[Lvlug] newsforge, son, holla

[Chris]

Christopher Hever wrote:
> On 6/25/07, Mark <mstanley at technologist.com> wrote:
>> On Monday 25 June 2007 16:53, Christopher Hever wrote:
>> > My first article on Newsforge at long last:
>> >
>> > http://www.linux.com/feature/115176
>>
>> Very nicely done, Chris. I didn't think you had it in you. ;)
>>
>> So what do you mean by "at long last?"  How many articles have you 
>> submitted?
>
> I tried publishing an article when I was in high school on GNU screen,
> but I became discouraged and didn't quite go through with it. Now, I
> have some college experience in writing for a purpose, as well as a
> personal inclination towards a sparse and straightforward style after
> reading George Orwell and William J. Strunk.
>
> They gave me a second chance and just as well, because the editing
> process was quite short. They didn't object to the bloated style I
> dropped some time ago, and I was much more attuned to their needs.
>
> I quit my old job because my boss accused me of some shit I didn't do.
> If I come across him sometime though, my beard will laugh raucously at
> him. Apparently, they still seek a replacement. Buh-bye, Your Imperial
> Majesty!
>
I haven't written with the intention of publication for quite some time 
for similar reasons. What I have found from my own experiences is people 
don't read to understand. You will end up with people making assumptions 
based on false or inaccurate preconceptions. They end up with no further 
understanding of the issues.

Just try writing about hacking or something similar and you'll get 
people thinking your some dangerous criminal. Even if your message is 
why hackers aren't dangerous. Getting a message across is definitely 
challenging because you have to change peoples thinking about things and 
people are stubborn to change once initial perceptions are made.

I've experimented more with reporters in recent years and it is all the 
more difficult to get them to accurately communicate your message. Being 
able to communicate your message directly has its benefits.

Chris