Pulp Media by Joe WilcoxAug 4, 20125:36 pm

Canadian Strife along 'The Border'

I grew up watching Canadian TV from the CBC station across the St. John River in New Brunswick. Programs like “The Beachcombers”, “The Friendly Giant”, “Mr. Dressup” and “North of 60”, among many others, delighted. In 1995, my wife, daughter and I moved home to Maine for 18 months, and my daughter watched “Big Comfy Couch” before its stateside debut. Many successful American TV shows were produced in Canada, such as “Battlestar Galactica” and “X-Files” and many HGTV programs.

The Canadian shows have a much different tone than their American counterparts that reminds of British TV. Well, they’re both part of the Commonwealth, eh. Yesterday I discovered CBC drama “The Border” on Netflix and have since streamed four episodes. I like it so far.

Living by Joe WilcoxAug 2, 20122:55 pm

I'll Be Back

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 […]

Journalism by Joe WilcoxJul 30, 20121:42 pm

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 […]

Uncategorized by Joe WilcoxJul 22, 20128:29 am

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?

Events by Joe WilcoxJul 15, 20122:15 pm

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 […]

Events by Joe WilcoxJul 14, 20124:33 pm

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.

Events by Joe WilcoxJul 14, 20123:37 pm

Role Reversal

Comic-Con 2012.

Events by Joe WilcoxJul 13, 20123:20 pm

Highlands Stormtrooper

Only at Comic-Con.

Events by Joe WilcoxJul 12, 20124:27 pm

Nerd Wear

Comic-Con 2012 bags.

Society by Joe WilcoxJun 23, 20122:23 pm

'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.

Journalism by Joe WilcoxJun 20, 201210:47 am

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.

Living by Joe WilcoxMay 27, 20124:56 pm

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, […]