Mediazine
I
1
:
Front Cover
Mediazine
Executive Editor
Laurert^Blankstein
designed by John Lepp
The
cover was designed
Adobe Photoshop 2 5 (a
front
using
photo manipulation program)
Several photos were combined
and tailored to create the
image
final
With this program a scanner
and a high powered Macintosh
(at least 8 MB RAr^) almost
Managing Editor
Deborah Rowe
Art Director
John Lepp
Copy Editors
Maria Birmingiiam
anything can be done to
enhance or alter a photograph
Sheilee Fitzgerald
STEP
Lisa Lazar
We
1
took this picture from a
magazine and scanned
into
Adobe Photoshop We decided
the portion we were most interested in was the top leti hand
corner By the way, if you
decide you want to get nd of a
portion of the picture, you can
it
Michelle Matsdorf
Deborah Waldner
eiase'
Layout and Design
it
later
Tim BinghamWallis
Mary Luz Mejia
David Millan
Tim Moriarty
Manfred Sittmann
Marc St. Germain
STEP
2:
We
Contributors
tound this picture floating
around the Internet and downloaded It onto a disk We
dropped
onto the above picture and then blended the two
together so
looked natural
It
Lome
Bell
it
Dina Boni
John Bryden
Susannah Dudley
Howard Elmer
Christy Laverty
STEP
Michael MacMillan
For this image we took a picture of a class-mate Once we
3:
Ann Marie
McQueen
cut out the background
Melanie Payne
the
Photoshop, we
and left
person and the
We then darkened
image so that was unrecf-
scanned
it
into
only the
umbrella
it
ognizable
Jason Pickup
Lisa Stocco
Advisor
Editorial Advisor
James Cullin
Cecil Foster
STEP
Publisher
Nancy Burt
4:
we
clipped various
computers, mice and printers
and then scanned them all into
Photoshop We clipped certain
ones out and pasted them into
position on our cover
Finally,
For the final touches we drew
in shadows, blurred the edges
of monitors and designed the
Mediazine is
Blvd. Room
a putilicalion of
Humher
College School of J<Hirnaiism. 205 Hiimher College
Klohicoke. Ontario M9V\ 5I,"». Telephone: (4161 67.S..M 1 1 exl.
451.V4514 faxM416l 675-97.W e-mail: humherC'ocna.orK. Material may nol he reprinted
1.2.11.
without permission of the School of Journalism. (opyrighlOIWS
magazine logo
Mediazine
"The new electronic interdependence recreates the world
-Marshall
in the
image of a global
village.
McLuhan-
FEATURES
6 What
if
owned a computer?
Picasso
Computer generated
but traditionaHsts
art
still
has carved a niche
question
its
in the art
world,
value.
By Susannah Dudley
11
The Infomercial revolution
Have your
credit card ready.
.
.
they're taking over the networks.
By David Millan
16 California dreamin' 90's style
How 90210 fills the
void
in
your
life.
By Tim Bingham-Wallis
18 Electronic newspapers
The day people
computer
collect their
modem
morning paper from
instead of their front porch,
their
is fast
approaching.
By Ann Marie McQueen
23 Electromagnetic Fields
Recent studies on the health
risksv
technology beg the question:
associated with
is it
modem
safe?
By Shetlee Fitzgerald
25 The new workplace
Moving work
out of the office and into the home.
By Lisa Stocco
27 Pictures versus platforms in western
Under the scrutiny of cameras,
be media savvy.
politicians are
politics
now groomed
to
By John Bryden
29 Self-serving journalism:
Who
are journalists
really looking out for?
Stevie Cameron's book
On The
Take
the latest
is
journalist-intiated scandal.
flv
Howard Elmer
31 Hooking up:
29
A guide
What you need
to accessing servers,
web
to
know
sites
and online services.
B\ Tim Moriarty
School of Journalism
Fall
1995
Page
1
" In spite of
life, in
spite
of intelligence and intuition and sympathy, one can never
to anybody.
.
.
our
life is
-Aldous Huxley-
PROFILES
8
YTV host makes it in broadcast biz
Aashna
Patel discusses the ins and outs of the television industry.
By Michelle Matsdorf
13
Q&A: Computers give comics a color make over
An
By
interview with Marvel artist
Lashley.
Christy Laverry
14 Paid to play at
Two young
set
Ken
up
their
13
work
entrepreneurs avoid the conventional road to success and
own
production company.
By Mary Luz Mejia
3
U.S. prime time: 'Canadian' style
To be competitive
in the
entertainment industry, Canada must set
its
sights
on the global market.
fly
4
Deborah Rowe
Microclips
Electronic warfare,
Computer landscaping,
Verne predicted the future,
9
Internet addresses,
CIA online
4
Technology breeds contempt
A technophobe
speaks out against a computer-driven society.
By Maria Birmingham
20
Hamming it up on
Ham
an older but
fly
radio
radio enthusiasts continue to breathe
still
efficient
life
into
communication network.
Jason Pickup
21 Netspeaking for the'touchy-feely' digital generation
The
Internet brought with
it
a
computer language complete with
laughing, shouting, crying and Elvis.
flv
Lauren Blankstein
21
Page 2
Mediazine
relly
communicate anything
a sentence of perpetual solitary confinement."
Number College
U.S. prime time:
'Canadian' style
by Deborah Rowe
With
all
the hype surrounding
the information superhigh-
way and
the 500 channel uni-
have been raised
about the survival of Canada's cultural
prime time show to be aired on a major U.S. network.
The show
rough Chicago cop.
verse, serious concerns
Writer/producer Paul Haggis describes the two
characters as "the Mountie that
is
identity.
I
have always thought
have a definitive
identity,
it
ironic that suddenly
when
the
we
media constantly
we don't have an identity whatsoever.
"Canadians are increasingly influenced by
tells
us
American
politics, culture
in a
UN
ambassador Stephen Lewis
Prime Time Magazine debate last
destructive," former
suggested
and values, which are often
spring.
But
I
don't believe
we
is
consumed by
if
Canadian enter-
the U.S. setting up shop in
This
Toronto-based Atlantis Communications,
Canadian products directly
is
very expensive.
Witness the
When
producing,
to the
to
critical
and economic success of
John N. Smith's, The Boys of St. Vincent.
The powerful TV drama was on many crittop ten
lists last
year, and in June 1994
impressive $1500 a day in
New
made
an
York's Film Forum, a
180 seat auditorium. The film has subsequently been
in Britain
and Australia.
broadcast the film, although
it
Last winter
A&E
cut three minutes of
controversial footage.
U.S.
Nevertheless,
Canadians should take
tremendous pride
such international
To take a prime
example. Alliance
umphs.
best
Canada's largest film
the
distributor,
way
in
tri-
Blowing our
collective horn
Communications,
is
the
to ensure that
"Canadian voice"
isn't lost as national
sold the cop-buddy
and cultural boundaries fall by the way-
program Due South
last
set its sights
Canada has to produce for a world market, especially
since governments are advocating cuts to cultural
development.
CBS
Canadian
premier entertainment entrepreneur, said "financing
cultural identity
has 30 U.S. projects
to
is
beyond domestic success. Garth Drabinsky, Canada's
Currently, Atlantis
TV
that the
entertainment industry must continue to
shown
has enabled production companies, such as
and
Canadians believe
The success of Due South proves
to
our front yard.
in
that all
Americans believe
America."
ics
the biggest advantages the
tainment industry has,
sell
Canada, and the cop
all
funding."
risk being
American pop culture in the 21st century. In fact,
last year was any indication, the Yanks may want
make room for a Canadian invasion.
One of
features the "fish out of water" scenario
with a clean-cut Canadian Mountie paired up with a
season.
side in an era of glob-
Due South is the first
Canadian-prodbced
alization.
School of Journalism
Fall
•
1995
Page 3
Compiled
Microclips
Lome
by:
Bell
Lisa Lazar
New Novel From Verne
A
Tim Moriarty
newly discovered novel, by the 19th
century author Jules Verne, has been published, 131 years after
written.
it
was
The novel, Paris
Century, looks ahead to
originally
Electronic
in the 20th
life in
Paris in the
1960's'
y^
Warfare
,
Verne imagined a city where people
subway and gas driven cars,
How
about applying a futuristic
technology to the ancient
traveled by
Does
art
of war-
concept seem
used calculators and computers and com-
fare?
municated by telephone and fax. He
fetched? Not according to United
described a place dominated by electrici-
States,
ty-
Gingrich.
It's apparent that Verne was concerned
with these technical innovations. He
believed modern inventions would be
would never be
far-
Speaker of the House, Newt
In an edition of
New York Times
Magazine, Gingrich was quoted as saying, " Virtually
detrimental to society and wrote that people in the 1960's
the
in
satisfied
2010
in combat
somewhere on their
every soldier
will have,
body^ a personal telephone linked by
with what they had, constantly wanting
satellite to a
more.
world telephone network."
Gingrich also added," The telephone
In this novel
Verne wrote about the
will
future through the eyes of the protagonist,
probably be a personal communi-
cation system that will also have
Michel Dufrenoy. Alan Riding, of the
New York Times, had this to say about
Critics of Gingrich's futuristic ideas
Dufrenoy:
charge that the military cannot
"...(He) lives in a hostile
overcrowded
nology, and
is totally
indifferent to soci-
They
20th
Century did not discourage Verne. He
went on to write many classic science ficsuch
as.
Journey
in the
to the
in
also
warn
bility electronic
jammed
that there is a possi-
equipment can get
or destroyed as a result of the
electromagnetic pulse created by
nuclear weapons. This would pose a
Centre
of the Earth, 20,000 Leagues Under the
Sea and Around the World
it
conceivable products entered into
war will be untried and unreliable.
is
ety."
The rejection of Paris
test
every product they design. They say
society that is driven by finance and tech-
tion novels,
com-
puter and faxing capabilities."
serious danger to armies that relied on
Eighty Days.
their
computers
for warfare.
But the most persuasive argument
is
Project Gutenberg at
advance
armies so far. They say when it comes
to winning wars, factors such as,
[email protected]
morale, tactics and training take prece-
To access
that technology can only
this book, e-mail
dence over technology.
So where does
that leave the future
of warfare? Critics beware! Battles
Graphics courttsy of Carl Mandel
involving telecommunications and
computers is an idea that has been
brewing in the Pentagon for several
years. In an era when civilian technology is changing and expanding, how
can military technology afford
nate?
Page 4
Mediazine
Number College
to stag-
CIA online
The CIA has
a
web
server.
Among
the
information listed on the server are:
names of CIA personnel, the history
Hot Places to
visit
CIA events and the most frequentasked CIA questions. You can visit the
behind
ly
site at:
on the Internet
http://www.ic.gov
Learning on the net
To
create an
on the
'Net.
MBA
learning environment
Asian universities and spon-
soring corporations have invested millions of dollars for "Distant Learning
Programs."
MIT
is
supplying the project
with educational content. Paving the way
for future remote site education
focus of the project and
it
is
includes e-mail
an alternative
to
1
/fun/
Practical Jokes: http://www.umd.umich.edu/~nhughes/hlmldocs/pracjokes.html
Nirvana.... Lyrics: http://www.ludd.luth.se/misc/nirvana/lyrics/lyrics.html
NHL:
Children's Displays
Internet offers
1
the
and online video conferencing.
The
Spinal Tap: gopher://spinaltap.micro.umn.edu/
hang-
http://www.wpi.edu:8080/-defronzo
Today's News: http://www.cfn.cs.dal.ca/Media/TodaysNews/TodaysNews.html
ing children's artwork or stories on the
Ultimate Television: http://cinenet.net/UTVL/utvl.html
refrigerator.
With the help of folks
at
Manymedia,
Movies: http://www.cm.cf.ac.uk/movies/person-form.html
parents can get their children's works
into a
Net directory.
welcome.
Even family video
clips are
Art Crimes: http://www.gatech.edu/desoto/graf/Index.Art_Crimes.html
AstroWeb: http://fits.cv.nrao.edu/www/astronomy.html
The Muppets: http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/VR/BS/Muppets/muppets.html
CDnow!
Internet Music Store: http://cdnow.CDm
Extra-terrestrials: http:/www.metrolink.com/setL/seti-t6p.html
Horror Movies: http://www.ee.pdx.edu/~caseyh/horror/horror.html
The Frisbee Page:
http://raptor.sccs.swarthmore.edu/~dalewis/frisbee.html
Sports Schedules: http://www.cs.rochester.edU/u/ferguson/schedules/
Women's
Internet Resources: http://sunsite.unc.edu/cheryb/women/wresourccs.html
The Enviroweb:
http://www.envirolink.org
Online Books: http://www.es. emu. edu:800l/Web/books
Douglas
Adams Worship
Page: http://www.umd.umich.edu/~nhughs/dna/
Star Trek Voyager: http://voyager.paramount.com
The Jihad
to Destroy Barney: http://deepth.armory.com/-deadslug/Jihadyjihad.hlml
Sports Server: http://www.nando.net/sptsserv.html
LeWeb Louvre:
http://sunsite.unc.edu/louvre/
Computer Landscaping
A recent report in Newsweek magazine revealed no measure
it
is
too elaborate
when
helps to beautify the environment.
Computer generated graphics may soon be used
in
planning the clearing of forests.
Traditionally, sections of forest have been cleared alongside beautiful, intact
landscapes leaving eyesores. The hope
is
that
3-D computer programs
will
wooded
plan
logging patterns which leave a natural-looking and less ravaged landscape.
School of Journalism
Fall
1995
Page 5
-f
'
lull
by Susannah Dudley
genre, computer generated art
and
Michelangelo. Da
Vinci. Picasso.
Missing the connection?
you say? Michelangelo
painted the Sistine Chapel.
Da Vinci creAptiva.
Art.
...
A
Mona
Picasso made abstract
Aptiva ... is it easy to use?
virtually unknown and misunderstood
ated the
art
Art,
Lisa.
Mediazine
many
art at all.
traditionalists
But
it
makes
it
do
is beginning
sounds strange
not consider
sense.
it
First hands,
then animal hair, then synthetic brushes
were used to create art. It follows that
computers should also be used as an artistic tool.
Computer
well, art.
Page 6
Admittedly,
to take off.
it
sounds.
not as easy and sterile as
computer whiz does not sim-
art is
A
Humber College
ply install a graphics program into the
computer and let the mouse take over.
While an understanding of computers is
necessary (many computer artists play
around with different graphics programs
incorporating one into the other or create
their own software), creativity and experience with other artistic mediums is just as
important.
Creativity and computers?
Is this
possi-
David LeBer, a computer technician
ble?
Ontario College of Art stresses that
at the
computer
artists are "well
educated
in
other areas" such as painting and sculp-
They combine
ture.
this
has added to the increasing sophistication
of computers. This has resulted
in
comput-
being seen as an exciting new
expression.
different
enables the
It
artist to
media and experiment
way of
combine
ways
in
otherwise not possible.
"The
artist
line
With
second approach,
the
new
this
this
"With
They can place
underneath a digital image (photograph),"
"These are things
explains LeBer.
that if
you were working in traditional mediums,
you could not do," he adds.
"You can use computers
You can
use
it
in all different
as a tool to create the
once
it's
ened by electronic
They
done,
done.
With
might no longer
it
This leads
artist
the programs available
now
numbers and lines.
Nothing like what
you can do now."
it."
Tlie
each time or
a different look
to interactive
creates a
onto
doodling on their
computers because
they were the ones
who had access to
computers," said
downside
art.
moves
artists
were interested
but the computers didn't have the power.
The
artists
lot of
had to put
time
to
in a lot
of work and a
produce a small piece of
(to
how
said
there
is
But what exactly is computer art?
"Different people have different ideas
about what computer art is," explains
way of
Basically there
The
first
are
two
deals with replicat-
ing traditional art forms on the computer.
lot
It's
his or her hand.
is
limited
in traditional
as"
work
then go onto another
almost too easy.
It
encourages a
thinking, like a butterfly, flitting
back and
forth, here
and
there.
Some
ple get lazy and don't think through
that tech-
still
art
that uses the technolo-
much
School of Journalism
because
there, not
is
it
is
the
only one," explains O'Grady. "but once
something becomes
You
where.
digital,
Unfortunately, copyright
enters the digital world,
Anyone can
is
Once
for the artists.
is
every-
it
also a prob-
the art
is
work
up for grabs.
take a piece created by some-
one else and make whatever changes they
some
want. While
software provides a sort
of copyright feature, this does not allow
the artist to keep track of
works.
it
where
does not allow
their art is
the artist to
to protect artists is in the
E-Cash,
Called
it
would operate
An
Internet user
would have an account with the net. If a
person wants to "download" something
from the
ed.
net, the
account would be debit-
This way, an account
has what
art
and
is
kept of
who
the artist receives their
royalties.
You probably won't
see
computer
art at
the Art Gallery of Ontario for a while yet,
computer
and
tional art
debate
it
lose the uniqueness, the rari-
ty"
peo-
Despite society's advancement into the
is
of
is
it
both
[medium] for it. I call those people
'technology happy '."
A more serious reason, though, has to do
with copyright. "With a Rembrandt there
what
they want to do."
computer age, there
lot
similar to a credit card.
interprets the data),"
"Also,
a
in painting,
an element of chance. With digital
you can "save
track.
approaches.
computer
O'Grady.
work."
O'Grady.
the
is
gy because
make money.
A system
With the computer, everything
co-operative.
"TTiere
about
a
work of art,
especially
computer
artist
art."
the art industry.
going, and
is
"For a long time,
warns
special
an organizer at Data Access, a Toronto
artist
"A
what's
of
Elizabeth O'Grady,
way an
a
to
computer
could not do."
the
also
is
you were
working in
traditional media, you
began
]
and
bad
O'Grady
enhance and hinder
lem
But, there
that if
"scientists
it
the
computer.
"These are things
been around since
It
more
the
best
transfer
Surprisingly,
computer art has
with
are a lot
TTiose programs dealt with
sophisticated.
the sixties.
Tom
and teacher, "but
own
nology
media art. The
work by digitizing film, pictures and music and combining it.
Digitizing is a process whereby a machine
(a scanner) is hooked-up to the computer
enabling the computer to scan material and
Roberts, a Toronto
That they
might
lose
authority over
what is good
see art."
ution tool," says LeBer.
artist
the
where
people go to see
realm where people go to
can rework the same piece over and
over, giving
own
longer
art.
work, you can manipulate
digital
artist
art.
are afraid they
work,
it's
art.
are afraid
realm
add other elements such as music.
available since the seventies," said
They
tradition-
art
al
by
electronic
artwork, to reproduce artwork, as a distrib-
"There have been (similar) programs
gallery owners.
The main reason is not
enough is known about this art form.
However, O'Grady said "curators are
they might no
To me,
more
is
those
are curators and
art
...curators are threat-
in the tech-
nology.
Among
medium.
art
computer
explore what's
what can be
reproduced,
said 0"Grady.
with charcoal. Then they can mix
new
resistant to
^^
who
are people
this
program and create a
ered a
threatened
"These
nology.
program.
into a
focus
artists
over whether computers should be consid-
computer tech-
interesting than
with watercolors.
ways.
stays the same, but the style changes.
can create a piece using dif-
ferent techniques available in a
They can go
The image
or pencil using the computer.
on the different or unique elements of
The almost unlimited uses of programs
art
creates the effect of traditional
artist
materials, for example, oil paint, charcoal
knowledge with
computer technology.
er
The
the
will
not replace the tradi-
media altogether, but as the
world moves more and more towards
multi-media
will definitely become more
it
common
place.
•
Fall1995
Page?
YTV host makes
it
the broadcast biz
in
Patel has made a name for
herself in the industry and believes
Aashna
women can do
other minority
same.
now
determining which
television.
Aashna
YTV's
"PJ". As
program jockey
how someone
calls herself a
"It's
women
when
very political
succeed
in
comes
to
it
lawyers and engineers, but
kids are branching out and doing
different things."
For
Patel,
encouraging Indian youths
gel involved
important.
"I
young Indians who come
to
me how
by Michelle Matsdorf
Patel
the
their kids to be
is
have
lots
me and
to
of
ask
to get involved," she said.
Patel's first interview three years ago is
an experience she will never forget. "I
remember my
interview was with
first
Mila Mulroney," she
graduate of the radio and television arts
discussing the opportunities for
minority women on television, Patel notes
said. "It was nervewas so excited."
Patel receives constant training at
YTV, taking improv classes every two
weeks with the other program jockeys.
program
that "Minorities haven't
Currently, she
is
album
due out
a
for
"YTV news"and"Y-ZUp".an
entertainment show. Patel
on
station's full-time,
at
one of the
is
air personalities.
Ryerson, Patel
A
no newcomer
is
The 24-year-old native of, India
public exposure to the
first
entertainment field when, as a teenager
sang
she
and
Wonderland
than
said Patel. "It's
difficult for an unattractive
it
is
for a minority
for a
danced at Canada's
summer job.
During high school she volunteered
at
woman."
been open to
in their
anthem
at a
An
established station,
YTV
at
YTV
Now,
would
future, she
like to
have her
for yourself."
"Parents (of Indian children) push
own
entertainment show.
Patel
has made a name for herself
in
the industry and she believes other
minority
"I
women
don't think
it's
can do the same.
always
just about the
color (of your skin)," said Patel
telephone
interview.
"It's
in a
about
appearance and not being attractive.
If
you're not attractive and trying to get a
job,
you
She
will
have a hard time."
said politics play a large part in
Page 8
Mediazine
music
been raised.
and she was
In the
-
September. The
students: "If
lias
and produces "Y-Z Up".
Patel hosts
in
She attributes the lack of applications
by Indian youths to the way they have
has been
selected to be a "PJ" on the show.
vvorking on a pop
track contains 16 songs written by Patel
worked there since the age of 21. When
she graduated from Ryerson. she was
called to an audition
is
herself.
number of
years and Patel
air for six
that
I
are white, so there are less minorities
Toronto Blue Jays baseball games.
on the
it.
resumes
wracking because
applying."
CityTV, where she co-hosted a program
called Sounds of Asia. She has also sung
the national
woman
In
Most people who send
to the business.
received her
more
looks,"
number College
your
Her words of wisdom
you
craft, that's the
•
for
work on perfecting
best thing you can do
just
e^
'</m.
aree^d
a?-/i^temfit
Confessions of a woman
longing for a return to
the age of simplicity
by Maria Birmingham
ihc truth be known,
Ifunderstand
advances
cal
more
really don't
I
I
had
my
way,
I
technical than a toaster.
should have been born
I
living in an era
technophobe.
a
today's world. If
in
deal with anything
think
am
I
the enthusiasm about the countless technologi-
all
at the turn
where technology
of the century, instead of
everyday
the core of
is at
would never
Sometimes I
much
that
— VCRs, stereo and remote
maybe having
use automatic tellers (although,
money popping
of
But
confidence).
into a pathetic,
It's
not so
me down
sit
added incentive
the
of a computer and
in front
of the unknown, but once
that I'm afraid
though
feel as
I
send any computer
I
My
an early grave.
to
my
can remember when we got
new
my
fear
is
I
sit
As a
have no control.
the fact that computers were not a part of
school, and
my
turn
I
sweaty-palmed basket case.
much
defenceless technophobe, I've convinced myself that
will
all
can even
I
out of nowhere has something to do with
of that screen,
in front
Heck,
controls.
life.
me
Sure there are some forms of technology that don't frighten
actions
rooted in
early education.
I
electronic typewriters in high
thought they were the most advanced piece of tech-
I
My generation was busy reading Mr. Mugs
books and learning to use the Dewey Decimal system. We
weren't learning with computer games as kids do today. I don't
even remember using a computer until I was in my early teens.
nology I'd ever seen.
Even
if
machines,
were really committed
I
I'd still find
only adding to
my
it
frustrating.
ed that expression has never seen
the
little
computer industry
Whoever
technophobia. User friendly?
mouse, click
me working
seem quite simple
Sure, on the surface they
here, click there
about these
to learning
TTie
and
is
creat-
on a computer.
to use
—move around
voila.
wish.
I
I
can't
even count the number of times I've started work on the computer,
pushed
few buttons and found myself stuck
a
world where
my
design on the screen.
machine
that doesn't
While you're
prompt. ..Even
at
if
decided
text has
it,
I
How am
seem
I
supposed
to follow
to learn
any logic?
it
today,
is
come and
it
neat
how
— push
click on the icon once, or
understand
some
in
to twist itself into a
other
little
to use a
ctrl-t-alt-t-F4.
twice?
see
me
DOS,
tomor-
row.
If
I
could have a simple
through
this
list
of instructions
maze of commands,
I'd
program, every icon, every application brings
quite frankly, I'm not
School of Journalism
all
that
tliat
be content.
me
would lead me
But no, every
into territory that
keen on exploring.
Fain 995
Page 9
sat in
I've
tending
rooms
that
doing when
on.
I
I
full
know what I'm
can't even turn the thing
end up trying
I
of computers, pre-
really
myself through
to talk
"Okay, stay calm, take a few deep
breaths. ..power switch, power switch, it's
it.
around here somewhere." Usually,
my
chalantly lean back in
someone who looks
they're doing.
chair,
like they
any wonder in an envi-
Is it
it
technophobia or
know I'm
not alone
Bottom
grams
it
I
in.
line?
computer.
do.
call
I
my
I'll
Call
lost?
stupidity but
it
I
contempt.
never
trust
don't care what
any
it
can
how many prohard drive. And
don't care
has on the
I
can't (and never will) get excited about
upgrading or optimizing
the program I'm using
all
I
need to know.
its
memory.
If
working, that's
is
I'm not looking
develop any kind of relationship with
to
this
thing.
Although
in loathing
Page 10
I
my
find a real sense of comfort
computer,
Mediazine
I
know
bia.
I
have
ers will
way
to
move beyond my
to accept the fact that
always be a part of
my
pho-
comput-
naivete and dream. ..dream that
up tomorrow and
little
life.
But sometimes I can't help but slip
back into my technophobic world of
grey box
find
full
on
my
I'll
of infinite data, but a
simple piece of paper and a pen.
am a technophobe, but I'm working on it
A
survey by Dell Computer Corp., in the fall of
1993, questioned 1,000 adults and found a high
level of technophobia. The poll found that 32 per
cent of adults are intimidated by computers and
worry about damaging one if they use it without
assistance. Similarly, 22 per cent don't feel comfortable setting a digital alarm clock.
A clinical psychologist from California says that
up to one-third
of
those
who
fear technology
actually experience reactions like sweating, nau-
—
sea and dizziness physical symptoms
indicative of a phobia.
that I've
Humber College
wake
desk, not a
non-
I
and watch
know what
ronment where I'm completely
got to find a
that are
Yes,
•
I
M@LOTQ®1
by David
He
Millan
screen
sion
screams Tony
wliite
imploring the television
teeth
RIGHT NOW!"
audience to
lines are
cular,
mid-
after
"Get on the hne
night.
Little,
Vanna:
pushing
appears on the televi-
him while phone
open. Tony is mus-
call
still
and
getting
tanned and his long blond
hair is pulled into a ponytail.
bounds across
the set
hands
device
Ab
Isolator, a situp
resembling
a
shock
on a rather large
absorber,
woman
rubs his
prospect of demon-
at the
strating his
green
bucks
and wig-
He
gles his midsection.
He
selected from the studio
Tony
audience.
to pitch their
Little is a little
scary.
Buffalo
The
Tony asks
the
woman
to
perform a nor-
mal situp. As she struggles, the enthusiastic crowd yells "NO!"
Then Little hands
new Ab
Isolator to stabilize her
body motion. He screams
in
a coarse voice
you have to do to get rid of
those love-handles!" and the crowd cheers
decade
in
speed addict
Tony has
who
just
the energy of a
drank a pot of cof-
fee.
Infomercials have conquered the
late-
cable stations.
Infomercial producers are
now
trying to secure daylight program-
ming
as well.
regulations
Recent changes to
CRTC
have made daytime hours
to
sta-
Thus
pushed
products
on
infomercial
only
industry,
a
grossed over a billion dollars
old,
in
1994.
guru, has earned almost
Susan Powter,
Insanity.'
health
$100 million from
her infomercials.
"The growth of
who wanted
became
the industry
is
phenom-
of the Canadian
Direct
Marketing
Association (C.D.M.A.), "The prospects
the
now major
Drawn by
hair-care
hot-bed
for
the
creation
of
ity
the industry grows, so does the qual-
of productions and diversity of selling
techniques.
In
hair
and television
their infancy, infomercials
replacement techniques and
School of Journalism
"risk-
stars
for
which she reportedly
received over a million dollars, stars are
tripping over each other to host infomer-
promoting
.Stars
merchandise
Vanna White,
Principal and Ted
include Angela Lansbury,
Holly Hunter, Victoria
Danson.
Similarly,
techniques
selling
pitchman
we
is still
model of
the role
also see other styles of
in
programs. For
example. The Gravity Edge
(a
workout
device and infomercial) presents short,
tional stories using actors to
benefits of their product.
cials
on
Although the
infomercials have changed.
promotion being applied
infomercials.
As
film
the success of Cher's spot for a
line,
the industry,
a
such
Lyle
are cashing in on the infomercial bonanza.
hard-sell
it
for
as
Bonaduce of The Partridge Family fame.
make
in
performers
Waggoner, Robert Vaughn and Danny
Canada are exciting."
Cheaper production costs in Canada may
production
Infomercials
resting place
final
unforgettable
cials.
enal," says Scott McClulIan, a representative
free" investment schemes.
But
stations.
featured washed-up television stars selling
available for infomercials.
Formerly, Canadian sellers
Choice
infamous Stop the
the
for
night airwaves on a majority of Canadian
TV
North America
is all
in appreciation.
the Loblaw's guy,
Nicol,
President's
his
"This
Canadian border.
tions near the
Dave
her his
wares during the day had
buy airtime on American television
fic-
showcase the
Other infomer-
copy the format of successful regular
Fall
1995
Page
11
programming,
CD
Dance Mix USA 95, a
which resembles
like
promotion,
Muchmusic's Electric Circus.
Lucy Huth is a marketing assistant with
Northern Response Ltd, a Toronto based
company that licenses infomercials from
the U.S. Huth says most infomercials run
for "probably a month" to test the market.
"If viewers
cial)
respond to
(the infomer-
it
it,
succeeds" says Huth. Additional new
programs are added
if
the concept
prof-
is
Northern Response's most popular
itable.
infomercials
—
truly
Large
on
the
of companies
list
experimenting
market
successful.
General Motors,
MCA
Records and American
who
trainers
U.S. in infomercial pro-
duction (mainly because
pony-tailed personal
and salesmen of vacuum-
AVH
Dickens says
Solutions.
CRTC's
of the
powered haircutting machines can take
solace in the words of Gary Dickens, president of
Canada,
is
fear a takeover of our
Those
televisions by
In
The
rest are forgotten after their initial run.
Queen
the
in
form includes Kodak,
which lags behind the
in ten are
Infomercial
infomercial bandwagon.
The
Airlines.
Only one
Powter:
corporations
hopping
are
Power Walk.
Attrition in the infomercial
Susan
ming with single sponsors and no hard sell.
infomercial of 1994 was Bruce Jenner's
high.
/f
program-
informative
defunct
daytime
against
rule
'
indi-
broadcasts). Ford of
Canada has had
cates
posi-
buyer of infomercial products
tive public reaction to
its
yb
Jo 's Psychic Alliance takes over the
broadcasters in Canada are unwilling to
television screen at
give up large chunks of daytime program-
surrounded by strange astrological
ming to run low
ing harm to the
symbols and golden
reputation of the network.
gld of fern-like plants.
now
United States, infomercials
the
In
quality infomercials, fear-
inum blonde
account for one-quarter of programming
tail
time on cable systems.
head.
AVH
Solutions
is
new
pioneering a
wave of infomercial-type programming.
Dickens coined the word "edumercial,"
programs similar
out the hard
to infomercials but with-
sell.
Companies, such
as
Midas Muffler, sponsor educational programs reflecting
repair) without
their industry
(ie.
auto
mentioning the company
by name in the show. Hopefully, the viewer will
remember the sponsor
as well as the
program. "The purchasing decision
up
to you..!the
company
is left
trying to pro-
is
vide a service to the public," says Dickens.
C.D.M.A. representative
McClullan sees changes
infomercial
the
"There
is
hair
is
sticking straight
Her eyes are
stars.
a.m.
1
Her
Jo Jo
set is a
is
collected into a pony-
up from the lop of her
set close together;
looks slightly cross-eyed.
Her
she
fingernails
are long, her blue dress puffy,
As
wonder major corporations want
will be
Little
into the
a steady stream of guests gives
to the life-changing
testi-
advice given
hours.
AVH
prime
Solutions'
may
Florida
phone number runs
at the
bottom of the
screen with the disclaimer "Entertainment
Only.''
Soft piano music emphasizes the
seriousness of the testimonials.
Who
the venture is successful.
will
waitches this stuff?
American
if
50 to 80 per cent
of the population watch it.
A poll by
Management
we have an
In ten years,
all-Chrysler network?
The 500-channel universe
studies say
our way.
It
is
heading
has been suggested that new
cable technology will allow us to watch
we want, whenever
we want. But new channels
may only mean more advertiswhatever
ing, as
now."
ty
hard
sell
opposed
to
more
quali-
programming.
As
of a
huge
corporations
break into the infomercial
market, there will be growing pressure on stations to
provide programing time for the advertis-
on Canadian
ers.
programming
Gary Dickens has heard rumours
INCO
the
CRTC may
that
approve an infomercial
channel before the end of the
be the future for
Mediazine
called
a combination of advertiser-sponsored
year.
Page 12
3
The channel's programming
is
special ran next to prime time.
This
on January
TCI
new
programming and infomercials. TCI plans
to add as many as 25 new single subject
stations, and ultimately spread nationwide
industry.
will be allowed
during
Jo Jo and Tony
air.
by members of the Psychic Alliance, a
"Infomercials are getting more
shows
the
be pushed off the airwaves by
Travelvision.
Dickens believes only quality, informative
muscled off the
may
channel
mainstream," says McClullan.
networks
infomercials,
Acura and Proctor Silex.
The change is well under way.
This style of promotion emphasizes a
product.
produce
Pepsi,
in
to the
probable that as more big-time
cheap products and fly-by-night operatives
more image-advertising being
opposed
is
It
companies
Cablevision of Florida introduced a
InfoCision
built into the infomercial right
lifestyle as
a stake in
the industry.
and she
wears gaudy jewellery.
monial
to 45-years-old,
jun-
Jo Jo's long plat-
married,
is
owns a home, is highly
educated and makes decent money. No
36
infomercial.
average
the
that
Number College
•
Q & A:
Computers give
comics a color make over
Ken Lashley
is
one
of
many comic book
working
artists
the world
in
He has been drawing for Marvel Comics for two
years and produces a monthly book called X-Calibre.
superheroes.
of
by Christy Laverty
Q:What
changes do you see in your
book because of new advances
in
own
technol-
unbelievable.
Q: How
as
or
ogy?
changes began
A:
try?
Paper quality for one. There wouldn't
be any need for a paper change
if
the col-
are
who
read and buy comic books
demanding changes; they're demand-
Q:What
w hole
-
about changes
in
comics as a
did before, and
much
in the indus-
probably
It
I
with color now,
Q: How
Image comics,
when they
AcThey've made comic books one of
most beautiful media going.
the
new comics, they
usually think of old comics and that
grainy quality. You see the new stuff and
you're just blown away because some of
People don't think of
(a
the stuff they're doing with the coloring
is
A:
It's
new technologies and
\^
this
paper quality.
Kids demand
ing system. The renlike 15 colors
Image has changed the industry
drastically.
these
changes and advances possible?
A:
do
very
is
little
hand
rendering, except for spotting
where
be.
You
They take so much time
their product that they
better
is
and
that's
their teeth into.
•
the color should
don't physically
can use comput-
ers to manipulate the colors;
it
and blur things and
get things out of focus and
tighten things
up and sphere
some images. You can do
absolutely anything. Marvel
has a
list
of special effects.
There are something like 85
different things
I
can do just
by giving them a code.
Q: How
things for
does
this
you as an
A: Marvel
change
artist?
has told
don't have to
draw
School of Journalism
as
me
what they
want. There's something for them to sink
color the book.
You
to
have raised the
industry standards.
More
There
swirl
a certain
kind of detail.
Q: What helped make
by Ken Lashley
comic
books. People are
experimenting with
for a skin tone.
lllustralions
almost like
I
incredible color-
is
these
affected
the infancy of
Comics) went
to Olyoptics
dering
all
industry standards?
left
got
in.
have
nologies
They (Image
and
shadows, they
changes and new tech-
of
artists)
don't have
artists
can put them
^v^
Marvel.
as an industry?
don't have to give as
They can do so much
information.
all
with
group
ing a better product.
I
to give all the
started
oring process hadn't gotten any better.
People
A:
where do you think the
I
much
Fall
1995
Paid to PI
M
completing his business diploma
t
at
These "unsatisfactory"
Sheridan College.
people
only
motivation to prepare for a career change.
The two high school friend- met one
night over a year ago to catch up on each
other's lives.
"1
dream of enjoying their jobs to
the point of ela-
said
I
we
job and
I
hated
In facty
most
people
would probably
tion.
for some
satisfaction in
Rakhra keeps up his end of
by working several shifts a
the investment
couple of beers later that fateful
almost always
in
Texas, so
said, 'let's
commercials'," remembers Rakhra.
Pyrymyx Film and Video
night
Production was born. The business part-
have found
ners believe they
their niche.
week
at a restaurant.
Meanwhile, Virk
at the studio
logo
for
Punjabi
he practically "lives".
"We
gamble on anything. Our
came through and after saving
our own money and planning we decided
didn't
next project
band
the
By Nature
years ago.
three
That video
to
spontaneous
word-of-mouth advertising and landed him
led
He
several job offers.
soon realized employ-
ment
opportunities
were increasing, and
company was a
own
realistic
option.
and
Virk
"W'azz
I Randy Rakhra,
^W
25, consider
working
in their
both
It
ana video production company "an excuse
They are still amazed that people hire them to do what they love. The
innovative friends develop everything
from corporate videos to movie trailers.
to play."
"People actually pay for creativity,"
preparation before the
was inaugurated.
five job.
ally let
You can be
some nine
innovative and
to
homes.
"We were
Sheridan College where
He then worked
manager for an insurance company
for four years.
manage
Page 14
a
Rakhra moved
Ramada
to
Texas
to
Inn for a year after
Mediazine
to
keep
taking clients in our
homes
so
we
decided to open our
he took cinema studies.
as a
getting
much work
parents'
Virk graduated from the University of
later
received
clients at their parents'
liter-
your mind loose," added Rakhra.
Toronto and
team
the
Prior
opening,
to the office
too
not stuck at
Pyrymyx head-
quarters in Mississauga
said Virk.
"And you're
took about nine
months of planning and
official
film
own
studio,"
said
Rakhra.
Personal savings and
investments, funds from
previous and upcoming
projects
and
Jazz Virk models his new "hair" on a sample businesscard. The team opted for a company logo instead.
some
Number College
is
where he said
video and designed the
that starting his
their daily grind.
materialize.
make
working
A
graphics by Pyrymyx Film arid Video
parental aid, enabled the studio concept to
my
hated
Virk had directed a successful music
settle
by Mary Luz Mejia
job experiences gave them the necessary
ay
Work
at
around
services with the
$500,000.
client.
Virk said he
never
really
from the production of music and corpo-
the film indus-
into merchandising, logo/graphic design
before he
ness for him-
God
Because the company
planning
this
company
Creating
right," said Virk.
is
small, part of
foregoes the traditional
never
comwould
you
assist
in
research and found
computers are definitely the way to
that
With
computer you have access
a
to
tion
line,
"We were
and produc-
means everyinput is welcome
wanted;
including
getting too
keep taking our clients
chips in," which
and
Rakhra suggest, "stick
Both agree
the
own
"There are so many new
things constantly coming up with
thing," said Virk.
This
Virk's brother Suny,
is
technol-
why Rakhra and
who does
the
compa-
ny's graphic designing, are also involved
the continually evolving creative
in
process.
The company uses
Macintosh 950 computers
editing, special effects,
$40,000
into software,
Video Fusion and Swivel
what you want
is
Virk advises
best to the worst in films.
students to plan and organize their busi-
ness ventures and to "never rush
it."
also said that continually educating
yourself about the trade through confer-
studio.
to
open our
"
Upcoming
'
gave him the
He
torical
and technical education he needed,
every day at ^'^.'
the company is
a
"learning
-
-''^'^-r^
his-
projects for the
tearn include their
film
called
No
own
short
This
Rest.
tragedy
be
entered in film contests
throughout Canada and poshorror
will
internationally.
sibly
to do," said Virk.
to success.
is vital
to
our parents
that while school
if
you happen
Until
to be at a
karaoke bar, keep your eyes open for the
team's
latest
work.
•
'': .^^^^^
3-, to
Rough copies
downtown Toronto
suites that
Rakhra said
is
is
like
school."
at
final draft to speci-
this
Rakhra, "this
increase
are sent to a
a less
expen-
method, since an online suite can cost
to get
bored," added
being
laboratory with online
produce the
"We have
no time
such as
amount of computer manipulations
their disposal.
sive
do all of their
animation and
to
The partners have invested an
graphics.
fication.
in
added
arc the "bread and butter"
of the operation.
the
it
experience."
Computers
initial
this
your guns."
to
that to learn the basics,
then,
can't keep up to date with every-
I
pursuing
imperative to watch everything, from the
much work
homes, so we decided
client's.
ogy.
in
multimedia work, Virk and
ences, lectures or workshops
end of things. The bottom
however, is that "everyone
one's creative
Virk and Rakhra have entered
For students interested
marketing duties, while Virk
the editing
Apart
and have directed a two minute movie
handles most of the business and
works on
interest.
clip.
They
go.
Technically, Rakhra
hierarchy.
"I
thought
puters
Adam before Pyrymyx
film or video. We did
rate videos,
sort of
self.
was
more and more
attracting
importance of
computers in
got into busi-
Michaelangelo's
Marketing themselves as a multi-purpose, one-stop shopping package, they are
considered the
try
the time
demands of each new
The
still
in
team
said they liter-
ally learn as
they
go,
expanding
their
list
of
Michaelangelo's
School of Journalism
God Creating Adam after Pyrymyx
Fall
1995
Page 15
90s
California dreamin'
90210 and the
style:
bind
ties that
by
Tim Bingham-Wallis
scene
J\he
young
is set,
four
college types
They must be joking.
Yes!
In this
day and age, what student could be
spot.
prospects, and outrageous student debts,
They
let
alone a car.
The scene changes and there they
cafe, discussing life in the
down
are at the dealership laying
'90s.
new European
for a brand
Am
''What's the matter Dyl?
Giving up on the Porsche?"
problem. Most of the people I know
who watch 90210 fall into this category.
Common
is
these people really exist? Yes,
hour every week. They are of
for a full
rationalize their dependency, and
even believe they could quit watching
any time, claiming they don't have a
sports car.
kidding? No.
I
Can
cash
their hair like
The other type is not as easy to
They hide their addiction well.
employment
rising tuition fees, horrible
do
the characters.
serious about buying a Porsche? With
few students can afford car insurance,
are sitting in a small
characters, they even
to all in this latter
group
the belief they are superior to the
characters.
The triumphs and
tribula-
tions of the characters are considered
remarkably well
groomed young man.
"You should go with the
course the "kids" from Beverly Hills
trivial
902 W.
Cadillac! There's Cadillac
experience.
and then there's Cadillac,"
says
remarkably
well
groomed man number two.
too annoying, but I'm one of the few
"There was this one scene where
Dylan (a character on the show) was
going through a drug crisis," says
Andrea Brown a PhD candidate at the
University of Toronto, and 90210 aficionado. "He was out in a rain storm
trying to light a joint, but the wind kept
blowing it out. It- was really mellowdramatic. I kept thinking, whoa, just
smoke it! It's a joint! It's no big deal!
says
a
I
full
must confess I've never watched
a
episode. These two scenes are about
the full extent of
I
my 90210
can't watch
know who
people
I
time, a
90210 junkie.
I
had
it.
viewing
I
find
it
hasn't been, at one
to find out.
What makes
oth-
erwise well informed, thought-
"What's the matter with
the Porsche.
It's
not in the
ful
and articulate peo-
ple, religiously
tune
shop again is it?" says a
blonde, and far too thin girl.
that's
the two well
you!" exclaim
groomed men
have discovered
there are
two types of 90210
There are those who admire
the characters and see them as role
models. It's easy to pick these poor
souls out of a crowd. They walk like
addicts.
for a big pink convertible!"
"Now
such
televi-
sion?
I
"Well I think you should go
in to
trashy
in
the characters, talk like the charac-
unison.
"I'll
ters,
keep
ment"
it
under advise-
says
groomed, but
buy the clothes worn by the
still
a
less
well fed
car buyer.
"Ha
ha
ha!" sputter
ha
all
four.
Page 16
Mediazine
Humber College
and inconsequential.
It's
not like
it's
heroin."
While 90210 fans
com-
^
alized and industrializing
world finish work, or
I'm beautiful, I'm sexy, I'm
everything you could ever
want
to be
school, they collectively
plunk themselves
and more !!!!!
of the
front
in
down
TV.
I
d€n't
s
i
eailyt
prays
fo r
t
hours
on
end. Their
to
flames. She's
interaction
promptly saved
by a
gets the remote.
You
Without social
more
We
w:
provides
ues.
out,..
a
lost the ability to tell their
format
own
is
pro-
way
know
"I
it's
sad," says Derrek
Foster, a graduate student in
communi-
cations at Carleton University. "But
provides a structure to
"It's not like
my
it
which
do with normal people. 90210
do with upper-class American
has to
has to
ifc
life)
of
commit-
of the boob
They're too
a
busy
buying
playing
Porsche,
in front
tube.
Whether
the
fans emulate the characters or
all
real
experience, and of course
it's not meant to. One thing you
won't see on 90210 is people
wasting an evening
without the
Degrassi (a Canadian
Either
902IU become
experiences for its fans.
The lessons
earned on the show are lessons
consumed by its fans.
the adventures on
ment.
life."
drama about high school
them
and
embrace them,
Hov\ever, don't be fooled.
com-
price
k) v e
90210 can never replace
ple with an
munty
themselves away.
fans
Its
or love Id hate and reject them.
vides peoactive
are
either
who
sold in a prepackaged and sanitized
to pry
t
morals and val-
stories. Instead, social interaction
seem unable
blatant
9021
need to feel belonging,
involvement and attach-
characters, they
can't get
h a
human connections. We
social crutch for people
a
than that."
are social
ment with other people.
90210 fills this void in
It
becomes
our lives.
in
shiny red hat.
creatures, and we need
plain about the shallow nature of the
man
is arguing
over
who
friendships.
not to
only social
we cannot
build communities, or
90210
God
be cast into the
mteraction
have
il
\
There they
got great wheels, chicks
dig me, you know I'll get a
great job c/o daddy.
I've
ftet
/Heathers, 9021 C, \
Saturday Nifiht Livel
/il>vay« the bitch!
Cut I'm nice!
mock them,
sports or (lying off to
they
share the same rela-
Paris.
They
are in
tionship.
control: they don't
get any filthy stinking richer than that,"
vides a
90210 probenchmark to
go
says Betsy Carter, a working class gal.
judge and structure our
they don't work for
Beverly Hills glitzy glamour.
"Still, it's part
wants
can't
of the world everyone
to hear about."
90210
If
is
a
viewers,
make-believe world,
life
why do people watch
Betsy Carter says
lives.
it
all.
of
its
"If
I
miss a
to either be
"I
couldn't believe the
Jason
last night," says
Pickup,
a
food banks, and
the
perfect illusion for a
rejected or embraced.
show
it?
all,
to
minimum wage.
90210 is
902IO's values are
displayed for
unrelated to the everyday
show
It
generation unable to
connect, to build
dedicated 90210
own
its
community.
to
its
at
cynic. "Kelly goes to a rave,
take control of
and meets these two lesbian
lovers. There's a fire and
Kelly and one of the women
get caught in the bathroom. As
environment.
For Carter and other 902/0 fanatics the program is a common reference
in our Global Village. When most people in the industrialized, post-industri-
the fire gets closer the lesbian
I
get updates
from the people
work."
School of Journalism
90210
SwecUUo<^!
IS
the per-
peo-
fect tool for a
ple in denial.
Fall
1995
•
Page 17
Electronic Newspapers
Vniich do you prefer?
by Ann Mane
by touching the corner of the screen.
cated story, you
screen and
Imagine
morning
it
tional information
read aloud to you.
ing through the bushes outside for a soggy
newspaper, you turn on your personal
"news tablet", better known as an electronic newspaper. No more anger because
the paper is late, no more black fingertips
and fumbling with oversize pages. Just
you, a flickering screen, and reams of
information
at
your
fingertips.
This "electronic" newspaper has
all
the
it.
touch the story on
be provided.
The
addi-
remains invisible unless
You may even have
you request
work or
rummag-
may
will
and putting on a pot of coffee before
school. Instead of
articles
much
discussion heralding the
at
work,
home
or on the subway.
This "newspaper" has a beginning, a middle,
and an end. The pages on the screen
at
the
magazine.
It
is
small, about the size of a
is
easily portable in a purse,
briefcase or handbag, and has no attached
knobs or gadgets. It is completely touchsensitive, and, you can turn the pages just
Pdge18
Mediazine
"The tablet is not a reality yet, because
hardware companies are still develop-
Bair,
Parts of
are already published
hunger for information
able,
-
on
ver-
in Boulder,
us
many
for
It is
predicts rapid changes
changes will involve a memory card,
which each person would carry with them.
The memory Ccird could plug into outlets
that would be available at airports, kiosks,
ple
when
the prototype
was
Number
The Economist
created, simplicity
College
way we
One of those
in the
receive our printed news.
or at work, said Bair.
lab, told
companies and
gy necessary to make the tablet a reality.
Once they make the breakthrough, Bair
The tablet would have a docking station
where it could have new editions of the
newspaper down-loaded onto it. As Arthur
head of the
probably won't be
different
small, touch-sensitive and easily portable.
Fidlcr,
it
at the earliest."
The
Colorado
contain the "electronic newspaper".
Bair said
tell
1997
consortiums are working on the technolo-
new and better ways to feed it.
The Knight-Ridder Information and
Design Laboratory
until
of
the
fast, readily avail-
and up-to-date, drives advances
it," said Peggy
Information and
the Knight-Ridder lab in
Director
ready
them
in
a prototype.
are the future for print media.
editor at the Montreal
to
tablet
read things
1995, Fidler' s prototype remains just
In
that,
Technology at
Boulder. "They
managing
has already created a prototype for a tablet
The
"You can
1993.
Gazette, predict that electronic newspapers
assistant
look like the pages of a real newspaper; the
"newspaper" format.
in
any order, and skip from one item to
another, while still knowing where you are
ing the technology to drive
The Globe and Mail and Peter Cooney,
type, graphics and photos are laid out
in
Fidler
John King, the deputy managing editor
Internet and various on-line .services.
whether
key to success.
"The format retains one crucial advantage of an old-fashioned paper," said
the
much more.
ferent versions throughout the day,
the
information. Those in the industry, like
sions of
to read several dif-
of
the future" in the business of disseminating
newspapers and even entire electronic
could be constantly updated,
been
"wave
features of a regular newspaper; business,
It
is
with respect to the paper as a whole."
In the last several years, there has
entertainment, sports, classifieds, and
and you would be able
you
If
want background information on a compli-
McQueen
getting up in the
is it a dream or a matter of time?
would be able
By
using them, peo-
to update their
newspa-
per throughout the day, obtaining the most
up-to-date information available
at the
time.
"Wherever you
are,
you could
get infor-
ety of topics.
mation," said Bair.
Canada, Peter Cooney, assistant man-
In
aging editor, and Michael Dugas, the elec-
manager
tronic imaging
at
The Montreal
Gazette, created an electronic version of
The "paper" was produced on
a
On
Prodigy, which uses an
network of newspaper afHIiates
to provide the
news,
Angeles Times,
New
is
offer "versions" of
Movies plugged
to achieve visual
electronic newspa-
and audio elements, said Cooney. Far from
pers at this point.
to
into
it
developed
the prototype
at
Knight-Ridder,
the Gazette version of electronic newspa-
was created
to
show both people
newsroom, and
in
Canada, what the future
per
in the
of newspapers might be.
was
"It
we
information which
to see the
already produce and
quite successfully, in a multi-media
sell
form
...
how you
can take one dimension
was produced
Web
prototype designed
Knight-Ridder.
daily multi-media newspaper
-
portable, rugged, with a battery life of
three or four hours," said
Cooney. "We're
computer world
to give
are waiting,
already being published
newspapers are
in
an electronic
form online. CompuServe, America
Online, Prodigy and others have a section
news and current events. The
the staple of the online ser-
their items are constantly updat-
GUI,
is
Post.
America Online has
a
section
called
Today 's News, which
newspaper
articles from wire
services, and elec-
Salem.
"It is set
more like
business
believe
up
a series of
"There
Mail
like
WWW,
gathers news from
Internet, but instead of seeing
you see an
is
all
it
or "the
over the
as a line of
entire page of information,
complete with graphics and
"This
news
newspapers than
they do on online systems.
text,
no
are
.
"If
you
it
the
are used to getting your
Globe, you can be
you can have
King,
The Globe and
at
in
Inuvik and read
delivered to you
at the
it...
lop
of Mount Everest." However, King said he
does not expect
to see this
degree of access
to information in his lifetime.
"Approximately 50-60 per cent of the
comes from
the printing process," said Peggy Bair.
"Newspapers are gding to have to deal
cost of producing newspapers
pictures.
news to show up on
Peggy Bair, referring
the year for
the Internet," said
only a
publishing," said
ic
John
an
more
is
limits with electron-
called "Mosaic", electronic
sections look
it
matter of lime.
use pictures and menus to enter com-
mands)
specifically to Nandonet, an electronic ver-
with the financial and environmental pres-
sion of an Illinois newspaper.
sures they face."
"A daily mUlti media
Some newspapers in
Canada are online,
will be widely available in about
although the informa-
"It
'>"" '^ey offer
ed.
is
Umlt
Both Southam and
Bair estimates that the electronic tablet
makes no sense
to put
20 years.
something that
changes so often onto something so permanent as paper."
newspaper-portable,
xh omson Newspapers
rugged, with a
have "gone online" to
the experts about turning on a
varying degrees.
instead of opening the paper, but techno-
battery
life
of three
"The Ottawa Citizen
has
offers
tronic
If
deputy managing editor
sources.
Washington
manager Sandy
ing
electronic publishing.
(a
ed using a variety of
CompuServe
offers news items
compiled
from
Reuters and The
InfoGlobe market-
operating environment that allows you to
Web",
us technology."
is
limits with
-John King-
face, or
and
said
tures,"
"There are no
graphic
a
graphic user inter-
vice,
both text and pic-
Everest."
is
news section
by 6 a.m. The services also allow the sub-
(WWW).
at
that carries
modem,
scriber to search back issues of Tlie Globe.
World Wide
much more
While we
of the
full text
day via
is
called
February, 1994. Cooney said the ideal
just waiting for the
to subscribers every
you are used to getting
articles
your Globe, you can be than a real newspanewspaper. The
per."
in Inuvik and read it... you Will widespread
Internet
a different story. One of
can have it delivered to electronic publishthe features offered
ing become a realion the Internet
The experts
ty?
you at the top of Mount
userinterface
"A
paper
graphics and the
"look" of a real
in
edition
like the
InfoGlobe Extra deliver the
The systems lack
Using
and easily add a second dimension."
The one-time
electronic division
is
interesting to see the reactions,"
Cooney. "People were able
said
the cov-
its
InfoGlobe Online and
1977.
since
"The service uses
handle layout and
program used
(a
and
services through
sound.
design of newspapers), with QuickTime
QuarkXPress
including The Los
enhanced using both pictures and
The online systems really only
Macintosh computer, using
(
York Newsday,
The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
erage
paper over a year ago.
their
interactive
to four hours."
-
Peter Cooney
versions of
newspapers including The New York
Times, Chicago Tribune and San Jose
Mercury-News. Prodigy has one of the
largest areas for headline news,
which
is
constantly updated and covers a wide vari-
-
a
version of the
electronic newspaper,"
said
Mary McGuire,
Diehard newsprint fans may argue with
logical progress
is
hard
computer
to ignore.
"Who's to say if eventually you will turn
on your computer and have a complete
newspaper delivered
said
you.'"
to
assistant professor of
McGuire. "Ten years ago no one envi-
journalism
sioned the fax machine as a necessity tor
at
Carleton
University in Ottawa.
"They make certain things available
business."
For what many
call a
dying industry, the
may
hold the most
online, like the front page, the classifieds,
electronic tablet concept
maybe movie reviews."
The Globe and Mail has
promise for the future of newspapers.
•
offered online
School of Journalism
Fall
1995
Page 19
,
Theinvaded
ants hadn't exactly
Gary Westhouse's home. All he
needed
to
do was repoint the
bricks in his wall.
on the airwaves.
Westhouse, 72,
is
radio a good
hobby
for
he got bored.
Even
tics.
"I've really enjoyed
lot
of fun
it,"
he said, "I've
to
religion, but not business or poli-
unlike the Internet where you can find
at it."
anarchists entangled in ideological struggle with neo-conservatives, politics isn't
office called the
It
QSL
allows hams to acknowledge each
other's contact in writing (via
welcome.
"That has nothing
bureau.
QSL
cards)
years. "That's not
Schijns
without expensive mailing fees.
talk to for the first
to
it
^A
^^
^^ M^
with 9000 members.
ham
like
by Jason Pickup
it
really doesn't matter," said
who describes her
age as "over 50."
Schijns,
And
said.
A
ham's goodwill once
benefitted
Westhouse,
help him.
Hams
about camaraderie more
government-
system. Equipment can range
Limited
A
communications during earthquakes,
for-
and other disasters. But most
hams are never called for civic duty.
For example, take Don Tyndall, a
Skywide member and a self-proclaimed
est fires,
since
Etobicoke
1983,
retiree
the
works
A
licenced
60-year-old
the airwaves for
30 or 40 hours per week.
"I've met an awful lot of people,"
Tyndall said, "not just on the airwaves but
Page 20
in
bad side of
provide emergency
"white-caner" (he's blind).
Mediazine
to electricians,
Ham
Radio
Toronto.
them are male. "That's the
brand-new $5000
transmitter.
ham
can be "anybody"
But about 95 per cent of
from a used $200 hand-held
Hams
stopped to
for the last five years at
Atlantic
to a
it
said Boisvert, a salesperson
a non-com-
licenced communications
model
radio sales-
heard
from doctors
than anything else.
mercial,
ham
person Mario Boisvert
when he had car trouble.
Boisvert called for help on
his hand-held unit, and a
time
man who
is
No
hams are welcome in the
homes of other hams, she
hobby. For them, ham radio
radio
air.
matter where they travel,
for 15 years, are often
Ham
friendships
the
don't end on the
older people looking for a
is
Making
new friends is what makes
ham radio special for her.
"You talk on the air to
people you have no idea
what they do for a living and
watch Star Trek: Voyager.
Operators
a
a national,
Kingston-based organization
what
in
about."
it's
Radio Amateurs of Canada,
He only
up
it
what
an office clerk with the
is
you're going to talk about,"
asks they wrap
do with ham
ham for 15
to
radio," said OIlie Schijns, a
he has held court.
said Westhouse.
permitted
To have proof of their long-distance calls,
hams essentially created their own post
for
tell
is
conduct business on the airwaves. But
Ants are just one of the
many topics on which
can't ever
fall into
International calls have a special aura.
Skywide
Toronto's
Amateur Radio Club"
on alternate Mondays.
"You
you can
Like the Internet, no one
on radio
on-air discussion group
get yakking,
any category," Tyndall noted.
"shut-ins," adding that he started because
Hamming
a
"ham" (or radio amateur) who operates an
'Net
"You Just
ham
calls
"Any country you
friends at their place
"A
He
had a
But the hundreds of ants
crawling around between the
storm window and the outside
window were interesting enough
to provoke quite a discussion
between Westhouse and his
called
m person.
time
is
a thrill,
talked with
"
said Tyndall,
hams from
as far
who has
away as
Japan and Russia.
And what do
talk
of guys talk basically about
ham
radio," Tyndall said.
T^ey
talk
shop - exchange radio and
antennae information.
But, they talk a lot about computers
too,
young
aged and beyond. That makes Boisvert
age.
Ham
lot
are as
as 10 or 11 years old, but most are middle-
practically a spring chicken at 32 years of
hams
long-distance
about?
"A
he joked.
it,"
few hams
and even the weather.
Humber College
radio isn't "physically active or
exotic" enough for most young people,
Westhouse
said.
The Nintendo generation
is
anything
but physically active. But a discussion on
ants
would
definitely
kill
their interest.
•
M"
^
Wn)
M
ki]
6
0'ia\ta\
y^
iby
Lauren Blankstein
I
versed in the
art
of "surfing the 'net" are
not fazed by this language, but
it
truly
colons and brackets, once used only for
punctuation, are
now combined
like 'hard
and 'windows' were
community, has developed a mode of com-
give words underlying meanings.
what they seemed
own vocabu-
placed
end of sentences, and
in or at the
munication complete with
drive on a winding road in a
snow
lary, etiquette
and an
archi-
thing was said with
a
tectural feature of a building. In the past
"Netspeak" (online colloquialisms) has
done what many thought was impossible -
implies that the person
is
decade, with computers becoming afford-
endowed
'-) illustrates
km
to imply:
squall, a small furry rodent,
able and
more powerful, these simple
household words have taken on entirely
new meanings which
are
now
part of
Internet
for computers,
ative style of
is
setting
and with
it
the
its
and slang ("cyberlingo").
computer with
a
human
touch.
In face-to-face conversations, expres-
sions such as a
wink
or
smirk indicate a
ways. For instance,
:-D infers that some-
a
big smile,
side-
:,-(
sad or crying and
wink (joke or come-on!?!).
Acronyms have also found their niche in
netspeak. They're a significant entity
because they help speed up the typing
process.
electronic hieroglyphics that effectively
"ROFLAHMS"
comes an innov-
translate
body language onto the Internet.
Symbols, such as question marks, semi-
laughing and holding
School of Journalism
see
must be viewed
new boundaries
communication. Those well
To
the image, emoticons
person's true intentions. "Emoticons" are
everyday language.
The
form
rudimentary computer sketches. They're
a 400
just
to
amazes computer novices like me.
"Cyberspace," a world-wide computer
remember when words
drive', 'mouse'
n
r
There
is
It's
a
faster
lot
typing
than "rolling on the floor
my
side".
a certain etiquette (translated to
Fall
1995
Page 21
.
who would choose
"netiquette" in cyberspace) one must fol-
son
low
puter over physical activity.
to avoid being misunderstood online.
As Nancy Tamosaitis
net. talk,
her e-mail
in capital letters.
an angry message from
It's
in the
of
She received
cyberworld
online.
in all
caps
this translates
much more
is
"Cyberpork"
Tax money
Somehow
to
computer
talk
I
just can
is
playful, sar-
sort
and mixes computer terms with
imagine "cybertongue
is
a sampling of
have taken on new meanings with
of new age, high-tech cable
-
know
net-
Anyone who knows,
or
a lot about a particular
of
Complete Idiot's Guide
to
Terms
to flaunt that
candidate Ross Perot.
"Wired" - Connected to the Internet.
"Mouse potato" - The computer generation equivalent of the couch potato; a per-
Even pop-culture figures such as Elvis
Presley and Marge Simpsori have
codes on the
Internet.
Medlazine
black eye
-
acne
:-') -
Smiley has a cold
=):-)=
POW
-
Abe
Lincoln
Problem Older Woman
PABG - Pack A Big Gun
NUL - No! You're lying!
RTFM - Read The F***ing Manual
-
SNAG Sensitive New-Age Guy
UAPITA You're a pita (bread)!
-
-
net. talk
"Perot" - To quit with no advance
named after the former presiden-
Page 22
ser-
This article could have never been writ-
warning;
identification
-
:%)%
YABA -Yet Another Bloody
knowledge.
own
I
:::POOF:::
ten without the help
software topic, and likes
their
con-
words
speak:
tial
in
(I'm out of here)
basic English phrases.
"Evangelist"
t
my
thought the 500 channel universe was
vice. •
act like they
that's shov-
Elvis
-
@@@@@@@@:). Marge Simpson
<:-0-Eeek!
pork" ever rolling off
some
that
-
FYI, these were some of the emoticons and acronyms I found funny:
@;'*[)
superhighway.
"Cyberlingo", online slang,
The following
verbally abusive dur-
elled into construction of the information
than the stereotypical "techi" language.
castic
To be
-
ing an online discussion.
versation! But then again, just last year
into shouting :-o.
There
"Flame"
com-
?-)
considered bad form to type
because
all
a colleague asking
PLEASE STOP SHOUTING
her to
book
explains in her
one executive was sending
time on the
Number College
and The
Computer
Acronym
E
lectro
M
F
agneticX ields
Computers hidden hazards
'
by Shellee Fitzgerald
Recently
I've read
some
computers, but the one
harmless enough.
its
compact form
me complete
helping
From
side of
jump
—eager
news about
before me seems
disturbing
sitting
If
EMFs
isn't there a
are suspected to be so dangerous,
warning
label, like a skull
my computer
and cross-bone
ones you
It
looks almost friendly in
graphic, affixed to
to
make my
see on aerosol cans, paint tins or other toxins
life
easier by
tasks quickly and efficiently.
advise
me
why
^like the
—
to
of this danger?
the pile of research I've placed at the
my
computer, some ominous headlines
They read: "Indecent Exposure",
"Micro Madness Peaks Worry Over Dangerous
Emissions" and "Currents of Death". The titles
suggest that some unpleasantness surrounds comout at me.
puters.
Is
it
possible that computers are hazardous to
our health? These articles suggest they might be.
For a growing number of people, the computer
is
not a friend at
would argue
II
all; rather,
it
is
enemy
an
(.some
a deadly one).
of us have probably been afflicted with
eye
strain or a nasty
headache compli-
>ments of our computer, but we certainly
don't consider these problems
However, the nagging theory
life
that
threatening.
computers are
linked to cancer has been gaining
momentum
since the 1970s.
The theory
(EMF's) - the
is
that electromagnetic fields
invisible energy forces
produced
by electrical devices like computers - are
extremely harmful. The electromagnetic radiation emitted
is
suspected of promoting
ment of malignancies
like brain cancer,
develop-
leukemia
and breast cancer.
We
exposed to EMFs on a daily basis.
They're emitted by typical household conveniences such as microwave ovens, televisions,
and hair dryers. Computers have become a particare
ular concern because of their pervasiveness in
workplaces, schools and homes
Friend or Foe? The possible health
ers have fueled a raging debate.
risks of
comput
.
School of Journalism
Fall1995
Page 23
The simple explanation
is
that
Without concrete
no
despite strong suspicions, science
evidence, there
has been unable to prove a clear
pressure on the govern-
EMFs
between
link
and cancer.
ment or manufacturers
is
to advise
Study after study has yielded only
people of potential
inconclusive results, although
recently detected trends have added
low emission standards for com-
fuel to the debate.
starting to
emission computers
joint
Canadian-French
public concern.
cal
Older, cheaper
EMFs
among
leukemia cases
two Swedish studies
Similarly,
have linked
risk of
the workers.
EMFs
leukemia
with increased
in
children and
adult males.
have repeatedly revealed a
similar as.sociation. but have
failed to
"It
years
show
a clear link. In the
April 18, 1994 issue of
Macleans
magazine, Dr. Anthony Miller said
one explanation could be
that sci-
EMFs
25
labour
in the
was a
work hazard, and it
that asbestos
wouldn't surprise
me at all if we're not
EMF
research does not promise
any quick answers.
meantime,
In the
the overly cau-
tious or paranoid need not live in
fear. In recent years,
lic
growing pub-
concern over electromagnetic
minimizing
EMF
that will take anoth-
er 25 years to
EMF exposure.
detectors or Gaussmeters
which measure the strength of
EMF
emissions around your home,
workplace or school can be purcha.sed for around $ 1 50.
Other devices to protect people
from the suspected dangers of
are special .screens and cov-
ers that reduce the electromagnetic
rays emitted by computer monitors.
dealing with issues
Many
experts say while you can-
not completely avoid
EMFs, you
can greatly reduce your exposure
by simply keeping your distance,
what some
prove."
ment of cancer because they
avoid-
call 'prudent
EMF's
ance', since the strength of
drops off rapidly with increased
haven't identified the biological
may
of
EMFs
play in the develop-
mechanism involved.
the extremely complicated nature
at
movement to prove
entists haven't been able to identify
the role
took us
the late 1970s, studies
Since
Experts say
likely rage for years.
industry of gadgets and tools aimed
revealed
higher than average number of
controversial
fields has given birth to a mini-
models remain suspect.
workers who experienced pro-
longed exposure to
a
response to
in
many
like
scientific matters, the debate will
are
voluntarily offer low
Science magazine,
study of more than 223,000 electri-
risks, or to set
However, manufacturers
to
According
a recent
puters.
Indeed,
scientific
Computer users are urged
to place themselves at least 28
inches away from their terminal,
distance.
aren't studying the right factors,"
Linda Torney, president of the
Labour Council of Metropolitan
Toronto and York region, believes
said Miller.
EMFs
and to stay
While the associations between
EMFs and cancer have forced the
Swedish government to impose
health hazard, and suggests gov-
the sides and backs of neighboring
ernments traditionally drag their
feet when it comes to health hazards
particularly in the work-
computers, because that
place.
puter for several hours now,
that surveys
aimed
at
regiilations requiring
"It
finding a link
low emission
computers from manufacturers,
is
be
this
not the case in Canada.
A
EMFs
concludes:
"The weight of current
knowledge does
scientific
assertion that the electromagnetic
fields or radiation
by
VDTs
normally emitted
(video display terminals)
took us 25 years in the
labour movement to prove that
asbestos was a work hazard, and it
wouldn't surprise
me
at all if
not dealing with issues
will take us another
prove.
the operator."
In the meantirrie,
Number
we're
now
that
25 years to
continue to be exposed."
Mediazine
is
it
produce adverse health effects on
Page 24
go on,"
said Torney, "but the point here
that
not support the
still
College
workers
at least
EMF emissions are
—
"Scientific studies
recent Ontario government
paper on
are a serious occupational
After sitting
to
four feet from
most
in front
is
where
intense.
of the comI
have
wonder how many of these
"death rays" I've
absorbed over the years. One
could develop paranoia contempotential
plating
it,
but
I
guess
I'll
have to
wait several years for science to
either confirm or quell these fears.
In the
meantime, while
using the computer,
least
I'll
I
continue
be sitting
28 inches away from
it.
•
at
The New Workplace
up shop on the homefront
Setting
by Lisa Stocco
morning Donna Hughes wakes up with her husband and her young daughter. As she sends
Every
work, she waits for her daughter's babysitter
arrive so she too can go
her husband off
to
to
to
doesn't leave her home. When
any further than her kitchen table.
For both social and economic reasons, the needs of the modern North American work
work. The difference
is
Donna
she "goes to work", she doesn't go
force,
have been
changing.
Due
to rising
unemployment
rates,
among
through alternative means. Therefore,
same
situation as
Donna Hughes
•
it is
other things, people have had to find economic support
not difTicult to imagine that
The use of intbrmalion-tochnology products has made
home environment) a reality.
Donna Hughes not only works from her home on a contrac-
pleted
do most tcleworkers), but she also recently comdegree at York University. She plans to
a Master's
begin working on her
According
to
PhD
in
September of
Susan Mila/zo,
Workplace." growing interest
in
in
her
the increasing pressure for equality
Tmd themselves
in the
ing costs of daycare for single-parent and dual-income families,
According
ing at
is
se.xes. the ris-
to
Hughes, there arc
home, both
"The
"The Flexible
These factors include:
between the
and the growing concerns about
air pollulion
and clficient
energy use.
this year.
article
of the home-based office
the result of a combination of factors.
will
working from their home.
"telework" (working from a
tual basis (as
many
for the
stress of
commutmg
greatly reduced and workers
to
.several
employer and
to
the
advantages
to
work-
employee
work everyday
v\ould be
would have increased tlexibihiy
balance work and personal responsibilities," said Hughes.
She said there
is
significant
money
to
be saved including
transportation, vehicle maintenance costs and parking fees
School of Journalism
Fall
1995
Page 25
There are also considerable savings associated with food,
"The working environment becomes more personal, and
individual comfort increases," said Hughes.
Hughes
also mentions,
The
"The employer would experience
to slay
home due
to
immediate circum-
economic and managerial
few studies
that
have been conducted show the
According
to
Dallas
"Managing fot
Malm, who wrote
the article
many employees do
Unfortunately,
"The workplace
off."
and on individuals
benefits to working from
home.
is
a
wide range of social
These benefits include a
not
is
fall
into this cate-
where the problem
arises.
demand
to these experts, there
require a mini-
amount of direct supervision.
employer might also
benefit from a reduction in employee absenteeism.
"A person not feeling well early in the morning may feel
better and more able to work one or two hours later, but a
commuter would be more inclined to take the whole day
results." the
who
dent, self-motivated individuals
mum
gory and according to Hughes, this
stances."
According
social,
most successful home-based employees are indepen-
an expanded pool of potential workers, which would include
employees who need
up and many
can't keep
concerns remain with regard to teiework," said Hughes.
clothing and child care expenses.
changing so quickly
is
that
teiework
may
soon not be the choice of the employee, but rather, the
of the employer," said Hughes.
"Teiework
is
a great solution to
such as childcare, but
is
its
temporary situations,
long-term effects on the workplace
unknown,"
said Hughes.
"As another example, personal contact has always been a
crucial part of the business world. It remains to be seen
reduction in traffic congestion, accidents and environmental
whether technological advancements, such as video-confer-
pollution.
encing and the video-telephone, would provide the same
In theory, these experts agree the adoption
could contribute
to the
of teiework
harmonization of work and family
life.
level of efficiency," she added.
The problem of how
becomes
But a 1992 report on teiework entitled, "Working At
Home: A Guide
to
Implementation," cautioned
requirements must be met before working
at
home becomes
supervise employees also
Hughes, the future
is
uncertain because so
According
still
much
She stressed that for each
work now, but
socially
we
are not
equipped
Mediazine
research
involves," said Hughes.
"Without the research,
the issues
it
we cannot
accurately foresee the future."
Number College
tele-
to deal with all
•
Graphic by Carl Mandel
Page 26
to
needs to be done.
"Technologically we have the ability to implement
the report.
by teiework there is a drawback.
"Technology is advancing so quickly that many of us
benefit created
to
key concern for management.
that, "certain
a possibility."
Hughes agreed with
a
Pictures versus platforms
in western politics
by John Bryden
The year was 1960, the golden age
of
one single event, television
would never be the same. TV's role in the
presentation of information and the education
of the public would take on new meaning and be
changed forever.
television. After
The
event
was
the
first
U.S.
presidential election debate ever
held on television: the older, wiser
statesman, Richard Nixon versus the
younger, charismatic John
F.
Nixon spent days prior
Kennedy.
to the debate
more important than perhaps
substance
at that p>oint in
the
time and
TV," said Rob Moore, media
communications assistant for
Toronto Mayor Barbara Hall.
that's
Moore
experienced
has
poring over research, going through the
television's influence at every
debating process and learning the issues.
level
Kennedy, on the other hand, spent time
an executive assistant for Liberal
sun-tanning and relaxing.
MP Dennis Mills, and was a
communications advisor for Jean
Charest
during
the
1993
"It was Kennedy who came out looking
better because the image was so much
of government.
He worked
as
Conservative leadership race.
"Television is
largely an
entertainment
medium.
It's
something that
people don't put on
necessarily to
become educated."
-Rob Mooremedia communications
assistant to
Mayor Barbara
Hall.
his current job with the
In
mayor,
Moore recognizes the difference
between television and other
media.
"Television
entertainment
something
that
is
largely
medium,
an
it's
people don't put on
become educated,"
said Moore. "Some do and people
always will, but it has largely
become an entertainment medium,
not an educational one. So you
have to compete within that
framework, so how you look is
important. There is really no way
necessarily to
around
In
that."
comparing television with
School of Journalism
Fall
1995
Page 27
.i.3!fl'i
.
'
print,
has become evident that the same
it
story
will
be reported differently.
member of parliament for nine years.
Browes experienced first hand how
much simpler
politics
coverage of news stories and focuses on
"We
Television
provides
was covered
have only
in the
media.
started to scratch the
the visual impact. Print, on the other hand,
surface with the possibilities of television,
provides more information through
not only in our lives but in politics as
well," said Browes.
analysis and opinion.
According
to
Matthew Mendelson,
author of The Media 's
public opinion. .
"the performance of
Persuasive Effects: the
Priming of Leadership
in the 1988 Canadian
an
Election, television's
focus
MP on TV is
Pauline Browes former Conservative cabinet
evaluate candidates on
their
Public
opinion
changed
many times during
that 55-day period.
Prior to that it would
take public opinion
election.
-
melodramatic
Viewers
effect.
or
minister
"If
candidate's charm and
TV
on
Through
television,
shift the
focus of the election onto the
about a plan
(Barbara Hall) had for tax reforms, you
leaders, rather than the local candidates.
would have
Today, that
conveying that
through newspapers because it is a more
in-depth medium," said Moore. "If I'm
to start
looking for just straight recognition,
would go
more
I
for television because
has stayed. Individual
shift
leaders take precedence over
Voters are persuaded by television.
think the former conservative
government over the period of 10
years did a
lot to elevate the status
of the leader and sort of
decreased the level of the
paper."
uring the
representative,"
19
Moore.
8
election,
television
the
to
first
won
Party
second
more
I
time
since John A.
MacDonald, the
Conserv-ative
the
is
trying to
campaigns you
how
such
process a
little
longer than
(John) Turner had."
Pauline Browes, a former cabinet
minister for the Conservatives was a
Mediazine
hard you work
made based on
in
good," said Moore. "Mulroney had been
Page 28
definitely
at
the
decisions that are going to be
in
communicate
in the
I
local level, there are a lot of
dictates
and (Brian) Mulroney was
involved
"When
in the federal
got a sense that no matter
what you do
a lot of
politics
it
become
specific on the
said Moore.
worked
con-
"Television
influenced a lot
more than all
other
people
the
working in the party,"
a
know
if that's just
of the news
to
is
politician being
the leader.
I
don't
television but I'm sure
television has a lot to
According
have an enormous effect on the outcome
of elections.
Browes understands >vhatever you say
has to be credible and stand the test of
do with
to the
Humber College
election,
is
what
when
I
found during the 1988
the debate
was on the
could really feel on the
been on
CBC
and
before. If people
CTV
free
"You
trade agreement," said Browes.
what had
news the night
street
were hinting for
(in favor
of) free trade and that had been the
commentary, you would get that on the
If (the
street the next morning.
commentary) had been negative toward
free trade, that's the feeling you got the
next morning on the street."
As we progress through the
technological age, television will play an
even larger role than
it
does today.
remain our society's primary
It
mode
itself.
will
for
As long
it."
less important than the
presented to the public.
result,
public opinion quickly changes.
knowing and learning about
Mendelson, the content
exposed
TV's power
outweighs the written word. As a
"This
(leader),
I
secutive majority.
a huge thing,
gives
also
of people to
result? For
percentage of the population they can
American system.
"It
their advantage.
The
said
credit to the influence of
the
used
Tories
and because they represent a large
time, but she realizes that
Moore
federal
"Undecided" voters are easily influenced
parliamentary
local
D
parties as a
"I
television than read the
8
1992, the charismatic Bill Clinton
tooted his own horn on the Arsenio Hall
Show.
in
whole.
watch
people
i i
the
Conservatives were able to
to talk
is
absolutely crucial for today."
ideas.
wanted
I
*%
>
the performance of an
charisma are more persuasive than their
words and
to
why
MP
their looks rather than
A
weeks
change. That's
three
behavior and
knowledge.
medium
electronic
absolutely crucial."
on the visual
is
"The 1988 election
was
the
first
Because of changing
media and
as that
is true,
medium
to
it
conform
or not.
the politicians using this
to spread their ideas will continue
•
to television, whether they like
Self-serving
Journalism
\Nho are journalists
really looking out for?
Books
gomg
by Howard Elmer
over every
book. "If
Murphy Brown, the
FYI crew challenged each
an episode of
Incynical
such
detail in the
as,
On
the
I
couldn't prove
Take, an
good news
The laughs were garnered as each
one of them could only come up with
she said. She
expose of
crime and
has not been
corruption
sued for
during the
tragedies, conspiracies, and cover-ups.
libel,
Murphy and company had conditioned
that
themselves to seek out only the bad and
to
other to go out and find a
story.
Those were
the sinister.
and those were the
ran,
them personal
the stories that
stories that
brought
a journalist
is
it
went,'
Mulroney
so
seems
years, has
prove
raised questions regarding
that
enough
one more vehi-
can be used to achieve
fame, and some
in the field are
blinded by that prospect. That does not
mean journalists
out
the intentions
of the
glory.
Being
cle that
it,
of the writer.
Did she really
facts
were correct
to
want
lawyers
their reporting, it's more gray than that.
The manipulation of real events, through
about
words or images gives the journalist a big-
review.
government
misdeeds or was
she cashing in on a
bay.
at
ple of
Cameron seemed
are consistently corrupt in
to
enjoy discussing
Black's review. But, what she did not talk
is
to inform
the Canadian peo-
keep Mulroney's
what Black said
Black
said,
at the
end of that
sure-fire best seller.
"The author has a
ger story, and creates
chronic inability to
temptation
distinguish
the self confidence to
between important
and unimportant
part of
facts."
reformer of political ethics that was most
a
to
cheat.
If
your story needs
a bit of a
get
the
it
nudge
and
to roll,
"It
was
his
masquer-
to
if
ade as a reformer of
Black,
addition of a
political ethics that
juicy but unsubstan-
tiated
really
fact
punches it up, do
you run with it?
These days a
lot
was most irksome
of
journalists do.
At a reading of her
new book On
According
was
the
to
thievery,
in
his critics."
of
book
petty
wrapped
a fog of conspir-
Black's views
hinged on the fact
Mulroney government corruption) Stevie
Brian
had
opposed patronage and porkbarreling
Cameron handed out photocopies of
while
told the
audience she had spent the entire
month of August with her
libel lawyer.
is
acknowledge
that
taking care of one's
his
masquerade
as a
critics."
the book serve in the end? It
served Stevie Cameron- bringing her
money and
It
fame.
can be argued that Cameron's facts are
But then so are risque photos of
Di. Who do they serve? Some
of the paparazzi are as famous as the peoreal.
Chuck and
Mulroney
Conrad Black's review of her book. She
was
So who did
that
the
Take (stories of
It
irksome to his
acy.
-Conrad Black-
friends.
to
a non-event,
stories
government
ple they photograph, and the tabloids
display and cash
Still
in
not convinced?
some news events
Consider
that
are like side-show
freaks, the staple of every carnival.
in opposition.
who
on these photographs.
The
"Mulroney acted with
bearded lady and the dog-faced boy offer
notably less official probity than other
those willing to pay a voyeuristic glimpse
Canadian
of a narrow
He noted
that.
political leaders, but didn't
School of Journalism
have
reality.
Not extraordinary, and
Fall
1995
Page 29
not life changing, just different.
It's
news,
if it sells.
George Bain,
a long-time political jour-
devotes a whole chapter of his book
nalist,
Gotcha!
1985 tuna scandal that was
to the
broken by Eric Mailing of the 5th Estate.
Bain uses
this as a classic
media witch
The
example of a
hunt.
scandal broke on Sept. 17, 1985.
It
began with the words: "Good Evening. I'm
Eric Mailing with a story about cans of
tuna
public confidence and politics.
fish,
The tuna fish was tainted and unfit for
human consumption, according to experts
at
the Canadian Fisheries Service.
boss
Eraser
Their
federal Fisheries Minister John
-
wasn't convinced."
-
In this brief piece, the phrase 'unfit for
human consumption' came up
six
more
times.
The program created
a firestorm
of
accusations of influence, peddling and
cover-ups by the Mulroney government.
By week's
end. Eraser had quit the cabinet,
Mulroney was under
attack,
and 400 Star-
Kist workers were out of jobs.
Bain noted upon review,
not one single
that there
document from
was
either the
Star-Kist company, or the Fisheries
Inspection Service that used the phrase
human consumption'.
unfit for
In fact the
Since writing her book, Stevie Cameron has yet to face a lawsuit. This
gives credence to the possibility that she is telling the truth. But can we
say the same about other journalists?
tuna was passed by the Fisheries inspectors
Canada and abroad, provided
company label it as a secondgrade product. At no time was it proved
that the tuna was 'unfit for human confor sale in
the Star-Kist
sumption'.
Bain goes on
to say,
makes
scandal
"The
tainted tuna
Michael Kronenwetter, an American
freelance journalist
who
has written exten-
are
moderate
in the
are extreme.
By
way
sively about freedom of the press, talks
opposite sides of an issue,
about the power of television
viewers to confuse their reactions to what
in his
book
media
In current
frenzy.
journalism
political
there
feeding
is
latent
a
to
induce
a
is
is
a
that
is
saying
ready to induce a
dangerous
level of psychosis at the sight of scandal."
age of technolo-
latent predator tendency,
indeed.
and video-tape
can bring
This kind of mis-
John
is
what opposition leaders
As
human
statement 'unfit for
consumption', won Eric Mailing
Gemini for Documentary reporting.
a
Ethics.
"Television news often prides itself on
its
pray for and what the media thrives on.
a result, the
Joumalism
yelled,
that rotten fish off the shelves."
This rhetoric
balance, on presenting spokespeople for
different sides of a public issue.
this
But even
supposed proof of objectivity can be
used as a weapon with which to prejudice
the public's perception of the issue.
people are
attractive,
some
are not.
are well groomed, some, are scruffy.
Page 30
Mediazine
down
government,
information benefits others too.
House of Commons,
In this
gy, camcorders
-George Bain-
dal."
in the
it."
Confusing and
the sight of scan-
Turner,
saying,
tion to the person
"In current political journalism there
level of psychosis at
"Get
easy for
with their reac-
predator tendency,
ready
is
it
somone
a
textbook example of
a
they speak, others
piling these images on
Humber College
Some
Some
Some
a
dis-
band an airborne regiment, and start race
riots.
The power of images is immense,
and so
images
The
is
the temptation to manipulate
for personal gain.
self-serving journalist has great
power through
selection of topics, framing
of issues, filtering of information, emphasis
and
tone.
Let us beware.
•
Hooking Up
What you need to know
of the hype, and you know you want to get
"wired" to the world; you just don't know how.
Here are some quick and easy ways for you to get started.
You've heard
all
by Tim Moriarty
What's Out There?
involved.
/
Online services do
There are three different types of
Equipment
places you can call once you have
First,
An IBM
you need a computer.
compatible or Macintosh
is
preferable
your computer and
modem:
neither
absolutely necessary.
is
tor/demodulator
that
(modula-
allows data to be
'
,
but they are rarely
For exam-
free.
/
/
-
^
%
,
^
'
pie, services like
B.B.S.'
\r
,
•,
'
CompuServe,
^
are
^
Prodigy
and
America Online charge
an hourly or monthly fee
-
usually run by
modem
Next, you need a
/
.
if
connect to most services but
to
up
Board Systems (B.B.S.), online services
and the Internet.
you want
set
Bulletin
have these resources
computer
and
access,
for
but
turn
in
transferred through the telephone lines),
offer resources such as
which connects your computer
\
phone
line in
To
your house.
to the tele-
the capabilities of the "online" world
should probably be
at least
14,400 bps
per second which refers to
Newer modems
works).
up-to-date
how
and
it
at
you
in price.
In buying a faster
will eventually save
and
con-
nection charges because you will spend
images
to
appear on
need
software.
modem
and allow
/
Programs
you
ing
will
that utilize the
to send
to
you
and receive messages by
other computers,
referred to as terminal
are
talk-
generally
programs and
are
terminal,
If
your
you
modem
will
modern modems,
are usually
doesn't include a
need to get one.
On
dialing and connecting
done through
the terminal
program.
'
its
software
with them. TTiis soft-
ware
telecommunications hobbyists out of
homes and
such as sports or religion.
free
of
charge and run by individuals, they can be
limited.
storage space,
phone
Resources such
news feeds
lines are
simply not available
many
''•T"^'
usually free of
because
they
stack up
if
for these services can
you use them often enough.
If
you are on a budget, your best bet would
as.
and multiple
these hobbyists because of the
is
want you as a regular customer.
Time charges
Because they are usually
somewhat
charge
their
often cater to specific interests
School of Journalism
^1^1...
service
have
that you will need
/in order to connect
normally included with the purchase of a
modem.
may
own
/.
your screen.
Finally,
Each
'online
/
less time waiting for
electronic
mail (e-mail).
N
modem,
money on
feeds,
shopping
it
are twice as fast
and are slowly coming
28,800 bps,
news
online
;
down
Associated
Press
(bits
fast
stock
Reuters
quotes,
fully harness
to
costs
be to try each service then decide which
one best meets your needs and cancel the
others.
Fall
1995
Page
31
do
Connected
Getting
now
that
graphical
Originally designed by the U.S. mil-
keep communications open
itary to
in the
event of a nuclear war, the Internet has
become a
able to
giant
web of
anyone who
is
information avail-
connected to
about
it.
Connecting
on how you go
directly
is
very expen-
sive and not an option for most people.
made by
Direct connections are usually
large corporations, governments,
tional institutions
go and then click a
get
to
you have
If
simplify the process.
a
range of access, depending on
you pay them. From
only, the
Many
full
more you pay,
services
online
providers.
the
are
You may want
amount of access they
how much
access to e-mail
offer
more you
also
get.
Internet
to consider the
when choosing
one.
In return for this access, the provider
will again
it's
go
easi-
you are plan-
ning to "surf the 'Net,
most people get connected because they
Different providers will give you a
out
to
er to get lost.
best
that
If
type
to
anywhere and
I
through these Internet providers
there.
commands
long
tion
is
to
but-
you're not using a GUI,
educa-
and Internet providers.
simply point your
the
It
interface
mouse where you want
ton
it.
Getting connected can be very easy
or very difficult, depending
to
through a
The GUI allows
(GUI).
you
is
user
recommenda-
can offer
book
that
is
to
buy
can be used
as a reference
manual
when you need help.
The best book I have found so far is the
Canadian Internet Handbook, by Jim
Carroll and Rick Broadhead.
gives a
comprehensive background on how to
access the Internet from Canada, what you
of pertinent as well as
useless
information.
You'll experience
everything from Parliament Hill and the
can do once you're connected, and how to
While House to German romantic poetry
and a complete listing of every Star Trek
do
episode ever made.
it.
It's all there. •
As soon
charge you an hourly, monthly
you
are
hooked up, you
as
or yearly fee.
Different providers
may
also supply
you with software enabling you
fy your access.
to simpli-
The most popular way
Natianaf
to
will
have
access to mul-
Ncf.l B^fff^i^<if
Online Service Numbers
America Online
1-800-827-6364
CANADIAN
CompuServe
1-800-554-4079
CRS Online
1-800-563-2529
eWorld (Macintosh)
1-800-775-4556
INTERNET
:'??'!l>
It
titudes
?DITIQ«<
GEnie
1-800-638-9636
Prodigy
1-800-535-9200
Mt^eifmS
Page 32
Mediazine
Number
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centre
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