I return to New Orleans often — to fish, eat and dance. But it is a particular pleasure to sit in one of the city’s many coffee shops and watch plain old folks jaw over The Times-Picayune, brandishing it like a weapon when they want to make a point.
When The Levee Breaks
David Carr writes a superb piece looking at the decline of the New Orleans Times-Picayune in his latest Media Equation column. The above is not the only memorable paragraph from the piece but it struck a resounding note when I read it.
I visited New Orleans for a week in the spring of 2007 to participate in the Katrina relief effort. While there, I had the chance to hear from Dan Shea, the Times-Picayune’s managing editor. Shea spoke at length about the paper’s experience in the aftermath of the hurricane. Much of its staff stayed behind and, despite the widespread destruction, the paper only missed three days of print publication. It’s an amazing story of newsroom heroism by a staff that will soon be dramatically reduced.
Carr’s article is worth a read, if not just for the great writing. For the full article, check out The New York Times’ website
posted 29 May, 2012
by kantrowitz
You will be judged (or you will be ignored)
Which Would You Prefer?
I came across a great Seth Godin blog post that I think is worth sharing (and so, here I am, sharing it). The title is “You will be judged (or you will be ignored),” the rest of the post is quoted below. It will take a minute to read, and is well worth the time. Make it happen:
Those are pretty much the only two choices.
Being judged is uncomfortable. Snap judgments, prejudices, misinformation… all of these, combined with not enough time (how could there be) to truly know you, means that you will inevitably be misjudged, underestimated (or overestimated) and unfairly rejected.
The alternative, of course, is much safer. To be ignored.
Up to you.
Seth’s Blog: sethgodin.typepad.com
posted 22 May, 2012
by kantrowitz
Don’t Steal Gawker’s Newspapers!
Check out this sign on the front door of Gawker HQ. Yes, the digital news company does get the newspaper in print form. And yes, it does get stolen time to time. And Gawker is pissed. So to you petty newspaper thieves out there, please lay off of Gawker’s subscription. You can probably get the same news for free, on the web.
posted 22 May, 2012
by kantrowitz
Game On: Hunch to Debut on eBay “Later this year”
I visited the offices of recommendation engine turned eBay acquisition Hunch this past Friday and had a nice chat with co-founder Tom Pinckney. While Hunch has made a few tweaks to the way eBay recommends items to its users, the big changes should be coming later this year according to Pinckney.
The Hunch eBay marriage is exciting in that it has an easily measurable ROI. If Hunch can help boost eBay’s sales via better recommendations on eBay.com, then the investment was a great one. If not, well, you know the drill. I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on this story as I like the definitiveness of it. In the meantime, please enjoy my instagram of the Hunch Arcade, which yes, does exist in Hunch’s offices.
posted 21 May, 2012
by kantrowitz
The pack rides on during the third stage of the Giro d’Italia around Horsens, Denmark on Monday. (Luk Beniesluk Benies/AFP/GettyImages)
Tomorrow, New York Sports Meetup will host Andy Gray, author of the Sports Illustrated Photo blog (siphotos). Should be a great night filled with engaging questions and a slideshow of amazing photos that Andy has picked out to show the group. The event is open to the public and an official Internet Week New York event. Hope to see you there!
Details:
Date: Tomorrow
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Southern Hospitality BBQ (1460 Second Ave)
posted 16 May, 2012
by kantrowitz
Cory Booker can’t stop saving people as Chris Christie struggles to get his mojo back. [via Azi’s morning briefing, which you can now get in your inbox!]
Enjoy this delightfully awkward video starring Chris Christie and Cory Booker. The video was produced for New Jersey’s version of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner and features some terrible acting by NJ’s two star politicians. Booker!
posted 16 May, 2012
by kantrowitz
in five years, i bet there will be a lot of red from astoria to red hook. the next big growth sector for tech is the other side of the east river
Coming to you live from the eye of the storm…
I disagree with Fred Wilson here. Though it would be a city planner’s dream to have the tech industry make its way into ‘The Boroughs,’ I expect the growth to continue in the Flatiron and Union Square area.
I will take Wilson at his word when he changes name of his VC firm from ‘Union Square Ventures’ to ‘Astoria Ventures’ or ‘Queens Capital.’
Whatever the case may be, it’s internet week here in New York City. I’m looking forward to heading to some great events (In Manhattan), including this panel with the New York Times’ David Carr and Brian Stelter:
https://internetweekny.com/schedule/event/63
Related: New York City is the Fastest Growing Tech Hub in The U.S.
posted 14 May, 2012
by kantrowitz
A historical tidbit: the original business model for Gizmodo was affiliate fees from purchases of gadgets through Amazon. We didn’t have the scale then to make that work. We do now. In December we made $70,000 from Amazon. Without really trying. No seriously, it was an accident.
Gawker Moves Towards a New Business Model, Makes $70,000 Dollars In One Month Without Even Trying
In a memo to ‘All Staff’ yesterday afternoon, Gawker founder Nick Denton advised the company of a number of changes. The meat of the message is that Gawker is determined to seek revenue outside of the traditional banner ad model. Said Denton:
We expect that the banner ad business will be supplanted by our content services and content-driven commerce
One example given by Denton, which is quoted above, is that Gizmodo was able to make $70,000 dollars in December from Amazon affiliate fees.
Editorial concerns aside, if Gawker can change its business to be primarily reliant on affiliate fees and content services, it’s a big deal.
Someone is going to have to find a better business model what’s in place now. And Gawker, ever pushing the envelope, has as good a chance as anyone out there.
h/t JimRomenesko.com
posted 11 May, 2012
by kantrowitz
Meet up! (late)
Great times at the Tumblr Meetup tonight.
Two worlds collide.
Stuff I’ve written about Tumblr:
Meet the Journalist Behind Tumblr’s Rise
Stuff I’ve written about Meetup:
Meetup CEO on Occupy Wall Street
Meetup Wants to be Facebook for the Real World
Thanks for the shout, Gavin. (Aka: OperationFailure)
posted 10 May, 2012
by kantrowitz
Poor Chicago. Now you know what my existence as a Mets, Jets, Islanders, Knicks fan must feel like. There’s always the Cubs, right?
posted 10 May, 2012
by kantrowitz
That’s some pretty solid camera work right there.
Watching this for the rest of the day!
Doing whatever it...
Quote of the Day: Gavin Newsom really doesn’t like being Lt. Gov. of California.
Lunchtime Links:
Today on The Daily What Geek: New trailers for The Dark Knight Rises
Elsewhere on the Internets:
I try to always pay attention when Seth or Alex share something important.
Which Would You Prefer?
I...
