Both Sides of the Fence
A Tosa resident since 1991, Christine walks the dog, cooks but avoids housework, writes and reads, and enjoys the company of friends and strangers. Her job takes her around the state, learning about people's health. A Quaker (no, they don't wear blue hats or sell oatmeal or motor oil), she has been known to stand on both sides of the political and philosophic fence at the same time, which is very uncomfortable when you think about it. She writes about pretty much whatever stops in to visit her busy mind at the moment. One reader described her as "incredibly opinionated but not judgmental." That sounds like a good thing to strive for!
In just 15 seconds: TosaNOW news briefing
It’s really, really tiresome to create and spread the news the old-fashioned way. Find facts, check facts; conduct interviews, conduct more interviews. Analyze all that stuff to figure out what it means. Schedule meetings.
Cringe when the public decides to operationalize their right to free speech by asking annoying questions.
Fortunately, those cumbersome ways are in the past. As FEMA recently
demonstrated, it’s much more efficient to do it all yourself.
Sure, some people are criticizing the fake news briefing with fake reporters approach. FEMA Director Paulison tried to explain, saying Deputy Director Johnson, who was fielding questions, "really didn't have an awareness" of what was taking place and did not recognize staffers asking questions.
Apparently FEMA believes people prefer to think our emergency preparedness officers are under the influence of mind-altering substances when sharing information.
But I say it’s a brilliant idea! Not the mind-altering substances. The one-on-none news briefings.
Christine: Welcome to the WauwatosaNOW Bloggerville first virtual press conference! Ask us anything as long as it’s so easy we’ll be able to answer.
Someone named "Jaime": Are you happy with Tosa’s response so far?
Christine: I am very happy with Tosa’s response so far. I think what you're really seeing here is the benefit of experience, the benefit of good leadership and the benefit of good partnership. . . Everything and everyone has been wonderful!!
Someone named "Morgen": Tom Gaertner, just how much time did you spend at the Tosa Inn?
Tom: Wonderful: I thought these were supposed to be friendly questions. I’ll answer your question indirectly: how many people here do you think have tried to buy Girlfriend a drink?
Jaime: Karen, don’t you think the Internet is wonderful?
Karen: I’ll have to get back to you after I check these last dozen Grey’s Anatomy sites. But what’s not to like? The Internet’s truly wonderful.
Christine: Randy, how many days until the World Series?
Randy (looking astounded). You need to spend more time watching TV and less time going to Halloween parties! Hey! Who’s that cute dark-haired chick at the end of the bar?
* * *
If you like fake press conferences or find fake news anchors and candidates to be truthier than the real ones, you may love the new development scheduled for today: the release of the avatar-hosted News at Seven.
As network news programs continue to struggle, the creators of one news show are trying a new strategy -- replacing the producer, the editor and even the news anchor with a computer.
The online show, called "News at Seven," uses an automated computer program to comb online news outlets for major stories of the day and to pair them with video and still photos culled from sites like Google Images and YouTube. The newscast is delivered by an avatar -- a digital representation of a person.
Just list your interests and the Avata-anchor will spiel off a
custom presentation of information plucked from those reliable sources.
Who knows? Maybe the sportscastatar will even do color for your kid’s LAN games.
Meanwhile, tell us what you think about Blogger-tars.
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