As a former writer at Jezebel, one of my favorite stories I’ve ever written was during a crossover week with Deadspin back in 2018. At the time, Jezebel had mostly women on staff while Deadspin had a majority-male staff. To break stereotypes and show that we all have common interests, I pitched a fun idea. The premise was simple: I would throw a football to every man on the Deadspin staff, and if they caught it, they would become my “dad.”
This story represents a time in digital media when we could do silly and entertaining things that resonated with our audience. However, with the changing landscape of media and the rise of gig-based work, such unconventional pitches may not be as easily accepted today. I miss the freedom we had back then to explore creative and quirky ideas.
In terms of news consumption, my experience with aggregated blogging has changed the way I consume information. Social media used to be a reliable source for news, especially in the realm of celebrity and entertainment gossip. I realized that most publications were sourcing their information from the same sources and adding their own spin to it. It made me question the need to read multiple sources for the same story.
Today, with the inundation of online content and the pursuit of clicks and views, many publications are producing similar content to attract advertisers. It’s a dilemma of the digital age where we have endless options but end up with uniform content. I long for a time when publications make different choices and offer unique perspectives to enrich our reading experience.
Overall, my favorite story reflects a time of creative freedom in digital media, while my experience with aggregated blogging has made me more aware of the homogenization of online content. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of media, it’s important to seek out diverse voices and perspectives to stay informed.
