The Phoenix Network:
 
 
About  |  Advertise
Adult  |  Moonsigns  |  Band Guide  |  Blogs  |  In Pictures
 

Tote Board Column -- 1/17 -- "Net Results"

    This week's Tote Board column looks at how internet punditry has made political reporting not better, but far worse.

Filed Under:
  • Share:
  • Share this entry with Facebook
  • Share this entry with Digg
  • Share this entry with Delicious
  • Email this article to a friend
  • Print this article

1 Comments

  • LorenzoJennifer said:

    Very good point in comparing today's trawling of the 'Net to yesterday's throwing the cable.  Came across a real jazzy word years ago - "reification" - referring to how language is used to construct an abstract reality.  Internet pundits seem more than ever to speak of events that exist only in their columns or posts.  Lacking is a direct connect to what the heck is actually going on in the real world - not in "cyberspace". Seems that the universe of discourse exists within its own realm. Comments are made about comments in other columns. Aiding and abetting this tendency is the internet not having a sense of real time and concrete place.  Anyone can write anything, anywhere. Time and territory compress and fade into the space of the screen. TV and radio news and comment is based in a studio with some kind of anchor reporter. Me, I rely on communicator credibility. I pay lots more attention on the internet to sources I've read and respected elsewhere such as the daily paper (still my fave), magazines, books, TV and the like.

    Also, "everybody wants to get into the act" to quote Jimmy Durante.  Standing out is one thing, being outstanding another.  The desire to be different, as the Toteboard suggests, inspires a willingness to make semi-true statements much like a fisherman casting his/her rod into the water.  Maybe someone will bite.  If not, change the baited remark.

    BTW - Had heard Bob Hope's remark before 'cept it was George Burns and he used his pal Eddie Cantor as an example.

    January 17, 2008 8:55 AM

Leave a Comment

Login | Not a member yet? Click here to Join
Follow the Boston Phoenix
twitter facebook myspace youtube rss
All Blogs
Filed Under:
Related Articles

080808_memoLIST
Boston Phoenix
Beijing sting
Published 8/6/2008 by JAMES PARKER
Exposed: A top-secret government memorandum, obtained this past week by the Phoenix, gives the games away

Boston Phoenix
Tote Board Column -- 1/17 -- "Net Results"
Published 1/17/2008 by Importer
    This week's Tote Board column looks at how internet punditry has made political reporting not better, but far worse.

more by webteam
Bald bears baffle Bavarians* | November 06, 2009
PODCAST: John Irving at the Coolidge [MP3] | November 05, 2009
DOWNLOAD: Augusten Burroughs Q&A and audio excerpt [MP3] | November 03, 2009
10 games that shouldn't have scared us, but did | October 30, 2009
Build a Better Halloween Party: 20 Creepy Video Clips | October 28, 2009

 See all articles by: webteam

ADVERTISEMENT
Latest Comments
Totten prosecutor: no vendetta - Don't know what you find "creepy" or "kangaroo" about a union or any other organization...

By Anon on 12-04-2009 in Dont Quote Me

Totten prosecutor: no vendetta - I have to admit- the whole idea of someone being tried in a private kangaroo court is pretty creepy....

By Farnkoff on 12-04-2009 in Dont Quote Me

Confirmation Of Contradiction - The variation in the margin might also come from how the ballot test question was worded. Were respondents...

By PollTalk on 12-04-2009 in Talking Politics

City Council Forums - Наш сайт - самый легкий и быстрый способ найти партнера, имеющего схожие с вашими сексуальные предпочтения...

By Merbactibrape on 12-04-2009 in Talking Politics

Recommended reading: Charlie Pierce on Tiger Woods - Mike Hunt's Q&A Session: Q: What is only way Tiger will get thru this? A: Tiger will have to go on...

By Mike Hunt on 12-03-2009 in Dont Quote Me

Latest Comments from Stark Ravings
Most Viewed
Ticket On-Sale Alert: Harry and the Potters, Mario, Passion Pit, The Lion King, more
VIDEO: Halloween Mash UP
Mp3 of the Week: American Hi-Fi (with bonus Stacy Jones Q&A)
CLICK TRACKS: Music News Roundup (Walken' on Gaga, Weezer in Snuggies, Bono straddles the Berlin Wall, and more)
Ugh, ugh, ugh: Drummer Gerhardt "Jerry" Fuchs (!!!/Turing Machine/Maserati/Juan Maclean) dead at 34
VIDEO: Girls play Great Scott
Come Support Boston MC, Victim of Gun Violence, Tomorrow (Wednesday) Night at Red Sky
Most Viewed from Stark Ravings
Search Blogs
 
Stark Ravings Archives
Friday, December 04, 2009  |  Sign In  |  Register
 
TODAY'S FEATURED ADVERTISERS
thePhoenix.com
Phoenix Media/Communications Group
Copyright © 2009 The Phoenix Media/Communications Group