Commonplace Reading - Issue #3
Due to a hectically busy week, this week's reading is brought to you by the tabs that have been lurking, unread, on my MacBook Pro. And there's some great material here, even if some of it is a few weeks old. Not a terrible way to spend Friday evening. And, yes, wine was involved again.
Slow content FTW.
The Problem of Publishing
LinkedIn is once again driving big traffic to publishers
This is a surprise - but one worth paying attention to.
Photojournalists, You’re Not Special by Profession Anymore
Get thee to the video editing suite, oh photographer. It's all about visual storytelling…
Women are being marginalised by news websites, study finds
Photos of women, quotes from men. Pretty clear message there.
Condé Nast and digital media
Key quote: "Taking a print person and throwing them at a digital problem is no different from taking the head of NBC News and making her the editor in chief of the New Yorker, or vice versa. These skills sets are not transitive."
Why the 'brands as publishers' trend is utter nonsense
A provocative view - but it's at least somewhat borne out by my experience that many brands claim to want a journalistic approach to their content - and then completely fail to provide an environment when it can happen.
Stop Complaining About Vertical Video
I have officially recanted my anti-vertical video stance. Snapchat is a thing, and that's vertical all the way. As the consumption vice changes, so does the visual language.
Tech and Culture
Digital ethics, a high priority for 2016 as AI creeps into our lives - diginomica
This is a huge issue, that we're only just starting to think about as a society.
How the smartphone changed everything, or, the rise of BYOD in the workplace
One thing that keeps me away from a "real" job is the idea of using corporate IT again. Maybe, I won't have to (should I ever succumb to the lure of regular income again).
My Bathroom Mirror Is Smarter Than Yours
WANT.
YouTube Personalities Use 'Minecraft' to Prey on Underage Fans
This is the dark, worrying side of so many adults - and most of the media - under-estimating the whole YouTube/Twitch phenomenon.
Life, Money and Aquatic Plastic
By 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the sea
This is one of these hidden issues that are serious, but nigh invisible to most of the population. My daughter and I spent an hour picking plastic off the beach this morning.
The failure of Davos
Is the WEF's annual bash in Switzerland ultimately pointless? (Full Disclosure: I came second in an interview process for a job with the WEF four years ago…)
The strange life of Q-tips, the most bizarre thing people buy
DO NOT PUT THEM IN YOUR EARS.
My Dad used to. I've worked very hard not to inherit the habit.
And…Relax
Trail Angel on Vimeo
This is beautiful. And challenging.
Fin
Got anything you think I should read? Or any feedback? Drop me a line.
See you next week…
