Talking about new-media arts journalism on WCPN

With the shifting plates of the media industry opening chasms under traditional print publications and a lot of venerable news outlets crumbling into rubble as they slide, a lot of  individual news people are trying to reimagine and rebuild journalism in small but promising ways. From hyper-local neighborhood news sites and online statewide reporting co-ops to membership e-newsletters and specialty e-zines, inventive approaches to gathering and sharing information have begun popping up all over.

Like many other areas, Northeast Ohio is turning into a testing ground for these media prototypes and entrepreneurial ventures. Listeners here can find out what’s emerging on the regional media frontier by tuning in to public radio station WCPN/ 90.3 FM  at 12 Tuesday for “Around Noon. ” I’ll be there with host Dee Perry, Thomas Mulready of the weekly event and local-issue guide, CoolCleveland.com, and Sarah Sphar of Ohio Authority, a new online, statewide lifestyle and culture zine, to discuss the transformation of arts journalism and explain in what new directions each of us hopes to take the reading public.  

I hope you’ll join the conversation.

Angels, earn your wings

Why is reality never like the movies?

Specifically, why is it so for hard for an entrepreneur like me to get an angel when George Bailey didn’t even have to ask?  From what I remember of “It’s a Wonderful Life”, all George had to be was suicidally frustrated and hopeless and presto! He found a kindly silver-haired guy talking him off the bridge and making his life seem worthwhile again. 

I think could work myself down to that level of despair. Of course, I’d want my angel to show up with a big check made out to The Genius Group LLC, along with the usual store of life-affirming wisdom. 

Anyone?

Anyone?

I’m not hearing any bells.

I keep hoping that my state or local government will finally create a program that connects entrepreneurs like me with angel investors. There was even a story about angels in the online New York Times yesterday saying that a report by the National Governors’ Association Center for Best Practices finds that state officials are working to develop more ways to help entrepreneurs find private investors. I quote:

“Among other strategies, this includes creating seminars on private equity investment, connecting entrepreneurs with existing educational opportunities, forming statewide angel networks, and appointing angel investors to state economic advisory boards, the report said.” 

I got a excited for a nanosecond, until I saw the rest of the story:

“Angel investing in entrepreneurial ventures can range anywhere from $5,000 to $100,000, with investors typically backing new medical devices, software, biotechnology, business services, IT and energy initiatives.”

Rats. Rats and mice with cheese on top. That’s why I keep saying “an entrepreneur like me” – I’m not in new medical devices, software, biotechnology, business services, IT and energy initiatives. I’m in new media, wanting to inform the public about all those technological innovations and many other kinds of creative developments. And so my state officials in Ohio (oops, did I name the place?), along with the other set of 49, apparently couldn’t care less whether my business and other nonbiotech, non-IT companies fulfill their great potential or not.

Guess we’re going to have to keep trying to do it for ourselves, huh? Boo! Happy Halloween!

It’s scary out there. Will I ever find someone(s) with the imagination, vision and enthusiasm to materially join me in this great quest to change how the world perceives and practices creativity? To revolutionize human problem-solving and change our societies into peaceful, constructive cultures?

Does anybody here see what I see? (Let’s count how many shows I reference today. That was “1776.” Title, not tally.)  

Anybody? Nnnnnot yet, apparently.

Ok, so – Here’s a guide I found online to help those of us on whose lines of business the venture people and programs spit. There are probably more, but this is a start. And remember: There’s no money anywhere right now except for the eight hours every third day when stockholders have taken their puppy uppers. But we can be prepared with strategies for when the money comes back, Little Sheba. Or bahk. Or ba-a-a-ak.  We hope.

And for those of you who were counting, the correct answer is six.