I remember the days of the early blogosphere, including Wonkette, and I've reflected now and then on how much of my media diet these days goes back to the blogs and columns I read then.
I think there is something about some writing being "new or better" not because of the content of the take per se, but in how it is said and by whom. In that sense, everyone really can bring something very unique to the table - themselves - and all they have to do is write openly and honesty. (That's all!) Anyway, where I'm going with this is that I've always appreciated your perspective and writing and looking forward to reading more!
"...newsrooms are now collections of brands and not collections of people" rings true. And it's a damn shame because the newsroom *people* I have come to know are really terrific.
Pretty sure you were on my reading list prior to L'affaire Washingtonienne but yeah it did focus my attention. Back then it was mostly DKos and Atrios.
I haven't seen CIVIL WAR because although I really don't see it happening there is a group of Americans who fantasize about it and for whom owning the weapons to make it happen is a fetish. And I am worried. Heck, I thought the idea of Trump winning the nomination or the 2016 election was absurd.
Anyway glad you've landed here: Wish I could help in a more substantial way than with encouraging words. We really do love you for more than Bram and Exley content. Truly.
I will give you my perspective as a reader of yours and not a journalist myself. First, as to Washingtonienne, I admit that I first came across your name and voice then. I enjoyed reading Wonkette when it seemed slightly illicit and fun. Maybe there were elements to that story that you regret, but it made me aware of you and want to read this newsletter, so there's that.
As to newsletters... I really kind of hate them as a publishing medium, because no matter how much I enjoy reading them at first, once they start to appear in my already overcrowded email inbox, after a while they start to feel like homework. For that reason, I can't subscribe to yours because I don't want to start resenting you. So please keep telling me when you post via Bluesky and I will eventually jump to this site (or wherever you decide to move it) and read on the web.
Lastly as to Civil War: First, I waited until I had actually seen the movie before I read what you had written about it, and I'd love to read more of your thoughts. But also, it's been my observation that a major news event (but hopefully not a civil war) will drive readers to journalists like nothing else. I live in Toronto and remember during the Rob Ford years being glued to any and all stories about him, because they kept getting more and more fantastic and insane. I also obsessively read Wonkette during the 08 election when Ken Layne was running it (Wonkette, not the election), because that was a fascinating election cycle and I didn't use social media.
As a media consumer, I feel really sorry for journalists because real newsrooms are shrinking into nothingness, news is effectively free on the internet (hello) and even the old ad model no longer works because ads are so annoying that most people use ad blockers, (and Google/FB suck up most of the remaining profits anyway). But back to me as a media consumer... my time to read or "consume" is limited. I spend too much time on Bluesky (formerly on Twitter) because seeing a range of voices that can be consumed quickly (and relatively ad-free) is addictive. When I'm not looking at a screen, I am often listening to podcasts... but the number I can subscribe to and listen to is limited, so I stick with old favourites mostly.
All this to say, I feel for you and don't know the solution. I am interested in your writing on Civil War and how it connects to journalism as a profession. Find good stories is the main thing. For what it's worth, as long as you can continue to write compellingly, I'll come back.
I remember the days of the early blogosphere, including Wonkette, and I've reflected now and then on how much of my media diet these days goes back to the blogs and columns I read then.
I think there is something about some writing being "new or better" not because of the content of the take per se, but in how it is said and by whom. In that sense, everyone really can bring something very unique to the table - themselves - and all they have to do is write openly and honesty. (That's all!) Anyway, where I'm going with this is that I've always appreciated your perspective and writing and looking forward to reading more!
"...newsrooms are now collections of brands and not collections of people" rings true. And it's a damn shame because the newsroom *people* I have come to know are really terrific.
Pretty sure you were on my reading list prior to L'affaire Washingtonienne but yeah it did focus my attention. Back then it was mostly DKos and Atrios.
I haven't seen CIVIL WAR because although I really don't see it happening there is a group of Americans who fantasize about it and for whom owning the weapons to make it happen is a fetish. And I am worried. Heck, I thought the idea of Trump winning the nomination or the 2016 election was absurd.
Anyway glad you've landed here: Wish I could help in a more substantial way than with encouraging words. We really do love you for more than Bram and Exley content. Truly.
I will give you my perspective as a reader of yours and not a journalist myself. First, as to Washingtonienne, I admit that I first came across your name and voice then. I enjoyed reading Wonkette when it seemed slightly illicit and fun. Maybe there were elements to that story that you regret, but it made me aware of you and want to read this newsletter, so there's that.
As to newsletters... I really kind of hate them as a publishing medium, because no matter how much I enjoy reading them at first, once they start to appear in my already overcrowded email inbox, after a while they start to feel like homework. For that reason, I can't subscribe to yours because I don't want to start resenting you. So please keep telling me when you post via Bluesky and I will eventually jump to this site (or wherever you decide to move it) and read on the web.
Lastly as to Civil War: First, I waited until I had actually seen the movie before I read what you had written about it, and I'd love to read more of your thoughts. But also, it's been my observation that a major news event (but hopefully not a civil war) will drive readers to journalists like nothing else. I live in Toronto and remember during the Rob Ford years being glued to any and all stories about him, because they kept getting more and more fantastic and insane. I also obsessively read Wonkette during the 08 election when Ken Layne was running it (Wonkette, not the election), because that was a fascinating election cycle and I didn't use social media.
As a media consumer, I feel really sorry for journalists because real newsrooms are shrinking into nothingness, news is effectively free on the internet (hello) and even the old ad model no longer works because ads are so annoying that most people use ad blockers, (and Google/FB suck up most of the remaining profits anyway). But back to me as a media consumer... my time to read or "consume" is limited. I spend too much time on Bluesky (formerly on Twitter) because seeing a range of voices that can be consumed quickly (and relatively ad-free) is addictive. When I'm not looking at a screen, I am often listening to podcasts... but the number I can subscribe to and listen to is limited, so I stick with old favourites mostly.
All this to say, I feel for you and don't know the solution. I am interested in your writing on Civil War and how it connects to journalism as a profession. Find good stories is the main thing. For what it's worth, as long as you can continue to write compellingly, I'll come back.