...can you tell the difference?
The "professionalization" of journalism school has long been a topic of controversy. Everyone seems to hark back to a day when journalists didn't need no schoolin', they were hard-drinkin', hard-boiled guys with "press" cards in their hatbands. (And women wrote the "Society" columns.)
That nostalgia, and a lingering doubt about the worth of a journalism degree as opposed to on-the-job experience, result in an ongoing debate as to the worth of journalism schools.
This article in Slate looks at this same issue. It's a discussion that fascinates me. I think it's good to have a professional program to ensure that everyone understands the basic standards, practices, and premises. In my case, though, a journalism degree didn't teach me some of the liberal-arts-derived cultural understandings that an English degree did. So I got both, and I'm not sorry.
The author seems to concur, but he also makes a strong case for journalism school and suggests some possible improvements.
This final sentence, though, made me pause:
I fear the day that the J-school credential assumes such an aura that it becomes a prerequisite for a newspaper job, the way the B.A. credential has. Journalism depends on uncredentialed losers, outsiders, dilettantes, frustrated lawyers, unabashed alcoholics--and, yes, creative psychopaths--to keep its blood red.
Not sure there's any other profession--doctors, lawyers, etc.--that would make this particular assertion. Maybe professional sports. But that's a discussion for another day.
"NOTHING'S NERDIER THAN A LIST—unless it's a list split into a bunch of different sublists and categories," say the creators of this detailed list of indiepop bands. Brought to you by Nerd, "the website of full-on gooberosity," this is an attempt at an inclusive indiepop encyclopedia, complete with capsule band descriptions, categories, and "best release" recommendations. A saunter through the S category yields, St. Christopher, Starlet, Stars, Allison Statton and Spike, and the Steamkings. Only a true indiepop trainspotter would know or care who all of these people are. However, it's very well done, and if you have the inclination, a handy way to learn about the genre.
Speaking of genres, I also enjoyed "The Steve Forbert Game." Sounds like it's fun at parties. Try it at home!