Pardon the echo

Hi Friends,

Rbo’s Mhegapone is temporarily out of order!

It’s not really broken, but if you hear an echo, while visiting Rob’s Megaphone, there’s a good reason.  The batteries need recharging, and the megaphone is taking a short rest.

For the next couple of days, I will be enjoying fun, food, and family at our annual reunion in the sticks.

I look forward to returning on Friday the fourth with a bang up post.

In the meantime, I hope you will have a chance to visit my pals and my archives.

Echo, echo, echo, echo

Can you hear me now?

They were told he would not remember them

They were told he would not remember them

Makes you wonder what else They are wrong about.

The future of journalism

David and Goliath analogies predicting the shattering of the traditional press by the new media and citizen journalism has inched closer to fruition according to Bill Kirtz’s Poynter.org column: Future of Journalism: New Media, New Money.  In his commentary covering the “Future of Journalism Conference” held at Harvard, on June 20-21, Kirtz revealed common ground and disagreement among noted experts about the role of the traditional press in the digital age. Kirtz, a Northeastern University professor, summarized the sentiments of some of the 100 or so professors and researchers attending the Carnegie-Knight conference, most prominently “. . . that mainstream media must embrace — not fight — the blogosphere and that serious reporting can survive by catering to niche audiences.”

The following are a few of Kirtz’s findings, (please see his article for more).

Carl Sessions Stepp, a University of Maryland journalism professor and writing coach, said journalists should consider themselves entrepreneurs and find ways to make more money from existing news services like archives. From Gutenberg to Google, he added, “Young marginal upstarts with great ideas is a journalistic tradition.”

Markus Prior, a Princeton politics professor who studies how broadcast and cable television have changed politics, disputed the popular notion of a decline in print, television and radio news consumption since the advent of cable news and the Internet. While today’s consumers have more substitutes for news and more entertainment options, he said, fewer Americans consume more news. So he sees a healthy market for specialized news catering to the 20 percent who are “dedicated news junkies.”

Citizen journalism was a popular topic at the conference as well.

Lowell Bergman, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and University of California, Berkeley journalism professor, said, “we have to get over complaining” about it. He noted that the concept isn’t new, and that many big stories have emerged from grassroots concerns. His main problem with citizen journalism: It “denies the reality that we need verifiable, solid, accountable journalism. We need a sense of standards.”

Clyde Bentley, a Missouri School of Journalism professor who researches user-generated news, said, “we’ve had our head in the sand” about the blogosphere’s impact. The debate over bloggers’ influence “is over,” he said. “Blogging is a numbers game. It’s there and we’ll just have to deal with it.” Noting that 120,000 new blogs a day dwarf the country’s 1,427 dailies, he said editors should treat the blogosphere like a giant wire service. Bentley said that while consumer demand for content decreases, their demand for content navigation increases.

In my opinion, it seems the mantra “follow the money” is driving the motivation of those calling for quick change for the traditional press as advertisers and news consumers increasingly show their new allegiance to online media. Rising costs in newsprint and its delivery have become catalysts for change to an industry more accustomed to reporting change than embracing it.

No matter the form, though, reputable, credible news outlets will remain the target and the employer of talented J-school grads. And while some doors may close, many more will open.

 

Sometimes it’s refreshing when the underdog wins

It’s refreshing when the underdog wins

I pull for the underdog. I enjoy seeing the helpless and bullied rise up victoriously over circumstances and individuals that seek to suppress or control them. I want the tortoise to beat the hare, which mocks and jeers at him for being slow.

I don’t like seeing nature taken for granted. I’m not against cities - I was born in a city, and I live in a small one, but I’m against mindless abuses of nature, like clear-cutting forests, polluting our communities’ air and water. I’m against building new buildings, with half a city abandoned, to where wildlife have nowhere to roam but our highways. I’d rather see the pines than billboard signs.

I’ve always related to the Lynyrd Skynyrd lyrics in

All I Can Do Is Write About It

(allen collins — ronnie vanzant)

Well this life that Ive lead has took me everywhere
There aint no place I aint never gone
But its kind of like the saying that you heard so many times
Well there just aint no plae like home
Did you ever see a she-gator protect her young
Or a fish in a river swimming free
Did you ever see the beauty of the hills of carolina
Or the sweetness of the grass in tennessee
And lord I cant make any changes
All I can do is write em in a song
I can see the concrete slowly creepin
Lord take me and mine before that comes

Do you like to see a mountain stream a-flowin
Do you like to see a youngun with his dog
Did you ever stop to think about, well, the air your breathin
Well you better listen to my song
And lord I cant make any changes
All I can do is write em in a song
I can see the concrete slowly creepin
Lord take me and mine before that comes

Im not tryin to put down no big cities
But the things they write about us is just a bore
Well you can take a boy out of ol dixieland
But youll never take ol dixie from a boy
And lord I cant make any changes
All I can do is write em in a song
I can see the concrete slowly creepin
Lord take me and mine before that comes
cause I can see the concrete slowly creepin
Lord take me and mine before that comes

 

I don’t see nature as being defeated though.

Nature, like the toroise is slow and steady,

and in many instances nature wins the race

Rob’s Megaphone: reviewed on Doyoudiggit.com

Rob’s Megaphone was recently reviewed on Doyoudiggit.com.

Check it out HERE.

Do You Digg It is really a great site. Many cool reivews.

And to answer that all powerful, thought provoking, question: yes, I do digg it. And I’m betting you will to. Don’t forget to leave a comment while visiting Doyoudiggit, and your blog may be reviewed soon as well.

Cheers and Happy Blogging.

Let’s play the “Write Your Own Headline” game

What are they reading?

If you want to play, leave your headline in my comments section. I’ll copy and paste selected headlines and blog addresses (unless otherwise requested) directly into this post. Please remember, Rob’s Megaphone is family oriented.

 

 

Wow !!!! Gas went down 0.00002 cents ….

http://www.momscrazylife.com

 

Gas in America is back down to 99 cents per gallon!!!!

http://www.hiddenstreamsproductions.com/thevillagestream/

 

 Rob’s Megaphone now available in print edition? Holy cow!

http://paulsfunkystuff.com

 

Wow Gas Prices just went up to $10 a gallon there goes
our kids collage saving’s acctount funds

http://teckline.wordpress.com

 

Old Man says, “Pull my finger, I’ll show you gas.”

http://crotchety-old-man-yells-at-cars.blogspot.c…

 

Gas is obsolete; use Hydrogen. Or farts.

 http://www.kobrascorner.com

 

Office chairs fitted with electric shock cushion reduce employee down time.

http://polybore.blogspot.com/

 

Stocks Soar as Rob’s Megaphone announces IPO

http://outsidemybrain.wordpress.com/

 

Monkey Writes News Headlines in New Board Game, Humans Shocked …and this is the same play theme at another web site:

http://www.HeadlineGame.com

 

Rowling admits Harry Potter is purely fictional

 http://jon1words.com 

 

 

Bad news for newspapers readers: shocking link between sharing newsprint and pregnancy

 http://linmeiyap.blogspot.com/

 

OMG!!! Look at that roach you smashed!!!

 http://blog.beyourowndetective.net

 

 

 

George Carlin on Age

George Carlin on age
(Absolutely Brilliant)

Note: It was just brought to my attention that George Carlin may not be responsible for this material. I discovered over 180,000 hits when I searched this topic. It appears he’s been credited with this bit for several years, but he denies its his stuff.

Nevertheless, It’s provocative!

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we’re kids? If you’re less than 10 years old, you’re so excited about aging that you think in fractions.

‘How old are you?’ ‘I’m four and a half!’ You’re never thirty-six and a half. You’re four and a half, going on five! That’s the key.

You get into your teens, now they can’t hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.

‘How old are you?’ ‘I’m gonna be 16!’ You could be 13, but hey, you’re gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life: You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There’s no fun now, you’re Just a sour-dumpling. What’s wrong? What’s changed?

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you’re PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it’s all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.

But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn’t think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40,REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.

You’ve built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it’s a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!

You get into your 80’s and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30 ; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn’t end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; ‘I Was JUST 92.’

Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. ‘I’m 100 and a half!’
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers.This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay ‘them.’

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. ‘An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.’ And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10.Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,but by the moments that take our breath away.

The absolute, hands down, without question best social network in the blogosphere

Do you BC? If you don’t know about BC or you haven’t ventured in for a while, then I implore you to check out Blog Catalog. For thousands of years, bloggers have come together on BC to share, support, laugh, learn, vent, inform, and just plain be. (Okay, probably less than thousands of years, but the rest is true). BC is in fact a gold mine for newbies, veterans and everyone inbetween. (acutally it’s not a mine for gold, but for all things blog it is a treasure chest).

While BC can increase your traffic 100 fold, it isn’t really a treasure chest per se, not in the literal sense. A treasure chest connotes pirates and bounty hunters, and BC doesn’t have those kind of characters. (Well actually, it might). There is an amazing assortment of avatars on BC representing all kinds of wonderful people. These people come from all walks of life and from every corner of the globe (er, every time zone). You might join for the unadulterated boost in traffic to your blog, like I did. But if you’re like me the incredible increase in visitors will soon become secondary as you reap the many other rewards found only on Blog Catalog (hey, I don’t even own stock).

The BC discussion boards are amazing. So far at least 18 billion topics have been discussed (no really - I never exaggerate). The general discussion board is like a townhall meeting (without the townhall). There are threads on support, shameless promotion, general discussion, and how to win the lottery in 4 easy steps (Oops, I don’t really think that one about support is accurate-or maybe it’s the lottery one.) There are also many, many groups you can join to just be with people of similar interests.  There are groups for humor, religion, writing, and honoring Rob’s Megaphone; if there’s not a group on a topic you’re interested in - hey, you can start one like I did. (Just ignore that honoring Rob’s Megaphone thing; it was just for Mr. Google - private joke).

You can befriend BC bloggers and follow them, you can join their neighborhood. You can shout at them. You can pass secret notes back and forth too. You can review and be reviewed.  You can even download a seven course dinner for free.

I tend to get carried away when I sing the virtues of BC because it is home to the best bloggers in the blogosphere.  You don’t have to take my word for it, see for yourself at blogcatalog.com, or for tips, FAQs and answers to all the questions you didn’t even know you had, check out this post right HERE. (Hey, this guy wrote THE book). Tell him Dr. Rob sent you, and you just might win a new car - or better yet, a sincere thank you.

Comments on Rob’s Megaphone from the Best Blogs in the World

The best bloggers in the world visit Rob’s Megaphone (just look who’s reading this now). Once per month I post some memorable comments from my visitors. Some (okay most) of the comments are more entertaining than my posts. They tell you a little about Rob’s Megaphone and a little about themselves. If you like the comment or if the blog url sounds interesting,  I encourage you to visit their blogs. Visit as many of these blogs as you can - I guarantee you’ll thank me later. They are really unique and special. - Dr. Rob

http://writeandpicturethis.blogspot.com  

Hi Rob: It’s medgirl! I love your site, very funny! I took your poll, nice one  I read your profile on blogcatalog. I liked it.  Sounds like your a great dad. Not easy being a single parent I bet. My regards to you .

From Don’t forget to take Rob’s Megaphone’s What Makes You Happy Poll, 

http://internettreasuretrove.blogspot.com 

Dang, I like that - get the dishes clean WHILE you get your breast check-up…

I could actually see something like that selling

From Silly News 19: Surefire way to reduce the white trash in your neighborhood, 

http://cabbages-n-kings.blogspot.com

HM…I wonder if that grilled cheese sandwich which was sold on Ebay was actually Kid Rock doing a promo stunt.

From Close your eyes and see image of Jesus

 

http://writeandpicturethis.blogspot.com  

Hi Rob: Have great trip! And bring lots of pictures 

P.S. I added your link to my site.

From Atlanta: here I come

 

http://www.fumia.blogspot.com 

I am praying so much for the family. Let’s all continue to pray for them.

From Tragedy for Steven Curtis Chapman’s family

   

http://washwords.wordpress.com

lol omg, i DO use this stuff all the time! not really. but yes, as a professional writer/editor, I do try to be careful with my email vocabulary, (not to mention my e.e. cummings-esque preference for a lack of capitalization). I agree with everything folks are saying about the sadness of this erosion of our language… but… I do think language is meant to evolve. Do I hope to see lol in “regular” writing - not unless it’s a novel about chat, but do I hope we can agree on the proper way to cite a Web site or e-mail (i.e., is it E Mail, email, e-mail, etc., etc.) sometime in the next few years. Likewise as far as “regular” text goes, well that’s changing too, isn’t it?

Just as folks are reading more blogs and texts than novels and newspapers (for better or worse, it’s happening), so too is what’s “normal - changing, again for good or bad.

Two other quick points:
1) I will say I started paying much closer attention to the way I use language online when the then 8-year-old son of a man I was seeing got an email address. Suddenly, I typed in complete sentences, with correct punctuation and capitalization. I guess if bad grammar was the worst a child saw online….

2) When I was dating and trying online dating sites, too many “alots” or similar grammar errors that aren’t just typos or emoticons and I was outtie. so to speak!

great post!

From Online slang: fad or here to stay?

  

http://www.twenty4media.webs.com | 

The longest place name in the world is from New Zealand. It’s a maori name for a hill: Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu
Just some information.

From The longest word in the world!!!!!!!!!

http://shongjog.wordpress.com

Hello Robert,
I found you at Blogcatalog. You have a very interesting blog. But um………you are not new to blogging anymore (stealthily looks at the stats).

I read about your Reddit tips at BC. Thanks much for those.

Keep it up!

http://earthlyexplorations.blogspot.com

This is so inspiring I admire your work. Remember I told you about wanting to put up some personality development school or English training course for people out here to at least be able to express their thoughts? I think I can’t do it with all the moving I have to do. But I wish I can someday but now would be the best time really. If you are interested maybe you can still look it up. I need a mentor maybe you can be mine help me improve my English. Honestly, I think I write like Yoda, poor construction.

From Meme: Passion Quilt

http://www.thefearlessblog.blogspot.com

Working with enthusiastic students who love to learn is most definitely a treat!

Your meme exemplifies the many benefits of being a teacher. Not only do our students gain knowledge from us, but we as teachers gain so much for them as well. Our profession provides us with the opportunities to meet outstanding individuals, share our experiences with them and perhaps leave a lasting positive impression for them to model. Your involvement and passion for your work shows in every photo and in every word in your post. I feel fortunate to have “cyber” met you and hope that with this meme our “connected message” will travel the world. Thank you.

From Meme: Passion Quilt

 

http://drowseymonkey.blogspot.com

Excellent! Looks like a great group of kids

From Meme: Passion Quilt

http://www.divineva.com/blog

My prayers are with the Chapman family during this difficult time.

From Tragedy for Steven Curtis Chapman’s family

 

http://www.outsidemybrainagain.blogspot.com/

Rob,

Did you see that you were listed on the home page of WordPress under “Hawt Post”? That’s how I got here today. Congratulations my friend and thanks for the laugh.

Bradley

 

http://www.smilingwithdaisy.blogspot.com |

Twenty past eight! Wow! That sounds pretty warm… I think? Maybe I better turn on the air conditioner. Thanks for the laugh!

From Silly News 18: Nothing says breaking down cultural barriers like “No Canadians please.”

 

http://serendipitycollections.blogspot.com

No Canadians please - what a catchy slogan for breaking down cultural barriers and prejudices. They DID say please - LOL!

From Silly News 18: Nothing says breaking down cultural barriers like “No Canadians please.”

 

http://www.midnightgarden12.blogspot.com

I had no idea Neil Armstrong was stylin’ in a stole when he walked on the moon. What an informative and educational post! ; )

From Silly News 18: Nothing says breaking down cultural barriers like “No Canadians please.”

 

http://Www.shroomheat.com

excellent post and blog!!!

From Silly News 17: Who can eat the most pets?

 

http://www.nakedineden.com

Oh my gawd, that second pic just cracked my up. I laughed out loud…love it. This is such a fun site. You seem so alive!!! I laugh every time I come here. Good for the stress of blogging, you know!! LOL

From Silly pics: And now for more great moments in sports

 

http://paulsfunkystuff.com

I believe this post will go down in posting history as a landmark post about posting. Nice work my friend.

From The best way to get visitors to return to your blog

 

http://quirkyindian.wordpress.com

Rob, that’s really funny.

Isn’t it a comfort to know, as you fall asleep, that the state and its secrets are well guarded?!
From Silly Signs #33: It is Forbidden.

http://majik2903.blogspot.com 

RE: SECRET NUCLEAR BUNKER

SHH… its supposed to be secret! LOL I can’t believe they would post a sign about a secret like that. Too funny!

From Silly Signs #33: It is Forbidden.

 

Steve, re: The secret bunker. It’s a historic site dating from the 60’s or thenabouts. Can’t remember what it’s called, it’s somewhere in the UK.
Maybe do a google maps search around the Brentwood area?

From Silly Signs #33: It is Forbidden.

 

http://www.nardeeisms.blogspot.com

Thank you Robert. I have been so guilty of so much. In the future, I will try to do better without compromising style - Nards

From The best way to get visitors to return to your blog, 

 

tracyseals@gmail.com

I feel so…. rewarded! Thank you for sharing.

From The best way to get visitors to return to your blog, 

 

http://kitchentablemedicine.com

Love it! I do have to say I can’t wait till I can afford an editor though…I can read and re-read something a hundred times and there will still be some silly mistake. Doctors are always in the habit of writing in sentence fragments and using acronyms, so I would say that my writing has actually unraveled a bit since med-school.

From The best way to get visitors to return to your blog

 

http://www.WhyImNeverHavingKids.com 

Great posts! I just started writing blogs on wordpress a couple of months ago, and these tips are sure to help!

Feel free to stop by my blog - http://www.WhyImNeverHavingKids.com - and add it to your favorites!

From The best way to get visitors to return to your blog, 

 

http://www.upsizethis.net/

Excellent advice, and an excellent post. Thanks for the tips.

Oh and to Richard McLaughlin… Well said. …or at least I’m sure it is, or I will be just as soon as I figure out what you were going on about. Lol.

From The best way to get visitors to return to your blog, 

 

http://vimokshananda.wordpress.com 

Wonderful Ten Commandments! Here is the Eleventh: Add at least one image per post. It speaks volumes.

From The best way to get visitors to return to your blog,

 

http://richardmclaughlin.biz

I was cognizant of the utter futility in my excessive literary expressions and have ceased to utilize said disproportionate verbiage with the exception of instances where it evidently behooved my tertiary use of euphemisms and henceforth shall continue my herculean efforts, shall the Great Lord Almighty grant me the wherewithal to accomplish such a insubstantial, nonetheless uncomplicated, undertaking, I know not and have not the courage to judge with my insubstantial humans trepidation of misspeaking.

From The best way to get visitors to return to your blog,

 

http://roadsofstone.com |  

Interesting stuff - many thanks.

From The best way to get visitors to return to your blog,

 

http://crotchety-old-man-yells-at-cars.blogspot.c…

Good tips, thanks.

From The best way to get visitors to return to your blog

 

http://www.writersroadmap.com

Excellent tips! I especially like the advice to keep it simple, write the way you talk, and proofread!

From The best way to get visitors to return to your blog

 

http://www.outsidemybrainagain.blogspot.com/ 

Robert,

Thank you so much for this valuable information. May I add you to my Blogroll?

From The best way to get visitors to return to your blog

 

http://onecoolsite.com

 This is an excellent “deep links” post, as opposed to a pillar post. A deep links post brings fresh attention the previous posts you have written. A pillar post includes plenty of outgoing links to authoritative and popular external resources.

From The best way to get visitors to return to your blog

 

http://www.momscrazylife.com

LOL I love the cop one….

From Silly Signs #32

 

robineaston@q.com

Oh what a great fun site. I love both pics. Made me laugh out loud. I will have to follow your site on my dashboard.

From Silly Signs #32

 

robineaston@q.com

I decided I had to find out who this witty sharp person was in the discussions. So it IS you!
This is a very cleaver post. I like it. Excellent writing as well. I will have to come back and read more. Nice blog layout and theme. Good job.

From We all know they exist, but we do not speak their names

 

http://ellifolks.wordpress.com/

I remember many school incidents where teachers did a good job of killing a student’s love of learning and their self-esteem. I still do remember the good ones, though (and still cringe when I think about the bad ones). I had a great 2nd grade teacher and a couple in high school We decided to homeschool.

From School Failed Alex

 

http://www.wafflelogue.com

Hehe, poor Alex! “The sky is green - you have to believe me because I’m the teacher.”

 From School Failed Alex