The Atlantic Under Attack II
An editorial in the Boston Globe says that the rejection letter the Atlantic Monthly sent a middle-aged internship applicant was ridiculous and mean.
Thanks to Jim Romenesko's Media News.
Tuesday, February 26, 2002
News You Can Abuse
In British Columbia, about 20,000 Vancouver Sun readers received their morning paper last Thursday with a counterfeit front section headed the Vancouver Scum. The prank paper was produced by Guerrilla Media to "raise questions about the BC Liberals’ devastating cuts and the corporate media’s minimal coverage of the impact of these radical changes."
Thanks to Jim Romenesko's Media News.
In British Columbia, about 20,000 Vancouver Sun readers received their morning paper last Thursday with a counterfeit front section headed the Vancouver Scum. The prank paper was produced by Guerrilla Media to "raise questions about the BC Liberals’ devastating cuts and the corporate media’s minimal coverage of the impact of these radical changes."
Thanks to Jim Romenesko's Media News.
Today Is My Birthday
I turn 29 today. And I'm kinda sad about that. I'm not married. I haven't made my first million. My apartment's a mess. And I'm no longer the young man who's accomplished a surprising amount. My knees even creak. My left knee, to be exact. But it's a beautiful day in Boston -- balmy spring-like weather! Last night, I had fun at Paddy Burke's with some friends, I met a super-cute girl, and I had a good post-breakup conversation and confusing affectionate goodnight with the ex-girlfriend. I've already talked to my folks this morning, and I've gotten several nice birthday emails from friends and members of the Company of Friends -- even one of my credit card companies sent me a birthday email. Finally, there's an awesome show tonight -- the Indie-Rock Mini-Circus at TT the Bear's. Not bad for a Tuesday!
Those are hints. Because you can help make my birthday even better. "How?" you may ask. A good question. Let me make the following suggestions:
Email me.
Sign up for the Media Diet mailing list.
Visit and post something in the Media Diet discussion forum.
Mail a mix tape to the address on the left.
Buy yourself a gift -- the Dan Buck book I edited or an Anchormen CD.
Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday dear Heath, happy birthday to me.
I turn 29 today. And I'm kinda sad about that. I'm not married. I haven't made my first million. My apartment's a mess. And I'm no longer the young man who's accomplished a surprising amount. My knees even creak. My left knee, to be exact. But it's a beautiful day in Boston -- balmy spring-like weather! Last night, I had fun at Paddy Burke's with some friends, I met a super-cute girl, and I had a good post-breakup conversation and confusing affectionate goodnight with the ex-girlfriend. I've already talked to my folks this morning, and I've gotten several nice birthday emails from friends and members of the Company of Friends -- even one of my credit card companies sent me a birthday email. Finally, there's an awesome show tonight -- the Indie-Rock Mini-Circus at TT the Bear's. Not bad for a Tuesday!
Those are hints. Because you can help make my birthday even better. "How?" you may ask. A good question. Let me make the following suggestions:
Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday dear Heath, happy birthday to me.
Ministry of Misinformation?
According to Harper's Magazine's Weekly Review, the Pentagon is organizing a new propaganda department called the Office of Strategic Information. This office will "feed news items to the foreign media in an effort to manipulate public opinion," the Review says. "Such items will not necessarily be true." Plans also involve computer network attacks on media organizations that the Pentagon deems "counterproductive."
According to Harper's Magazine's Weekly Review, the Pentagon is organizing a new propaganda department called the Office of Strategic Information. This office will "feed news items to the foreign media in an effort to manipulate public opinion," the Review says. "Such items will not necessarily be true." Plans also involve computer network attacks on media organizations that the Pentagon deems "counterproductive."
Monday, February 25, 2002
NetWork
Charlie Park just sent me a reference to a column Semantic Studios' Peter Morville wrote about social network analysis. In the article, Morville considers knowledge management and knowledge work through the lens of the "social fabric that connects people to people and people to content." Useful reading in the context of my recent talk on networking.
Charlie Park just sent me a reference to a column Semantic Studios' Peter Morville wrote about social network analysis. In the article, Morville considers knowledge management and knowledge work through the lens of the "social fabric that connects people to people and people to content." Useful reading in the context of my recent talk on networking.
From the In Box: Mention Me! III
I love FC, and I love Media Diet. I won't burden you with praise, but suffice it to say that I am grateful that I'm not the only one in business that loves punk. Just last night, I went to a show here in Richmond, Virginia, with four bands -- two great and two mediocre. The great ones were Five Flew Over (high school kids playing amazing punk with slight pop-punk overtones) and Brandtson (emo/punk from Ohio... the reason I went to the show in the first place). -- Charlie Park
Indeed. In the mid-'90s it was heartening to see so many zinemakers getting pro work in media and publishing. Now we just need more folks influenced by punk ideals to get jobs in business. I'm lucky to work with a guy who was active in the DC hardcore scene playing in Iron Cross and No Trend. We've also got several team members who are active in their own bands.
Now, I'm just guessing, but it might be so that Five Flew Over got their band name from a single released by the Angelic Upstarts in 1983. The song was a B-side to their song "Solidarity." Similarly, folks can learn more about Brandtson on the Web.
I love FC, and I love Media Diet. I won't burden you with praise, but suffice it to say that I am grateful that I'm not the only one in business that loves punk. Just last night, I went to a show here in Richmond, Virginia, with four bands -- two great and two mediocre. The great ones were Five Flew Over (high school kids playing amazing punk with slight pop-punk overtones) and Brandtson (emo/punk from Ohio... the reason I went to the show in the first place). -- Charlie Park
Indeed. In the mid-'90s it was heartening to see so many zinemakers getting pro work in media and publishing. Now we just need more folks influenced by punk ideals to get jobs in business. I'm lucky to work with a guy who was active in the DC hardcore scene playing in Iron Cross and No Trend. We've also got several team members who are active in their own bands.
Now, I'm just guessing, but it might be so that Five Flew Over got their band name from a single released by the Angelic Upstarts in 1983. The song was a B-side to their song "Solidarity." Similarly, folks can learn more about Brandtson on the Web.
North End Moment III
In the back alley behind the Scotch & Sirloin, part of the wall has been repaired with a bolt and a cement patch. Just now, I noticed that in that bolt hole, someone had placed a 1998 D nickel with the Washington side facing out. The value of the building in which I work just went up five cents!
In the back alley behind the Scotch & Sirloin, part of the wall has been repaired with a bolt and a cement patch. Just now, I noticed that in that bolt hole, someone had placed a 1998 D nickel with the Washington side facing out. The value of the building in which I work just went up five cents!
From the In Box: Clothes Whore
If you don't mind, please enlighten Media Diet readers a bit "about the state of the economy -- and the potential of a new form of personal and professional networking." What did you have to say at BC? -- Clint Schaff
Well, here's the rough draft of the remarks I prepared beforehand. I didn't totally stick to them in their entirety -- and I went on plenty of tangents, but this'll give you a rough sense of what I talked about.
If you don't mind, please enlighten Media Diet readers a bit "about the state of the economy -- and the potential of a new form of personal and professional networking." What did you have to say at BC? -- Clint Schaff
Well, here's the rough draft of the remarks I prepared beforehand. I didn't totally stick to them in their entirety -- and I went on plenty of tangents, but this'll give you a rough sense of what I talked about.
Who am I? I'm Heath. Social Capitalist for Fast Company magazine. I’m not a journalist. I’m a community organizer. Title? It’s not about human capital or intellectual capital, it’s about social capital, the value of relationships. Also, there’s room for a more mindful capitalism and business, one that recognizes its impact on people, places, and progress.
Context of the not-so-new economy:
FC was as much a booster of the boom as it was a product of the boom: We presaged the wave, rode it for a spell, and are now edging out of the shallows for the next wave We leaned a little too far in the direction of the Net Economy, which many mistook for the new economy, and took a hit with the rest of the tech publishing sector The economic downturn -- hardly a recession given last year’s increase in GDP -- helped us refocus on some of our core themes: leadership and innovation. Those will never go out of style. According to the NYT today (last Wednesday), the business world -- particularly the advertising and marketing world, where media gets its money -- is tired of thinking outside the box. People are safer inside the box. We should make fun of the people outside of our box. The box is better. Is this true? Even though it’s harder to be an innovative leader these days given tight budgets and hesitant mindsets, it’s still pretty uncomfortable inside the box. Maybe it’s not a matter of being in or out. Maybe it’s the size of the box. Or whether there’s a box at all.
When times are tough, people are being laid off, and the job market is tight, this is the time when it’s especially true that you are who you know. Personal connections are more important now than before in the boom -- for support, for leads, for learning, for collaboration.
But networking gets a bum rap, and for good reason. Books on the topic:
Power Networking: 59 Secrets for Personal and Professional Success How to Work a Room: The Ultimate Guide to Savvy Socializing in Person and Online Networking for Everyone Networking Smart Here’s My Card
I’ve read these books so you don’t have to, and believe you me, they’re chock full of silly and questionable advice:
Always wear a name tag on the side of your chest opposite from the arm you shake hands with. That way you won’t eclipse who you are when you meet someone. Take a stack of business cards to a networking event and leave them on table tops. Nobody can refuse free stuff, even if it is just your card!
Too many people mistake networking for schmoozing, looking for work, personally and profesionally targeting people you think can help you. In my experience coordinating the Company of Friends, Fast Company magazine’s 43,000-member global readers’ network, I’ve learned a lot about a new way to network -- a way to build better relationships within and without our organizations and companies. I’d like to share some of those ideas and lessons with you tonight.
The network isn’t about you. If you enter "networking" situations with a mememe attitude, you might get want you want in the short term, but you certainly won’t build long-term relationships. The network serves itself, and we are all just nodes. So while you consider what you need and what you need to do it, be open and receptive to the needs of others. If you meet someone -- and then meet someone else you think they need to know -- make that introduction. People should pass through us, and if you foster those connections, you can become the go-to guy or gal. That will only serve to further your own personal network. Be a person who knows people.
Reciprocity doesn’t have to be immediate or even direct. Back to the network being its own beast. If you help someone and they don’t quid pro quo you right away, no worries. Help someone else. Chances are that as your network grows -- and you continue to fuel its fire -- connections and collaborations will come to you via avenues that, while not direct, were paved by your previous connections. You’ll get what you give.
Be visible, accessible, and responsible. Networking will only work if you’re out there. At work, in class, at events, online. Don’t be shy. Don’t hide in the corner or lurk. Push yourself. The more you push yourself, the more you’ll be seen and heard. The more open and accessible you are, the more people will come to you or think of you. And if you think about the responsibilities we have -- to respond, to assist if we can, to connect -- you won’t be seen as a flake or a fake. If someone contacts you -- and you have no idea who they are -- talk to them. You might be that person tomorrow.
Networks increase in value as they overlap. Too often, we seek our own kind. MBAs, technologists, personal trainers. This is a mistake. Seek outside experiences to broaden your network horizon. If you’re able to step across the overlap between distinct networks and worlds, you’ll increase the size of your contact pool -- and you’ll open yourself up to some new ideas, perspectives, and connections.
There are people behind pages. Newspapers, magazines, the Web. It’s not about the pages that make up the media object, it’s about the people behind those pages. If you read something and you have a question, contact the person. If you think you can add to a bigger picture, contact the person. If you know someone they should know, contact the person. Make the media your own by getting behind and inside the stories that interest you. Journalists are some of the most connected people in the world, and while many professional journalists may think it’s not their job -- or objective -- to connect people, grassroots journalists do. Think about what media and medium can mean. A psychic -- someone that spirits pass through. A substance in which organisms -- or a culture -- can live and thrive. The materials used in art.
Those are some of the things I’ve learned. But what do we do next?
Having spent some time looking at BC’s online tools for alumni, I have some ideas:
Make sure your contact information and professional situation is up to date. Sure, it’s about the school being able to hit you up for donations. But it’s also about being visible and accessible. People can’t track you down if you’re out of date. And if you want to touch base with others, you owe it to them to be similarly accessible. Keep in touch with some of the folks in your class. Sounds dumb, but when folks leave school, they move. And you can now have friends all around the world, working in different industries, working on different things. Use those divergent paths and professions to foster overlapping networks like I mentioned. Go to a local or regional alumni event. I’m guilty of skipping these just like anyone else, but as powerful as our pre-existing relationships are, as powerful as online connections are, the power and potential of the face to face and the local is still the richest.
There are more than 132,000 BC alumni. That’s a lot of smart people. Tap into that group mind.
From the In Box: Fast Fiction
The following appeared in Warren Ellis' Feb. 24 email column "From the Desk of." It is reprinted with Warren's permission and blessing.
Back when dinosaurs ruled the earth, the British small press movement was based around the Fast Fiction stand at the Westminster Comic Marts. The Comic Marts were super-mini convention dealers' rooms, basically, held once every two months.
Fast Fiction was a mail-order clearinghouse for small press publications. The Fast Fiction stand at the Marts sold small press comics. All comers. They took a percentage of sales to pay for the table. So a great many people's production time was based around the Marts. You'd have something out every two months.
It became the absolute focus of the British small press movement. They called it Fast Fiction because that's what they were selling, as far as they were concerned.
Small press self-publication is the fastest possible reaction to an idea in all of comics. You have the idea, you make it, you print it, you get it out there. The vast majority of comics Fast Fiction handled were whacked out on photocopiers the week before the Mart.
If I have an idea for a comic right now, the chances are that the earliest you'll see it is eight months from now. Maybe. Takes a year for a Vertigo comic to go from pitch to publication.
If you have an idea right now, you could complete it to the same level of finish and have it out two months from now. Can take a matter of days to do a minicomic (or a "stripzine", as they were called, back in the Dark Ages here).
The aesthetic is similar to a band turning an idea into a cassette or a CD in days. Fast Fiction.
Here we are, nigh on 20 years laters, and there are other options available. There's desktop publishing and printers. There's floppy disks and CD burners. There's cheap home photocopiers. And, of course, there's the Web. I could do a 12-page comic in a day, scan the bastard, and have it broadcast before I went to bed. (I'm not going to, but the
point is, I could if I felt like it.) That's beyond fast fiction. That's Superfast.
Superfast is primarily the speed from completion to broadcast. If you feel like being punk about it, it can also be the completion time itself. There have been a few fun pieces in the Superfast section that were whacked out while the idea was still hot, that still communicate the idea clearly despite the rawness of execution. But in giving yourself (as Larry Young suggested)
something like APE as a deadline -- which is what I think of when I think of Fast Fiction -- or in knowing that you can get it on the Web and in front of the world within moments of the piece's completion... that's what I think of as Superfast.
Nowhere Girl is Superfast. It was broadcast within hours of being finished.
Superfast; a thought.
The Superfast section at the Warren Ellis Forum is a free space for people to plug, annouce, and even display Superfast comics. 2,000 people go through the WEF each day -- and it's not the same 2,000 people every day. -- Warren Ellis
The following appeared in Warren Ellis' Feb. 24 email column "From the Desk of." It is reprinted with Warren's permission and blessing.
Back when dinosaurs ruled the earth, the British small press movement was based around the Fast Fiction stand at the Westminster Comic Marts. The Comic Marts were super-mini convention dealers' rooms, basically, held once every two months.
Fast Fiction was a mail-order clearinghouse for small press publications. The Fast Fiction stand at the Marts sold small press comics. All comers. They took a percentage of sales to pay for the table. So a great many people's production time was based around the Marts. You'd have something out every two months.
It became the absolute focus of the British small press movement. They called it Fast Fiction because that's what they were selling, as far as they were concerned.
Small press self-publication is the fastest possible reaction to an idea in all of comics. You have the idea, you make it, you print it, you get it out there. The vast majority of comics Fast Fiction handled were whacked out on photocopiers the week before the Mart.
If I have an idea for a comic right now, the chances are that the earliest you'll see it is eight months from now. Maybe. Takes a year for a Vertigo comic to go from pitch to publication.
If you have an idea right now, you could complete it to the same level of finish and have it out two months from now. Can take a matter of days to do a minicomic (or a "stripzine", as they were called, back in the Dark Ages here).
The aesthetic is similar to a band turning an idea into a cassette or a CD in days. Fast Fiction.
Here we are, nigh on 20 years laters, and there are other options available. There's desktop publishing and printers. There's floppy disks and CD burners. There's cheap home photocopiers. And, of course, there's the Web. I could do a 12-page comic in a day, scan the bastard, and have it broadcast before I went to bed. (I'm not going to, but the
point is, I could if I felt like it.) That's beyond fast fiction. That's Superfast.
Superfast is primarily the speed from completion to broadcast. If you feel like being punk about it, it can also be the completion time itself. There have been a few fun pieces in the Superfast section that were whacked out while the idea was still hot, that still communicate the idea clearly despite the rawness of execution. But in giving yourself (as Larry Young suggested)
something like APE as a deadline -- which is what I think of when I think of Fast Fiction -- or in knowing that you can get it on the Web and in front of the world within moments of the piece's completion... that's what I think of as Superfast.
Nowhere Girl is Superfast. It was broadcast within hours of being finished.
Superfast; a thought.
The Superfast section at the Warren Ellis Forum is a free space for people to plug, annouce, and even display Superfast comics. 2,000 people go through the WEF each day -- and it's not the same 2,000 people every day. -- Warren Ellis
Fast Fiction
If you're familiar with the book I edited, Dan Buck's "This Day's Wait," you'll know I have a penchant for short, short stories. Pure Content just reminded me to check out Michael Swanwick's Periodic Table of Science Fiction, in which Swanwick's writing a short, short story about every single element known to man. And I recently learned about JP Press' new short, short story periodical Quick Fiction, which is currently seeking submissions between 25 and 500 words in length. Throw in the National Novel Writing Month project, in which participants work to write a 200-page novel in 30 days, and Warren Ellis' Superfast comics creation project, and you've got the makings of a trend!
If you're familiar with the book I edited, Dan Buck's "This Day's Wait," you'll know I have a penchant for short, short stories. Pure Content just reminded me to check out Michael Swanwick's Periodic Table of Science Fiction, in which Swanwick's writing a short, short story about every single element known to man. And I recently learned about JP Press' new short, short story periodical Quick Fiction, which is currently seeking submissions between 25 and 500 words in length. Throw in the National Novel Writing Month project, in which participants work to write a 200-page novel in 30 days, and Warren Ellis' Superfast comics creation project, and you've got the makings of a trend!
Mention Me! III
Checking out what sites and blogs refer folks to Media Diet, I've been pleased to note that people are starting to build this humble little project into their links lists! Shouts out to Charlie Park's Pure Content, Evan Williams' Evhead, Nonsequitor Lass, and Bradley's Almanac.
I've been remiss to build a list of links I frequently travel, but as soon as I can figure out how to tinker with my template so the bottom's not so big and grey -- and I can put stuff in the right-hand column -- that will be done.
Checking out what sites and blogs refer folks to Media Diet, I've been pleased to note that people are starting to build this humble little project into their links lists! Shouts out to Charlie Park's Pure Content, Evan Williams' Evhead, Nonsequitor Lass, and Bradley's Almanac.
I've been remiss to build a list of links I frequently travel, but as soon as I can figure out how to tinker with my template so the bottom's not so big and grey -- and I can put stuff in the right-hand column -- that will be done.
The Movie I Watched Last Night VIII
Friday: I Bury the Living
A disappointing horror thriller that doesn't live up to its promise. The new chairman of a board that oversees a cemetery starts to knock off fellow citizens as he switches pins on a map of the graveyard -- white pins for the living, black pins for the dead. When he begins to switch the pins back, what could have been an excellent supernatural flick involving the undead falls flat as a weak murder mystery hinging on a labor dispute. There's a drawn out "Night of the Living Dead"-like scene in which the lead sequesters himself in the burial ground's office -- without much suspense -- but the film might have been saved by the protagonist's wise-cracking, heavy-drinking journalist friend and his earnest fiancee who, when they embraced at one point, chirps out, "We might as well get married!"
Saturday: Something Weird Video's Cigarette Commercials from the Golden Age of Television Vol. 1
While cigarette ads are now relegated to billboards and print adverts, back in the day there were plenty of ads on TV -- cigarette makers even sponsored game shows and sitcoms. This 90 minute-long video cassette compiles some of those ads, representing the range of narrative styles, musical soundtracks, technological advances, and other aspects that tobacco companies used to distinguish their commodity products from those of their competitors.
Today most cigarette ads fall on two sides -- those highlighting leisure activities in the outdoors (usually young, beautiful people enjoying themselves on the water... while smoking) and those drawing on the romantic ideal of rugged, working-class Americana (construction workers and ranch hands taking a break from their labors... to light up) -- but the golden age of television offers a more complex view of tobacco companies' marketing strategies.
I've broken the advertising methods into six categories, all exemplified by spots on the video. What I don't address here is the use of slightly apolgetic humor that deprecates folks' smoking habits -- or the innovative use of music and animation. Here are some examples of the imagery, language, and practices employed by the advertisers.
While some of the edits are sloppy, there are several repeated ads, and the Spanish Kent spots and the Muriel cigars/Edie Adams spot are given too much time, this cassette is a welcome introduction to old-school tobacco advertisements.
Sunday: Magnolia
A wonderful Robert Altman-like film in which several distinct plotlines weave around each other to create one meta-story. The movie's less about the conjunction and more about the merits of the individual stories, however. In one thread, an NLP-inspired motivational speaker reunites with his dying father. In another, a lonely police officer falls in love with a woman who needs to be saved from herself. A former quiz-show kid seeks love and finds himself committing a crime. And a contemporary quiz-show kid decides to assert himself as a person as the quiz show's host finds his life unraveling at the onset of illness. While the movie is long at three hours, it's interesting to watch how the storylines overlap -- and to keep an eye on tracking shots that indicate just how intertwined the characters' lives really are despite a lack of ongoing interaction.
Friday: I Bury the Living
A disappointing horror thriller that doesn't live up to its promise. The new chairman of a board that oversees a cemetery starts to knock off fellow citizens as he switches pins on a map of the graveyard -- white pins for the living, black pins for the dead. When he begins to switch the pins back, what could have been an excellent supernatural flick involving the undead falls flat as a weak murder mystery hinging on a labor dispute. There's a drawn out "Night of the Living Dead"-like scene in which the lead sequesters himself in the burial ground's office -- without much suspense -- but the film might have been saved by the protagonist's wise-cracking, heavy-drinking journalist friend and his earnest fiancee who, when they embraced at one point, chirps out, "We might as well get married!"
Saturday: Something Weird Video's Cigarette Commercials from the Golden Age of Television Vol. 1
While cigarette ads are now relegated to billboards and print adverts, back in the day there were plenty of ads on TV -- cigarette makers even sponsored game shows and sitcoms. This 90 minute-long video cassette compiles some of those ads, representing the range of narrative styles, musical soundtracks, technological advances, and other aspects that tobacco companies used to distinguish their commodity products from those of their competitors.
Today most cigarette ads fall on two sides -- those highlighting leisure activities in the outdoors (usually young, beautiful people enjoying themselves on the water... while smoking) and those drawing on the romantic ideal of rugged, working-class Americana (construction workers and ranch hands taking a break from their labors... to light up) -- but the golden age of television offers a more complex view of tobacco companies' marketing strategies.
I've broken the advertising methods into six categories, all exemplified by spots on the video. What I don't address here is the use of slightly apolgetic humor that deprecates folks' smoking habits -- or the innovative use of music and animation. Here are some examples of the imagery, language, and practices employed by the advertisers.
Purity and Cleanliness: Kool's snow-fresh cigarettes are as "cool and as clean as a breath of fresh air; the ad incorporates imagery of ice-choked streams. Robert Burns tobacco is slow cured in clean air. Paxton's uniflex, moisture-proof, and vacuum-packed containers keep cigarettes fresh. Kool makes your throat feel clean. "Winston tastes good like a cigarette should." L&M's filters are "pure white." Physicians used to endorse cigarettes, like those from Philip Morris.
Technology and Design: Marlboro highlights its flip-top box, which remains in wide production today. The Philip Morris multifilter uses rare coconut shell charcoal. Dutch Masters offered a push-up pack for its Cadet cigars. Tareyton produced a cigarette with a white outer tip and an inner charcoal section. Beechnut's foil pack locks in freshness and flavor. Old Gold's filter "steps up flavor." Spring cigarettes air condition smoke with an "amazing electronic process" and microscopic openings in the paper. Kent sports a "micronite" filter. Chesterfield is more perfectly packed, "thanks to Acu-Ray." Winston: "It's not how long you make it, it's how you make it long." Parliament's hi-fi recessed filter is continually tested for uniformity by the United States Testing Co. Chesterfield King's "top-porousity" paper makes the smoke travel farther, making the taste milder, cooler, and smoother.
Social Networks: A boy remembers an uncle who lived by the sea -- and introduced him to Robert Burns cigars. An airplane pilot is turned on to Newport by his co-pilot after saying that the air at 31,000 is like pure silk. A woman introduces her husband to Philip Morris charcoal-filtered cigarettes. Scripto lighters doesn't want you to offed your friends with a lame Christmas gift. A hunter switches to Newport on the advice of a pal. Dick Van Dyke compares Carol Burnett to a cigarette.
Celebrity Endorsements: Old Gold introduced its king-sized cigarettes on the game show "Chance of a Lifetime," starring Dennis James. Muriel cigars riffes on Mae West with a couple of ads using the phrase, "Why don't you pick me up and smoke me sometime?" A fey comedian named Ed creates a slapstick display of Camel cigarettes. Dick Van Dyke and Carol Burnett shill for Kent in some delightful sitcom spots. Who the hell was Edie Adams? She was huge in Memphis with her Muriel cigars. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz pitch for Philip Morris. The Flintstones flip out for Winston. Chesterfield sponsored "Warner Bros. Presents."
Lifestyle Choices: Most of the Newport ads -- while contending that they taste fresh -- are shot on the waterfront featuring people water skiing, boating, and otherwise enjoying themselves. One spot even features a soldier about to board a bus who's enraptured by the seaside scene on a billboard. If you want to appreciate your horse and its newborn, smoke Salem. Go on a cruise and smoke L&M. Chesterfield will help you relax, really enjoy life, and be completely satisfied. Racing sailors indulge in Parliaments.
Rugged Individualism: A Marlboro spot features a guy who likes to work on his car: "I always smoke when I work. They go together." A stunt man and a marksman like the "smooth, honest taste" of Lucky Strikes. Um, Marlboro Country. Tareyton smokers would rather fight than switch. A docking pilot smokes Camels. Construction workers smoke Kents. Rebels complain about Benson & Hedges. Battlefield captains cough on Chesterfield Kings.
While some of the edits are sloppy, there are several repeated ads, and the Spanish Kent spots and the Muriel cigars/Edie Adams spot are given too much time, this cassette is a welcome introduction to old-school tobacco advertisements.
Sunday: Magnolia
A wonderful Robert Altman-like film in which several distinct plotlines weave around each other to create one meta-story. The movie's less about the conjunction and more about the merits of the individual stories, however. In one thread, an NLP-inspired motivational speaker reunites with his dying father. In another, a lonely police officer falls in love with a woman who needs to be saved from herself. A former quiz-show kid seeks love and finds himself committing a crime. And a contemporary quiz-show kid decides to assert himself as a person as the quiz show's host finds his life unraveling at the onset of illness. While the movie is long at three hours, it's interesting to watch how the storylines overlap -- and to keep an eye on tracking shots that indicate just how intertwined the characters' lives really are despite a lack of ongoing interaction.
Anthology in the UK
Ninth Art's headline is so good, I'm just going to crib the thing. Britain has a long, long history of publishing, promoting, and supporting anthology comics -- multigenre books that collect ongoing serials. Lindsay Duff takes a look at the history of the British comics anthology, concentrating on such titles as Eagle and Beano, both of which I used to cherish and devour when my English penpals would send me copies.
While Duff doesn't draw any parallels to other European comics anthologies (a la Stereoscomic, Stripburek, and the like) -- or Japanese manga weeklies, for that matter -- the topic begs a deeper analysis. Why has almost every other country in the world been able to support multi-creator, multi-story, and multi-genre comics titles while the US fell into a default single-story pamphlet format?
Ninth Art's headline is so good, I'm just going to crib the thing. Britain has a long, long history of publishing, promoting, and supporting anthology comics -- multigenre books that collect ongoing serials. Lindsay Duff takes a look at the history of the British comics anthology, concentrating on such titles as Eagle and Beano, both of which I used to cherish and devour when my English penpals would send me copies.
While Duff doesn't draw any parallels to other European comics anthologies (a la Stereoscomic, Stripburek, and the like) -- or Japanese manga weeklies, for that matter -- the topic begs a deeper analysis. Why has almost every other country in the world been able to support multi-creator, multi-story, and multi-genre comics titles while the US fell into a default single-story pamphlet format?
Friday, February 22, 2002
From the In Box: Comics, Communication, and Community
Thanks for the blurb, Heath. -- Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert
He's a man of few words, but, hey, Scott Adams!
Thanks for the blurb, Heath. -- Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert
He's a man of few words, but, hey, Scott Adams!
Pet Peeve of the Day
Receiving unsolicited, promotional email that says, "This is not unsolicited email."
Receiving unsolicited, promotional email that says, "This is not unsolicited email."
Anchormen, Aweigh! IV
The Anchormen are shooting a music video for "Peel Away" this Sunday. Katie Wyka is taking a film/video course through the School of MFA, and the class has been assigned to do a short music video. The Anchormen are always happy to help students.
The Anchormen are shooting a music video for "Peel Away" this Sunday. Katie Wyka is taking a film/video course through the School of MFA, and the class has been assigned to do a short music video. The Anchormen are always happy to help students.
North End Moment II
Standing outside the Scotch & Sirloin building looking at the sun breaking through and muting the edges of the cloudy, cloudy sky:
A woman walks up and drops an envelope into the FedEx delivery box (last pickup 7 p.m.), stamped mail box (last pickup 5 p.m.), and metered mail box (last pickup 5 p.m.). Three out of four isn't bad, but if she'd also dropped something into the UPS Next-Day Air box (last pickup 7 p.m.), she would've covered all of her bases. Can't be too careful these days.
Standing outside the Scotch & Sirloin building looking at the sun breaking through and muting the edges of the cloudy, cloudy sky:
A woman walks up and drops an envelope into the FedEx delivery box (last pickup 7 p.m.), stamped mail box (last pickup 5 p.m.), and metered mail box (last pickup 5 p.m.). Three out of four isn't bad, but if she'd also dropped something into the UPS Next-Day Air box (last pickup 7 p.m.), she would've covered all of her bases. Can't be too careful these days.
Blogging Colleagues
I work with a fellow named John Ellis, cousin of our esteemed president and a prolific writer interested in business, technology, politics, golf, media, advertising, P2P, and genomics. Since the end of January, he's published the eponymous blog JohnEllis. Recent entries offer his take on Cardinal Law, Microsoft, asbestos, Paul Krugman, and Superbowl adverts.
I work with a fellow named John Ellis, cousin of our esteemed president and a prolific writer interested in business, technology, politics, golf, media, advertising, P2P, and genomics. Since the end of January, he's published the eponymous blog JohnEllis. Recent entries offer his take on Cardinal Law, Microsoft, asbestos, Paul Krugman, and Superbowl adverts.
Search and Enjoy II
Hey now, you people. Play nice. I just checked Media Diet's search engine stats:
pracky pranky
fozzie muppet buddy icons
Bizarre Bazaar Ashland
mod girl pictures
Muppet Baby Buddy Icons
hickee
heath row is a whore
Clip art of a burrito
nonsequitor comics
I am not a whore. I said I was a clothes whore. There's a difference. It's subtle, but it's there.
Hey now, you people. Play nice. I just checked Media Diet's search engine stats:
I am not a whore. I said I was a clothes whore. There's a difference. It's subtle, but it's there.
Rock Shows of Note V
Last night was the CD release party for Piebald's "We Are the Only Friends We Have," released by Big Wheel Records. After a fun drink up at the Different Drummer with some co-workers, I mosied over to the Middle East a little late to catch the tail end of Piebald's set. It was packed. Really fun to see the band enjoying itself so much on stage -- and to hear some many people in the crowd singing along. Seriously, especially during the encore, the people singing along were almost louder than the lead singer. Woohoo for new CD's!
Last night was the CD release party for Piebald's "We Are the Only Friends We Have," released by Big Wheel Records. After a fun drink up at the Different Drummer with some co-workers, I mosied over to the Middle East a little late to catch the tail end of Piebald's set. It was packed. Really fun to see the band enjoying itself so much on stage -- and to hear some many people in the crowd singing along. Seriously, especially during the encore, the people singing along were almost louder than the lead singer. Woohoo for new CD's!
From Cambridge MIT Love
Ever wish you could be a brainiac at MIT -- specifically the MIT Media Lab? Well, now you can. At least, you can have fun giggling over some randomly generated research concepts created by the MIT Media Lab Project Generator. Like the old Wired Phrase Generator, this Web site will get your cranial juices flowing.
Ever wish you could be a brainiac at MIT -- specifically the MIT Media Lab? Well, now you can. At least, you can have fun giggling over some randomly generated research concepts created by the MIT Media Lab Project Generator. Like the old Wired Phrase Generator, this Web site will get your cranial juices flowing.
From the In Box: Comics, Communication, and Community
Thanks for the blog link. It was a nice printed article in that it featured The Norm artwork instead of Dilbert, but the review was right on. Cheers. -- Michael Jantze, creator of the Norm
Thanks for the blog link. It was a nice printed article in that it featured The Norm artwork instead of Dilbert, but the review was right on. Cheers. -- Michael Jantze, creator of the Norm
Comic Book Fandumb
Ninth Art features an article this week that "examines the great divide" between mainstream and independent comic book store customers. Roxane Grant touches on the elitism expressed by people on both sides of the line, looks at what makes comics sell, and contends that there's no such thing as a "true" comics fan. An interesting, albeit slightly bland, personal commentary.
Ninth Art features an article this week that "examines the great divide" between mainstream and independent comic book store customers. Roxane Grant touches on the elitism expressed by people on both sides of the line, looks at what makes comics sell, and contends that there's no such thing as a "true" comics fan. An interesting, albeit slightly bland, personal commentary.
Thursday, February 21, 2002
Humor Me
In December, I indexed an issue of Blast, a Mad-like humor magazine published in the '70s. I recently obtained a few other non-Mad parody magazines. Occasionally, I will index them. Like this:
Grin #2, January 1973, APAG House Publications Inc., NYC, NY (40 cents)
Presented by Gerald Rothberg
Cover: Gary Burdick photo of a grinning man on the moon. Cover lines: The American Funny Book; Marcus Swelby: Acupuncturist; The Ultimate News Team; The Orangework Clock; Saer Catalogue -- Everything You Never Wanted Anyway; Bonus! Naughty Santa Poster; Plus Grin Xmas Seals; Ralph Nader As the Man from La Mancha.
p. 8 Orangework Clock w/John Norment, d/Alan Kupperberg and Jack Abel... Movie adaptation in which punks beat up Santa, rape a woman, drink milk, sing hymns, and repent. Spot color (red) in six panels
p. 19 The Ultimate News Team w/Fred Wolf, d/Jack Sparling... TV newsmen have it out while gorilla cameramen look on and play chess. Plenty of commentary on objectivity, foreign affairs, and crime coverage
p. 23 All They Need for Xmas Is... w/Fred Wolf, d/Frank Springer... Christmas wishes for Chairman Mao, Peter Lorre, Sophia Loren, Wilt Chamberlain, Timothy Leary, Mama Cass, Nader, and Walter Cronkite
p. 25 The Grin Catalogue of Xmas, $mas and Sexmas Gifts w/Fred Wolf, d/Tony Tallarico... Your traditional catalog parody taking on gay liberation, makeup, hookers, highjackers, and draft dodgers. Spot color (red) on four pages
p. 29 Don Quixote w/Fred Wolf, d/Tony Tallarico... Recast Nader as the lead and his presidential campaign is even funnier. Nice Mayor Lindsay panel on p. 33
p. 38 Grin's Kris Kringles w/Fred Wolf, d/Frank Springer... Damn this Christmas issue! Ethnic reworkings of the holiday's figurehead for Jews, Poles, Blacks, feminists, Danes, and Eskimos
p. 42 Marcus Swellby, Acupuncturist w/John Norment, d/Tony Tallarico... A mystery, some needles, a monster, and not much else
p. 50 Grin Christmas Seals w/Fred Wolf, d/Tony Tallarico... A 48-panel Joe Matt-like look at the holiday of holidays. Santa gets a parking ticket, gets shat on by a bird, gets beat up, gets shot at by some interrupted lovers, meets a little girl, and goes to the doctor. By far the best thing in the issue. Tallarico's art is best presented small. Did I mention the spot color (red)?
Ads: American Cancer Society p. 4, Movie Buys p. 5, Columbia House Tape Club p. 6, Columbia House Record Club p. 36, Circus magazine p. 41
Extras: Grin Poster #2: "The Spirit of $mas Present"
In December, I indexed an issue of Blast, a Mad-like humor magazine published in the '70s. I recently obtained a few other non-Mad parody magazines. Occasionally, I will index them. Like this:
Grin #2, January 1973, APAG House Publications Inc., NYC, NY (40 cents)
Presented by Gerald Rothberg
Cover: Gary Burdick photo of a grinning man on the moon. Cover lines: The American Funny Book; Marcus Swelby: Acupuncturist; The Ultimate News Team; The Orangework Clock; Saer Catalogue -- Everything You Never Wanted Anyway; Bonus! Naughty Santa Poster; Plus Grin Xmas Seals; Ralph Nader As the Man from La Mancha.
p. 8 Orangework Clock w/John Norment, d/Alan Kupperberg and Jack Abel... Movie adaptation in which punks beat up Santa, rape a woman, drink milk, sing hymns, and repent. Spot color (red) in six panels
p. 19 The Ultimate News Team w/Fred Wolf, d/Jack Sparling... TV newsmen have it out while gorilla cameramen look on and play chess. Plenty of commentary on objectivity, foreign affairs, and crime coverage
p. 23 All They Need for Xmas Is... w/Fred Wolf, d/Frank Springer... Christmas wishes for Chairman Mao, Peter Lorre, Sophia Loren, Wilt Chamberlain, Timothy Leary, Mama Cass, Nader, and Walter Cronkite
p. 25 The Grin Catalogue of Xmas, $mas and Sexmas Gifts w/Fred Wolf, d/Tony Tallarico... Your traditional catalog parody taking on gay liberation, makeup, hookers, highjackers, and draft dodgers. Spot color (red) on four pages
p. 29 Don Quixote w/Fred Wolf, d/Tony Tallarico... Recast Nader as the lead and his presidential campaign is even funnier. Nice Mayor Lindsay panel on p. 33
p. 38 Grin's Kris Kringles w/Fred Wolf, d/Frank Springer... Damn this Christmas issue! Ethnic reworkings of the holiday's figurehead for Jews, Poles, Blacks, feminists, Danes, and Eskimos
p. 42 Marcus Swellby, Acupuncturist w/John Norment, d/Tony Tallarico... A mystery, some needles, a monster, and not much else
p. 50 Grin Christmas Seals w/Fred Wolf, d/Tony Tallarico... A 48-panel Joe Matt-like look at the holiday of holidays. Santa gets a parking ticket, gets shat on by a bird, gets beat up, gets shot at by some interrupted lovers, meets a little girl, and goes to the doctor. By far the best thing in the issue. Tallarico's art is best presented small. Did I mention the spot color (red)?
Ads: American Cancer Society p. 4, Movie Buys p. 5, Columbia House Tape Club p. 6, Columbia House Record Club p. 36, Circus magazine p. 41
Extras: Grin Poster #2: "The Spirit of $mas Present"
Comics, Communication, and Community
In the Feb. 18 edition of Editor & Publisher, scribe Dave Astor misses the proverbial boat in his feature, "Cartoonists Enter the Newsletter Biz: Several Syndicated Comic Creators Produce Cyberpublications That Are E-Mailed to Their Readers Several Times a Year."
Mistakes Astor and E&P made:
With a head and deck that long, who the heck needs to read the article itself? I mean, come on.
E&P, not known for putting much of its content online, decides not to put this piece online. Seems to me that Web-related journalism pieces would be the first to put up on the E&P Web. But no.
Even the article itself fails to include URL's or contact information for the mailing lists and newsletters in question. Why tell people about them if you don't tell people how to get involved? How can people learn what people are doing so they can do it themselves?
I don't work for E&P, but I don't mind doing this work for Astor and his editors (and publishers, I suppose, given the name of the magazine for which he writes). If you'd like to learn more about comic strip-related email newsletters, check out the following:
The Dilbert Newsletter
The Norm
Rhymes with Orange
For Better or for Worse
Monkeyhouse
The Big Picture
That's all.
In the Feb. 18 edition of Editor & Publisher, scribe Dave Astor misses the proverbial boat in his feature, "Cartoonists Enter the Newsletter Biz: Several Syndicated Comic Creators Produce Cyberpublications That Are E-Mailed to Their Readers Several Times a Year."
Mistakes Astor and E&P made:
I don't work for E&P, but I don't mind doing this work for Astor and his editors (and publishers, I suppose, given the name of the magazine for which he writes). If you'd like to learn more about comic strip-related email newsletters, check out the following:
That's all.
Search and Enjoy
More recent search queries that yielded Media Diet hits:
heath
miss piggy clip art
razmig
gorgeous girl at a party
muppet babies
mod bob haircuts
Now that's news you can use!
More recent search queries that yielded Media Diet hits:
Now that's news you can use!
Riding the Rails
Tim Barry, frontman of the band Avail, is also an avid train hopper. Mostly a show promotion and a look at the band, the Richmond.com article also spends some time considering folks who ride the rails -- modern-day and old-school hobos.
Tim Barry, frontman of the band Avail, is also an avid train hopper. Mostly a show promotion and a look at the band, the Richmond.com article also spends some time considering folks who ride the rails -- modern-day and old-school hobos.
Wednesday, February 20, 2002
Clothes Whore
You don't know what I look like, and because of that you don't know that I basically wear the same thing every day. Ratty Vans sneaks, khakis, and a T-shirt. I have a lot of T-shirts -- band, zine, comic, etc. -- and people at work often comment on how extensive my "collection" must be. I just like a well-designed tee; that's all.
Well, right now, I am wearing a suit. I never wear suits. Oh, weddings, funerals, sure. But day to day? For meetings? Never. The most I dress up is a collared shirt or a sweater, still with the trademark Vans and khakis.
But right now, I wear a suit. In about 20 minutes, I head to Boston College, where I will speak to about 225 MBA students and alumni about the state of the economy -- and the potential of a new form of personal and professional networking.
Wish me luck. I'm wearing a suit.
You don't know what I look like, and because of that you don't know that I basically wear the same thing every day. Ratty Vans sneaks, khakis, and a T-shirt. I have a lot of T-shirts -- band, zine, comic, etc. -- and people at work often comment on how extensive my "collection" must be. I just like a well-designed tee; that's all.
Well, right now, I am wearing a suit. I never wear suits. Oh, weddings, funerals, sure. But day to day? For meetings? Never. The most I dress up is a collared shirt or a sweater, still with the trademark Vans and khakis.
But right now, I wear a suit. In about 20 minutes, I head to Boston College, where I will speak to about 225 MBA students and alumni about the state of the economy -- and the potential of a new form of personal and professional networking.
Wish me luck. I'm wearing a suit.
Blogging About Blogging XI
My new counter is awesome. I thought no one reads Media Diet, and boy, was I wrong. More than 20 people came by yesterday, and almost 50 have visited so far today. Makes me feel better that this isn't going out into a void. Thanks, everyone. There aren't many of us, but we matter.
The Counter's premium version even lets me track things like search results that bring people to Media Diet. Let's look at the search engine stats to date:
mod girl haircuts picture
ernesto priego
hand drummer Cambridge MA
Ha! Yep, if you're looking for pictures of cute mod girls with crazy, crazy bangs and super-sexy curls (sigh); information about Mexican comics theorists; or percussion buddies in the Boston area, Media Diet is the place to go. Believe you me, I'll be keeping an eye on the search engine stats.
My new counter is awesome. I thought no one reads Media Diet, and boy, was I wrong. More than 20 people came by yesterday, and almost 50 have visited so far today. Makes me feel better that this isn't going out into a void. Thanks, everyone. There aren't many of us, but we matter.
The Counter's premium version even lets me track things like search results that bring people to Media Diet. Let's look at the search engine stats to date:
Ha! Yep, if you're looking for pictures of cute mod girls with crazy, crazy bangs and super-sexy curls (sigh); information about Mexican comics theorists; or percussion buddies in the Boston area, Media Diet is the place to go. Believe you me, I'll be keeping an eye on the search engine stats.
From the In Box: From the Reading Pile VII
Boston is so damn small. Dan Moynihan is a friend of mine. I check out Media Diet, and you give him a review. Then I check the next day, and there's a post with an email from him to you. Two random people I know through totally different circles communicating on the good old InterWeb, and I happen to read it. Too funny. -- Brad Searles
Love that InterWeb! Media Diet readers should know that Brad does a great blog called Bradley's Almanac and rocks out in a fine band called the Also-Rans. He also just shaved his beard. Boston's so small that his beard couldn't fit inside the city. So we made him shave it and shipped the shavings to Rhode Island. Thank you, Rhode Island!
Boston is so damn small. Dan Moynihan is a friend of mine. I check out Media Diet, and you give him a review. Then I check the next day, and there's a post with an email from him to you. Two random people I know through totally different circles communicating on the good old InterWeb, and I happen to read it. Too funny. -- Brad Searles
Love that InterWeb! Media Diet readers should know that Brad does a great blog called Bradley's Almanac and rocks out in a fine band called the Also-Rans. He also just shaved his beard. Boston's so small that his beard couldn't fit inside the city. So we made him shave it and shipped the shavings to Rhode Island. Thank you, Rhode Island!
The Movie I Watched Last Night VII
Moonstruck
Nicolas Cage plays an angry baker with a wooden hand. Cher plays an aging, romantically desperate woman about to make the wrong marriage decision. Her character's parents face similar challenges: Dad's dating a floozy on the side, and mom makes the right call when she has a restaurant liaison with Frasier Crane's dad. Meanwhile, crazy grandpa devotes himself to their pet dogs and the full moon. ("If you give that food to those dogs, I'm going to kick you until you're dead!") True love, the opera, and some missing money from the corner store all conspire to create the happiest of happy endings. Nic and Cher hook up, her former beau is left in the lurch, and mom and dad are back together, forever. So much for affairs, dying mothers, and petty thievery! Features a nice "Pretty Woman"-like scene in which Cher gets gussied up for her night at l'opera. She's gonna wash that man right out of her hair.
Moonstruck
Nicolas Cage plays an angry baker with a wooden hand. Cher plays an aging, romantically desperate woman about to make the wrong marriage decision. Her character's parents face similar challenges: Dad's dating a floozy on the side, and mom makes the right call when she has a restaurant liaison with Frasier Crane's dad. Meanwhile, crazy grandpa devotes himself to their pet dogs and the full moon. ("If you give that food to those dogs, I'm going to kick you until you're dead!") True love, the opera, and some missing money from the corner store all conspire to create the happiest of happy endings. Nic and Cher hook up, her former beau is left in the lurch, and mom and dad are back together, forever. So much for affairs, dying mothers, and petty thievery! Features a nice "Pretty Woman"-like scene in which Cher gets gussied up for her night at l'opera. She's gonna wash that man right out of her hair.
Sites on the Side of the Road III
After an almost two-month rest at home in the Netherlands (well-deserved after eight months of travel!), Ramon is heading back out on the road as part of his Let Me Stay for a Day project. On the LMSfaD Web, you can read Ramon's diary entries, follow his progress around the world, and offer to host him yourself.
After an almost two-month rest at home in the Netherlands (well-deserved after eight months of travel!), Ramon is heading back out on the road as part of his Let Me Stay for a Day project. On the LMSfaD Web, you can read Ramon's diary entries, follow his progress around the world, and offer to host him yourself.
From the In Box: From the Reading Pile VII
Thanks for the wonderful review. It's great to hear someone's thoughts on what I do, and to know that I am actually getting something across. Did I send you my latest one, about bugs? I'm hoping to have another wee book done for Beantown Zinetown, too. Have you been to BZ? It's pretty fun -- you should come! -- Dan Moynihan
I think I might have picked the bugs book up at the Picnic, but I'm not sure. If I did, it'll be reviewed in Media Diet before too long. I went to the first Beantown Zinetown, but I haven't gone to the subsequent ones. I'll try to check it out this year.
Thanks for the wonderful review. It's great to hear someone's thoughts on what I do, and to know that I am actually getting something across. Did I send you my latest one, about bugs? I'm hoping to have another wee book done for Beantown Zinetown, too. Have you been to BZ? It's pretty fun -- you should come! -- Dan Moynihan
I think I might have picked the bugs book up at the Picnic, but I'm not sure. If I did, it'll be reviewed in Media Diet before too long. I went to the first Beantown Zinetown, but I haven't gone to the subsequent ones. I'll try to check it out this year.
Tuesday, February 19, 2002
From the Reading Pile VII
Artfly #3 -- 2002 comic book and calendar (summer 2001)
The brainchild of FC Brandt and Jesse Reklaw, this 365-panel and 32-page jam comic features more than 100 comic artists. Each month tells a story, and this rivals the Slingshot annual planner as the coolest calendar for Y2K2. I can't imagine the logistical planning this took -- the writing, assigning the art -- but it's amazing. Abe Lincoln kicks some ass, robots fight, movies are made, aliens are thwarted, and people die as folks such as Brian Ralph, Matt Feazell, Trevor Alixopulos (providing art hella better than that in Tenth Frame), Leela Corman, Jason Shiga, Jordan Crane, Tom Devlin, Kurt Wolfgang, and David Lasky lend their pens to the cause. Each month is heavily credited, FC and Jesse offer back story to the calendar, and outtakes -- panels that were overassigned -- are included. Buy this, the Slingshot pocket planner, and the Bizarre Bazaar's Rabble Rouser's calendar, and you'll be overprepared for a whole year. $8 to FC Brandt, 1915 Dufour Ave. #D, Redondo Beach, CA 90278.
Catching the Moon
One of Dan Moynihan's relatively new minis, this is the most lush item he's produced to date. With each page painted in watercolor, this is a 12-page story of a boy, a girl, the moon, and how the girl captures said moon in a teacup. A wonderful wordless comic, this mini blends creative production design with heartfelt writing, whimsy, and humor. Dan combines the fantastic with the mundane to arrive at a sensitive sense of serendipity, yearning, and completeness. Excellent. $3.
Go #3 (fall 2000)
The description of what the zine Go is -- the inside front cover -- is the best self-publishing manifesto I've read in a long time. Made me sigh. As the "DIY pop, counterculture, art, ideas, and information negazine for the video game generation," and, oh, so much more, Go takes a look at many of the things that make life worth living. This old 68-page issue considers baths, flea circuses, ramen, milk, ketchup, Burmese boy rebels, Mark Bode, and plagiarism. And it features some of the funniest writing I've read lately, drawing on the talents of such pseudonymomous folks as Barnaby Barnacle III, Johnny Ramen (with wonderfully varied and chopped-up English from Chef du Varre), Tony Maggot, Cyrus Pigeonboy, and Dr. Professor Babukaji. Oh! But the best? The interview with Toog, the Parisian musician and poet who answered Go's questions with drawings -- better than the Scott McCloud interview in Wired. More comics interviews, please! I'm sure there have been more issues of Go; it's too, too good. Zine of the batch! $3 to Go, P.O. Box 3635, Oakland, CA 94609-0635.
Hickee
A collective effort by Joe White, Marc Overney, Nathan Stapley, Razmig Mavlian, Scott Campbell, and Graham Annable, this 36-page anthology collects 13 stories. Reminding me of the old Zoot comics, Hickee contains several highlights: all of Nathan Stapley's cartoony comedies (Jumping Jeffery even made me laugh out loud.); Stapley's fart joke-inflated appropriation of airplane safety instructions; Scott Campbell's lengthy tale of wishes, avoidance, and fulfillment; ad Razmig Mavlian's bittersweet take on new-found friendship. Almost animated in nature, this'd make a good companion read to Comb-Over. $3.
Mass Art Newspaper #1-5
This consistently eight-page project by the folks at Paper Radio is aimed at Mass Art students and other local fans of Paper Radio productions. Combining found art, coloring book reproductions, filled-in Mad-Libs, interviews about slang and cartoons, handwritten music reviews, to-do lists, letters, commentary on recordings of robots, an article on the Pony Patterns, poetry, photography, and assorted in jokes, each issue -- except #5 -- includes the same two-page insert. #5's insert name drops Pracky Pranky and the Pony Patterns, alluding to Paper Radio's musical groups. Among the obsessions: ponies and (again) Canada. While the zines are extensively collage-oriented photocopier art posters, there's little to do with Mass Art or news. Seems to be an on-campus hype organ, albeit mysterious and creative, for Paper Radio's projects and DIY sensibility. Not worth a buck a pop, but maybe if I keep writing about Paper Radio, Ben will start flowing Media Diet some freebies. $1.
Mattel Psychedelics
I have either two or four editions of this collage-art poster zine from the folks at Paper Radio. One is a two-page poster featuring collage art, found text, a child's note about tracing (How much of this is found, and how much is concocted? I can't always tell.), and word play. There's a Masters of the Universe reference. The second "issue" might be three editions and an insert or one complete edition. I don't know. Regardless, there's more Masters of the Universe fetishism, found text, iconic record reviews, comic book reproductons, ponies, handwritten letters, Pracky Pranky references, Kool-Aid Man, handwriting practice pages, Real Slow Radio record cover reproductions, and cryptic comics featuring drugs, music, and Jesus. Where do they find this stuff? I have a Pracky Pranky CD somewhere. Must... put... it... on. This is mostly interchangeable with the Mass Art Newspaper in terms of form and content, but the more I read Paper Radio's stuff -- and the more I email Ben -- the less I'm able to distinguish between their art and artificem much less practice and prank. Wonderful, wonderful stuff. Free.
Product Brainstorming
I think this purges the last of the Paper Radio-related zines and comics I have in the reading pile for now. Fear not, there will be more, I'm sure. Countering my commentary on previous questionable and throwaway releases, this simple, 16-page mini is an awe-inspiring assortment of names and near-descriptions of products that don't exist but should. It's a facile concept for a zine: Make a list of almost 200 fake products -- and publish it. For the most part, this is an exercise in word play, but some of the ideas are priceless. Examples: Rude 'Tude Talk Back Talkers, Orangatangitude, "ABC, E!: A Guide to Rave Culture," the Psalm Pilot, and Hobo for Hire. Some are products, some are books, and some could be businesses. Venture capitalists, alert! An example of how the Paper Radio gang just keeps throwing out ideas until something sticks.
Radical Def #6 (summer 2001)
Published by the Anarchist Agitprop Collective, a recognized Southern Oregon University student club since 1996, this 72-page Slingshot-meets-Lookout! zine is heavy on the reprints, as well as on spirit. Drawing on other sources such as the Drug Reform Coalition, the Anti-Fascist Informational Bulletin, and the Michigan Citizen, ths also includes original content, both addressing topics such as the Lomakatski Restoration Project, ski development on Mt. Ashland, propaganda, student group budgets at SOU -- perhaps one of the best articles in terms of use on the local campus -- and local Green Anarchy organizing. Kind of an activist's hodgepodge, Radical Def definitely serves up a local flavor of activism but not much unity of purpose. Several patron saints are invoked -- Kropotkin, Peltier -- but I get little sense of the editorial personality or mission. Still, if I lived in Ashland, Oregon, or went to SOU, I'd read every single issue of this. $1 to Anarchist Collective, 1257 Siskiyou Blvd. #471, Ashland, OR 97520.
A Reader's Guide to the Underground Press #16 (summer 2001)
Formerly Zine World, this is a zine I used to review for. It's an extremely valuable zine review resource -- more valuable than Zine Guide -- that's run by volunteers, a wide-ranging collective of folks with different approaches, opinions, and viewpoints, much less voices. Featuring news about free speech-, privacy-, and micromedia-related news, this 88-page issue also sports a report on See Hear's shoddy consignment sales practices, letters of comment, columns (including a Fred Woodworth-penned analysis of the now-defunct Fine Print Distributors -- also RIP to Puppy Toss, Wow Cool, and Spit-and-a-Half!), classifieds, and reviews, reviews, reviews... ARGttUP's (awkward!) bread and butter. With almost 300 reviews, this is a bargain at $4. P.O. Box 330156, Murfreesboro, TN 37133.
Snow Monkeys #2
The best example I've seen so far of Small Publisher's Co-Op's printing, Megan Whitmarsh's 68-page 2000 comic features some friendly comice art akin to Allison Cole and Dan Moynihan. Dotty and Oslo write King Kong and Tin Tin, go on vacation, visit a haunted house with some squirrels, dream of organic chemistry, eat breakfast, watch TV, drink tea with birds, dance, consort with robots, and share their love with a ghost cat. More cute brute comics for you and your girlfriend. Mellow, clever, and sleepy like a Sunday morning. $3 to Tiny Industries, 4782 Pasadena Ave., Sacramento, CA 95841.
Soapbox Vol. 2 #1
The 12-page October 2001 issue of this progressive student-run paper, also from SOU, addresses university complicity in deforestation, the campus union movement, bias in student group budgeting, omissions by the Ashland Daily Tidings (a letter to the editor and an ad), global activism, 911, and local activism-oriented events. Thinner but probably more frequent than Radical Def, this is a must read if you live in the Ashland area. The Media Collective, 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., Stevenson Union #333, Ashland, OR 97520
Artfly #3 -- 2002 comic book and calendar (summer 2001)
The brainchild of FC Brandt and Jesse Reklaw, this 365-panel and 32-page jam comic features more than 100 comic artists. Each month tells a story, and this rivals the Slingshot annual planner as the coolest calendar for Y2K2. I can't imagine the logistical planning this took -- the writing, assigning the art -- but it's amazing. Abe Lincoln kicks some ass, robots fight, movies are made, aliens are thwarted, and people die as folks such as Brian Ralph, Matt Feazell, Trevor Alixopulos (providing art hella better than that in Tenth Frame), Leela Corman, Jason Shiga, Jordan Crane, Tom Devlin, Kurt Wolfgang, and David Lasky lend their pens to the cause. Each month is heavily credited, FC and Jesse offer back story to the calendar, and outtakes -- panels that were overassigned -- are included. Buy this, the Slingshot pocket planner, and the Bizarre Bazaar's Rabble Rouser's calendar, and you'll be overprepared for a whole year. $8 to FC Brandt, 1915 Dufour Ave. #D, Redondo Beach, CA 90278.
Catching the Moon
One of Dan Moynihan's relatively new minis, this is the most lush item he's produced to date. With each page painted in watercolor, this is a 12-page story of a boy, a girl, the moon, and how the girl captures said moon in a teacup. A wonderful wordless comic, this mini blends creative production design with heartfelt writing, whimsy, and humor. Dan combines the fantastic with the mundane to arrive at a sensitive sense of serendipity, yearning, and completeness. Excellent. $3.
Go #3 (fall 2000)
The description of what the zine Go is -- the inside front cover -- is the best self-publishing manifesto I've read in a long time. Made me sigh. As the "DIY pop, counterculture, art, ideas, and information negazine for the video game generation," and, oh, so much more, Go takes a look at many of the things that make life worth living. This old 68-page issue considers baths, flea circuses, ramen, milk, ketchup, Burmese boy rebels, Mark Bode, and plagiarism. And it features some of the funniest writing I've read lately, drawing on the talents of such pseudonymomous folks as Barnaby Barnacle III, Johnny Ramen (with wonderfully varied and chopped-up English from Chef du Varre), Tony Maggot, Cyrus Pigeonboy, and Dr. Professor Babukaji. Oh! But the best? The interview with Toog, the Parisian musician and poet who answered Go's questions with drawings -- better than the Scott McCloud interview in Wired. More comics interviews, please! I'm sure there have been more issues of Go; it's too, too good. Zine of the batch! $3 to Go, P.O. Box 3635, Oakland, CA 94609-0635.
Hickee
A collective effort by Joe White, Marc Overney, Nathan Stapley, Razmig Mavlian, Scott Campbell, and Graham Annable, this 36-page anthology collects 13 stories. Reminding me of the old Zoot comics, Hickee contains several highlights: all of Nathan Stapley's cartoony comedies (Jumping Jeffery even made me laugh out loud.); Stapley's fart joke-inflated appropriation of airplane safety instructions; Scott Campbell's lengthy tale of wishes, avoidance, and fulfillment; ad Razmig Mavlian's bittersweet take on new-found friendship. Almost animated in nature, this'd make a good companion read to Comb-Over. $3.
Mass Art Newspaper #1-5
This consistently eight-page project by the folks at Paper Radio is aimed at Mass Art students and other local fans of Paper Radio productions. Combining found art, coloring book reproductions, filled-in Mad-Libs, interviews about slang and cartoons, handwritten music reviews, to-do lists, letters, commentary on recordings of robots, an article on the Pony Patterns, poetry, photography, and assorted in jokes, each issue -- except #5 -- includes the same two-page insert. #5's insert name drops Pracky Pranky and the Pony Patterns, alluding to Paper Radio's musical groups. Among the obsessions: ponies and (again) Canada. While the zines are extensively collage-oriented photocopier art posters, there's little to do with Mass Art or news. Seems to be an on-campus hype organ, albeit mysterious and creative, for Paper Radio's projects and DIY sensibility. Not worth a buck a pop, but maybe if I keep writing about Paper Radio, Ben will start flowing Media Diet some freebies. $1.
Mattel Psychedelics
I have either two or four editions of this collage-art poster zine from the folks at Paper Radio. One is a two-page poster featuring collage art, found text, a child's note about tracing (How much of this is found, and how much is concocted? I can't always tell.), and word play. There's a Masters of the Universe reference. The second "issue" might be three editions and an insert or one complete edition. I don't know. Regardless, there's more Masters of the Universe fetishism, found text, iconic record reviews, comic book reproductons, ponies, handwritten letters, Pracky Pranky references, Kool-Aid Man, handwriting practice pages, Real Slow Radio record cover reproductions, and cryptic comics featuring drugs, music, and Jesus. Where do they find this stuff? I have a Pracky Pranky CD somewhere. Must... put... it... on. This is mostly interchangeable with the Mass Art Newspaper in terms of form and content, but the more I read Paper Radio's stuff -- and the more I email Ben -- the less I'm able to distinguish between their art and artificem much less practice and prank. Wonderful, wonderful stuff. Free.
Product Brainstorming
I think this purges the last of the Paper Radio-related zines and comics I have in the reading pile for now. Fear not, there will be more, I'm sure. Countering my commentary on previous questionable and throwaway releases, this simple, 16-page mini is an awe-inspiring assortment of names and near-descriptions of products that don't exist but should. It's a facile concept for a zine: Make a list of almost 200 fake products -- and publish it. For the most part, this is an exercise in word play, but some of the ideas are priceless. Examples: Rude 'Tude Talk Back Talkers, Orangatangitude, "ABC, E!: A Guide to Rave Culture," the Psalm Pilot, and Hobo for Hire. Some are products, some are books, and some could be businesses. Venture capitalists, alert! An example of how the Paper Radio gang just keeps throwing out ideas until something sticks.
Radical Def #6 (summer 2001)
Published by the Anarchist Agitprop Collective, a recognized Southern Oregon University student club since 1996, this 72-page Slingshot-meets-Lookout! zine is heavy on the reprints, as well as on spirit. Drawing on other sources such as the Drug Reform Coalition, the Anti-Fascist Informational Bulletin, and the Michigan Citizen, ths also includes original content, both addressing topics such as the Lomakatski Restoration Project, ski development on Mt. Ashland, propaganda, student group budgets at SOU -- perhaps one of the best articles in terms of use on the local campus -- and local Green Anarchy organizing. Kind of an activist's hodgepodge, Radical Def definitely serves up a local flavor of activism but not much unity of purpose. Several patron saints are invoked -- Kropotkin, Peltier -- but I get little sense of the editorial personality or mission. Still, if I lived in Ashland, Oregon, or went to SOU, I'd read every single issue of this. $1 to Anarchist Collective, 1257 Siskiyou Blvd. #471, Ashland, OR 97520.
A Reader's Guide to the Underground Press #16 (summer 2001)
Formerly Zine World, this is a zine I used to review for. It's an extremely valuable zine review resource -- more valuable than Zine Guide -- that's run by volunteers, a wide-ranging collective of folks with different approaches, opinions, and viewpoints, much less voices. Featuring news about free speech-, privacy-, and micromedia-related news, this 88-page issue also sports a report on See Hear's shoddy consignment sales practices, letters of comment, columns (including a Fred Woodworth-penned analysis of the now-defunct Fine Print Distributors -- also RIP to Puppy Toss, Wow Cool, and Spit-and-a-Half!), classifieds, and reviews, reviews, reviews... ARGttUP's (awkward!) bread and butter. With almost 300 reviews, this is a bargain at $4. P.O. Box 330156, Murfreesboro, TN 37133.
Snow Monkeys #2
The best example I've seen so far of Small Publisher's Co-Op's printing, Megan Whitmarsh's 68-page 2000 comic features some friendly comice art akin to Allison Cole and Dan Moynihan. Dotty and Oslo write King Kong and Tin Tin, go on vacation, visit a haunted house with some squirrels, dream of organic chemistry, eat breakfast, watch TV, drink tea with birds, dance, consort with robots, and share their love with a ghost cat. More cute brute comics for you and your girlfriend. Mellow, clever, and sleepy like a Sunday morning. $3 to Tiny Industries, 4782 Pasadena Ave., Sacramento, CA 95841.
Soapbox Vol. 2 #1
The 12-page October 2001 issue of this progressive student-run paper, also from SOU, addresses university complicity in deforestation, the campus union movement, bias in student group budgeting, omissions by the Ashland Daily Tidings (a letter to the editor and an ad), global activism, 911, and local activism-oriented events. Thinner but probably more frequent than Radical Def, this is a must read if you live in the Ashland area. The Media Collective, 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., Stevenson Union #333, Ashland, OR 97520
Blogging About Blogging X
Gosh, I haven't even thought about free Web counters for years. Then, just as I'm starting to think that nobody reads Media Diet, Craig of Spoilsport tells me that he received an email from someone in Brazil who wanted to learn more about the band -- because of a recent entry in this very blog. Small world!
So I got curious. How many people read Media Diet anyway? Courtesy of The Counter, I've added a little attendance taker at the bottom of Media Diet's main page. I'm sure I'll skew the stats -- I stop by here enough myself -- but now the rest of you can know what kind of company we're keeping. Whoah. I feel so 1995 and stuff...
Gosh, I haven't even thought about free Web counters for years. Then, just as I'm starting to think that nobody reads Media Diet, Craig of Spoilsport tells me that he received an email from someone in Brazil who wanted to learn more about the band -- because of a recent entry in this very blog. Small world!
So I got curious. How many people read Media Diet anyway? Courtesy of The Counter, I've added a little attendance taker at the bottom of Media Diet's main page. I'm sure I'll skew the stats -- I stop by here enough myself -- but now the rest of you can know what kind of company we're keeping. Whoah. I feel so 1995 and stuff...
PR-D-R-R
Attributed to Jessica Mullens, a San Francisco-based PR specialist with Ketchum:
You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say, "I'm fantastic in bed." That's direct marketing.
You're at a party with a bunch of friends and see a gorgeous girl. One of your friends goes up to her and pointing at you says, "He's fantastic in bed." That's advertising.
You're at a party and see a gorgeous girl. You get up, straighten your tie, walk up to her and pour her a drink. You open the door, pick up her bag after she drops it, offer her a ride, and then say, "By the way, I'm fantastic in bed." That's public relations.
You're at a party and see a gorgeous girl. She walks up to you and says, "I hear you're fantastic in bed." That's... brand recognition.
Attributed to Jessica Mullens, a San Francisco-based PR specialist with Ketchum:
You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say, "I'm fantastic in bed." That's direct marketing.
You're at a party with a bunch of friends and see a gorgeous girl. One of your friends goes up to her and pointing at you says, "He's fantastic in bed." That's advertising.
You're at a party and see a gorgeous girl. You get up, straighten your tie, walk up to her and pour her a drink. You open the door, pick up her bag after she drops it, offer her a ride, and then say, "By the way, I'm fantastic in bed." That's public relations.
You're at a party and see a gorgeous girl. She walks up to you and says, "I hear you're fantastic in bed." That's... brand recognition.
Putting the Fun in Fundamentalism
Rev. Brendan Powell Smith's Brick Testament is a sculpture and digital photography project in which select stories from the Bible are recreated using Lego pieces. I have nothing more to say.
Rev. Brendan Powell Smith's Brick Testament is a sculpture and digital photography project in which select stories from the Bible are recreated using Lego pieces. I have nothing more to say.
Comics with a Cause
The Nation featured a lengthy analysis of the comic strip the Boondocks in its Jan. 28 edition. While I don't think Boondocks is as politically astute or caustic as, say, Doonesbury (a too-easy criticism to make, but there are scarce comparisons in this case) -- and while I rarely think that Aaron McGruder's humor or commentary hits particularly hard, the strip is an anomaly in the funny pages. And for that I've got to give McGruder props. John Nichols' article looks at the role dissent can play in the otherwise homogenized comics section.
The Nation featured a lengthy analysis of the comic strip the Boondocks in its Jan. 28 edition. While I don't think Boondocks is as politically astute or caustic as, say, Doonesbury (a too-easy criticism to make, but there are scarce comparisons in this case) -- and while I rarely think that Aaron McGruder's humor or commentary hits particularly hard, the strip is an anomaly in the funny pages. And for that I've got to give McGruder props. John Nichols' article looks at the role dissent can play in the otherwise homogenized comics section.