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July 14, 2008
Monday In The Park With Dave
The day suddenly got full... running, running...
The revelation of the weekend was the 2.0 update for the iPhone. It's interesting playing with it after reading all the yawning reviews of the new iPhone 3G on Friday. The story is, as many did indicate, the new application store, which you can use from the phone itself, and not so much the new phone. Then the really real story is the transformation of the device via these apps and the potential that adding 3G to those apps creates.
I have never thought of dumping the Blackberry as "the mail phone" and the main phone until now... and I haven't even bought a 3G yet. Between the truly revolutionary website for The New York Times - which isn't just regurgitation, but actually allows you to browse news in a different way, led by photos, not words... and fascinatingly leads with Business and Op-Ed - the AOL Instant messaging services, photo and community site access from most of the big providers, working radio from dozens of internet radio providers, improved gps, video beyond YouTube, and all kinds of wonderful toys, this is an experience that steps as big and wide as the initial iPhone’s use of the touch screen.
When my phone can actually – in a functional way, not a "it should work, but doesn’t quite" way - listen to a song on TV or radio, figure out in less than 20 seconds what the song is, who is singing, and where I can watch a video or buy it on iTunes (a program called Shazam), my phone is no longer just a phone. And it’s not a toy either. It is an integrating life organizer offering real opportunities for business to capitalize on my access.
The very real question for the movie and TV industry of “what is the price point?” remains a problem to consider for the future. And pricing on the majority of paid applications available will make for a fascinating study in the months to come. (With 10 or more Sudoku apps available, will I choose randomly or will I stick with buying the EA branded one because the brand makes me feel safe?)
Anyway…
I think the Obama New Yorker cover “controversy” is a pig in a poke. The false stereotypes exist out there and the more openly discussed they are, the better for Obama and for the country. It’s so lacking in subtlety that I’m not worried about it being popular as “We told you so” fodder outside of a KKK meeting.
And…
Did someone give birth somewhere? Is that the sound of me crying because anyone anywhere who is not friend or family to this couple is really spending more than 10 seconds on what came out of Angelina Jolie? We are a planet of fucking morons sometimes.
Did I Mention…
I am chewing on the fascinating – and quick! – evolution of the Finke-to-Goldstein-To Bart blog revolution. Here is a trio that actually works the same beat much the same way to completely different results. And I’m kinda finding it thrilling. There’s an enormous amount of junk journalism coming out of it. But in the classic 3-is-a-trend of EW thinking, this group is creating their own genre in the e-blogosphere.
I think this notion really started to sink in via the combination of considering Charlie Joffe’s lifespan as a talent manager and the bouncing of some of the same stuff through each of these blogs. Nikki HATES Bob Shaye and Jeff Robinov with the insane obsession of someone who has no idea other than her rage (also vented at Patrick’s BFF, John Horn, who dared to actually do some reporting on her rose-petal covered agency turf) and Patrick is calling them (or their boss) up and running whatever prattle falls from their tongues and pretends he got insight. Meanwhile, PB is over there pissing on Hancock, then running away ("Variety’s own critic wrongly predicted mid-range results" and you, Pete, predicted The Last Action Hero treatment for Will Smith before Hancock assured itself of being no less than the #3 film of the summer in America and probably #2 worldwide, and no worse than the 4th biggest film of Smith's career )… sucking up to Guillermo, then attacking comic book movies… being on the cutting edge of the “children are not going to be a good movie market” bullshit after finally retiring the “teen boys aren’t going to the movies anymore” lie Variety has been selling for the last couple years since Sharon Waxman invented the Fake Slump of 2005, and mocking box office guessing games that Variety has been a leader in for years.
I’m sure I will write more on this in the months to come as three of the best fed, thinnest skinned journalists in town continue to expose themselves, redefine themselves under fire, and expose themselves again. The joy of Blogville is that people actually have to go on the record – even Nikki, who overwrites her many mistakes in recor… uh, reporting (and leaves many others) is seeing that sham figured out by more and more people, though most of her very narrow audience still wants to see her attack people they wish they could attack – and being on record exposes not only what and how you think, but how you do your work.
I, for one, am actually getting more comfortable with Patrick and Peter and Nikki as they circle each other in their Polish firing squad. The old boy’s club of Hollywood (which Nikki pretends she is beyond, when it is all that she has… at least Patrick and Peter smile and shake hands in public with their “sources”) is coming out of the closet. I can live with that. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. And if people want THAT, God bless ‘em. All I have ever wanted from any of these writers or any other journalists on this beat is truth in advertising. And blogging is the Sodium Pentothal of journalism. Toldja!
Posted by dpoland at July 14, 2008 11:16 AM
Comments
The New Yorker thing really is a mountain out of a molehill. It's called satire, people!
Posted by: jeffmcm ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.mcnblogs.com/thehotblog/nav-commenters.gif)
at July 14, 2008 01:54 PM
Can the guy have thinner skin? Talk about a lack of political balls. And Obama is certainly not alone. McCain waited all of a half-second to throw Phil Graham under the bus for the "whiner" comment. Where's the perspective?
"We are a planet of fucking morons sometimes."
Graham/Poland 2012: Puttin' the planet in its place!
Posted by: mysteryperfecta at July 14, 2008 02:49 PM
This Jolie/Pitt baby "story" is the logical extension for a country of buffalos who coo and shriek anytime some hausfrau two cubicles over brings their latest spawn into the office.
Guaranteed there's not one man on this planet, straight or gay, who gives a shit what any couple's newborn looks like. A baby looks like a baby, pretty much.
Posted by: LexG at July 14, 2008 05:54 PM
I'm with Jeff. I thought the cover was pretty transparently satire. Kind of like, "Now that we've put all those rumors into one drawing, do you finally realize how dumb you have to be to believe them?"
Posted by: Blackcloud at July 14, 2008 05:54 PM
Exactly, thank you.
Posted by: jeffmcm at July 14, 2008 05:58 PM
Smart people know it's satire. Unfortunately, a significant amount of people in this country simply aren't smart enough to get the joke, something that the media alludes to, but will never straight-up say on any of the cable news shows.
And what do you expect Obama to say? "Oh, cool, thanks for bringing up a nonissue again, thank you so much!" You're living in a dreamworld if you thought Obama was just going to laugh it off.
Posted by: brack at July 14, 2008 08:27 PM
If you believe that shit, it's because you wanted to. I wouldn't worry about changing that vote.
Posted by: doug r at July 14, 2008 08:37 PM
A lot of people believe shit because they want to, usually without any sort of proof, like most of the world.
Posted by: brack at July 15, 2008 12:48 AM
"You're living in a dreamworld if you thought Obama was just going to laugh it off."
I didn't think Obama was going to laugh it off. He reacted in the exact way I expected. So by your measure, either he's not one of the "smart" people, or he's feigning outrage to score sympathy points.
"And what do you expect Obama to say? "Oh, cool, thanks for bringing up a nonissue again, thank you so much!""
DP believes the opposite... that the more these stereotypes are openly discussed, the better for Obama.
"Unfortunately, a significant amount of people in this country simply aren't smart enough to get the joke"
Not sure how you come to that conclusion, beyond your own prejudices. First off, most people won't see and/or couldn't care less about the cover of The New Yorker. Secondly, I believe the vast majority of people are savvy enough to understand that what is depicted on the cover is not meant to be taken literally. If The New Yorker is asserting that these Obama rumors have gained any sort of traction, then (suprise!) its just another example of elitism, not unlike brack's comments.
Oh, and the vast majority of people couldn't care less about Jolie's babies. It doesn't seem like any of you have your fingers on the pulse of America.
Posted by: mysteryperfecta at July 15, 2008 06:48 AM
We discussed the New Yorker cover in my Niche Journalism class for about an hour last night. I was surprised by how many people were offended by it. I think it's a great cover that is very relevant at the moment. 12% of voters currently believe Obama is a Muslim. The news networks (and not just Fox) have run hysterical stories about why Michelle hates America and is so angry, if Obama was really educated at a Muslim school, how he has to overcome Hussein as a middle name, etc.
And what is with this "elitism" shit? About five students called the cover, the New Yorker, and Obama elitist. Are people throwing this word around a little too casually? Do they really stop and think about what it means? Do they really believe that John & Cindy McCain are not elitist? I mean, Karl Rove is calling Obama a country-club elitist, while in a country club.
Posted by: Stella's Boy at July 15, 2008 07:32 AM
What's elitist is the attitude, shown by some pundits, that Americans are so stupid they'll think the cover is real, maybe even from the FUTURE!!!!1! I can't say it any better than Gawker. Whoever thought you'd ever hear those words?!
Posted by: Blackcloud at July 15, 2008 09:48 AM
As Blackcloud said, the attitude that the great unwashed are too stupid to understand satire is elitist. My rebuke is actually a defense of Obama supporters, who would logically comprise the vast majority of those offended.
And for the record-- Who has a history of being offended by political cartoons? That's right-- MUSLIMS! Makes you think, I reckon. Get a rope.
Posted by: mysteryperfecta at July 15, 2008 10:06 AM
I've asked again and again, but why do you guys care so much about this election? Obama is SO, SO boring and uncharismatic.
Voting is boring and your vote doesn't count. Stay home and watch reality shows.
Posted by: LexG at July 15, 2008 10:45 AM
I don't disagree with you guys that that is elitist. But I hear the word constantly, and frequently in ways not associated with "the attitude, shown by some pundits, that Americans are so stupid they'll think the cover is real." I think the word is being overused, but maybe that's just me.
Posted by: Stella's Boy at July 15, 2008 10:59 AM
LexG, altho I'll give you props for actually OWNING Wells over at HE after he banned your comment:
"Gruver1, censoring posts.
Exactly the spirit of liberal bonhommie that would make his beloved Obama proud."
And while it's interesting that Wells got ban-happy as his love for Obama increased, proving that a few liberals are as phony and afeared as the conservatives they attack, NOT VOTING is a sign of self-absorbed affliction, or such disgust in the process that you really don't think it matters.
But Lex, you won't have a reality show to watch if McCain gets in and bombs Iran. Your reality show will be real horrifying. And you can't change the channel.
And yes, the Obama camp are total wimps for reading that New Yorker cover wrong. Only in America would this kind of satire cause outrage.
Because of too much reality tv and distractions. Our nation gets dumber every day.
Posted by: christian at July 15, 2008 11:31 AM
Then who would you suggest I vote for? As a California resident, my (our?) voting is strictly a formality-- One for BO is another drop in the bucket; One for JM is woefully outnumbered. I can't get excited about either guy, though with Barry it's less anything against him than it is this absolutely off-putting hero worship from his ardent supporters, who find in this rather bland, inexperienced and boring candidate some mix of JFK, Bono and Jesus that I just am not seeing. At all.
Posted by: LexG at July 15, 2008 11:35 AM
i'm sure the politics is fascinating, but what i really want to know is did they fix how the email comes into the iphone? used to all dump into one folder and had to be deleted individually. does it still do that?
Posted by: hendhogan at July 15, 2008 12:53 PM
Lex, what's wrong with you? It's not just performance art or 'wacky comedy', it seems more like soul-sickness.
Posted by: jeffmcm at July 15, 2008 02:51 PM
Call me elitist all you want. What's ironic is that you're in effect being elitist.
Why you guys think smearing doesn't work is beyond me. It works all the time, whether it's from satire on a cover of a magazine (which is getting national attention, so it doesn't matter if people read The New Yorker or not) or somewhere else. Does no one remember the Swift Vote people in '04?
Posted by: brack at July 15, 2008 03:54 PM
bottom line: I don't trust the majority of the people in this country. we got George W. Bush twice. TWICE! so sorry if I don't have much faith in the country.
Posted by: brack at July 15, 2008 04:10 PM
That cover of The New Yorker is a new form of agitprop.
Posted by: Chucky in Jersey at July 16, 2008 05:53 AM
No it isn't. Have you ever even heard of The New Yorker and what they do?
Posted by: jeffmcm at July 16, 2008 01:04 PM
I'm suprised that no one from the PC police got on Dave's case for the "Polish firing squad" crac and told him that "blonde" is the PC group now!
Posted by: samguy at July 17, 2008 11:25 AM
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