She writes:
Mr. Goldberg:
I truly enjoyed reading your piece today. You are humorous and clever. Thanks for giving me something to chuckle over. Just one thing though, I am one of the nerdy, “loser”, blog posters and I think we HAVE proven that we CAN do the heavy lifting that the mainstream media has either forgotten to do or are too lazy to do. So, I guess the heavy lifting would include asking a typewriter repairman to step up as your “expert”?? Oh now that is rich, and yet Dan thinks the bloggers are amateurs, good grief!
I think it is worth mentioning that bloggers are not necessarily pajama wearing fools. Many are well educated in their fields and can, and often do, consult with experts around the world should they need clarification on a particular subject. I think dismissing them as as losers is painting us with broad brush and that is truly unfortunate.
One thing for sure, Dan Rather may think the audience is a bunch of bumbling fools….but the rest of the mainstream media better take notice…we can and will watch with a discerning eye. The truth IS important to us. Frankly, the truth should matter to our journalists….you know, the educated ones…hmmm
ME: These are all fine points, many of which I agree with. However, let me just say it is obvious to me at least that the blogosphere can never replace Big Media entirely. It just can’t. Bloggers can’t open bureaus in foreign capitals. They can’t all quit their day jobs to sleuth out stories. They can’t cover Capital Hill day in and day out. Now, before you start pointing to bloggers who do seem to do many of these things, keep in mind that all of those bloggers are largely responding to news which first appeared in big media. Blogs are wonderful for many things, but they will never replace the New York Times because bloggers need the New York Times more than anyone. They might — and I think will — change the New York Times, but that’s a different thing altogether.
I remember when a friend of mine bought some tacos from a local joint we used to frequent called Burrito Brothers. He took a few bites at the taco and made a face. I said, “How are they?” He responded, “There’s a reason they don’t call this place ‘Mexican food Brothers.’”
Blogs are great at blogging, which is a specific form of news and analysis. They aren’t great at all forms of news and analysis.