I think you leave, but you do it as a transition, so your followers know where to find you (and you know where to find the people you follow too)
I just left Twitter, it is so, so toxic. But there will be things I miss, some connections will be lost. And my day was not complete without a tweet from @NJGov; whoda thunk New Jersey could have the best Twitter account on the planet. I'm more active on Facebook again. I just signed up for Mastodon and I heard a podcast about another Twitter alternative that will be rolled out in a year or two that is structured somehow to cut back on amplifying misinformation. Can't recall the name or how it actually worked, but I'm looking forward it.
One thing people should learn about social media (and the internet in general, like substack) nothing is forever, and most is ephemeral.
If twitter crashes and burns, like so many other social media platforms, what people will miss is the friends they made, but never had another way to contact them when platform one day ended.
Another problem with social media, seldom can you roll over from one to another... (you can't take your list of followers and people you follow with you)
I hope you are having better luck with Facebook.. Everytime I point out the lies of stefanik and her supporters I am told I broke the rules..
Which rule -- well they don't say, but will provide me with a link to the 300 rules, one of which they are enforcing on me.
example
supporter post to someone pointing out stefanik is lying: "of course because you have no religion."
my response: "and you just proved you have no values"
It might be harder for you to leave than your readers. I told my marketing person at my nonprofit to get us off Twitter, which she was fine with, but kicked back at going to an alternative platform. She says it is a big deal to move and is there value, etc. I see it as getting in early on something and getting a lot of followers and don't know why we can't just push out the same stuff we tweeted, but she would know better.
So I think the one I heard the podcast on is post.news It is in beta now; I just joined it's waitlist (#120000+ on the waitlist). Someone on Mastodon pointed me to it. I think it is worth a look. Here is a link to the waitlist https://post.news/?r=F0t2r (which if anyone uses, I get to jump some of the waitlist line). Or you could just go direct to post.news to sign up.
Remember much of local journalism is like hacky sack, in the end, you are just kicking thoughts around when you are at your best. But the news coverage isn’t always the best.
I say this to point out that most of the local journalism is young men and women putting out their first news story. This happens for 2-3 years and then if they are good... or more to the point GET good, move on to the next newspaper. Like a Press Republican or a Post Star. And some day more.
The beginning of your column indirectly points this out.
“This was a hard-core newspaper crowd” i.e. they read the editorial page, where columns, letters and editorials are found (and Don Coyote). And often to understand what is on that page, and you are right here, you had to know what was on the rest of the paper.
But what is clear in your columns here (and past columns for the Post Star).. what people remember is not a well-written news article. Not the research that has been done to prove politicians like stefanik is lying. No, it is the column about her lying.
Unfortunately, much of the news is written by beginners or hacks (who are often both). These writers are often people (at best) fresh out of college, sometimes with a journalism degree (and an understanding of how journalism works), but a lot of time just answering an ad in the local weekly because they like to write.
Some have the potential to be good, but so often they are new to the job and new to the area. They are trying to piece words together, without much knowledge of the place they are reporting on. If they are lucky, they have an editor, who has been around for 10+ years who can say: “When you go to the board meeting, watch the reactions of board member Bob.” Because this editor has been around long enough to know who is who. And if ‘Bob’ grimaces, something isn’t right.
Often these newbies will only survive on grit and an understanding of how to be independent. Independence is tough, because you depend on locals to tell you what is going on - - - Folks who often have an agenda. About the time one learn the town, learn who the liars are, learn who their reliable sources are, they leave town.
And the desire to be good, or (worse) the arrogance to think you are good, doesn’t make you good
Peter DeMola, one-time writer for the Valley News is an example of this. One of the things that stood out with him was, his source when covering #ny21 was stefanik’s staff and he swallowed their line whole (‘hook, line and sinker’ as the saying goes). And all with arrogance (he would block you on social if you pointed this out).
By working for a shopper, with an absentee editor, DeMola would tell everyone how good he was and he believed it. To point out some punctuation on his style. When he moved on, he was the ONLY reporter stefanik has complimented and said he would be missed.
Remember when the most corrupt politician #ny21 has seen in the past 30 years tells you, ‘you are good’ you weren’t.
From what I could tell, he hasn’t improved. Hard to tell unless you subscribe to the Times Union.. but the level of stories he brags about on twitter, he is still arrogant and still average.
This local (loco?) journalism has bright spots, but often the local (small town) journalist win awards because they write a feel-good piece about the Elk’s Club. Not because they uncovered corruption by the town bookkeeper.
Some do and they move on quickly. I am sure Mr. Tingley knows, because he recruited the best... and deferred on the rest.
In the end...some of the memorable writing of any small newspaper, often is by the editor... without a byline.
The experience issue is not always that way. For a couple decades we had a core of editors and reporters with the institutaional knowledge, smarts and know how to pull of great journalism that made the community better, that sparked conversations and solutions about real problem. That core of experience journalists could bring along the next generation. But when you lose that core, it is a big problem.
On Andrea Hogan: she has said she will be finishing her term in Johnsburg while working remotely for her new job in Maine. I can’t help but make the comparison to Stefanik who never actually lived here while running and being elected to Congress 2 or 3 times. But more important in my book is that modern technology affords people the ability to efficiently work remotely - if we have necessary high quality infrastructure in place. As you may or may not know I’m running for Qby Supervisor At-Large. While many local GOP electeds constantly gripe about people leaving our region I will be dedicating effort to pointing out the many reasons for people to come here, to bring families for extended work/vacations, and for some to move here permanently so they can raise families here. We have a lot to offer but grouchy old men who built their political careers complaining about raising taxes while at the same time voting for nearly every tax increase are not the advocates we need to further that goal. By the same token, remote work offers locals the opportunity to access a world job market while still living here, at home.
Mike, You are starting to sound like a politician, but you do make a lot of sense. Voters don’t necessarily find that an admirable trait. I’m not sure why.
Well, I never thought I’d be a politician but here I am! Because I’ve been chair of Qby Democratic Party I’ve had inside insight into how the system in Warren County works and doesn’t. For instance, why does Queensbury have At-Large supervisors? Most people don’t even know what that is, or which Supervisor is theirs. To my knowledge none of them has ever had a public forum for constituents. Further, I contend that the Supervisor form of county government is inherently unequal, violating the 14th Amendment as it is constituted. We should have a county legislature. Finally, outside of Glens Falls every single town or county tax increase in living memory was/is because Republicans voted for it. Local Republicans ❤️ taxes! How is that for a mouthful of politician?
Interesting subject, I was a local reporter with the Tri-County News/Saratogian. That was the competitive era of local journalism, with active radio news reporting and local TV bureaus. Always thought about it as a golden period for local newspapers.
I hope John Boehner enjoys savoring a fine merlot as he watches McCarthy or whatever tool manages to get the first crack at being Speaker over a group that makes the one JB had to deal with look like disciplined schoolboys.
The one consolation I take from Stefanik winning re-election is that she’s part of leadership over these loons and goons. Predictions are dicey as the red wave showed. I’m thinking the Republicans have just enough of a majority to spend two years showing the country why they shouldn’t be in charge of anything.
ES will probably win re-election again in 2024. God willing she can go back to shrieking as part of a minority tho.
So, my previous comment was too flippant by a tad. I’ll do serious.
I think she’s openly running to be on the Trump ticket. Kari Lake flamed out and probably cost herself a shot. Otherwise, ES would like a spot in the cabinet in a second Trump administration. Unless she shows some disloyalty between now and then is a shoo-in.
If not that, she’ll stay around because she has to be on the front line fighting the “Far Left Democrats.” I don’t see what else she can do, but I’d love to hear alternatives because I’d love to find another place for her to be.
She can’t run for senator or governor in NY. She’d do worse than Zeldin. He at least tried to put on a moderate face. She can’t be on Fox or any of those outlets. This isn’t on me. It’s on them. She doesn’t have the physical attributes. That’s being as diplomatic as possible.
Since she’s now a STAR, she’s not going to be happy at Heritage or some other think tank.
So, promises are made to be broken and she and we are together until death or Mayflower part us.
She is so good at fund-raising perhaps she could get a job raising money for non-profits all across the district to help her beloved constituents. Yes, I’m being a bit sarcastic here.
I see somewhere today that Kari Lake feels she should still be in the running. Maybe as a more adamant election denier she feels she has more street cred. In any case, if it comes to a battle royale that would be fun.
From Vinalhaven Land Trust Staff page regarding Andrea Hogan, Executive Director
"Vinalhaven became her refuge, and place to recharge. She visited frequently to see Jim, who had taken a job on the island. In 2022, she was delighted by the opportunity to join the VLT team and move to the island full-time."
"She still endeavors to spend as much time as possible out of doors, and you are likely to meet her walking her rescue dogs on one of the islands many beautiful trails.".
Andrea Hogan is also the Supervisor of Johnsburg and has a seat on the Warren County Board of Supervisors. This elected position requires NYS residency and creates an automatic vacancy if the elected official moves out of state. The Johnsburg Town Board was not aware that Ms. Hogan accepted a full time position in Maine until they read it on the Vinalhaven Land Trust website.
As the saying goes "you can't ride two horses with one ass".
I also have to vote for you to leave Twitter, though I have enjoyed your Tweets of the Day. The platform is in chaos and for the near future at least it will contribute ant help cause the deep divisions in American society. I agree with Irene Baldwin that a transition period would be good.
re: Leaving Twitter ... it no longer matters to me since I have dumped both professional and personal
Twitter accounts as Musk fouls so much of that arena. I'm hoping Mastodon offers a more rewarding medium for ideas. Many academics seem heading that way.
I actually don’t think the average person uses twitter much or cares much about it. But those that are interested in what the media has to say or politicians, they seem to really enjoy it. There are some creative people doing funny tweets. And then there are a lot of scary ones.
RE: Leaving Twitter
I think you leave, but you do it as a transition, so your followers know where to find you (and you know where to find the people you follow too)
I just left Twitter, it is so, so toxic. But there will be things I miss, some connections will be lost. And my day was not complete without a tweet from @NJGov; whoda thunk New Jersey could have the best Twitter account on the planet. I'm more active on Facebook again. I just signed up for Mastodon and I heard a podcast about another Twitter alternative that will be rolled out in a year or two that is structured somehow to cut back on amplifying misinformation. Can't recall the name or how it actually worked, but I'm looking forward it.
To add ---
One thing people should learn about social media (and the internet in general, like substack) nothing is forever, and most is ephemeral.
If twitter crashes and burns, like so many other social media platforms, what people will miss is the friends they made, but never had another way to contact them when platform one day ended.
Another problem with social media, seldom can you roll over from one to another... (you can't take your list of followers and people you follow with you)
I hope you are having better luck with Facebook.. Everytime I point out the lies of stefanik and her supporters I am told I broke the rules..
Which rule -- well they don't say, but will provide me with a link to the 300 rules, one of which they are enforcing on me.
example
supporter post to someone pointing out stefanik is lying: "of course because you have no religion."
my response: "and you just proved you have no values"
ha
I ditched Twitter after Musk’s Paul Pelosi tweet. More time for actual news, commenting at substack and putting down my phone. 🙏
true at all levels, but I enjoy pointing out that many fools either choose to be ignorant or so filled with hate they can't grasp concepts.
but if I was to walk away from twitter or fb, how would I know about or contradict stiffy's lies??
When I’m looking to see what is happening in the world before I go to bed, I found Twitter to be a good barometer of what folks are talking about.
When the World Trade Center (9/11) or John Lennon was assassinated I tuned into CNN
now I check twitter
Sounds like a very reasonable approach, but I’m still wondering whether users need to send Musk a message.
It might be harder for you to leave than your readers. I told my marketing person at my nonprofit to get us off Twitter, which she was fine with, but kicked back at going to an alternative platform. She says it is a big deal to move and is there value, etc. I see it as getting in early on something and getting a lot of followers and don't know why we can't just push out the same stuff we tweeted, but she would know better.
You may be right. It is a pain to see if something else will work.
So I think the one I heard the podcast on is post.news It is in beta now; I just joined it's waitlist (#120000+ on the waitlist). Someone on Mastodon pointed me to it. I think it is worth a look. Here is a link to the waitlist https://post.news/?r=F0t2r (which if anyone uses, I get to jump some of the waitlist line). Or you could just go direct to post.news to sign up.
Remember much of local journalism is like hacky sack, in the end, you are just kicking thoughts around when you are at your best. But the news coverage isn’t always the best.
I say this to point out that most of the local journalism is young men and women putting out their first news story. This happens for 2-3 years and then if they are good... or more to the point GET good, move on to the next newspaper. Like a Press Republican or a Post Star. And some day more.
The beginning of your column indirectly points this out.
“This was a hard-core newspaper crowd” i.e. they read the editorial page, where columns, letters and editorials are found (and Don Coyote). And often to understand what is on that page, and you are right here, you had to know what was on the rest of the paper.
But what is clear in your columns here (and past columns for the Post Star).. what people remember is not a well-written news article. Not the research that has been done to prove politicians like stefanik is lying. No, it is the column about her lying.
Unfortunately, much of the news is written by beginners or hacks (who are often both). These writers are often people (at best) fresh out of college, sometimes with a journalism degree (and an understanding of how journalism works), but a lot of time just answering an ad in the local weekly because they like to write.
Some have the potential to be good, but so often they are new to the job and new to the area. They are trying to piece words together, without much knowledge of the place they are reporting on. If they are lucky, they have an editor, who has been around for 10+ years who can say: “When you go to the board meeting, watch the reactions of board member Bob.” Because this editor has been around long enough to know who is who. And if ‘Bob’ grimaces, something isn’t right.
Often these newbies will only survive on grit and an understanding of how to be independent. Independence is tough, because you depend on locals to tell you what is going on - - - Folks who often have an agenda. About the time one learn the town, learn who the liars are, learn who their reliable sources are, they leave town.
And the desire to be good, or (worse) the arrogance to think you are good, doesn’t make you good
Peter DeMola, one-time writer for the Valley News is an example of this. One of the things that stood out with him was, his source when covering #ny21 was stefanik’s staff and he swallowed their line whole (‘hook, line and sinker’ as the saying goes). And all with arrogance (he would block you on social if you pointed this out).
By working for a shopper, with an absentee editor, DeMola would tell everyone how good he was and he believed it. To point out some punctuation on his style. When he moved on, he was the ONLY reporter stefanik has complimented and said he would be missed.
Remember when the most corrupt politician #ny21 has seen in the past 30 years tells you, ‘you are good’ you weren’t.
From what I could tell, he hasn’t improved. Hard to tell unless you subscribe to the Times Union.. but the level of stories he brags about on twitter, he is still arrogant and still average.
This local (loco?) journalism has bright spots, but often the local (small town) journalist win awards because they write a feel-good piece about the Elk’s Club. Not because they uncovered corruption by the town bookkeeper.
Some do and they move on quickly. I am sure Mr. Tingley knows, because he recruited the best... and deferred on the rest.
In the end...some of the memorable writing of any small newspaper, often is by the editor... without a byline.
The experience issue is not always that way. For a couple decades we had a core of editors and reporters with the institutaional knowledge, smarts and know how to pull of great journalism that made the community better, that sparked conversations and solutions about real problem. That core of experience journalists could bring along the next generation. But when you lose that core, it is a big problem.
On Andrea Hogan: she has said she will be finishing her term in Johnsburg while working remotely for her new job in Maine. I can’t help but make the comparison to Stefanik who never actually lived here while running and being elected to Congress 2 or 3 times. But more important in my book is that modern technology affords people the ability to efficiently work remotely - if we have necessary high quality infrastructure in place. As you may or may not know I’m running for Qby Supervisor At-Large. While many local GOP electeds constantly gripe about people leaving our region I will be dedicating effort to pointing out the many reasons for people to come here, to bring families for extended work/vacations, and for some to move here permanently so they can raise families here. We have a lot to offer but grouchy old men who built their political careers complaining about raising taxes while at the same time voting for nearly every tax increase are not the advocates we need to further that goal. By the same token, remote work offers locals the opportunity to access a world job market while still living here, at home.
Mike, You are starting to sound like a politician, but you do make a lot of sense. Voters don’t necessarily find that an admirable trait. I’m not sure why.
Well, I never thought I’d be a politician but here I am! Because I’ve been chair of Qby Democratic Party I’ve had inside insight into how the system in Warren County works and doesn’t. For instance, why does Queensbury have At-Large supervisors? Most people don’t even know what that is, or which Supervisor is theirs. To my knowledge none of them has ever had a public forum for constituents. Further, I contend that the Supervisor form of county government is inherently unequal, violating the 14th Amendment as it is constituted. We should have a county legislature. Finally, outside of Glens Falls every single town or county tax increase in living memory was/is because Republicans voted for it. Local Republicans ❤️ taxes! How is that for a mouthful of politician?
So glad there was great interest. I remember enjoying Don Coyote too.
Sorry I missed it.
Interesting subject, I was a local reporter with the Tri-County News/Saratogian. That was the competitive era of local journalism, with active radio news reporting and local TV bureaus. Always thought about it as a golden period for local newspapers.
Looking back, it probably was.
I hope John Boehner enjoys savoring a fine merlot as he watches McCarthy or whatever tool manages to get the first crack at being Speaker over a group that makes the one JB had to deal with look like disciplined schoolboys.
The one consolation I take from Stefanik winning re-election is that she’s part of leadership over these loons and goons. Predictions are dicey as the red wave showed. I’m thinking the Republicans have just enough of a majority to spend two years showing the country why they shouldn’t be in charge of anything.
ES will probably win re-election again in 2024. God willing she can go back to shrieking as part of a minority tho.
But Kevin, she promised to only stay for five terms. She promised.
So, my previous comment was too flippant by a tad. I’ll do serious.
I think she’s openly running to be on the Trump ticket. Kari Lake flamed out and probably cost herself a shot. Otherwise, ES would like a spot in the cabinet in a second Trump administration. Unless she shows some disloyalty between now and then is a shoo-in.
If not that, she’ll stay around because she has to be on the front line fighting the “Far Left Democrats.” I don’t see what else she can do, but I’d love to hear alternatives because I’d love to find another place for her to be.
She can’t run for senator or governor in NY. She’d do worse than Zeldin. He at least tried to put on a moderate face. She can’t be on Fox or any of those outlets. This isn’t on me. It’s on them. She doesn’t have the physical attributes. That’s being as diplomatic as possible.
Since she’s now a STAR, she’s not going to be happy at Heritage or some other think tank.
So, promises are made to be broken and she and we are together until death or Mayflower part us.
She is so good at fund-raising perhaps she could get a job raising money for non-profits all across the district to help her beloved constituents. Yes, I’m being a bit sarcastic here.
Thinking outside the box. 💕
I’ve come to the acceptance stage of grief in that she’s going to be with us forever.
No Twitter now. I have tons of time for you and Bulwark.
Maybe she’ll run for president herself. Let’s see how big her sense of self-worth is over winning so handily in ruby red upstate NY.
Sadly, you are probably right.
I too think she would like to be Trump's running mate.
I see somewhere today that Kari Lake feels she should still be in the running. Maybe as a more adamant election denier she feels she has more street cred. In any case, if it comes to a battle royale that would be fun.
From Vinalhaven Land Trust Staff page regarding Andrea Hogan, Executive Director
"Vinalhaven became her refuge, and place to recharge. She visited frequently to see Jim, who had taken a job on the island. In 2022, she was delighted by the opportunity to join the VLT team and move to the island full-time."
"She still endeavors to spend as much time as possible out of doors, and you are likely to meet her walking her rescue dogs on one of the islands many beautiful trails.".
Andrea Hogan is also the Supervisor of Johnsburg and has a seat on the Warren County Board of Supervisors. This elected position requires NYS residency and creates an automatic vacancy if the elected official moves out of state. The Johnsburg Town Board was not aware that Ms. Hogan accepted a full time position in Maine until they read it on the Vinalhaven Land Trust website.
As the saying goes "you can't ride two horses with one ass".
I think that is a good point.
I also have to vote for you to leave Twitter, though I have enjoyed your Tweets of the Day. The platform is in chaos and for the near future at least it will contribute ant help cause the deep divisions in American society. I agree with Irene Baldwin that a transition period would be good.
re: Leaving Twitter ... it no longer matters to me since I have dumped both professional and personal
Twitter accounts as Musk fouls so much of that arena. I'm hoping Mastodon offers a more rewarding medium for ideas. Many academics seem heading that way.
I actually don’t think the average person uses twitter much or cares much about it. But those that are interested in what the media has to say or politicians, they seem to really enjoy it. There are some creative people doing funny tweets. And then there are a lot of scary ones.
10% of Twitter Users Are Responsible for 92% of Tweets
https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/twitter-statistics#:~:text=Twitter%20Has%20396.5%20Million%20Users%20Globally&text=In%20fact%2C%20Twitter%20sees%20about,what%20others%20are%20tweeting%20about.
That sounds about right.