The Ten Month Beat

An account of the ten months at the graduate school of journalism for the class of 2006.

1.26.2006

Don't let James Fr(e)y!



Is anyone else concerned after watching Oprah today that James Frey might join his girlfriend "Lilly" and commit suicide soon? I'm just saying, the poor guy (well, the poor rich guy) looked so depressed and zoned out I swear he was counting pills in his head.

I'm not defending what he did (which by my accounts is called LYING not "embellishing") but I feel bad for him. I mean, Oprah basically yelled at him on national television! And unlike some people, Oprah never yells! If you've been called out by Oprah you KNOW you've done wrong.

If he does indeed end his own life, does this count as irony? And more importantly, will anyone believe that he's dead?

I'm thinking of making "Save James" t-shirts. Who's with me?

1.24.2006

A research group has compiled a list of the most popular brand references or "shout-outs" in mainstream music this past year. They're calling it "American Brandstand." Clever, no?

Not surprisingly, 50 Cent leads the pack after rhyming about everything from Bentleys to Bacardi. It gives a whole new meaning to hip-hop going commercial eh? Check out the list here.

Exciting New Publishing Technology

Introducing the new Bio-Optic Organized Knowledge device, trade named: BOOK

BOOK is a revolutionary breakthrough in technology: no wires, no
electric circuits, no batteries, nothing to be connected or switched
on. It's so easy to use, even a child can operate it.

Compact and portable, it can be used anywhere -- even sitting in an
armchair by the fire -- yet it is powerful enough to hold as much
information as a DVD. Here's how it works:

BOOK is constructed of sequentially numbered sheets of paper
(recyclable), each capable of holding thousands of bits of
information. The pages are locked together with a custom-fit device
called a binder, which keeps the sheets in their correct sequence.

Opaque Paper Technology (OPT) allows manufacturers to use both sides
of the sheet, doubling the information density and cutting costs.
Experts are divided on the prospects for further increases in
information density; for now, BOOKs with more information simply use
more pages.

Each sheet is scanned optically, registering information directly
into your brain. A flick of the finger takes you to the next sheet.
BOOK may be taken up at any time and used merely by opening it.

Unlike other display devices, BOOK never crashes or requires
rebooting and it can even be dropped on the floor or stepped on
without damage.

However, it can become unusable if immersed in water for a
significant period of time. The "browse" feature allows you to move
instantly to any sheet and move forward or backward as you wish.

Many come with an "index" feature, which pinpoints the exact location
of selected information for instant retrieval.

An optional "BOOKmark" accessory allows you to open BOOK to the exact
place you left it in a previous session -- even if the BOOK has been
closed. BOOKmarks fit universal design standards; thus, a single
BOOKmark can be used in BOOKs by various manufacturers. Conversely,
numerous BOOKmarkers can be used in a single BOOK if the user wants to
store numerous views at once. The number is limited only by the number
of pages in the BOOK.

You can also make personal notes next to BOOK text entries with an
optional programming tool, the Portable Erasable Nib Cryptic
Intercommunication Language Stylus (PENCILS).

Portable, durable, and affordable, BOOK is being hailed as a
precursor of a new entertainment wave. Also, BOOK's appeal seems so
certain that thousands of content creators have committed to the
platform and investors are reportedly flocking. Look for a flood of
new titles soon.

1.23.2006

Follow-up on Critical Issues

Who remembers that lovely "Food Lion" exposé we watched in critical issues? Not to mention the ensueing debate...

Anyways, 15 (or was it 20) years later, MSNBC does something similar. The results, however, are not quite the same. Make sure you check out the results.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10976595/

PS - Am I the only one who had never heard of Food Lion before that class???