What makes for good, readable news?
There's the hard news, the "current events" that tell us how the rest of the world is fending off this political-issue, that economic-crisis, or some weather/climate induced disaster. Then, there's the "other news," perhaps what we'll refer to as the "lifestyle news." The odd bits of information that aren't shocking and mind-blowing, but they're relevant to certain groups based on their personal interests.
Stuff like how the entree is going extinct in modern dining (interesting to foodies and dining elitists), how a woman got 26 needles embedded in a her body (a personal favorite), or how the Writer's Guild of America West is still taking on LA's big studios (important to anyone who watches American television or sitcoms on a normal basis).
Any of those pieces, while interesting to me, have been critiqued for their frivolity. In fact, it was posited that I enjoy "pedantic" news. The implication being that I don't enjoy good news? So I've been considering it, what exactly makes for good news?
Is it all just subjective? Or is good news the well written news? You know, the pieces with the journalistic quality that make it worth reading? For instance, if Hemingway were alive and he popped out an Op-Ed column on drunk and disorderly conduct in America (a serious societal commentary piece), is that good news or just interesting news?
Is how widespread the effect of that news piece is what makes it important? Disasters in Southeast Asia that wipe out homes and businesses are more important than how Harvard is making financial aid more available, right? Or are they both of equal importance? They both change how people live, but one "significantly" more than the other. Is degrees of significance in overall impact on people's lives what makes the difference in what should be read and what shouldn't be read?
I'm honestly curious, so please, throw out your comments and thoughts (if anyone still reads this given my extended hiatus while traveling). I've opened up anonymous commentary too, so even if you don't have a google/blogger account feel free to respond.
In other upcoming blog updates, perhaps a Christmas story of some kind? Ho, ho, ho and all that jolliness, keep your internet stockings prepped for that little nugget of fun!
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1 comment:
I think this actually applies to all forms of art and entertainment. Do you go watch movies like "Crank", fully aware that it's just going to be senseless violence wrapped with slapstick humor, holding no "artistic merit" at all?
I think the biggest issue these days is people are so conservative in their views, believing that news that panders to our more empathetic sides in regards to either health, finance, or politics is the only news worthy of reading that they forget that these pompous overtones just mask the fact that life is never as simple as seeking the most elite journalism. Inane reportings , such as the man in France who nearly drank himself to death in an airport, are what comprise the basis of our wildest creative talents. My 2 cents anyway.
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