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The Story of Alabama’s Three Largest Newspapers | Amy Soverow | TEDxTuscaloosa


[Music]

[Music] I want to say that I realize we have

I want to say that I realize we have

I want to say that I realize we have these papers technically still being

these papers technically still being

these papers technically still being published so when I talk about them

published so when I talk about them

published so when I talk about them being vanished I fully realize they’re

being vanished I fully realize they’re

being vanished I fully realize they’re small copies floating around okay I’m

small copies floating around okay I’m

small copies floating around okay I’m talking about the seven-day-a-week big

talking about the seven-day-a-week big

talking about the seven-day-a-week big thick one okay that one because this is

thick one okay that one because this is

thick one okay that one because this is what happened down the digital click

what happened down the digital click

what happened down the digital click hole click click click

hole click click click

hole click click click goodbye papers right I’m a class this is

goodbye papers right I’m a class this is

goodbye papers right I’m a class this is my media life now this photo is a

my media life now this photo is a

my media life now this photo is a project by Birmingham photographer

project by Birmingham photographer

project by Birmingham photographer charity ponter where she photographs

charity ponter where she photographs

charity ponter where she photographs artists dream selves and so if you go to

artists dream selves and so if you go to

artists dream selves and so if you go to charity you can have yourself

charity you can have yourself

charity you can have yourself photographed however you like and I

photographed however you like and I

photographed however you like and I really like that idea of about dreams

really like that idea of about dreams

really like that idea of about dreams but it got me to thinking about my media

but it got me to thinking about my media

but it got me to thinking about my media life and what media was like in the in

life and what media was like in the in

life and what media was like in the in the 18th and 19th century and that got

the 18th and 19th century and that got

the 18th and 19th century and that got me to thinking of how different things

me to thinking of how different things

me to thinking of how different things are today for example it was possible to

are today for example it was possible to

are today for example it was possible to hold things with each hand because you

hold things with each hand because you

hold things with each hand because you didn’t have a cell phone in one write

didn’t have a cell phone in one write

didn’t have a cell phone in one write this image in charity is 28 this image

this image in charity is 28 this image

this image in charity is 28 this image is actually bound for a book it’s not an

is actually bound for a book it’s not an

is actually bound for a book it’s not an electronic form like you see it here

electronic form like you see it here

electronic form like you see it here today but she’s her second book so I’m

today but she’s her second book so I’m

today but she’s her second book so I’m very much working with artists who

very much working with artists who

very much working with artists who believe in the print media you know 30

believe in the print media you know 30

believe in the print media you know 30 years ago media and communication would

years ago media and communication would

years ago media and communication would have been very different if I had been

have been very different if I had been

have been very different if I had been speaking with you we would just be here

speaking with you we would just be here

speaking with you we would just be here in this room right I’d like you to try

in this room right I’d like you to try

in this room right I’d like you to try to consider that possibility we would be

to consider that possibility we would be

to consider that possibility we would be gathered as a group to listen to ideas

gathered as a group to listen to ideas

gathered as a group to listen to ideas no cell phone no internet no 24/7 news

no cell phone no internet no 24/7 news

no cell phone no internet no 24/7 news hole or anything just us sharing ideas

hole or anything just us sharing ideas

hole or anything just us sharing ideas and you would be totally present here

and you would be totally present here

and you would be totally present here with me and I would have the opportunity

with me and I would have the opportunity

with me and I would have the opportunity to earn your attention but in the only

to earn your attention but in the only

to earn your attention but in the only way we could communicate outside the

way we could communicate outside the

way we could communicate outside the room be with phone or in that would be

room be with phone or in that would be

room be with phone or in that would be like have a cord phone right or send a

like have a cord phone right or send a

like have a cord phone right or send a note out and if you wanted photographs

note out and if you wanted photographs

note out and if you wanted photographs of it I mean you’d have to wait weeks I

of it I mean you’d have to wait weeks I

of it I mean you’d have to wait weeks I just want to bring that context of what

just want to bring that context of what

just want to bring that context of what communication was for thousands of years

communication was for thousands of years

communication was for thousands of years because it’s going to give you an idea

because it’s going to give you an idea

because it’s going to give you an idea of what we lost in Birmingham mobile and

of what we lost in Birmingham mobile and

of what we lost in Birmingham mobile and Huntsville when we lost the paper and

Huntsville when we lost the paper and

Huntsville when we lost the paper and you know how print media is different

you know how print media is different

you know how print media is different when you’re ready to to

when you’re ready to to

when you’re ready to to except information and that’s why it

except information and that’s why it

except information and that’s why it perform has the bedrock for Alabama’s

perform has the bedrock for Alabama’s

perform has the bedrock for Alabama’s information streams telling the stories

information streams telling the stories

information streams telling the stories of the vanishing newspapers and yes I

of the vanishing newspapers and yes I

of the vanishing newspapers and yes I said that vanishing newspapers in

said that vanishing newspapers in

said that vanishing newspapers in Alabama is very important its PAC

Alabama is very important its PAC

Alabama is very important its PAC impacted our state and workforce in a

impacted our state and workforce in a

impacted our state and workforce in a variety of ways that aren’t good you

variety of ways that aren’t good you

variety of ways that aren’t good you know we’ve really decimated our media

know we’ve really decimated our media

know we’ve really decimated our media industry here in my opinion and I find

industry here in my opinion and I find

industry here in my opinion and I find this really interesting I walked by this

this really interesting I walked by this

this really interesting I walked by this when I went to work with the news every

when I went to work with the news every

when I went to work with the news every day I walked by it when I went out for

day I walked by it when I went out for

day I walked by it when I went out for lunch I walked by it when I had meetings

lunch I walked by it when I had meetings

lunch I walked by it when I had meetings and the next photograph you see of me on

and the next photograph you see of me on

and the next photograph you see of me on four stories up from this okay

four stories up from this okay

four stories up from this okay this building now has an insurance

this building now has an insurance

this building now has an insurance company in it I’m going to be started

company in it I’m going to be started

company in it I’m going to be started right so I’m sorry I’ve waited to talk

right so I’m sorry I’ve waited to talk

right so I’m sorry I’ve waited to talk to this I’m from some friends that say

to this I’m from some friends that say

to this I’m from some friends that say just get it out of your system Amy it’s

just get it out of your system Amy it’s

just get it out of your system Amy it’s been five years I’m like come on my

been five years I’m like come on my

been five years I’m like come on my paper back right so the other thing

paper back right so the other thing

paper back right so the other thing we’re going to talk about is what’s

we’re going to talk about is what’s

we’re going to talk about is what’s happened because it’s interesting it

happened because it’s interesting it

happened because it’s interesting it doesn’t say freedom of speech of the

doesn’t say freedom of speech of the

doesn’t say freedom of speech of the press as long as the advertising revenue

press as long as the advertising revenue

press as long as the advertising revenue stream can support it or as long as the

stream can support it or as long as the

stream can support it or as long as the the advance publication chooses to

the advance publication chooses to

the advance publication chooses to publish it it’s technically one of our

publish it it’s technically one of our

publish it it’s technically one of our rides correct so our story remains an

rides correct so our story remains an

rides correct so our story remains an evolving one I believe we lost

evolving one I believe we lost

evolving one I believe we lost irreplaceable community narratives

irreplaceable community narratives

irreplaceable community narratives across the state past present and future

across the state past present and future

across the state past present and future when the newspapers ceased to publish in

when the newspapers ceased to publish in

when the newspapers ceased to publish in Birmingham Mobile in Huntsville in 2012

Birmingham Mobile in Huntsville in 2012

Birmingham Mobile in Huntsville in 2012 but we could also be the first state as

but we could also be the first state as

but we could also be the first state as we all are in a digital era to figure

we all are in a digital era to figure

we all are in a digital era to figure out how to get our print back how do we

out how to get our print back how do we

out how to get our print back how do we get a fundamentally reliable print

get a fundamentally reliable print

get a fundamentally reliable print narrative back into our community

narrative back into our community

narrative back into our community because I believe print should be one of

because I believe print should be one of

because I believe print should be one of my options for informing myself

my options for informing myself

my options for informing myself currently we are swimming in a spaghetti

currently we are swimming in a spaghetti

currently we are swimming in a spaghetti of information streams our opportunity

of information streams our opportunity

of information streams our opportunity here in Alabama is to identify the

here in Alabama is to identify the

here in Alabama is to identify the important ones and figure out how to

important ones and figure out how to

important ones and figure out how to connect ourselves inform ourselves

connect ourselves inform ourselves

connect ourselves inform ourselves become a community but also preserve our

become a community but also preserve our

become a community but also preserve our narrative for future history keep in

narrative for future history keep in

narrative for future history keep in mind that I’m a researcher I’m the geeky

mind that I’m a researcher I’m the geeky

mind that I’m a researcher I’m the geeky people right and the first place we go

people right and the first place we go

people right and the first place we go is the newspaper so five years ago we

is the newspaper so five years ago we

is the newspaper so five years ago we stopped our narrative in Birmingham

stopped our narrative in Birmingham

stopped our narrative in Birmingham Huntsville mobile for people like me so

Huntsville mobile for people like me so

Huntsville mobile for people like me so that’s probably why get really worked up

that’s probably why get really worked up

that’s probably why get really worked up about this anyway I have always loved

about this anyway I have always loved

about this anyway I have always loved reading the newspaper this is my media

reading the newspaper this is my media

reading the newspaper this is my media life seven years ago and this

life seven years ago and this

life seven years ago and this we’re stories up from from the the slide

we’re stories up from from the the slide

we’re stories up from from the the slide I just showed you first minute and we’re

I just showed you first minute and we’re

I just showed you first minute and we’re launching the business section we didn’t

launching the business section we didn’t

launching the business section we didn’t want a lot of wonderful things in 2010

want a lot of wonderful things in 2010

want a lot of wonderful things in 2010 in my opinion but we’re relaunching the

in my opinion but we’re relaunching the

in my opinion but we’re relaunching the business section and I left Fox six for

business section and I left Fox six for

business section and I left Fox six for one reason only I believed in the

one reason only I believed in the

one reason only I believed in the newspaper I saw it in the research I

newspaper I saw it in the research I

newspaper I saw it in the research I knew it informed us and I thought I’m

knew it informed us and I thought I’m

knew it informed us and I thought I’m going to go work for the paper and my

going to go work for the paper and my

going to go work for the paper and my friends at the station are like have you

friends at the station are like have you

friends at the station are like have you lost your mind they’re dead trees and

lost your mind they’re dead trees and

lost your mind they’re dead trees and I’m like I really think that they reach

I’m like I really think that they reach

I’m like I really think that they reach more people than we do so it shocks me

more people than we do so it shocks me

more people than we do so it shocks me that everyone that was in this building

that everyone that was in this building

that everyone that was in this building all the by lines it’s going on I mean

all the by lines it’s going on I mean

all the by lines it’s going on I mean it’s just vanished from downtown

it’s just vanished from downtown

it’s just vanished from downtown Birmingham Alabama is the first state in

Birmingham Alabama is the first state in

Birmingham Alabama is the first state in the nation where this has happened half

the nation where this has happened half

the nation where this has happened half of our population half of our population

of our population half of our population

of our population half of our population more than 2 million people do not have

more than 2 million people do not have

more than 2 million people do not have access to a daily paper Birmingham

access to a daily paper Birmingham

access to a daily paper Birmingham mobile and Huntsville is gone Tuscaloosa

mobile and Huntsville is gone Tuscaloosa

mobile and Huntsville is gone Tuscaloosa News I can see in the pig right so I do

News I can see in the pig right so I do

News I can see in the pig right so I do have access to the Tuscaloosa news in

have access to the Tuscaloosa news in

have access to the Tuscaloosa news in Birmingham so in my opinion half the

Birmingham so in my opinion half the

Birmingham so in my opinion half the population is totally uninformed four

population is totally uninformed four

population is totally uninformed four days of the week in terms of Birmingham

days of the week in terms of Birmingham

days of the week in terms of Birmingham Huntsville and ‘mobile and only slightly

Huntsville and ‘mobile and only slightly

Huntsville and ‘mobile and only slightly inform the other three right so by

inform the other three right so by

inform the other three right so by default and perhaps serendipity Alabama

default and perhaps serendipity Alabama

default and perhaps serendipity Alabama is the first state in the nation to face

is the first state in the nation to face

is the first state in the nation to face this digital to face this digital news

this digital to face this digital news

this digital to face this digital news transition without the newspapers that

transition without the newspapers that

transition without the newspapers that have formed our narratives for hundreds

have formed our narratives for hundreds

have formed our narratives for hundreds of years I mean the Birmingham news have

of years I mean the Birmingham news have

of years I mean the Birmingham news have been writing about Birmingham for 125

been writing about Birmingham for 125

been writing about Birmingham for 125 years when we cease to publish it

years when we cease to publish it

years when we cease to publish it correct right

correct right

correct right so um we’re going to talk about now is

so um we’re going to talk about now is

so um we’re going to talk about now is how important the newspaper is to the

how important the newspaper is to the

how important the newspaper is to the bedrock information stream in any market

bedrock information stream in any market

bedrock information stream in any market and you know I have a lot of friends in

and you know I have a lot of friends in

and you know I have a lot of friends in television and after all this happened

television and after all this happened

television and after all this happened we would go out to lunch and they’re

we would go out to lunch and they’re

we would go out to lunch and they’re like you know we can’t do the news

like you know we can’t do the news

like you know we can’t do the news without the paper and I’m like I didn’t

without the paper and I’m like I didn’t

without the paper and I’m like I didn’t stop publishing it right so I wanted to

stop publishing it right so I wanted to

stop publishing it right so I wanted to talk a little bit about this the daily

talk a little bit about this the daily

talk a little bit about this the daily newspapers in any market feed the

newspapers in any market feed the

newspapers in any market feed the information stream okay because you’ve

information stream okay because you’ve

information stream okay because you’ve got Barnett right covering County you’ve

got Barnett right covering County you’ve

got Barnett right covering County you’ve got the special masters report being

got the special masters report being

got the special masters report being read you’ve got this whole staff of

read you’ve got this whole staff of

read you’ve got this whole staff of people and what happens is that the TV

people and what happens is that the TV

people and what happens is that the TV and radio stations they will pick that

and radio stations they will pick that

and radio stations they will pick that up newspaper people don’t like that

up newspaper people don’t like that

up newspaper people don’t like that right but that’s what happens and then

right but that’s what happens and then

right but that’s what happens and then it gets rebroadcast again and all it is

it gets rebroadcast again and all it is

it gets rebroadcast again and all it is it does is improve the dissemination of

it does is improve the dissemination of

it does is improve the dissemination of a story

a story

a story so what happens when you take your daily

so what happens when you take your daily

so what happens when you take your daily newspaper away okay

newspaper away okay

newspaper away okay so what’s coming out of your information

so what’s coming out of your information

so what’s coming out of your information streams now in Birmingham Oberlin

streams now in Birmingham Oberlin

streams now in Birmingham Oberlin Huntsville and you know it feels like

Huntsville and you know it feels like

Huntsville and you know it feels like that on sometimes in the tape I had to

that on sometimes in the tape I had to

that on sometimes in the tape I had to do to do this I literally had to put my

do to do this I literally had to put my

do to do this I literally had to put my husband’s death on Facebook for four

husband’s death on Facebook for four

husband’s death on Facebook for four weeks to try to get the information out

weeks to try to get the information out

weeks to try to get the information out so this is really what has been going on

so this is really what has been going on

so this is really what has been going on in the market but further I want to talk

in the market but further I want to talk

in the market but further I want to talk about exactly what’s happened these are

about exactly what’s happened these are

about exactly what’s happened these are statistics I am a nerd okay these I felt

statistics I am a nerd okay these I felt

statistics I am a nerd okay these I felt were really important when I look at the

were really important when I look at the

were really important when I look at the Bureau of Labor and Statistics database

Bureau of Labor and Statistics database

Bureau of Labor and Statistics database and if you want a party I can show you

and if you want a party I can show you

and if you want a party I can show you how to do it right 2010 to 2014 Alabama

how to do it right 2010 to 2014 Alabama

how to do it right 2010 to 2014 Alabama has lost editors the people that make

has lost editors the people that make

has lost editors the people that make sure I’m right that it’s typed right

sure I’m right that it’s typed right

sure I’m right that it’s typed right that it’s correct that we asked the

that it’s correct that we asked the

that it’s correct that we asked the question 15 times national average we

question 15 times national average we

question 15 times national average we have lost editors in this state at 15

have lost editors in this state at 15

have lost editors in this state at 15 times the national average Botox at

times the national average Botox at

times the national average Botox at eight times the national average who

eight times the national average who

eight times the national average who needs pictures PR people at four times

needs pictures PR people at four times

needs pictures PR people at four times the national average and this is really

the national average and this is really

the national average and this is really problematic all right

problematic all right

problematic all right PR people let’s just focus on them for

PR people let’s just focus on them for

PR people let’s just focus on them for just a second the average PR person has

just a second the average PR person has

just a second the average PR person has a daily newspaper which we don’t right

a daily newspaper which we don’t right

a daily newspaper which we don’t right now places about 10 stories a week then

now places about 10 stories a week then

now places about 10 stories a week then we lost more than a thousand of them but

we lost more than a thousand of them but

we lost more than a thousand of them but I’m going to keep it a thousand to keep

I’m going to keep it a thousand to keep

I’m going to keep it a thousand to keep the math easy right so 10,000 stories a

the math easy right so 10,000 stories a

the math easy right so 10,000 stories a week times a thousand PR people we lost

week times a thousand PR people we lost

week times a thousand PR people we lost times 52 weeks means over half of the

times 52 weeks means over half of the

times 52 weeks means over half of the 500,000 plus stories or press releases

500,000 plus stories or press releases

500,000 plus stories or press releases or story ideas that were never pitched

or story ideas that were never pitched

or story ideas that were never pitched so to me these are the stories that were

so to me these are the stories that were

so to me these are the stories that were never written or published in Alabama to

never written or published in Alabama to

never written or published in Alabama to me it’s the business opening she knows

me it’s the business opening she knows

me it’s the business opening she knows cityscene that kind of local business

cityscene that kind of local business

cityscene that kind of local business they were just never published so one of

they were just never published so one of

they were just never published so one of the days and you know I will say that I

the days and you know I will say that I

the days and you know I will say that I have to journalism colleagues that

have to journalism colleagues that

have to journalism colleagues that disagree with my conclusion about what

disagree with my conclusion about what

disagree with my conclusion about what I’m about to say and I’ll point there

I’m about to say and I’ll point there

I’m about to say and I’ll point there their reasons out but we used to

their reasons out but we used to

their reasons out but we used to circulate a hundred and three thousand

circulate a hundred and three thousand

circulate a hundred and three thousand Birmingham News’s on Saturday

Birmingham News’s on Saturday

Birmingham News’s on Saturday traditionally home to high school sports

traditionally home to high school sports

traditionally home to high school sports information unavailable elsewhere so I

information unavailable elsewhere so I

information unavailable elsewhere so I look in Scarborough dad and I’m just

look in Scarborough dad and I’m just

look in Scarborough dad and I’m just trying to see if this has changed

trying to see if this has changed

trying to see if this has changed anything and we’ve lost a hundred

anything and we’ve lost a hundred

anything and we’ve lost a hundred thousand high school football fans in

thousand high school football fans in

thousand high school football fans in Burma

Burma

Burma over the past four years I mean high

over the past four years I mean high

over the past four years I mean high school football not possible now Tom

school football not possible now Tom

school football not possible now Tom Ehrenburg who is studying here thinks he

Ehrenburg who is studying here thinks he

Ehrenburg who is studying here thinks he thought it was security and my friend

thought it was security and my friend

thought it was security and my friend Cynthia Gould who does fighting for you

Cynthia Gould who does fighting for you

Cynthia Gould who does fighting for you at 3340 thought it was money too too

at 3340 thought it was money too too

at 3340 thought it was money too too much you know to get into the games but

much you know to get into the games but

much you know to get into the games but I’m telling you high school sports

I’m telling you high school sports

I’m telling you high school sports should be fairly consistent you know and

should be fairly consistent you know and

should be fairly consistent you know and and the print experience is just so

and the print experience is just so

and the print experience is just so important historically it’s it’s for any

important historically it’s it’s for any

important historically it’s it’s for any community it’s it’s defined the spatial

community it’s it’s defined the spatial

community it’s it’s defined the spatial geographic political cultural

geographic political cultural

geographic political cultural institutional anything that’s going on

institutional anything that’s going on

institutional anything that’s going on in the community I happened to find a

in the community I happened to find a

in the community I happened to find a part box of party glasses know the story

part box of party glasses know the story

part box of party glasses know the story right but they were packed with this

right but they were packed with this

right but they were packed with this Obama wins and I’m like wow Erik Velasco

Obama wins and I’m like wow Erik Velasco

Obama wins and I’m like wow Erik Velasco right here he’s writing about the race

right here he’s writing about the race

right here he’s writing about the race for the top court is too close to call

for the top court is too close to call

for the top court is too close to call have I seen any of that information in

have I seen any of that information in

have I seen any of that information in four years no and speaking of that in

four years no and speaking of that in

four years no and speaking of that in 2014 Alabama’s voter turnout was the

2014 Alabama’s voter turnout was the

2014 Alabama’s voter turnout was the lowest it had been in twenty eight years

lowest it had been in twenty eight years

lowest it had been in twenty eight years at forty one percent

at forty one percent

at forty one percent scarborough research is showing that

scarborough research is showing that

scarborough research is showing that people say they always what vote in

people say they always what vote in

people say they always what vote in local elections that is also declining

local elections that is also declining

local elections that is also declining and I can kind of on a sample of one and

and I can kind of on a sample of one and

and I can kind of on a sample of one and I get that but no I don’t really know

I get that but no I don’t really know

I get that but no I don’t really know what’s going on in the court races maybe

what’s going on in the court races maybe

what’s going on in the court races maybe somebody else in Birmingham test anyway

somebody else in Birmingham test anyway

somebody else in Birmingham test anyway I do I feel like I’m not informed

I do I feel like I’m not informed

I do I feel like I’m not informed because I’m not getting this I’m not

because I’m not getting this I’m not

because I’m not getting this I’m not getting the content they used to come

getting the content they used to come

getting the content they used to come through professional journalists with a

through professional journalists with a

through professional journalists with a time-tested vetting process and then it

time-tested vetting process and then it

time-tested vetting process and then it showed up on my door my 24 year old son

showed up on my door my 24 year old son

showed up on my door my 24 year old son says why can’t we get a paper delivered

says why can’t we get a paper delivered

says why can’t we get a paper delivered and I’m like you know you know I’m

and I’m like you know you know I’m

and I’m like you know you know I’m working on this speech right you’ve

working on this speech right you’ve

working on this speech right you’ve watched me live this right you know I’m

watched me live this right you know I’m

watched me live this right you know I’m no longer down in that building and what

no longer down in that building and what

no longer down in that building and what was interesting to me too and those of

was interesting to me too and those of

was interesting to me too and those of you ghetto geeks

you ghetto geeks

you ghetto geeks check out the Pew Research 2016 study on

check out the Pew Research 2016 study on

check out the Pew Research 2016 study on media fifty one percent of every

media fifty one percent of every

media fifty one percent of every newspaper consumer says keep the digital

newspaper consumer says keep the digital

newspaper consumer says keep the digital I want it exclusively in print let me

I want it exclusively in print let me

I want it exclusively in print let me say that again half of people who

say that again half of people who

say that again half of people who consume newspaper content just want the

consume newspaper content just want the

consume newspaper content just want the print keep the digital okay so it’s been

print keep the digital okay so it’s been

print keep the digital okay so it’s been really interesting and when we lost

really interesting and when we lost

really interesting and when we lost everybody we lost and I was in the

everybody we lost and I was in the

everybody we lost and I was in the building the day we all find out whether

building the day we all find out whether

building the day we all find out whether or not we kept our jobs all that kind of

or not we kept our jobs all that kind of

or not we kept our jobs all that kind of stuff it’s like the information

stuff it’s like the information

stuff it’s like the information just kind of left and I think that

just kind of left and I think that

just kind of left and I think that that’s just really important to

that’s just really important to

that’s just really important to understand all the institutional people

understand all the institutional people

understand all the institutional people hundreds of people that knew where

hundreds of people that knew where

hundreds of people that knew where everything went so um this is just

everything went so um this is just

everything went so um this is just really kind of interesting to me how

really kind of interesting to me how

really kind of interesting to me how many of you have a special paper that

many of you have a special paper that

many of you have a special paper that you say for yourself

you say for yourself

you say for yourself anybody have newspaper clippings at home

anybody have newspaper clippings at home

anybody have newspaper clippings at home okay what do you do now I mean I don’t

okay what do you do now I mean I don’t

okay what do you do now I mean I don’t know you put the iPad iPad on the wall

know you put the iPad iPad on the wall

know you put the iPad iPad on the wall yeah I’m just just not really sure what

yeah I’m just just not really sure what

yeah I’m just just not really sure what happens so we’re going to do a little

happens so we’re going to do a little

happens so we’re going to do a little bit of comp theory just a little enough

bit of comp theory just a little enough

bit of comp theory just a little enough to be dangerous okay we had five senses

to be dangerous okay we had five senses

to be dangerous okay we had five senses you know what they are we won’t go

you know what they are we won’t go

you know what they are we won’t go through that and they’re usually used to

through that and they’re usually used to

through that and they’re usually used to do things like Oh spoken word writing

do things like Oh spoken word writing

do things like Oh spoken word writing dance song and drawing the sunset what

dance song and drawing the sunset what

dance song and drawing the sunset what have you and there was a somebody I

have you and there was a somebody I

have you and there was a somebody I studied in on which the schools named

studied in on which the schools named

studied in on which the schools named Marshall McLuhan and he talked about hot

Marshall McLuhan and he talked about hot

Marshall McLuhan and he talked about hot and cool media and he felt like like

and cool media and he felt like like

and cool media and he felt like like that that really was a difference he

that that really was a difference he

that that really was a difference he wrote in the 60s about this and so

wrote in the 60s about this and so

wrote in the 60s about this and so what’s happened is a hot medium like

what’s happened is a hot medium like

what’s happened is a hot medium like demand your central nervous system it

demand your central nervous system it

demand your central nervous system it blinks it stimulates you know it’s

blinks it stimulates you know it’s

blinks it stimulates you know it’s demanding your central nervous system

demanding your central nervous system

demanding your central nervous system and you don’t really have a choice about

and you don’t really have a choice about

and you don’t really have a choice about whether or not to participate you know

whether or not to participate you know

whether or not to participate you know when Fox 6 News says stay right there

when Fox 6 News says stay right there

when Fox 6 News says stay right there you know you’re like this we’re print

you know you’re like this we’re print

you know you’re like this we’re print extends it through the alphabet and in

extends it through the alphabet and in

extends it through the alphabet and in fact historians can trace the rise of

fact historians can trace the rise of

fact historians can trace the rise of Western civilization to three things

Western civilization to three things

Western civilization to three things right the wheel we got that paper

right the wheel we got that paper

right the wheel we got that paper because stick carrying the stone tablets

because stick carrying the stone tablets

because stick carrying the stone tablets around got heavy right and the printing

around got heavy right and the printing

around got heavy right and the printing press and that these three things

press and that these three things

press and that these three things pivotally changed the world okay but we

pivotally changed the world okay but we

pivotally changed the world okay but we don’t have the printing press in Alabama

don’t have the printing press in Alabama

don’t have the printing press in Alabama right now it’s silent at least at least

right now it’s silent at least at least

right now it’s silent at least at least in my market it is so um you know print

in my market it is so um you know print

in my market it is so um you know print is definitely a cool medium in the sense

is definitely a cool medium in the sense

is definitely a cool medium in the sense of how it engages your body biologically

of how it engages your body biologically

of how it engages your body biologically and I think that that’s important to

and I think that that’s important to

and I think that that’s important to make a distinction as we move forward to

make a distinction as we move forward to

make a distinction as we move forward to talk about our favorite media extension

talk about our favorite media extension

talk about our favorite media extension today this is our favorite media

today this is our favorite media

today this is our favorite media extension today our mobile phone I don’t

extension today our mobile phone I don’t

extension today our mobile phone I don’t know if I’m in the minority or not but I

know if I’m in the minority or not but I

know if I’m in the minority or not but I still use a landline to find the darn

still use a landline to find the darn

still use a landline to find the darn thing right but I see this right and I’m

thing right but I see this right and I’m

thing right but I see this right and I’m like really we used to have two hands so

like really we used to have two hands so

like really we used to have two hands so I want to talk about this media

I want to talk about this media

I want to talk about this media extension for a while and immediate

extension for a while and immediate

extension for a while and immediate extension is anything that takes you out

extension is anything that takes you out

extension is anything that takes you out of your present surroundings and put

of your present surroundings and put

of your present surroundings and put to some place you’re not we’re not going

to some place you’re not we’re not going

to some place you’re not we’re not going to have the conversation today about

to have the conversation today about

to have the conversation today about whether it’s actual communication but I

whether it’s actual communication but I

whether it’s actual communication but I think it’s important to understand then

think it’s important to understand then

think it’s important to understand then that we love our phones in preparing for

that we love our phones in preparing for

that we love our phones in preparing for this speech because I use mine basically

this speech because I use mine basically

this speech because I use mine basically to do business and email some of the

to do business and email some of the

to do business and email some of the things you can do with your cell phone

things you can do with your cell phone

things you can do with your cell phone via app truly shocked me and I didn’t

via app truly shocked me and I didn’t

via app truly shocked me and I didn’t want to know how that process would be

want to know how that process would be

want to know how that process would be finished right fertility testing with

finished right fertility testing with

finished right fertility testing with the one that came across and I’m like I

the one that came across and I’m like I

the one that came across and I’m like I don’t even want to know right so now we

don’t even want to know right so now we

don’t even want to know right so now we have we have everything we need to know

have we have everything we need to know

have we have everything we need to know everything we want to see everyone we

everything we want to see everyone we

everything we want to see everyone we want to talk to we don’t really care

want to talk to we don’t really care

want to talk to we don’t really care whether it’s vetted as long as it makes

whether it’s vetted as long as it makes

whether it’s vetted as long as it makes it feel good right and now we carry

it feel good right and now we carry

it feel good right and now we carry everything around with us and I think

everything around with us and I think

everything around with us and I think one of the things that gets lost in this

one of the things that gets lost in this

one of the things that gets lost in this conversation is the editorial discussion

conversation is the editorial discussion

conversation is the editorial discussion right public versus private property

right public versus private property

right public versus private property whether or not we can use your photo I

whether or not we can use your photo I

whether or not we can use your photo I mean none of that’s happening to our

mean none of that’s happening to our

mean none of that’s happening to our information and it doesn’t happen on

information and it doesn’t happen on

information and it doesn’t happen on these devices everything comes across as

these devices everything comes across as

these devices everything comes across as looking the same but it’s not so I have

looking the same but it’s not so I have

looking the same but it’s not so I have friends going I’m just looking

friends going I’m just looking

friends going I’m just looking Washington Post in the New York Times

Washington Post in the New York Times

Washington Post in the New York Times but realistically we need a better

but realistically we need a better

but realistically we need a better strategy to be informed in that this is

strategy to be informed in that this is

strategy to be informed in that this is our biggest problem I’ve never seen a

our biggest problem I’ve never seen a

our biggest problem I’ve never seen a thousand-dollar bill I found it on the

thousand-dollar bill I found it on the

thousand-dollar bill I found it on the internet I thought everyone would like

internet I thought everyone would like

internet I thought everyone would like to see it too so we’ve all seen a

to see it too so we’ve all seen a

to see it too so we’ve all seen a thousand dollar bill right um what’s

thousand dollar bill right um what’s

thousand dollar bill right um what’s happened is that there used to be a wall

happened is that there used to be a wall

happened is that there used to be a wall between advertising and journalism a

between advertising and journalism a

between advertising and journalism a very very very very tough wall you know

very very very very tough wall you know

very very very very tough wall you know we’re the journalists and we’re making

we’re the journalists and we’re making

we’re the journalists and we’re making the money and and and never the two

the money and and and never the two

the money and and and never the two shall meet unless this happens right

shall meet unless this happens right

shall meet unless this happens right okay so now what’s happened is in the 60

okay so now what’s happened is in the 60

okay so now what’s happened is in the 60 billion dollars that is now digital

billion dollars that is now digital

billion dollars that is now digital advertising that’s out there to be had

advertising that’s out there to be had

advertising that’s out there to be had it’s not going to the local media

it’s not going to the local media

it’s not going to the local media two-thirds of all digital advertising

two-thirds of all digital advertising

two-thirds of all digital advertising goes to the top five companies Google

goes to the top five companies Google

goes to the top five companies Google Yahoo Bing Microsoft and Facebook if the

Yahoo Bing Microsoft and Facebook if the

Yahoo Bing Microsoft and Facebook if the top four if that’s only for add Twitter

top four if that’s only for add Twitter

top four if that’s only for add Twitter so the hot the big deep revenue streams

so the hot the big deep revenue streams

so the hot the big deep revenue streams that used to finance everything and keep

that used to finance everything and keep

that used to finance everything and keep the journalists going and send the sales

the journalists going and send the sales

the journalists going and send the sales the clients on the fancy trips all that

the clients on the fancy trips all that

the clients on the fancy trips all that is gone now what okay so we need to

is gone now what okay so we need to

is gone now what okay so we need to figure I think we need to figure out a

figure I think we need to figure out a

figure I think we need to figure out a way to be informed again I’d like to

way to be informed again I’d like to

way to be informed again I’d like to propose something

propose something

propose something and what I like to call it is

and what I like to call it is

and what I like to call it is collaborative journalism what do we do

collaborative journalism what do we do

collaborative journalism what do we do now i I think that between all the

now i I think that between all the

now i I think that between all the technology we have all the institutions

technology we have all the institutions

technology we have all the institutions we have the fact that we still have the

we have the fact that we still have the

we have the fact that we still have the wheel the paper and the printing press

wheel the paper and the printing press

wheel the paper and the printing press that we ought to be able to figure out

that we ought to be able to figure out

that we ought to be able to figure out something and I hope that we do at some

something and I hope that we do at some

something and I hope that we do at some point because the content is out there I

point because the content is out there I

point because the content is out there I had lunch with my friend Barnett right I

had lunch with my friend Barnett right I

had lunch with my friend Barnett right I don’t know how many of you know Barnett

don’t know how many of you know Barnett

don’t know how many of you know Barnett and he he was the one reading the

and he he was the one reading the

and he he was the one reading the special masters report he wrote about

special masters report he wrote about

special masters report he wrote about the bankruptcy and everything and he’s

the bankruptcy and everything and he’s

the bankruptcy and everything and he’s now editor for the Birmingham Times and

now editor for the Birmingham Times and

now editor for the Birmingham Times and he ran a story on human trafficking I

he ran a story on human trafficking I

he ran a story on human trafficking I happen to see on Facebook one hundred

happen to see on Facebook one hundred

happen to see on Facebook one hundred and fifty nine billion dollar human

and fifty nine billion dollar human

and fifty nine billion dollar human trafficking industry runs through

trafficking industry runs through

trafficking industry runs through downtown Birmingham on I 20 59 I saw it

downtown Birmingham on I 20 59 I saw it

downtown Birmingham on I 20 59 I saw it on Facebook I go to lunch with him and

on Facebook I go to lunch with him and

on Facebook I go to lunch with him and he says my website crashed what paper

he says my website crashed what paper

he says my website crashed what paper rolled out I might Barnett those stories

rolled out I might Barnett those stories

rolled out I might Barnett those stories should flow over right I had no idea so

should flow over right I had no idea so

should flow over right I had no idea so it’s really important that to understand

it’s really important that to understand

it’s really important that to understand that this content is still being

that this content is still being

that this content is still being generated

generated

generated Barnett’s publishing a paper there are

Barnett’s publishing a paper there are

Barnett’s publishing a paper there are former news people publishing Alabama

former news people publishing Alabama

former news people publishing Alabama news centers there are smaller papers

news centers there are smaller papers

news centers there are smaller papers why can’t we reverse publish and put

why can’t we reverse publish and put

why can’t we reverse publish and put something out there I mean I really

something out there I mean I really

something out there I mean I really think it’s incumbent upon us to find a

think it’s incumbent upon us to find a

think it’s incumbent upon us to find a way to get our narrative back now I

way to get our narrative back now I

way to get our narrative back now I don’t know if anybody else has the same

don’t know if anybody else has the same

don’t know if anybody else has the same passion for it but I certainly do and

passion for it but I certainly do and

passion for it but I certainly do and you know it’s really kind of interesting

you know it’s really kind of interesting

you know it’s really kind of interesting my two passions have now intersected

my two passions have now intersected

my two passions have now intersected glass and I do run a glass studio and I

glass and I do run a glass studio and I

glass and I do run a glass studio and I am making a living doing it

am making a living doing it

am making a living doing it yay and media because everything is now

yay and media because everything is now

yay and media because everything is now a glass screen we are all glass artists

a glass screen we are all glass artists

a glass screen we are all glass artists we’re all communicating on a glass

we’re all communicating on a glass

we’re all communicating on a glass screen 24/7 and I think it raises the

screen 24/7 and I think it raises the

screen 24/7 and I think it raises the question it now that we all can

question it now that we all can

question it now that we all can participate

participate

participate now that we’re all global content

now that we’re all global content

now that we’re all global content generators on the web exactly what do we

generators on the web exactly what do we

generators on the web exactly what do we put out there first of all and secondly

put out there first of all and secondly

put out there first of all and secondly how do we connect to ourselves in each

how do we connect to ourselves in each

how do we connect to ourselves in each other in a meaningful way and thirdly

other in a meaningful way and thirdly

other in a meaningful way and thirdly how do we preserve it for future

how do we preserve it for future

how do we preserve it for future generations because print is cool media

generations because print is cool media

generations because print is cool media thank you

”

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