How do you measure the News ?

Many, many years ago I sat with a stopwatch in hand and timed the total amount of advertising that occured during "The Evening News". This is the 1/2 hour period of time that the original 3 networks devoted to all the news that could be fit into an half hour. Way back then, advertisers claimed about 7 minutes of the 30 minutes of news, leaving us with 23 minutes of real news stories.

A few years back it became apparent that the advertisers were gaining on the news and so I pulled out my digital watch with a timer and clocked 10 minutes of advertising. So, 1/3 of the entire news program was advertising. I vowed that when the ratio became 50/50 that I'd never tune in again.

I understand the economics of advertising and why networks need the income...but I challenge the relevance and scope of a 30 minute news program that is bookended by 10 minutes of advertising.

Two weeks ago it had become painfully apparent that the advertisers had claimed more time so I pulled out my I-Pod and used the timer to clock 13 minutes and 30 seconds of advertising. That leaves 16 minutes and 30 seconds of news in a 1/2 news program. This is absurd!

It is quite obvious to me that more and more of us will refuse to tune in to a "talking head" to hear the news when you can just look at Google News and find more news that you could read in 1/2 hour.

Good bye to the nightly news. Sure, I'll still catch a few minutes here and there, but I can state categorically that their preminence has been long gone, and now their relevance is about to go the same way as the dodo.

Gee

A creative approach to Church Communications

I'm not sure how long this link will remain available but this creative and thought provoking approach to defining The Episcopal Church is sure to open some eyes.

http://www.iamepiscopalian.org/

The gun is still smoking, the smoke is still visible

Well well well....now I know "the rest of the story".

This hour long program details the "secret history" behind the careers of the scientists who have driven a significant part of the "anti global warming" (AGW) movement. Follow their careers with Dr. Oreskes, scientist and historian as she shows how some of the movers and shakers got their start supporting "Star Wars" and then supporting R.J. Reynolds Tobacco company during the tobacco law suits of the last two decades of the 20th Century. Here you are introduced to scientists who will say anything for a pay check, even tell you that second hand smoke is totally safe. These are the same scientists who have lead the AGW movement and lent it their "credibility".

I never jumped to any conclusions during my year and a half research into the entre climate change controversy. The evidence, the science, the overwhelming weight of the truth lead me to my conclusions. The controversy is over (it has been over for over 15 years), the AGW people need to leave the building, while they can still hold on to their heads.

If you want the history and the truth check out the video:
http://www.uctv.tv/search-details.asp?showID=13459

And of course, to read more about it see my website, even though it is not particularly attractive, it is full of information: http://www.n1yz.com/Climate_Change_Matrix.htm

We are changing the weather

This was a surprise article and graphic. I was stunned to see the results of the National Lightning Detection Network analysis of lightning over the last 11 summers. It is obvious that lightning ( and thunderstorms ) are occurring primarily during the work week in the Southeastern United States. The predominant theory at this point in time is that the extra pollutants released during the work week creates enhanced conditions for thunderstorm development.

The graphic and article are located at http://climate.gsfc.nasa.gov/viewImage.php?id=254
The graphic alone is located here: http://climate.gsfc.nasa.gov/iotw/20090212144628.jpg

Pretty amazing huh? We do affect our environment!

Climate Part Two

The disingenousness of a local media celebrity, one of the "talent" at a local media outlet on the subject of Global Warming has been one of about 10 factors driving my research into this complex subject.

An earlier post on this blog ( Sunday, June 29, 2008) alluded to some of the issues involved, so they'll not be repeated here. However, I'll post a resource for those who want to understand how much science is behind the theory of Global Warming.

Checkout the links here http://www.n1yz.com/Climate_Change_Matrix.htm
to "read more about it".

Enjoy!

There are reflections around us, constantly shifting as we move, changing color, angle, tint, hue. Sometimes they can be captured...as this one was at a small country church.

Evening of Alabama Designer-Craftsmen Guild Art Show

The saturday evening of the ADC Guild annual art show at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens is traditionally meal time for the artists. After wonderful fellowship around the table and super food I went for a walk. The sun was setting and I took some shots. This one was taken looking southwest on the upper walkway that leaves the Botanical Gardens building on the second floor and takes you to the Gardens themselves.

It was an enjoyable evening all around.

My wife's ( the artist ) blog:

http://debsthreads.blogspot.com/