One thing that I’ve always found fascinating is the cavalier way in which the
media is able to condense an entire life into a few short descriptors before a
name. So, for example, when Keith Ledger died last week, the opening sentences

of the thousands of columns on the event usually contained some form of the . _~

prefix “Academy-Award winning actor.” Whatever else he was usually got
delegated to much lower in the story. But it’s not just an obituary phenomenon
for famous celebs. Whoever you are and whatever you do, the media can always
find a way to reduce your lifetime of a into a single business card
bullet-point.

Pete Best, for winnie, will always be the “former Beatles drummer”
and Jared Fogel will always be “noted Subway spokesman.” No matter what

January 28, 2008

else they say or do, all subsequent achievements will be noted the context of
these previous titles. Of course, in rare circumstances upgrades are allowed, as Al
Gore as saw year when he ceased merely being “former Democratic presidential
nominee” and was promoted to “2007 Nobel Peace Prize winner,” but in general,
your status tends to solidify at a certain point.

Ostensibly we in the media biz qualifiers of this type to help offer
“context” to a story. After all, if you’re reading an article about some dude telling
world leaders to save the whales or whatever you don’t want to waste precious
time having to analyze his words on their own merit when we can offer the helpful
label of “noted Irish rock star” to help.you prejudge accordingly.

It’s quite sad really We all earn labels in life through fulfilling certain
roles or occupying certain offices. But while our friends and family are able to
see the human behind the role, and know that titles and status are ultimately
unimportant, in the eyes of the media they’re all that matter. Indeed, a fun, but
often depressing, way to reflect on the state your life so far is to think about how
you d be described in the local newspaper if you were suddenly thrust into the
media spotlight. “Student of Douglas College?” “Bowling league president?”
“Controversial children’s magician?” “Local addict?”

We judge by jobs and infamy, in that order. No one will ever be a “local
father,” “noted educated citizen,” or “principled critic” because those titles are
unclear and boring. No, in these judgmental times of ours we need tags that imply

- status, worth, and value, and more often than not those qualities are inseparable

from where you get your paycheque or whatever your last criminal conviction
was.
_Anyhow, here’s another fine issue of the Other Press. It was created by

a local library clerk, an amateur heavy metal musician, a junior league hockey

player, and an unemployed political cartoonist, among others. And yet somehow,
we managed to muddle through.

Jd. McCullough
- Editor i in Chief of the Other Press

WRITERS WANTED:

Getting published has never been this easy.

The Other Press is always looking for talented,
insightful students to write articles and columns
for the College newspaper. Seen a movie you
want to review? Got an opinion you just need to
share? The OP is here to give you an outlet.
Simply email your submissions to one of the section

  

editors on the opposite page, then sit back and wait
_ with glee to see your name in print in next week’s issue.

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