ESPN Article Gives Hope for the Future of Digital Journalism

People are getting the bulk of their news from the Web, and many traditional news outlets are nervous about the future of print journalism. But should they be as worried as they are?

This article from ESPN.com inspired me, not only as an athlete but also as someone who studied mass communications.

The piece is a riveting account of two strangers overcoming the same tragedy – the first fatal shark attack in the San Diego area in a half-century. Instead of a typical online article that is brief and straight-to-the-point, this one is detailed and personal, and fairly lengthy. Usually, I can’t finish longer articles because even the most interesting topics can seem monotonous on a computer screen with long blocks of text, bolded subheadings, and static pictures.

Tom Friend’s “Back into the Water” held my attention, and it wasn’t only because of the unexpected story. Friend’s writing was excellent, but the ESPN designers did a great job laying out the piece. The title and heading resembled those found in magazines. Large pictures and short videos made the story even more personal, and simple elements such as detailed subheadings (not just the standard bolding and large font size used on most sites) helped break up the large blocks of text.

It’s one of the first online articles I’ve seen that seemed more like a print magazine piece. I’m sure I’ve missed others, but I hope this is the beginning of a new trend for journalism on the Web.

Immigrants to the U.S. Offer Interesting Look at Fitzgerald Classic

Like many, the first F. Scott Fitzgerald literature I encountered was The Great Gatsby. Even at 15, the novel struck me, with its ideas of capitalism, love, and the American Dream.

The New York Times ran an intriguing story that showed how 21st century students, especially first and second generation immigrants to the U.S., interpret Gatsby’s quest for the ephemeral Dream.

Here’s one students take, as quoted in the article:

“I think this American dream is an interpretation of a white poor man’s dream,” Nicole Doñe, 17, whose family is from the Dominican Republic, said during a lively class discussion. “For me the American dream is working hard for something you want. It’s not about having money. My dream is to get an education that I can’t get in the Dominican Republic, to live comfortably.”

I invite you all to read the article. I believe it coincides with my post about the importance of recognizing globalization in the communications industry. Messages are translated differently depending on culture, and this is why cultural understanding is growing increasingly important.