“Missourian puts copy editors in charge of social networking”

Written in response to: http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/media-lab/social-media/113174/missourian-puts-copy-editors-in-charge-of-social-networking/

By Damon Kiesow

2.28.20111 (For Penn State University Journalism class)

            I continue to be interested in the ways copy editors are adapting to the increased usage of online sources for newsgathering purposes. This article discusses one paper’s attempt at gearing the focus of copy editors to the new realm of social networking. For this paper, the student-run staff has refocused their attention and reevaluated their priorities from print to web. Their main focuses now are online presentation and engagement.

            The importance of this article is that it again points out that the most successful online news sources are the ones that understand the concept of being interactive with their readership. It also points out the importance of getting news out quickly but still making sure the information is accurate. Making sure to engage the readers is an important task for these copy editors because the online news community is all about the constant conversation between the readers and the authors. At this paper, the copy editors are in charge of maintaining that engagement, and fostering an environment where comments are encouraged and where staff members respond.

            Since the paper is still working on creating a print version as well, there is a smaller team of editors and designers that develop the print paper based off of information that has already been published online. This shows that it is very clear the online publication is more important to them at this point than the print version. It’s almost as if the print version of their publication is more of an after thought to the online content.

            I’m really impressed that they assigned the duties of watching the comment boards to members of their staff. That way it’s not just the responsibility of the author to keep checking back on the comments, but other members of the staff are watching and providing their own feedback as well. This brings together the entire community of readers and staff and generates a well-rounded conversation than just the one author and the few comments from the readers.

“AEJMC: Social Media in the Classroom”

Written in response to: http://aejmc.blogspot.com/2010/05/social-media-and-copy-editing.html

Coursework for Penn State University Journalism class

2.22.2011

            With the advancements in technology and the recent increase in popularity of social media, copy editors are finding new challenges in their line of work. One way that social media is changing the world of copy editing is in the classroom. In this case, social media is becoming a convenient and widely accepted means for receiving and sharing news. Many businesses and news sources are embracing social media and online news blogs in order to break news faster and therefore keep up in the fast paced world we live in now. With this increased speed in reporting, emphasis on copy editing proficiency is vital.

            Associate Professor at Howard University Yanick Lamb notes that they are “placing a greater emphasis on Interactive Editing” for print news sources as well as those who use the Internet. A great point is made that it’s still imperative to emphasize the importance of high journalistic standards to keep students away from the glamour of the speediness that can surround breaking a story via twitter. Quality should not be sacrificed at the expense of being the first to report something.

            The teachings from this article can be applied to students who aren’t interested in going the route of Copy Editor because better journalists stem from a solid foundation of self-editing skills. Speaking from experience (I write for OnwardState.com) I can attest to this fact: often times I am responsible for writing my own headlines and excerpts, and it’s always expected that our posts are to be well-written – specifically the later you submit a post the cleaner it should be as to make less work for the editors.

            One point from the article I really connected with was when the author writers that journalism is a “two-way conversation with readers”. I thought this was a great point to make, especially if a journalist wants to be successful, because it encourages the interactive side of providing news. A story doesn’t die once it is reported – there’s always something more to follow up with whether it be a response from a reader or more information after the fact. With the increase of social media and online conversations, journalists and editors can create and maintain relationships with their readerships through actual back and forth dialogue. Some of the examples from the article such as StumbleUpon, Reddit, Twitter, and YouTube are proven means for disseminating information, especially to the younger upcoming generations. One client that wasn’t mentioned in the article is Yammer. This is an online forum that businesses or organizations can use that looks similar to a stream of Facebook updates – but members can only be invited to join. Within these communities the organizations can form groups, generate different feeds depending on topics, designate positions, private message each other, and overall form an online newsroom (which is what we do at OnwardState).

            The author says that Twitter helps students focus on the main point of a story because a tweet can only consist of 140 characters. This helps writers and editors realize the point of a story, and allows them to make it in a more concise manner. Examples from the New York Times, Washington Post, and Heart & Soul magazine show how these organizations utilize the culture of twitter to spread their information. The article then goes on to provide examples of different exercises teachers can do to help students realize how they can utilize different social media tools for journalistic purposes.  

I should write more

6/3/2010

Ever been to an aquarium?  You know how you can go down below the surface level of the fish tanks and look in at all the wildlife living in the water?  The fish are swimming in their schools, you see a couple different types of sharks, some manta rays, any type of random species that would exist in that ecosystem you can find it that water.   It’s really dark down there – the only light comes from strategically placed lights to create some ambience (and safe pathways to the EXIT signs), and whatever light shines through from the water.  Everything seems to be tinted blue, which highlights and enriches the colors of the creatures you’re observing. 

Now that I’ve set the scene – can you remember seeing the little kids in that area? The one who has his whole body smashed up against the glass so he can see every possible angle and edge of the tank.  His eyes are bigger than you thought eyes could be, looking from fish – to coral reef – to bubbles – to the random guy in a wet suit swimming around making sure everything’s alright.  To everyone else the kid’s grimy hands are greasing up the glass, but to him they’re helping him literally grasp the world he’s seeing.

Think about the innocence in that kid’s curiosity.  He just wants to take it all in.  He’s not paying attention to the chaperone or whatever adult figure is nagging him to move on to the next room.  He can’t hear the baby crying 5 feet away.  He doesn’t care that the other kids in the room are complaining about wanting to eat their PB&J sandwiches.  All he’s focused on is watching that fish – the fish whose colors are so bright it seems like it’s being lit from inside his gut by a light bulb.  The eye-catching fish is just swimming around, doing his thing.  He’s not swimming with his fish buddies, he’s not scampering from the bigger fish in the sea, he’s not bothering the coral or the low life in the tank: just swimming around. 

The fish is the eyes for the kid on the other side of the glass.  The kid can’t see what’s behind that reef over there, but the fish can.  So the kid keeps his eyes locked (no blinking!) on the fish.

Tunes

Laura Marling "New Romantic"

Mat Kearney "Dancing In The Dark" (Cover)

She & Him "Oh Boy"

Tune Therapy

I do music. I can't tell you how much of each day I spend listening to it, or how I feel without it. I looove love love YouTube for taking me through all of these songs recently. Nothing makes me happier than musical suggestions so send your recommendations my way, and you will officially move up on my Favorite People List.

"I am the captain of my soul"

Invictus

"Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul."

William Ernest Henley

100 Foods To Eat Before You Die

I found this list from The Daily Dish and thought it was something worth checking out and attempting! I'm known to favor traditionally boring American foods such as cheeseburgers, pizza, fries, and mac and cheese, so I'm trying to expand my pallet as I grow up! I think it will be fun to have some food-oriented goals to achieve in the future! As of today I scored 32/100! I'll have to start thinking of things I have eaten that would be good additions to this list for others to try out. Bon appétit!

1. Abalone

2. Absinthe

3. Alligator

4. Baba Ghanoush

5. Bagel & Lox

6. Baklava

7. BBQ Ribs

8. Bellini

9. Birds Nest Soup

10. Biscuits & Gravy

11. Black Pudding

12. Black Truffle

13. Borscht

14. Calamari

15. Carp

16. Caviar

17. Cheese Fondue

18. Chicken & Waffles - this always seemed a bizarre mix to me

19. Chicken Tikka Masala

20. Chile Relleno (shocking!)

21. Chitlins

22. Churros

23. Clam Chowder

24. Cognac

25. Crab Cakes

26. Crickets

27. Currywurst

28. Dandelion Wine

29. Dulce De Leche

30. Durian

31. Eel

32. Eggs Benedict

33. Fish Tacos

34. Foie Gras

35. Fresh Spring Rolls

36. Fried Catfish

37. Fried Green Tomatoes

38. Fried Plantain

39. Frito Pie so good for tailgates or summer parties!

40. Frogs' Legs

41. Fugu

42. Funnel Cake

43. Gazpacho (Believe it or not, I have not)

44. Goat

45. Goat's Milk - I'd be willing to add Goat Cheese here too!

46. Goulash

47. Gumbo

48. Haggis

49. Head Cheese

50. Heirloom Tomatoes

51. Honeycomb

52. Hostess Fruit Pie

53. Huevos Rancheros

54. Jerk Chicken

55. Kangaroo

56. Key Lime Pie

57. Kobe Beef

58. Lassi

59. Lobster

60. Mimosa

61. Moon Pie

62. Morel Mushrooms

63. Nettle Tea

64. Octopus

65. Oxtail Soup

66. Paella

67. Paneer

68. Pastrami on Rye

69. Pavlova

70. Phaal

71. Philly Cheese Steak

72. Pho

73. Pineapple & Cottage Cheese (mixing fruit and cottage cheese is always delicious!)

74. Pistachio Ice Cream

75. Po' Boy

76. Pocky

77. Polenta

78. Prickly Pear

79. Rabbit Stew

80. Raw Oysters My family loves oysters! Raw and in soup!

81. Root Beer Float

82. S'mores

83. Sauerkraut

84. Sea Urchin

85. Shark

86. Snail

87. Snake

88. Soft Shell Crab

89. Som Tam

90. Spaetzle

91. Spam

92. Squirrel

93. Steak Tartare

94. Sweet Potato Fries

95. Sweetbreads

96. Tom Yum

97. Umeboshi

98. Venison

99. Wasabi Peas

100. Zucchini Flowers