Disqus - Latest Comments for zentinal

Re: Miles O'Brien To Leave CNN. Network Shutters Science, Space and Tech Unit - mediabistro.com: TVNewser

zentinal — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:05:59 -0000

This definitely lowers the credibility CNN's science and technology coverage.

Perhaps Mr. O'Brien and crew can take a page from the notebooks of the TechTV alumni and start your own web only shows. That's certainly where the future is.

Re: Current Gets Convergence

zentinal — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:58:15 -0000

"As a Current watcher, do you find that the age issue means they do not cover certain stories that speak to you, or have a certain "voice"?"

Actually, I find Current extremely informative and entertaining. I would also say that it is easily one of the most diverse channels, except in terms of age.

As far as the number of traditional broadcast jobs, I'd be hard pressed to argue anything other than there being more than ever. The number of cable and internet delivered services continues to grow, and their hunger for content is unabated.

Re: Current Gets Convergence

joemagennis — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:35:13 -0000

Ah yes, but it's a wonderment in a good way!

I don't know all the demographic answers .. let's get @Current to join in the Convo!

I do think that you have touched on something rather interesting regarding blog & podcast production. Based upon my own observations, I believe that there are many more "older" early adopters of rich media tools on the web and it's not limited to the Current pod producer demo, by a large margin. Reasons? Simpler tools and less expensive to produce perhaps? Productions directly related to work so more incentive?

For my own wonderment, are there the same number of jobs in traditional broadcast for content producers as in the past? My guess is that there are not, we live in a Free Agent world now. Perhaps the older crowd remains stagnant in the dwindling number of positions, so the new graduates must turn to other outlets to distribute their work. Therefore the quality content was getting developed with no where to go and Current seized the opportunity.

I believe this is a really good thing. The more opportunity to get things out there, work on the skills, and tell stories that might well have been abandoned by the assignment desk, the better off we all are.

As a Current watcher, do you find that the age issue means they do not cover certain stories that speak to you, or have a certain "voice"?

Re: Current Gets Convergence

zentinal — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:53:33 -0000

"I just don't believe that there is enough quality content being produced by the older crowd to support a "VH-1" version."

Was there enough quality content being produced by post-boomers before Current existed? Did it take the launch of Current prompt an upswing in quality content or was there enough, but it was sequestered in low fidelity services like YouTube and its competitors?

I also wonder if Current could exist without the steady output of the world's cinema / television / broadcasting university programs. These institutions have been pumping out thousands of skilled graduates per year, for decades.

I wonder what the demographic spread is of original, non-infringing, content producers on YouTube, fiction and non fiction?

I also wonder how much, if at all, the demographic spreads for audio podcasts, video podcast and weblogs differ from each other.

Yes, I wonder a great deal.

;-)

Re: Current Gets Convergence

joemagennis — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:12:20 -0000

I do agree that the tools in a consumer sense have been available to the "older" crowd (btw, I am one .. many of my peers are only slightly aware of UGC or Social Networks), but they just never have been looked upon as a way to produce journalistic pieces. Once our children figured out that making "skateboarding wipeout" videos with their Handicams could be elevated to broadcast level production quality, the transition was easier.

The dividing line comes at the point of the media relationship. In my peer group, mass media has been mostly a one-way street (the exception, talk radio). Networks and studios spent the bucks to produce the stories/entertainment, and the audience sat on the couch and let it flow over them. This next generation grew up with the perspective of becoming immersed in the action, whether in a video game, You Tube, or higher quality UGC on Current. Having these outlets for self expression flings the doors wide open for constantly producing content. The older generation is not seeking the outlet, where the younger one can't live without it.

I would love to see more targeted companions to Current. I find that I prefer more continuity to the topics covered within a particular period and would watch a sports, music, politics etc. only network ... I just don't believe that there is enough quality content being produced by the older crowd to support a "VH-1" version.

Re: Current Gets Convergence

zentinal — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:19:39 -0000

"I am going to assume much of it can be attributed to an age threshold where there is less adoption of the technologies required to produce and submit pods."

I'd guess that this isn't the case. Video cameras, microphones, computers, editing software; These are technologies pioneered and mastered by people generally old enough to be the typical Current pod producer's parents. I imagine these folks lives (birthday parties, school plays, recitals, soccer games, etc) are heavily documented, with the footage (mostly) reserved for private viewing.

I wonder if Current would even exists if shows like "America's Funniest Home Videos" hadn't come first to demonstrate there was a market for, and a legal means to broadcast, consumer produced (albeit frivolous) media.

I wonder if what's different is their stance towards media, media usage and media literacy in general? The previous generation, even thought they had the tools, saw them only in personal terms, producing media for private consumption. Their children were taught that each one of them was, in effect, a documentary film maker, but without a distribution deal.

Current gives them that deal.

Now that Current exists, is there now room for a network that skews older, mirroring the same relationship that VH1 has to MTV or Fuse?

Re: Current Gets Convergence

joemagennis — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:08:42 -0000

Zentinal that's a great question. There is no doubt that the pods tend to have a youth oriented slant to them .. I am going to assume much of it can be attributed to an age threshold where there is less adoption of the technologies required to produce and submit pods.

The beauty of Current as an outlet for younger journalists is that they can find their voices earlier & hone their skills on stories that appeal to them directly rather than the dregs dished out by old assignment editors. I look forward to more great innovation from Current ....

Re: Current Gets Convergence

zentinal — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:19:16 -0000

Yes, I watched current during the debates and election night. It's a style of programming that fits my particular fragmented worldview. Current exudes "nowness", as implied by the name of the network.

I do wonder if there is an implicit age limitation for Current's pod producers. Is the assumption that no one over 30 has anything interesting to say? How old is the oldest pod producer whose pod has aired on Current?

Re: COL028: Chaser Chasers

boxtech — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:01:46 -0000

I reference to you COL13: Chocolate Bear: http://cubsoutloud.com/2008/04/15/col013-chocol...

Re: COL028: Chaser Chasers

zentinal — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:08:34 -0000

What about racism in the Bear community? Is that a problem?

Re: COL024: Bear Like Me

zentinal — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:01:10 -0000

Interesting, especially when you were discussing the balkanization of the gay community. So, is anyone who isn't a bear a twink, even if they're a body builder? I don't think many of the guys on Jock.com would define themselves as a twink. Do twinks play rugby? Football?

Re: COL022: Pilgrimage to the Gay Mecca

zentinal — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:47:59 -0000

"Julia Child as Ophelia"
HAW! HAW! HAW! HAW! HAW! HAW! HAW!