08 February 2010

snowpocalypse 2010

Friday morning's local Washington Post homepage read: "Awaiting Snowmaggedon" http://bit.ly/bsFoVL. And we survived Snowpolalyspse/Snowmaggedon/Snowtorious BIG 2010! This storm ended up being the 3rd largest in the history of DC.  After 28 straight hours of 26 inches of snow, we finally got out of the house and played! We went sledding on the Capitol lawn, walked to our favorite coffee shop and just enjoyed a sunny, post-blizzard morning.

05 February 2010

dual degree

Columbia University and Wits University of South Africa just announced a dual degree program with both universities schools of journalism. The degree "reflects the global nature of journalism in the 21st century." Students spend a year in Johannesburg and a year in New York studying advanced journalism. A journ program in two of my favorite places? Too good be true! Something to add to "maybe one day" list...

http://www.mediaclubsouthafrica.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1504:dual-degrees-from-wits-columbia&catid=49:medianews&Itemid=113

03 February 2010

all blogged out?

Blogging is on the decline amongst the younger folks. According to a new study, "young people are losing interest in long-form blogging, as their communication habits have become increasingly brief, and mobile." Surprise, surprise. Us Generation Y-ers have found yet another means of communication to be too "complicated" and "time-consuming." And I'm as guilty as anyone.  My blog continues to shrink in the frequency and substance of posts. I've found much more delight in my 140 character commentaries (follow me on Twitter at @JennaMSchuette).

I find this to be troubling--and a matter that won't simply be solved by more adderall. Blogging encouraged many of us youngest, aspiring writer types to consistently practice our trade--even if just for an audience of one. But, why put the hours in to blogging when you can generate much more traffic via punchy, well-thought out, 140-word sentences? My answer's likely one to be touted by journalism professors. Blogging, now, isn't about the reward of an audience, but rather a classroom. It's a place to practice. And more importantly, I guess, it's a place to engage. It's vital that we keep writing.