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The Modern Blogosphere and the Specialization of Media
In ways that traditional print media was never able to, new media has used blogging and online communication to encourage journalists and other independent writers. This international digital phenomenon has given the reader choice as to what information they flood their minds with, as barriers have been torn down between nations. And besides being told news from an international basis, communication has become a most necessary aspect of modern independent journalism, giving both sides of the conversation insight on audiences interests, while also keeping journalistic motive with less a hindrance on creativity.
At the turn of the century, the newspaper was created in attempt to combat an informational ‘space bias’. When British colonies first found home in Canadian provinces (western especially) the entire extent of information, the world of those settlers did literally exist within a few dozen acres. In the late 18th and early 19th century, with the industrial revolution, worlds grew exponentially. Cities were situated around the, then new, Canadian Railway system, wherein the industries were within a convenient distance of its workers homes.
With the Railway, came communication between the workers that travelled, first vocally and then in written prose. That being said, the type of communication differed municipally and federally and paper was just that much easier to ship. With availability constraints such as these, there was never much choice and back then, there was never much knowledge of choice; worlds had expanded dramatically, but in comparison to the modern day information, it was still extremely limited. Receiving outdated updates on provinces on either side of you was, in retrospect, nothing but a glimpse of the upcoming global neighborhood soon to be catapulted a vast by technological advancements.
The year between the creation of the World Wide Web (circa December 25, 1990) by Time Berners-Lee and the Internet-age of lately has been often likened to the years the CPR was developed (1881-1885). With information in such an expanding and transportable form and especially with technologies like that of RSS (Real Simple Syndication) the collection has become even simpler. Opinions are made and sold internationally, wherein Journalistic integrity would writers against a code of conduct designed not to offend anyone, and that is where technology shows its most poignant, yet controversial affect on the world of independent journalism. There are legions of intelligent, rebellious and respectively entrenched writers all around the world.
In August 23, 2005, the United States of America was hit, especially New Orleans, with the record breaking and tragic assault by hurricane Katrina, reaping an excess of $80 billion US dollars in damages. One of the most criticized and a controversial subject about Katrina was the infamously horrible governmental response, taking at least 1-2 days to help anyone.
Three years later, China was hit by the nineteenth deadliest earthquake in human history; the Wenchuan Earthquake. Before Katrina received any help, there was a myriad of ‘on-site’ reporters covering the story. Likewise, Wenchuan had even more passionate coverage, but not from representatives of some major news conglomerations; homes that had Internet connection sent the world’s largest assembly of independent journalists of all time.
Obamaniacism
I like this poster, and for reasons other than the fact looks like bacon. Although, to be honest, bacon does deserve its own column. If you doubt me, go and have some bacon and you will agree. That reason would be located, in blue letters, above the strips of greasy awesomeness; OBAMA.
Although I am very much a fan of ‘08AMA, that is not even where I am going with this, though I do find McCain to be a bloody wanker. You would have to have the current brain activity of the late Christopher Reeves to be unaware of the Design for Obama team, you could even almost call it a movement.
Canada just came out of a $290M waste of an election, giving Stephen Harper nothing but a ‘mightier minority’. Living as close as I do to the States, I saw, first hand, the difference in Canadian and American politics. Or, as ‘first hand’ as a Canadian (American, but more awesome) possibly can.
Historically, Canada and the States have had a few years between each form of media, be it radio, newspaper or television. The Internet arrived, en masse, about a decade ago, but it was during George Bush’s 8 years that the face of North America (be it, the world) received the but end of the mallet of the Internet(z) - and this time, Canada arrived just as soon as the States did.
Being the Internet-nerd (actually, just an all around nerd) I have sat a foot and a half away from the single most Internet’d debate in the history of the world. Yes, there are technological differences between now and then, but it goes beyond that.
Think as you may, but I strongly believe that 9/11, whichever side you are on of the issue, has helped the pseudo-Democratic nation to the south of us. Even now, there is a urban myth that, at once, Green Day did not suck. They actually existed before American Idiot (such an aptly titled, self-biographical title, don’t you think?), and although historians of years to come will formidably disagree with me, it was once true. But, this is a digression; with American Idiot came a nation of ridiculously retarded Emo-crats. And with their not-even-pseudo-political stances, teenagers of years past grew up. It has been 5 years since Billie Joe Armstrong started touring the world with his balls in hand, and if perchance, even a tenth of those Emo-crats keeps a lewd interest in politics, that is (5,000,000/10) 500,000 new voters. Of course, that is assuming that they are of age now to vote. Imperfect math? Yes. Point made? I damn sure hope so, because that took a while to get the numbers for.
And what do Canadians get? We got damn signs and a debate or two. Oh, and Jack Layton made some crappy cartoon ad and hired someone to play some mad Jenga.
The thing is, a poll of a few weeks ago showed that more Vancouverites gave a crap about the American election than the Canadian one. There are many a reason, but especially in direct comparison to bi-partisan debates in the States, arguing for a majority in a quint-partison debate seems pointless and a waste of time. Basically, Canadian politics just don’t matter as much as American, and we know this.
Whether you voted Liberal, Conservative, NDP or Green, or will be voting either Republican or Democrat - do so with the vigor of the Obamaniancs.
Palin on the Bullshit
As proud a Chrisian I am, I am a horrible one. I tend to break, on average, 2 commandments before each meal. I say this in an attempt to shake off the vibe that I think I am, as is a stereotypical judgement of Christians, better than anyone in the world.
The one thing, however, I think I do properly is take offense when someone refers to my faith derogitorily, or tries to insult it. Lately,, these offences have originated inside my ‘religion’.
Sarah Palin is not the culprit, in this case, but she is indirectly related to my problem.
James Dobson went from not supporting John McCain to becoming an enthusiastic cheerleader for the Republican presidential ticket in six short months.
David, M. (2008). Palin no strangers to Focus on the Family. Retrieved September 5, 2008, from Rocky Mountain News. Web site: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/sep/02/palin-no-stranger-focus-family/
My problem? It is how, an otherwise terribly inexperienced woman - her political career is being mayor of a small city, Wasilla, (just over 5,000 residents) to the 12th governor of Alaska for… less than 2 years. But alas, in McCain’s otherwise horrendous campaign that was more against Obama than for himself, and his inability to pronounce letters other than P, O and W, this may be the first smart thing McCain has done since the one time he met her before election.
Smart however, only in the race to the November election. And even still, not all American’s are dirt-retarded as McCain is, or thinks they are. But my issue is not with the American populace in itself, but in the Christian organizations that have been, until Palin’s VPenis, entirely against the Republicans.
James Dobson, the head of Focus on the Family has been flip-flopping around this topic for a while. McCain is more a fan of Bush than Samantha Ronson, “…and I am particularly talking about the war on terror, the war on Iraq…” (@ 0:36).
What is the difference between September 2, 2008 and Dobson’s quote here?
“War affects families most of all,” Dr. Dobson noted, “and it would be irresponsible for Focus on the Family and other evangelical organizations to ignore that suffering. The Iraq War has been devastating not only to American families, but to Iraqi families as well.”
The pregnancy of Sarah Palin’s 17 year old daughter, Bristol was released only 4 days after her assignment as McCain’s VP. How can this woman not know she is a damn gimmick? These two dates are far too close to not be related.
So, according to Dr. James Dobson, abortion is a more important issue than the war in Iraq. Personally, I disagree with it, and I would respect his opinion on either side, but I take insult to such a flip-flop in opinions. They have far too much influence on other Religious folks voting stance for them to take this so lightly.
But don’t worry Sarah, I don’t know what a VP does either.