Slashdot Mirror
Dan Gillmor on His Move to "Citizen Journalism"
tct25 writes "Tech journalist Dan Gillmor gives OhmyNews International his first interview since announcing that he will leave the San Jose Mercury News next month in order to start a citizen-journalism venture. Many insiders are scratching their heads. Why is the much respected tech writer leaving what he described as 'greatest gig in the world' for the perilous journey of developing an entrepreneurial idea in citizen-journalism? He spoke to OhmyNews at Harvard Law School in the middle of the final day of the College's Berkman Center-sponsored 2004 Internet and Society Conference last Saturday."
where conservatives can find refuge from the politically correct.
If by "politically correct" you mean "journalistic standards" (...such as they are...), I see your point
Why is the much respected tech writer leaving what he described as 'greatest gig in the world' for the perilous journey of developing an entrepreneurial idea in citizen-journalism?
I have a different answer for everyone to chew on. Mr. Gilmor is great at what he does, as evidenced by his cherry position, his reputation and most importantly his work. Great people get bored. He has risen to what he sees as the pinnacle of his field and he is not satisfied. He wants more. He is willing to try something radically different for the challenge and the experience and the opportunity to perhaps revolutionize the field. He wants excitement.
Besides, if the idea does not work, do you really think he will not be able to get another job as a tech writer somewhere else? Sure, this venture might fail and he may have to go back to a similar job that pays less, but it is the risk that makes it interesting. He is living life, trying new things, actively seeking out innovation and not letting it come to him.
I applaud him for it.
The cancel button is your friend. Do not hesitate to use it.
This is done by using sensationalist news and showing the point of view that most people agree with. Which is why you see stories like "Sex Offenders in your neighborhood!" and "Puppies: Too Cute?"
I haven't watched the news in about a year because I just couldn't take it anymore. Turn on CNN or Fox or MSNBC any time of the day and you can run down a checklist:
( ) Story about sex
( ) Story about violence
( ) Story threatening your well-being
( ) Fluff story nobody could disagree with
You have two hands and one brain, so always code twice as much as you think!
There was a time, when Clinton was in office, that your statement would have been basically true; give or take a few issues.
However, with a Repulican as president, talk radio has become nothing more than a mouth piece for the white house, much in the same way the media was for Clinton when he was in office.
If you think they aren't politically correct, call in and voice your opposition to the war on terror, the war on drugs, the war on [insert your favorite war here].
In reality, they are about as politically correct as you can get, you just get a different politically correct viewpoint.
Usurper_ii
Ron Paul
Some people are natural journalists the way others are natural hackers. They just GOTTA WRITE THE NEWS. They tend to be very good and get VERY pissed off at hack editors and publishers. They've been watching Wikinews with keen interest.
http://rocknerd.co.uk
The fact of the matter is, sure, he was a respected tech writer and working for one of the best papers in the country, but there's a huge field growing out there, and I think journalism needs a slight kick in the head to a degree.
Don't get me wrong. I think we put together a great product day in and day out. However, we're bound by the same rigid corporate standards that other large entities are held to.
That's the thing that's so exciting about citizen journalism. You're not worried about a single use of the F-word, or if you forgot to lay out Dilbert on the page (yes, Virginia, people do call about that) -- you're taking it down to the basic elements, what journalism is all about. You don't have to dumb it down. Wonkette is an exciting blog because of its gossipy nature, and the fact that it doesn't give a crap about offending anyone.
Even though, I still think newspapers are an essential resource, but I think blogs and citizen journalism need breathing room, too.
ShortFormBlog: Writing a little. Saying a lot.
> Why is the much respected tech writer leaving what he described as 'greatest gig in the world' for the perilous journey of developing an entrepreneurial idea in citizen-journalism?
Probably because he "gets it". He knows that old-school media like newspapers and television will eventually give way to new media.
To be blunt about it: who's really going to read newspapers anymore? The Internet can slice and dice content in custom-tailored ways that makes newspapers look as obsolete as clay tablets.
He's also perceptive enough to see that professional Journalism has become terribly lazy and stale. Something like "citizen journalism" might be just what the profession needs to revitalize.