Blind Prophecy

I feel like I’m somehow obligated to say something about Hunter S. Thompson on account that I am also:

1. Something of a journalist,
2. Something of a journalist who wrote about the uniqueness of Las Vegas, and
3. someone who may, or may not, have been called crazy by other people while I may, or may not, have been under the influence of substances which may, or may not, have been illegal.

But I don’t want to. Honestly, televangelist Gene Scott has played a larger role in my life. At least I could hear to what he had to say without losing some measure of self-respect. I don’t “get” Hunter. I don’t “like” Hunter.

I think Gonzo journalism – or journalism in which the writer is an active participant and part of the story – has been much abused by attention-seeking hacks who have seriously damaged the fourth estate. Even though I often roll my eyes at certain concepts of modern journalism (especially those which simply do not apply to the modern world yet are still taught in college journalism classes), I do think that injecting personality so heavily into the forum has forever changed the way we will look at the news. If I had a dime for every would-be gonzo journalist who wanted a job from me, well, I’d have at least $.80 to my recollection. My advice to these writers is to learn the “rules” of neutral, fact-based reporting first, then come to me when you’ve shown that you have the mastery of skills to start breaking those rules.

*sigh*

Anyway, there’s a nasty fight a-brewin’ between us and another paper. I can’t give any details as there’s possible litigation in the works, but I can say it has to do with trademark law. We have lawyers, they have lawyers, it could get very ugly.

Also, my writers are dropping like flies this month. I’ve had three quit in the past couple weeks – and they were three of my most reliable, go-to guys as well. I’m going to have to get some new blood quick.

Allright… how about a few squee-worthy thoughts…
Joss Whedon signing on for 12 more issues of Astonishing X-Men.
JW is probably writing the script for the new Wonder Woman movie.
Pepsi is doing that iTunes song giveaway thing again so I get new free music – which I’ve been doing all day.
Since my aunt Julie is also living with us in the new house, I wake up almost every morning to the delightful squeels of my nephew Craig (which I’m sure will get old soon, but is adorable right now) – today he watched me running on the treadmill, only occasionally trying to kill me by throwing his mini-basketball under my feet.

Filed under: livejournal by Jere Keys