Darwin's ghost haunts the media and other oddities

Today's newspaper manager

Darwin’s ghost haunts newspapers
Journalism isn’t dying.

Newspapers are dying.

And newspapers are an extension of the owners and managers that run them.

So, in theory, the owners and managers are a dying breed.

Journalists have had to adapt or die.
Newspaper managers haven’t adapted and I have yet to see them become extinct. But they will. You don’t need them. Having so many managers on the payroll is old school.

This is 2013, not 1913.

Riffed journalists, on the other hand, have found ways to make a living after they were torn asunder from their parent. So have designers. And photographers. Can't forget them. They work in the trenches every day too.

They have adapted.

They haven’t become extinct.

But the managers…They will die. They will never adapt.
 

I'm adapting, but I need fresh flesh: today's journalist 

The One Minute News story
Who reads any more?

And if they do read, how long do they sit in front of a computer screen to read the latest news?

Maybe newspapers should begin telling one-minute stories.

Everyone listens to their iPad while running, sipping coffee, or doing anything.

Public radio has become very adept at offering podcasts.

Why not newspapers?

Take a chance. Tell a story. Offer it to the Public.

Forget pay walls.

Become the iTunes of the media.

For 99 cents, download a news story.

Do you think it might work?

Slogans I love

“Buy local, Buy Fresh” is one slogan that amuses me.

Usually, the sticker is plastered to the window or bumper of a Toyota SUV or a Volkswagon.

Enjoy the irony.

The other slogan is “I Love light rail.”
Usually, I see the sticker in the window of a car passing me on Hampton Boulevard at 50-miles an hour or on I-264 at 65-miles an hour.

Yes, they love light rail.

But they love their cars too.

Consultants: their tales of ordinary madness
Ask a consultant what 2+2 equals and here's their answer: "What do you want it to be?"

But THEY have evolved. Now they tell YOU what YOU need.   

A better block.
A new school. 
An economic impact. 
Light rail.
A pay wall.

The latest consultant's report

Selected Weekly comments
On “Pilot Pay Wall is a red herring”
I can show you study after study that proves charging for online content is smart move for newsrooms today. If you think the Pilot has zero value to this community, then it should remain free online forever. If, on the other hand, you believe the newspaper must remain the flagship media outlet in Hampton Roads, then the community must pay for online content.
Revamped sales and advertising strategies also matter, but digital subscription models are on the rise coast to coast, and people understand the need to pay for local news 'of value.' Judge the merits of the Pilot's paywall model and pricing but not the idea in general.


  On “Norfolk: Gaudi V. Guns 'n Buns”
Let's assume that you are right. Let's assume that Norfolk lacks charisma. What can we possibly do about it? The article you quote suggests that charisma is based on a sense of self in the context of history. But for whatever reason, Norfolk continually rejects its history. We tear down historic buildings and pretend that we want to be the virginia beach town center + a convention center. That's not charisma. That's running from who you are. It's also short sighted. the town centers that are springing up around the country will be about as hip in 15 years as the waterside market places that sprung up 15 years ago are now.

Maybe it's time for me to move to the beach. I'm tired of this place. Everyone argues with each other. Nothing ever gets done. Police take hours to respond to emergencies. The city goes years without making basic repairs - such as to the lights at any of tennis courts in town. There is trash everywhere. The city parks are filthy, colorless dirt pads. I'm sorry, those are called "dog parks". We don't have much in the way of people parks. If you try to fix anything, then everyone wants to know who you are that they should listen to you. Well I'm one of the few residents who isn't delinquent on their property taxes. I'm one of the few residents who cares. But that caring is wearing thin.

Maybe we are being too negative. What is one thing that Norfolk does well?

On “Collect $17M in back taxes before raising taxes Norfolk”
That was a cheap shot at Moss and Burfoot. I don't know Burfoot's official connection to the bank other than an allegation made by the girlfriend of one of the accused in the on going federal trial. As for Moss, he served on the bank's board of directors. There is nothing unusual about that. Look at the boards of all of the local banks and you will find many influential people on those boards.

They are appointed because of their positions in business in the various cities. Members of boards know only as much as management allows them to know. The allegations in the recent trial are that crucial financial data was withheld,altered and/or hidden from the board. With respect to the collection of taxes, just last week I believe you wrote an article about the Poole Mahoney firm and the money they earn doing collections for the City of Norfolk.
Other lawyers do the same. Most people who owe the money for taxes, fines, etc. don't have the funds to pay. All the judgements and other collection efforts in the world will not change that. Judgements are taken and foreclosures held regularly for unpaid taxes. What else do you suggest they do, hire an enforcer? Let's be certain that the distinction is made between our constitutional officers like the City Treasurer who is an elected state official and elected city officials who are local and it is they who create the budget, decide how much to spend and establish local policies, statutes, taxes, etc.