As the Seattle Post-Intelligencer prints its last edition Tuesday shifting entirely to the Web, Clay Shirky‘s recent post on the relationship between journalism and the newspaper industry, as well as the “revolution” that is taking place before our eyes, is more relevant than ever.
Shirky, an outspoken writer on the social and economic effects of Internet technologies recently wrote an articulate, clear and a substantive piece that I urge everyone to read in full. Here are a few of my favorite excerpts that summarize what I like to call the “Dark Age” of the newspaper industry:
When reality is labeled unthinkable, it creates a kind of sickness in an industry. Leadership becomes faith-based, while employees who have the temerity to suggest that what seems to be happening is in fact happening are herded into Innovation Departments, where they can be ignored en masse. This shunting aside of the realists in favor of the fabulists has different effects on different industries at different times. One of the effects on the newspapers is that many of its most passionate defenders are unable, even now, to plan for a world in which the industry they knew is visibly going away.[...]
When we shift our attention from ‘save newspapers’ to ‘save society’, the imperative changes from ‘preserve the current institutions’ to ‘do whatever works.’ And what works today isn’t the same as what used to work.
Shirky also discusses how both digital technology and the industry’s reluctance, or fear, to “think the unthinkable” scenario (i.e., that the ability to share content would not decline, but explode) has led to the crucible newspapers are about to pass.
As a former reporter myself, I look upon this “revolution” in awe, shock, frustration and excitement. I definitely hope the best for all the talented reporters on the cusp of losing their jobs, and those already forced to move on, but I am left anxious to see what comes out the other side of that crucible.
It is clear the relationship between journalism and newspapers is coming to an end – or at least as it has been manifested previously. No one knows which model will fill the void as the current system collapses, as Shirky suggests; however, I’m optimistic – call it blind – that the foundation of good journalism and the need for investigative reporting will survive the transformation, albeit a little more digital.
Chris Rottler, Digital Strategist & Account Executive
