for the journalism inclined? | un: royals_fan | text

[apricitous]

Hello all.

I've been settling in, the same as I'm sure many of you have, but while I've taken a position to pay the bills, I've noticed a distinct lack of my previous vocation:

I was a reporter, and while I won't say I was the best one in the business where I come from, I would say that I truly believe in the power and importance of the free press. Now, I'm currently down in Wyver at the moment, but I do have an associate, the real head of this operation, who's been working on this problem from up in Olympia.

Neither of us have necessarily worked in the management of a publication before, so we're happy to sit back a little if someone with the experience would like to step forward, but we're also looking for people who are interested in working in journalism from any direction: bloggers, photographers, or the more investigation inclined.

You can ping me here and we can discuss it or we can meet up somewhere in the city as is easiest for you. I'm pretty mobile and more than flexible.

Thank you.

Comments

[vorrutyer]

But that seems unfair! I imagine far more people would be reading for salacious gossip than, oh, cutting investigative reporting on things that depress them, like wars or conspiracies or how the government is out to get them.

[apricitous]

If we all got paid what we imagine our work is worth, the world would be a much different place.

It's the best, and the most fair, thing I was able to come up with given I haven't been made aware of any starting capital and I don't have any of my own.

[vorrutyer]

Well, also, if everything operated under lines of "fairness," the world would be a much different place. Eurgh, thoughts of equity and equal division of proceeds send a shudder down my autocratic little spine.

[apricitous]

Now, do you mean 'fairness' or fairness? The two are quite a bit different.

No one's forcing you to do it. But it's the best I can do.

[vorrutyer]

Well, yes. Because there's no such thing as fairness, only "fairness."

[apricitous]

Fairness is possible. It's a lot more possible on a small scale, but it IS possible. I won't argue that historically, 'fairness' is a lot more common, because it is.

Hence feeling the need for a fourth estate.

[vorrutyer]

You know, back during the Time of Isolation, the Barrayaran Emperors ensured that proles weren't taught to read just so they wouldn't get any ideas from muckrakers like you...Ah, the good old days.

[apricitous]

And how well did that work out for them?

I don't know, I'm actually curious.

Either way, imagine how much potential was lost from their fear. 'Old', sure, but I doubt they were 'good'.

[vorrutyer]

Well, it kept them in power. Scarcely a rebellion to challenge them, and the rebellions that did arise were put down quick. Are there any other benchmarks for success...?

[apricitous]

Are there?

I'm curious what you think.

[vorrutyer]

[ Hah. Byerly can't help but smile just a bit at that response. Seems like this fellow isn't the sort who can be misled and turned around. ]

Oh, don't ask me. That seems like a hard question, and as a rule I try to avoid thinking too much about things. That's how you get wrinkles. Aren't you afraid of getting wrinkles?

[apricitous]

But I -am- asking you.

You, who brought up the topic, and the historical event, and explained it all.

But no, I'm not really afraid of wrinkles. They give people character.

[vorrutyer]

Handsomeness trumps character, every time.

But, in honor of your journalistic integrity: I have no great love for my head-cracking ancestors, no. I find that there are far more charming things that can be done with heads than smashing them. Though on the other hand, if proles hadn't been taught to write, then it'd still be Vor writing all the plays so all the plays would still be about the Vor and that sounds nice. One always wants to watch oneself up on the stage, no?

[apricitous]

Handsomeness and character are not mutually exclusive, though.

And I wouldn't say always. After all, it's not very fun to see yourself mocked or hated on the stage. And if all you see is veneration, it must get a little boring, don't you think?

Any limitation on how many people can make art is going to make inferior art to the art you'd get without the limitations.

For one, because of the variety. And for another, because art builds upon art. Someone's drive to tell a better story, paint a better picture, or do honor to an idea they've seen done in their own style has created some of the best pieces.

[vorrutyer]

That's spoken like a man who's never seen himself venerated on the stage.

[apricitous]

Spoken like a man who can't imagine an opinion different from his own.

But you'd be surprised.

[vorrutyer]

Oh?

[apricitous]

Yes, you definitely sound like someone unused to seeing other perspectives.

[vorrutyer]

Oh, on the contrary, dear fellow. I've been subjected to many a lecture by righteous Galactics horrified at Barrayaran habits, as though I'm the representative of all things Imperial.

But please, tell me what would surprise me. I love a surprise.

[ Spies are like journalists, in their own way; sometimes they just get pushy as hell. ]

[apricitous]

Just because you've been made to listen to someone lecturing you doesn't mean you've actually seriously considered other perspectives. It just means someone's tried to force you to.

And I don't know what would surprise you. I don't exactly know you very well.

[vorrutyer]

Then why did you say I'd be surprised?

[apricitous]

Why did you assume I'd never seen myself on the stage?

[vorrutyer]

They don't tend to make plays about reporters-not-the-best-in-the-business-where-they-come-from.

[apricitous]

Some of the best pieces of literature I can think of involve people who are mediocre in some aspect of their life.

[vorrutyer]

Dear heavens, you really didn't grow up in a neo-feudalist authoritarian state. Our classics were all paeans to Imperial infallibility. Have you ever been recognized? You, ty, not you as a group, vy. Your individual, indivisible self.