Real Journalism: The Anterior in the Aeron Method
January 12, 2012
Short honk: I admire companies which can survive after technology renders their methods obsolete. One example is the crafts people who carve mallards in northern Indiana. Another is the “feet on the street” stringers who write about major events around the world. Well, I suppose I should say, “Seat on the sofa” or “anterior in the Aeron”, not “feet on the street.” I am referring to the time honored practice of the Associated Press’s use of mobile humans to cover events. The key is putting humans in state capitols, capturing the wisdom as it flows from the mouths of the elected representatives, and writing up the good stuff. Of course, with local newspapers chopping staff, the AP has been the go-to source for state politicos’ antics for many years.
The “real” journalist’s research vehicle. This is the Herman Miller Aeron Chaise 2/3. Kick back and get the news via an Internet connection. No need to talk to humans. No reason to ask vapid questions. No need to get a first hand feel of the crowd. Put the anterior in an aeron and produce news. Get static, dude. Image source: http://www.kalkwijk.com
The company takes a different approach to events such as the anachronistic Consumer Electronic Show. CES is held in the new, spiritual and emotional heart of America—Las Vegas. As you may know, this is a city where a destination looks as if one could walk to the status of Liberty in a couple of minutes. The spatial distortion often means a slog of 30 minutes through a crowd of America’s most intelligent and productive citizens.
Navigate to “Microsoft CEO Hits Familiar Chord in CES Swan Song.” Skip the ambiguity of “swan song” and pondering whether its reference is to Mr. Ballmer, Microsoft, or CES itself. Here’s the new “real” journalism method:
The Associated Press watched Ballmer’s speech in Las Vegas on a webcast.
Whether it is an online university or an update on a legal matter via YouTube.com, why go to an event, interview attendees, check out the crowd reaction, and maybe ask a “real” question? Irrelevant to modern news work.
Here in Harrod’s Creek, this 67 year old goose does not go to many trade shows and he never, ever visits Las Vegas. The older, gentler America in rural Illinois and the mine drainage choked pond are what he prefers.
Does he miss “real” life and information by relying on his Aeron and Internet connection? Well, he thought he did. But what’s good enough for the AP, a “real” news outfit is definitely good enough for an old person like me. Life as it is viewed is definitely better than life as it is actually experienced. Here’s another video on YouTube that makes the first hand experience essentially irrelevant. Good to know how news works today. A video is just like life now. Progress? Not for me but that’s a personal opinion.
Stephen E Arnold, January 12, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
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