- Roman Mars
Hello, it's Sunday evening as I write this. Maybe you noticed the large storm we had this afternoon? Apparently it started just as most of the day's events came to a close, so that's good news.
Yesterday temperatures hit something like 22, likely a last stab at summer weather before fall fully settles in. I went with some friends to Hixon Falls south of town and spent the afternoon throwing rocks at a log, which is a good way to spend an afternoon if you're able to. I also climbed to the falls and took a bit of a spill on the way down, but came out relatively unscathed.
Today I spent the morning today at the SPCA Paws For A Cause fundraiser, helping man the Ferrets North booth. Lots of people came out, and a few expressed interest in being new fosters which is great news because we are running short at the moment. If you're interested, learn more at ferretsnorth.org. And to help convince you, here's a picture of the always-photogenic Smudge:
But aside from that I've spent a lot of time today thinking about the radio. There's a lot of disjointed thoughts there that I want to develop, but right now I'm struck by how I'm drawn to the more personal versions of the form. Shows like 99% Invisibleand Wiretap and Theory of Everything all have very distinct characters, and feel like they are created to serve the needs of the people who make them as much or more than to serve the needs of an audience. I know that the stories I've enjoyed the most are the ones that served to satisfy my own curiousity- but it's not something I do as often as I like. I'm not sure exactly how you do something instensely personal on a regular basis within the confines of a drivetime morning information show, or even if you can, but I'm definitely going to be paying attention for it.
On the work front, it was a good week, not least because I managed to make a lot of changes to the web presence of Daybreak North that I've been wanting to for quite a while. I have a box to work with at the top of the individual show page template, and I decided to use it to showcase the two things that I think people want from a daily radio show's website: how do I listen live when it's on, and how do I listen to what I missed? So that's what I've put front and center:
There's also a highlights podcast now. You can find all of it atcbc.ca/daybreaknorth.
Writing:
I did three posts this week. The most popular was called "How many trees did you cut today?" and was something of a manifesto as to why I am attracted to living in Prince George as much as I am, and I'm glad it resonated. The other two were "Delegation" and "Thinking In The Open".
What I'm Thinking About:
I seem to be thinking a lot about networks and relationships lately. Fortunately so are some very smart people.
"Why Twitter Should Not Algorithmically Curate the Timeline"
A continuation of the stuff I was thinking about last week that has to do with how much power Facebook, Twitter and Google have over what we see and who we connect with. I fear Twitter doing this, as well- one of the reasons it works better for me than Facebook right now is that it's straightforward- you see the latest tweets, in reverse-chronological. Facebook's mess of sometimes-you-see-it-sometimes-you-don't just feels like you're being gamed. And, really, you are.
"How To Build An Audience Online"
Also related. Now that people don't have to buy newspapers full of news in order to get the horoscopes and celebrity gossip, algorithms follow the clicks, and so quizzes and listicles dominate. But what if algorithms catering to the 80% of casual readers were flipped to cater towards the 20% of hardcore fans? What would change?
"From the Porch To The Street"
The always worthwhile Frank Chimero muses more eloquently than I could on the subject of social networks becoming more and more mainstreamed. Facebook used to be for just my friends, Twitter used to be just a few early-adopter nerds. Now there's less conversation, more broadcasting, and something is lost.
"What It Feels Like To Be The Last Generation To Remember Life Before the Internet"
I sometimes joke that my wife and I were the last two people to meet each other before you could scope out Facebook profiles prior to a first date, but it's actually not far from being true. I remember a time when you had to read album reviews in monthly magazines and then carefully choose which album you wanted to buy. I remember having to make plans to meet somewhere without being able to change it/check in at the last minute. There are now adults- full-grown adults- who don't have these sorts of memories.
"Videogames, Misogyny and Terrorism" and its companion piece "Why I Feel Bad For- And Understand- The Angry #GamerGate Gamers"
Tweets Out-Of-Context:
MUST VIST MT @northwestism Besides the Dreamland arts centre another Prince George hotspot I visited is the Industrial Poetry Service #
"Things that you think could be good are scarier because you feel like you're going to fall down." Yep. http://bit.ly/1no9BdB @taperadio #
Today's, and every day's, lesson is: the internet is less safe if you are a woman and/or non-white. Much like real life. #
My wife is excellent at making pie, but she hates eating it. It is a gift and a curse. For both of us. #
Snapchat like whoa. #
Tinder is the only thing that makes me jealous of single people. Something about being able to pass judgment with the swipe of a thumb. #
My dog dug a hole out of our yard so he's not allowed out but he keeps telling me he is and I keep believing him I'm getting fooled by a dog #
Imagine if I cared about baseball. #
Sometimes I wish I could pause time just to listen to all my favorite songs. #
My Jams:
"Sweet Disarray" by Dan Croll
Sleepy Sunday sounds.
"One Time" by Marian Croll
Those horn hits.
"Hickory" by Kool A.D. feat. Talib Kweli and Boots Riley
Got my backpack on.
"One Night In Bangkok" by Murry Head
I keep discovering new reasons the ABBA guys should be considered among the top ten songwriters of the 20th century.
My 'Grams:
stormy weather
Vine of the Week:
teachers on strike by bike