Taking It On The Chin

[Brad King]

I posted a blog about technology and journalism in response to the Columbia Journalism Review's snarky piece about why technology won't ever be as good for reporting as reporters.

Had a great back and forth with Derek, whom is new to me. I took a few on the chin -- for those who want to read an intelligent counter-point -- take a look here.

I was teaching at the time (6 hour days for summer school? sucks.) and I'll post something a little more substantive; however, the back and forth went all day long.

[Andrew]

Just read your post and the interesting discussion that followed. I think your post certainly was asking to be challenged and dissected. Perhaps this was your original intent (to promote a discussion) but my initial impression (after reading the post and comments in their entirety) was that you failed to do your homework before you published the post (not trying to be a "dick", I swear). Derek was able to challenge your arguments and easily pick them apart. That said, your back and forth with Derek did add some needed balance to your post but not everyone (esp. your early readers) had the chance to benefit from this discussion. My biggest concern with new journalism is how to maintain a high level of quality control. It seems to me there's a publish first and check facts later (or let the community fix it) mentality.

[Brad King]

Well, as Derek and I discussed -- my contention wasn't with databases, it was in response to the CJR piece that, in my opinion, dismissed technology as a viable tool for journalism.

I have been working in journalism for near 15 years (yikes), so I'm aware of CAR and other database-type journalism. My point, which I think wasn't clear until the end, was that thinking in those terms is still traditional thinking.

We have a database. Here's a story.

That's not how it should work and I'll bet that within 2-3 years, some really smart organization wins some national recognition for work largely done by citizens but mediated and moderated by a community editor.

As he pointed out at the end, he doesn't know of any news organization using that. Neither do I. So I guess I'm interested -- as I asked him -- in what research I should have done?

That said, clearly since he didn't get that the fault lies in my writing -- not his interpretation. I'll take the blame for that(which I think I did a couple of times in our discussion).

[Brad King]

FWIW, here's my meta-analysis of my discussion with Derek Willis, who smacked me down on some shoddy writing on the blog.