As I prepare to ignore tonight’s State of the Union Address
and all those TV shots of fawning or fuming politicians sitting through it, I
wonder how the “new media” will he playing it. Chances are I won’t know because
I don’t get my news from new media.
Yet, according to David Carr in yesterday’s New York
Times, “web news is thriving.” Really?
Vox Media, BuzzFeed, Upworthy, ViralNova are
experiencing explosive traffic, writes Carr. I’m sure I've left out others and
for that I apologize. I just can’t keep up with them. In fact, the only time I come across these new names
is in the newspaper. Yes, the newspaper, stolid old media.
My impression is these digital domains move content so
fast they can’t possibly have time to digest or impart meaning or context to
their posts. I also hope their speed doesn't compromise their accuracy. I suspect I’ll
never know, since I’m wedded to getting my news from more established, credible
sources.
Hence, I’ll scan tomorrow’s newspapers in print or
on line to read the predictable reactions to President Obama’s State of the
Union speech.
My mind will be in its usual state of muddle.
