Xark!

Suits

Rare occurrence: This morning I read something by Seth Godin and it went down funny. Not the point (if you're making something, ask, "What does this remind you of?" and then make sure the answer is something good), but the example:

Meet someone at a conference who is dressed perfectly, with shined shoes and a great suit (but not trying too hard) and you're inclined to trust and respect him... because he reminds you of someone in a similar situation who was trustworthy.

My flash reaction? The complete opposite. Perfect dress, shined shoes and a great suit put my defenses on high alert.

The Slippery Slope to Socialism

Complaint I hear most commonly now about Obama? He's a socialist.

Well, that's progress. It used to be that Republicans insulted Democrats and scared off independent voters by calling presidential candidates "liberal." Now that the L-Word has lost much of its stigma, it's time to go to the next level on the leftie Threatdown.

But here's the question that struck me this summer: Why NOT consider socialism in some form?

10 reasons why newspapers won't reinvent news

Earlier this week, John Robinson -- a newspaper editor whom I respect greatly -- responded to my pessimistic assessment of the Spokane massacre with this optimistic conclusion: "I believe in the infinite possibilities of reinvention."

So do I. But here lies the rub: I no longer believe that (non-national) metro newspapers will play a significant role in the reinvention of the press in its 21st century configuration.

That's a radical change from what I believed in 2005-06, but the abject failure of our industry to act   upon what it knew then (thanks in large part to John and a few other pioneers) portends doom for most American metro papers now. The chance to act with foresight in advance of the coming wave came and went, and now these once-proud press flagships are swamped, broken and sinking.

In other words, the industry is already in the midst of an interregnum, most metro newspapers will not survive it, and those that reach the other side will bear scant resemblance to their 2008 ancestors.

Reinvention is coming, but here are 10 reasons why we shouldn't expect the newspaper industry to lead it:

Run out the clock

Obama supporters have to be cautious to the point of Mexican-junky-Cubs-fan-pessimism to avoid this morning's obvious conclusion:  Our candidate is walking away with the significant measures, and McCain gained no ground last night.

But I think Democrats are wise to remain alert. Regardless of what you think of McCain, his party contains some people who simply don't like to lose, and changing the game is now their only hope.

Why be vigilant? Because the history of political polling and race is reason alone to doubt the numbers we're seeing today. And because of Florida in 2000. And Ohio in 2004.

America's mainstream media (for reasons that go far beyond the scope of this post) doesn't like to talk about those stolen elections in polite company. That left it to Democratic political operative (and Not-My-Favorite-Human-Being) James Carville last night to acknowledge everyone's unspoken fear of yet another voter-thwarting GOP election fraud:

But you stop and contemplate this country if Obama goes in and he has a consistent five point lead and loses the election, it would be very, very, very dramatic out there.

That's putting it mildly. So let's keep our focus, boost our electoral margins beyond their ability to tamper with them and run out the clock on the last ugly days of the Bush era.

Xark's new banner

Xark's been due an update for a while now, and Job No. 1 was coming up with a new banner and logo.

How many of the 91 92 people and characters represented in the banner do YOU recognize?

Forgotten Options

On Monday evening, I attended a forum entitled “U.S. Presidential Debate—The Alternatives” at Vanderbilt University.  The debate (seen here), moderated by my colleague Bruce Barry, had issued invitations to the Democratic and Republican candidates, as well as all third party ticket nominees.  Obama and McCain, of course, declined the invitation, as did Libertarian Bob Barr and Ralph Nader.  I’m assuming the latter two declined with the idea that such a debate would make them appear “marginal” to the election process. 

The candidates who did appear included Brad Lyttle of the U.S. Pacifist Party, Charles Jay of the Boston Tea Party, Gloria LaRiva of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Darrell Castle of the Constitution Party, Frank McEnulty of the New American Independent Party and Brian Moore of the Socialist Party.  Each of these was the Presidential candidate for their party, save Castle who is on the ticket as vice-President. 

Drum roll, please!

I am happy to announce the exciting new addition of xarkgirl to the xark family of blogs. To all my fans (both of you!) I will not be ditching xark, but xarkgirl will be a little more personal and a little more girly. I am looking forward to adding more authors as I get going and I welcome everyone's participation. Love you, mean it!

Notes to my son

Years ago, I recall being at a friend's house and finding a little book that was filled with advice from a father to his son, upon the latter's departure to college.  While I can't recall the name of the book, it seemed to show up all over the place (I'm sure one of you will remember the name). 

At any rate, I thought the book was a great idea, so I did what might seem counterintuitive.  I put it down and did not read it.  Here was my thought:  someday, I'm going to send my own son off to school, and I'd like to develop some advice of my own to send him, and I would like that to be "fresh" advice.  Since he went off this year, I have sent him one email each day of thoughts/ideas.  I'm sure he finds some of it useful, some of it trite, and some of it ridiculous. 

I'm sharing the first 25 from this list here on XARK:

The revolution is here

I've been wanting to post for a while, on a hundred different topics, including sexism and the renewed opportunity for us to move past generic, superficial dalliances with its impact and pervasiveness. Add racism to that. 

I want to speak about economic misery and the proven-to-be-untrue mantra that if you work hard you will get ahead. At 46, with an exemplary record of work and accomplishments behind me, I am watching my career  investment and sacrifice drift into meaningless triviality. A slate wiped clean of any real success in terms of respect for my contributions, the perks of seniority, and worse, the financial rewards I was sure would come.

The skills I have gained are losing relevance. I shoe horses in a post-Ford  world.  I'm worried about where to go from here, what to learn, how to proceed.  I'm not afraid of a new direction, but no one knows which way to turn. The compass of media is spinning wildly.

I want to write the details of thousands of dollars in dental work I cannot afford. The confusing labyrinth of  my son's illness. The worry that we will not be able to pay for college and health care and the middle-class life to which we have become accustomed.

But each time I sent down, the threads of my concerns weave a chaotic, warped cloth that I can't bring myself to publish. Too long, too ranting, too angry.

And yet, thought the short-term looks ugly, I am more optimistic than I have ever been. Here's why:

Is it just me?

I think the MSNBC logo is a little unfortunate ... And it makes me hungry.