Photojournalist Giannis Angelakis has a wicked eye. The images he captures on the streets of Greece evoke emotion, and you immediately want to know what is the backstory for each. I could fill a week’s […]
Author: Joe Wilcox
‘If It’s Not an iPhone…’
The first weekend of iPhone 6s and 6s Plus preorders are behind us, but Apple already looks ahead. This morning, the company presumably sought to quell last week’s Wall Street jitters in statements to CNBC, Financial Times, and MarketWatch, among other news services popular with investors. This is perception-management at Apple’s finest, and it is metaphor for success selling smartphones and why most competitors flounder by comparison.
I didn’t receive the statement and so cannot attest to its veracity. But presuming esteemed financial news services accurately report, misdirection isn’t much better than this. Apple doesn’t give an exact figure, instead stating: “We are on pace to beat last year’s 10 million unit first-weekend record when the new iPhones go on sale Sept. 25”. How circumspect is that? Ten million the first weekend two weeks later?
Flickr a Day 257: ‘Two Fat Cats Whoopie Pies’
Ha! Now there is something surely unexpected. Meet and greet what I consider to be the single-most cause of obesity back home in Maine—the state treat, which shouldn’t be confused with the official dessert: blueberry […]
Responsible Reporting Section 3 ‘What You Must Do’: Chapter VI
After a long hiatus, serialization of my ebook Responsible Reporting: Field Guide for Bloggers, Journalists, and Other Online News Gatherers resumes. This chapter, and the last, are the most important for doing what you’re supposed to report responsibly. Major theme last time: The importance of asking “Who benefits?” about everything. Today’s installment turns around concept “conflict of interest” and points the finger back at you. The traditional view about conflict of interest is misguided, and it is fundamentally outdated for online news reporting—or any other.
As Chapter VI explains, I see objects of conflict as mattering much more than traditional concept of conflict of interest. Stated differently: Human relationships are more influential than financial gain. Worse, there is a fairly recent trend where bloggers or journalists post ethics statements, which I view as worse than useless. So-called transparency justifies continued conflicts rather than separation from them.
Flickr a Day 256: ‘Italy’
Our Sunday selection is from Moyan Brenn. You must spend time in his photostream. He has such an eye for composition. His view counts are high for a reason. But, sigh, shooters like this make […]
Apple Products without Purpose
As Apple’s iPhone 6s and 6s Plus preorder weekend progresses, I reflect on the week’s announcements. Increasingly, I see the company as the middle-aged boys club; men of a certain age designing products for rich, white, middle-age males. Of course, execs want women and people of other ages and classes buying pretty things, too. I refer to a mindset that seems to be core to Apple’s post-Steve Jobs design ethic.
“Products without purpose” I call new MacBook, Apple Watch, and iPad Pro. Where once Steve Jobs filled niches and created new categories, CEO Tim Cook and company create new Apple ware for which there is little to no need whatsoever.
Flickr a Day 255: ‘Polyphemus Moth’
The nature shots from the photostream of Stan Lupo are so fantastic, I wrongly wondered if he reposts images from National Geographic. Choosing one is a nearly impossible task. Being his work is so exceptional, today’s selection is a bit unfair. But the insect is one of my all-time favorites, and our Day Taker emphasizes the importance of shooting with what you got, not what you want. Vitals: f/2.4, ISO 50, 1/151 sec, 4.1mm.
Stan used iPhone 5 to capture this Polyphemus moth, hence the self-title, on July 11, 2015. “A first for me”, he says, “and I only had my iPhone with me. The best camera is the one you have with you”. True that.
Great Journalism, Unexpected
My respect for National Geographic news reporting—yes, news—grows with each day’s online reading. September 9 story “Inside the Vast (and Growing) Global Trade in Stolen Smart Phones” is goddamn good example. Stories like this require […]
Flickr a Day 254: World Trade Center
We pause to remember the fallen buildings and the brave people tragically fallen with them on this 14th 9-11 memorial. I lived in the Washington, D.C. metro area that day, and the terrorist attack on the U.S. Pentagon was more immediate. My wife, a New Jersey native, more keenly felt for New Yorkers. I shared my reflection of that morning 10 years ago today.
Our selection recalls what was when it started. Wil Blanche captured this poignant moment from the Staten Island Ferry sometime in May 1973. Tenants started moving into the towers in December 1970, during construction. The buildings officially opened, as the tallest in the world, about a month before Wil shot the photo. Camera and other information isn’t available. The pic is courtesy of the U.S. National Archives.
Gimme Google Fiber, San Diego!
Please take my money, Google. Tap the vein right here if blood is the currency you need. I am ready, willing, and over-excited. If you disappoint, I understand, though. My city is a brick wall when it comes to new commerce. It’s regulation central. So good luck to you, GF.
This afternoon I received email from the Google Fiber team that stopped my heart: “We wanted you to be among the first to hear the news. Today we announced we’re exploring bringing Fiber to San Diego”. Hell, yeah, baby. Sign me up. Which up-for-reelection-politician needs me and other native and transplanted San Diegans to be thorns in the butt? Give us more speed than we possibly need for prices we probably can’t afford.
Flickr a Day 253: Shadow Chaser
Look at the runner’s long shadow in a pic picked for color, contrast, and contrasting elements—the pastel little sheds (or are they something else) set against majestic stone structures behind. Julian Povey captured the moment […]
Is This Apple’s 9-11 Respect?
Apple’s decision to start iPhone 6s and 6s Plus preorders on Saturday September 12 surprises me. Friday is typical, which lets the company tabulate an extra day into the weekend when reporting the number of preorders the following week. So you have to wonder why the change. I asked Apple PR, but there is yet no response yet.
In 2014, Apple announced iPhone 6 and 6 Plus also on September 9th, a Tuesday. Preorders began on Friday the 12th and sales one week later. In 2013, there was no preorder option for iPhone 5s, just straight sales starting Friday September 20th; announced the 10th. In 2012: Fridays September 14th for preorders; the 21st for sales. In 2011: again Fridays, October 7th preorders and October 14th sales.