Category: Society

Society by Joe WilcoxAug 22, 200912:57 pm

America's Health Insurance Cartels are the Problem

Two things that go oddly together: $20 and a quick physical. That’s what my daughter got yesterday so she could try out for the local high school volleyball team. The school recommended the doctor, who was fast, friendly, thorough and cheap. From watching the patients going in and out of the physician’s office, I observed that he provides a valuable service to San Diego’s uninsured.

The doctor’s visit got me to thinking, again, about what’s fundamentally wrong with America’s health-care system and why the Obama Administrations’ reform proposal can’t fix it. The problem and solution go oddly—and quite badly—together. Litigation, not legislation, is the solution.

Society by Joe WilcoxAug 18, 20097:24 pm

Are You a Doll?

In 1978, new wave band Devo asked “Are we not men?” The name Devo comes from de-evolution, the idea that humans perhaps are going backwards, not forwards. I’ve been thinking more about this concept with respect to entertainment and marketing after watching a Fox Network TV show.

I won’t chart any new philosophical ground in this post. But, hey, it’s end of summer, online traffic lulls and I’m feeling philosophical.

The Arts by Joe WilcoxJul 30, 20099:27 pm

Hillywood’s ‘Twilight’

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MKz0gkcgAo] The last post is my interview with The Hillywood Show. Here is their video parody of “Twilight”. It’s funny and well-directed and edited. Sisters Hilly and Hannah are talented, indeed. I can’t […]

People by Joe WilcoxJul 30, 20099:20 pm

The Hillywood Show

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wl30rTR1nY] Among my 17 Comic-Con 2009 interviews: The Hillywood Show players, featuring sisters Hilly and Hannah. These girls are young, motivated and talented. The website is engaging, and they connect to all the […]

People by Joe WilcoxJul 27, 20096:30 pm

Tokidoki Means ‘Sometimes’

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F7Lrvc5VT4] I posted my first video from Comic-Con 2009, with Tokidoki Creator Simone Legno. You don’t know what is Tokidoki? Check out Simone’s Website. Tokidoki means “sometimes” in Japanese. Simone is Italian. Could […]

News Media by Joe WilcoxJul 21, 200912:43 am

Process Journalism and Original Reporting

On July 17, I posted, “The Michael Arrington Matter,” where I came down hard on the TechCrunch cofounder for publishing stolen, internal Twitter documents. I wouldn’t have done it.

But in fairness, TechCrunch is successful—and for a reason. TechCrunch publishes lots of original content, as much in the comments as the stories. Readers participate in the process.

News Media by Joe WilcoxJul 20, 200911:14 pm

It's Original Reporting or Nothing

Ian Betteridge has blogged a couple times recently about the value of original reporting. Ian is one of those long-time journalists who has good common sense. I enjoy his missives about journalism and ethics and also changes new media has on the news media.

His thoughts on the value of original reporting are must-reads.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 18, 20098:37 pm

American Apparel Displays What?

I am a sucker for good marketing, often stopping to gawk at store display windows. Marketing displays, especially store windows, are art forms. The best combine things that seemingly go oddly together.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 18, 20092:54 pm

Spotted: Vivienne Tam Netbook

Here are a few things that go oddly together: A Mexican vacationer, Coronado Public Library and designer netbook. This picture tells a story.

Yesterday, I took my daughter over to Coronado High School, where, in other circumstances, she would attend. But we don’t live in Coronado, and San Diego School District is rumored to be resistant to transfers. We’re late trying to get in, too.

News Media by Joe WilcoxJul 18, 20092:54 am

The Michael Arrington Matter

There is quite the ethics flap going on over the last 72 hours or so about TechCrunch’s handling of leaked Twitter documents.

Looming questions: Is Michael Arrington wrong to distribute any of the leaked material, which a hacker stole? Is the posting of the documentation unconscionable? Is there journalistic excuse, or justification for it?

Society by Joe WilcoxJul 10, 200912:31 am

‘RE:Invention’

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8922u9f4MU] Ten-minute documentary “RE:Invention” captures some of the spirit I hope to convey at this website. I lost my job on April 30, 2009. While there is demand for the kind of analysis […]

Apple by Joe WilcoxJul 2, 20092:01 pm

It’s Not the Myth, But the Fight Over the Man

Oh my, Decoding Steve Jobs: Trust the Art, Not the Artist” is shit hitting the fan. Today, for some strange reason. Steve has got to be one of the most controversial chief executives of modern times. Beloved by the Mac faithful, praised by Wall Street analysts and cursed by many others, he is Mr. Love Him or Hate Him.