My daughter turns 18 today. She starts college in a few weeks and deserves my time (my wife, too). To celebrate, I take a week off from work, and really stepping back from everything. With a little […]
Author: Joe Wilcox
Nail Down Your Sourcing
In response to a BetaNews writer presenting a third-party source for a story this morning, I wrote in group chat: In human relationships there is a misconception that love conquers all, that it’s more important […]
Michael Arrington is Right
No one could honestly call me a Michael Arrington defender, but he has a point in post “Marissa’s Mean and Kevin’s a Quitter: The Tech Press Shineth“. Arrington is in too many ways Mr. Conflict of Interest, which raises lots of reasonable concerns about bias—because he does business with the people he reports about, or did when running TechCrunch.
But bias is unavoidable. It’s everywhere, and every journalist seeking balance when writing stories fools himself or herself when denying this. There’s no such thing as unbiased reporting. Bias is built into the fabric of culture. If, for example, you’re a registered Democrat reporting on Mitt Romney’s campaign, isn’t that conflict of interest, too? Isn’t there inherit bias if you voted for Barrack Obama and plan to do so again?
BSG Wear for a Grand-plus
Battlestar Galactica costume by Anovos, spotted at San Diego Comic-Con 2012. Cost is $1,250 without the insignia pins, which add another $320 to price. Costume is produced in Canada by same company that did them […]
Cosplayers Wait
Front of the line to meet animator Pen Ward. It’s a long one. He’s here at 5 p.m. PT. You can learn what Comic-Con is really about by talking to these Ward fans.
Role Reversal
Comic-Con 2012.
Highlands Stormtrooper
Only at Comic-Con.
'We Do Business the Old-fashion Way'
My fake mafia money-lending TV commercial (making a point about how attitudes have changed regarding what’s a high interest rate):
Scene opens with a handsome, greying man dressed in dark suit and tie standing by a burning fireplace, holding a glass of red wine. The hue is yellow.
Writers, Be Present!
Use present tense as much as you can. Present tense gives your writing more impact, authority. People live in the present, not the past. Write for them that way.
As an editor, I see way too much stuff like: “Jack is taking the water up the hill”, when “Jack takes the water up the hill” is so much better.
Z3 is for Zoom
My father-in-law generously offered to buy my daughter a car for graduation/birthday (I couldn’t afford to particularly with her coming college expenses). We decided on Hertz rental sales, to get something newer, with lower miles, […]
Paywalls are killing my Budget
I just cancelled the Sunday New York Times and took digital-only (browser and smartphone) for $15 a month, discounted by half for 12 weeks. My most recent home delivery bill was $33 and some change. For Sundays! A promotion cutting the price in half for 6 months expired in April. I’m not eligible for another deal, and I don’t get $7-plus a week value from Sundays and all-access digital.
I’ve subscribed to the Times since 2001.