According to popular blogger and New York University assistant professor Clay Shirky, we are in the midst of a revolution.
In a March 2009 blog posting Shirky writes about the dying-out of newspapers and the revolution it has spawned, as the industry looks for solutions and replacements. He points to the digital age as playing a large part in the death of print.
His conclusion? "No one experiment is going to replace what we are now losing with the demise of news on paper, but over time, the collection of new experiments that do work might give us the journalism we need."
Shane Shick, a print veteran turned full-time online editor at It World Canada, agrees. "There's not necessarily just going to be one replacement model," Shick said in a telephone interview.
Shick acknowledges that the newspaper industry has been handed an expiry date as the focus moves to online media. But he is wary of the transition.
"We have to be careful not to treat print as simply a receptacle for online content," said Shick. "Reading [a newspaper] can be a very serendipitous experience."
In the future, Shick hopes to see a balance between print and online mediums. He cites Monocle, a global briefing magazine and website, as a successful example of print and online working harmoniously.
Monocle, which has a circulation upwards of 150,000, costs approximately $10 per issue. Its archived web content is only available to paid subscribers.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
StatsCan study identifies individuals at risk of becoming crime victims
Want to crime-proof yourself? Statistics Canada can show you how.
A study released last week by StatsCan, based on a 2004 General Social Survey, analyzes victimization trends according to age, gender, income, geography, and social habits. Based on the findings, the survey identifies who is at high and low risk of becoming a victim.
According to the survey results, single women who often go out at night are identified as being at high-risk for becoming victims of violent crime, which includes sexual assault and robbery.
At the low-risk end of the spectrum are people over the age of 55 and retirees, who experienced less than one per cent of violent crime in the 12 months prior to the 2004 survey.
If your income falls below $15000, if you're a student, and if you live in an urban area, your risk of becoming a victim increases. Your risk level also goes up if you are Aboriginal and if you regularly consume more than five alcoholic drinks on a single occasion in a one-month period.
These demographic factors correlate with victimization trends but StatsCan asserts that there is no relation between the factors and how often an individual has been victimized.
A study released last week by StatsCan, based on a 2004 General Social Survey, analyzes victimization trends according to age, gender, income, geography, and social habits. Based on the findings, the survey identifies who is at high and low risk of becoming a victim.
According to the survey results, single women who often go out at night are identified as being at high-risk for becoming victims of violent crime, which includes sexual assault and robbery.
At the low-risk end of the spectrum are people over the age of 55 and retirees, who experienced less than one per cent of violent crime in the 12 months prior to the 2004 survey.
If your income falls below $15000, if you're a student, and if you live in an urban area, your risk of becoming a victim increases. Your risk level also goes up if you are Aboriginal and if you regularly consume more than five alcoholic drinks on a single occasion in a one-month period.
These demographic factors correlate with victimization trends but StatsCan asserts that there is no relation between the factors and how often an individual has been victimized.
Monday, January 11, 2010
How to Look Good Naked Canada lacks pizazz of British edition
How to Look Good Naked Canada, the Canadian version of the hit British makeover show, premiered on W Network last week… Minus the sauciness that made the U.K edition must-see T.V.
The British version has been hosted by Gok Wan, a fashion stylist, since its 2006 premiere. Wan’s flamboyant personality and the show’s shameless tactics – underpinnings get torched and replaced with sexier versions – are part of the show’s continuing mass appeal and are what the Canadian adaptation is missing.
The show, which airs Tuesday nights at 10 p.m, has the same goals as its British counterpart. Instead of advising weight loss and cosmetic surgery, it leads female participants through activities meant to boost their confidence in how they look in the buff.
Despite having the same format, the Canadian edition fails to entertain to the same degree. Host Zain Meghji of eTalk fame lacks Wan’s zaniness and some of the amusing confidence-boosting exercises have been replaced with tips for viewers.
Not all is wrong with How to Look Good Naked Canada. Humour may have taken a backseat but fashion and beauty tips are easily applicable and viewers will be able to relate with the Canadian women featured in each episode.
The British version has been hosted by Gok Wan, a fashion stylist, since its 2006 premiere. Wan’s flamboyant personality and the show’s shameless tactics – underpinnings get torched and replaced with sexier versions – are part of the show’s continuing mass appeal and are what the Canadian adaptation is missing.
The show, which airs Tuesday nights at 10 p.m, has the same goals as its British counterpart. Instead of advising weight loss and cosmetic surgery, it leads female participants through activities meant to boost their confidence in how they look in the buff.
Despite having the same format, the Canadian edition fails to entertain to the same degree. Host Zain Meghji of eTalk fame lacks Wan’s zaniness and some of the amusing confidence-boosting exercises have been replaced with tips for viewers.
Not all is wrong with How to Look Good Naked Canada. Humour may have taken a backseat but fashion and beauty tips are easily applicable and viewers will be able to relate with the Canadian women featured in each episode.
Parliament proroguing results in reprimanding for Harper
Prime Minister Harper's announcement to prorogue Parliament is being met with mounting criticism.
Last week, news publication The Economist says Harper's decision to suspend Parliament was made in "naked self-interest."
Leaders before Harper have also prorogued Parliament, though for shorter periods of time. Past proroguments have also been made with less business to attend, according to The Economist. As of now, Parliament still has 36 bills to review.
The article does not hold back when critiquing Harper. It compares him to Gerald Ford and his inability to "walk and chew gum at the same time." It also suggests that the government system is not in good hands as long as it is led by Harper.
Parliament will reconvene on March 3, following the wrap-up of the Olympics.
Last week, news publication The Economist says Harper's decision to suspend Parliament was made in "naked self-interest."
Leaders before Harper have also prorogued Parliament, though for shorter periods of time. Past proroguments have also been made with less business to attend, according to The Economist. As of now, Parliament still has 36 bills to review.
The article does not hold back when critiquing Harper. It compares him to Gerald Ford and his inability to "walk and chew gum at the same time." It also suggests that the government system is not in good hands as long as it is led by Harper.
Parliament will reconvene on March 3, following the wrap-up of the Olympics.
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