carsten Agger http://boingboing.net/2011/12/28/the-golden-age-of-journalists.html#comment-1306236 Carsten Agger Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=136346#comment-1306236 "You need obsession, a work ethic, and an uncommon voice. That's tough, but that's *all*." Yay! +1 “You need obsession, a work ethic, and an uncommon voice. That’s tough, but that’s *all*.”

Yay! +1

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