This is from another substack ( jenny holland) but applicable....
“Twenty years ago, I was a reporter in a small town in New England, where the only news stories were about planning and zoning and school board meetings. When I started, I was forewarned of a local eccentric called Vinnie who was a constant thorn in the side of the local politicians, because he insisted their developer friends follow the rules the town enforced for everyone else. Vinnie was considered to be something of a pest: he was an old, single man, he was dishevelled, he called all the time with complaints and conspiracy theories, and everywhere he went he carried sacks full of papers that he said proved his case du jour. He was the opposite of the kind of influential schmooze who you would kiss up to if you were trying ingratiate yourself with the local in-crowd. But you know what? More often that not, Vinnie was right. And I because I listened, I started breaking stories that the even more local competition did not get, because they dismissed him out of hand. “
As a Westerner, this has been long time coming. 30 years ago, I visited Ottawa, and the first question everyone asked me, was how do you get along with the "Rednecks".
I was stunned. I saw more prejudice in Ottawa in a few days, than I ever saw in Calgary. And the Calgarians were the Rednecks. This pitting of the center against the hinterlands was obvious in every conversation. Irony was that I was not the one initiating these conversations, they were.
Just a small note. Yesterday Nigel Farage was canceled by his bank, and 7 other banks in England refused to open a new account. Watch what you say in public.
There is must I liked in this piece. Not that I agreed with everything (probably because I am not a journalist), but that I liked. The best part was the poking of the embers of my thoughts into a flame. I must find good fuel to sustain it.
Also remember who butters your bread. In a government subsidized propaganda institution you must know your place in the pecking order. Hint, you're one step up from housekeeping. Go along to get along or there will be big trouble. Not as bad as the old days where you found yourself in a crowded box car, but with your credit cards canceled, bank account frozen, and smeared on all social media platforms. Best wishes in your new endeavor. Now kneel and obey.
This is really good stuff, Tara. Number one take-away: "Listening is a skill, and probably the most important one that a journalist can cultivate."
I agree this is a fantastic piece and the kind of work that makes me happy to be a subscriber here.
Tara: I enjoy your interviews very much and I wonder if you have any particular resources to recommend that helped you learn to interview well.
This is from another substack ( jenny holland) but applicable....
“Twenty years ago, I was a reporter in a small town in New England, where the only news stories were about planning and zoning and school board meetings. When I started, I was forewarned of a local eccentric called Vinnie who was a constant thorn in the side of the local politicians, because he insisted their developer friends follow the rules the town enforced for everyone else. Vinnie was considered to be something of a pest: he was an old, single man, he was dishevelled, he called all the time with complaints and conspiracy theories, and everywhere he went he carried sacks full of papers that he said proved his case du jour. He was the opposite of the kind of influential schmooze who you would kiss up to if you were trying ingratiate yourself with the local in-crowd. But you know what? More often that not, Vinnie was right. And I because I listened, I started breaking stories that the even more local competition did not get, because they dismissed him out of hand. “
#15. Even a broken click is correct twice a day.
*clock
Yes, there is Balkanization happing.
As a Westerner, this has been long time coming. 30 years ago, I visited Ottawa, and the first question everyone asked me, was how do you get along with the "Rednecks".
I was stunned. I saw more prejudice in Ottawa in a few days, than I ever saw in Calgary. And the Calgarians were the Rednecks. This pitting of the center against the hinterlands was obvious in every conversation. Irony was that I was not the one initiating these conversations, they were.
Just a small note. Yesterday Nigel Farage was canceled by his bank, and 7 other banks in England refused to open a new account. Watch what you say in public.
There is must I liked in this piece. Not that I agreed with everything (probably because I am not a journalist), but that I liked. The best part was the poking of the embers of my thoughts into a flame. I must find good fuel to sustain it.
Also remember who butters your bread. In a government subsidized propaganda institution you must know your place in the pecking order. Hint, you're one step up from housekeeping. Go along to get along or there will be big trouble. Not as bad as the old days where you found yourself in a crowded box car, but with your credit cards canceled, bank account frozen, and smeared on all social media platforms. Best wishes in your new endeavor. Now kneel and obey.
Great insights
Stay the course.