Internet Cats, and What They Mean

After Thursday's class, I began thinking about the website that we discussed and analyzed at comic length. Although I have seen doctored pictures of cats and other animals on the Internet before, I have never thought about why so many people take pleasure from such things. That is, until Thursday.

I believe the reason the I Can Has Cheezburger? website has been so successful since its creation in 2007 is because it appeals to such a specific audience. The website, which gets as many as 1.5 million hits a day, is the perfect example of an expanding trend in journalism: narrow-casting. What that means is instead of targeting a broad demographic, it's more financially viable today to focus on specific topics that have large numbers of fans. Thus, a website devoted to non-sensical cat pictures has a built-in fan base: cat owners. In hindsight, it makes complete sense.

But what does that mean for the future of independent media? Are the most popular and financially successful websites all going to target very narrow audiences, or will it just be a passing fad? I think that narrow-casting, especially in the Internet age, is not only here to stay, but will continue to grow. I expect to see more unique and ludicrous website like I Can Has Cheezburger? in the future. I just hope I can be creative and capitalize on Internet narrow-casting, because it's a trend that's full of potential.

If I Had 1,000 True Fans

If I had a thousand true fans, I - as a writer working in the independent media - could survive even in these difficult economic times. The article that was assigned to read made me examine what artists I truly value, and why I value their work. For me personally, my favorite media outlet has always been the recording industry, as music is my first and favorite past time. The one artist that I'd say I'm a true fan of is the rock group Radiohead, who I have devoutly followed since 2000.

In October 2007, Radiohead made waves throughout the Internet and record industry, offering their newest album In Rainbows for Internet download. Using social networking sites, word spread quickly of Radiohead's most ambitious project, which gave fans the option of paying-what-they-wanted for the record. The project was enormously successful, and provided the band with both indie credibility and a new means to reach their millions of fans.

Using Radiohead's example, if I were to have a thousand real fans, I would give them the option of paying-what-they-wanted for my work. In my opinion, the money - if the work is good enough and reaches enough people - will come, whether through advertising, public appearances, or a variety of other means. The Internet is the new channel to reach fans, and if I can muster 1,000 people to support my work, then anything is possible.

My Democratic Philosophy

Today I was asked what my political philosophy is. In the wake of Obama's newly signed health care reform, I think now more than ever it is important to clarify what I believe and why my beliefs influence my political associations.

To start, I'm a Democrat from Pennsylvania. I was raised in a predominantly white, Christian, upper-middle class suburb where Republicans greatly outnumber Democrats. My mother is a Republican while my father is a Democrat. They somehow have a happy marriage even though their beliefs, especially on issues like abortion, are conflicting.

When I registered with the Democratic Party in 2007, it was because I was fed up with President Bush and the lies manufactured and sold to the American public. Even as a teenager, I could not understand how millions of Americans could tolerate Bush, who had lied on many occasions while looking directly into the camera. I knew from an early age that I did not want any part of these men and their politics.

With that said, my democratic philosophy is this: In the political world everyone lies. Try and find truth in the people you encounter, and then think about who best represents their interests. I have no doubt President Bush is a decent man, but unfortunately he was a terrible president. I'd rather have an asshole who gets things done and improves this country than a God-loving politician who fails the public.

I believe in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I believe EVERY American is entitled to these rights. With health care reform, President Obama is attempting to deliver on that Constitutional promise.

Personally speaking, I know I will be successful one day because of the incredible opportunities, like college, that I now enjoy. I just hope the rest of our country can be successful without such luxuries as a college education.

I vote Democrat because some politicians actually work to improve our society, not run it into the ground.

Izzy Stone, American Pioneer

As I sit in class, listening to politically pugnacious pundits like Glenn Beck and Keith Olberman, I must admit that I am saddened by the current state of journalism. Unfortunately today, real journalists doing real investigative, objective work are buried beneath cable news networks who pile mounds and mounds of "journalistic" garbage into American life. Cable news networks like Fox News and MSNBC are hurting America not only because they appeal to politically partisan viewers, but because they preach falsified "news" and pass it off as genuine journalism. These cable news talking heads - void of any political intelligence - do nothing but further polarize our already fractured nation.

Despite the miserable state of cable news, there is hope that true, independent-minded journalists still exist and affect the way people perceive the news. In the past, independent journalists such as George Seldes and Izzy Stone, through self-funded newsletters, were able to get their messages to the American public even though they faced tremendous opposition. In Izzy Stone's case, Stone himself served as chief writer, editor, publisher, typist, and every other position under the sun for his weekly newsletter.

What an amazing achievement it is to create one's own newsletter from the ground up and be honored for positively affecting the news media. That is exactly what Izzy Stone, upon receiving the Polk Award in 1971, was able to accomplish. I.F. Stone's Weekly brought an unbiased, professional attitude to journalism at a time when people still picked their words carefully to avoid being labeled a communist. To his credit, Stone never withheld his opinions, speaking and writing openly about government lies in regards to the McCarthy hearings and the Vietnam War. He was a champion of free speech during an era when saying anything un-American was grounds for government investigation into one's personal life.

With that said, current independent journalists have an obligation to the American people. These journalists, writing on the Internet to a limitless audience, must attack and expose the cable news pundits that are destroying America. These journalists must find a way to get their messages to the public in a fresh, easy to access, and visually striking way. News, and journalism for that matter, has switched from print to digital, and independent journalists must use the Internet to level out the unbalanced media playing field.

Izzy Stone is the ultimate example of the potential power independent journalists can have. He was a true American pioneer. Now the question is: Who will be the next Izzy Stone?