We touched on so many different angles of the changing media landscape during yesterday's roundtable on GRITtv that my brain really got going on a bunch of tangents and points that I'm hoping to synthesize here.

1. On foreign correspondents: John MacArthur (publisher of Harper's) made reference to the fact that they have a reporter on the ground in Iran doing some pretty intense work for Harper's, and that it costs money to keep him sustained. I'm sure that it does. However, it made me wonder a couple of things–using this case as a jumping off point, not as a target itself necessarily–namely, is the best journalism in a situation like what we're seeing in Iran produced by an American (presumably white) man? (Even if the person in question "speaks Farsi and has an Iranian wife.") Not that this would save the magazine any money, but couldn't we be thinking less about foreign correspondents and more about using local journalists/citizens to aid with not just reporting, but contextualizing the events?

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I was thrilled to participate in this roundtable on the media reportage vis a vis Iran's election on GritTV, featuring the fabulous independent filmmaker and educator Simin Farkondeh (who everyone should interview, btw), John MacArthur of Harper's, and Robert Huesca, a professor of communications at Trinity University.

I've got more thoughts on the subject (if ya couldn't tell by the look on my face at different points in the clip) that I hope to round up later this morning I wrote up here…

My mom (cartoon'ed at left) sent the following email to her department yesterday.

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As you may well know by now………..

I have been promoted to "Supplies Orderer". Although this promotion has added no monetary addition to my income, I take great pride in this endeavor and am looking forward to serving you all to the very best of my ability. I have listed a few suggestions below. Your cooperation is absolutely imperative to "make me look good" in this new position. After all, it *is* all about me, isn't it. (I'm a Leo….)

When you see the forms in the drawer(s) are less than ten, pls enter the form number and description along with your name to the order form taped so neatly to the outside of the file cabinet. Pencils are available nearby in a make-shift (but ever so classy) plastic pencil holder. If you prefer to use ink, you certainly may do so. However, you will be required to provide your own pen. A favorite color preference for me is green. It won't get the order filled any faster, but it will add color to the sheet and therefore, also add color to my new life as "Supplies Orderer." The lower portion of the form is for pens, pencils, sticky notes and all that other misc stuff. Items such as hair spray, aftershave and alcohol are not included.

Orders will be submitted to G.S. every Friday and hopefully filled by Monday or at the latest Tuesday. HOWEVER, if you need something that is not readily available to you PLEASE CONTACT ME via email and I will make certain you have it asap.

Feel free to make any suggestions to improve service, but pls keep them simple as I am easily confused.

Yours very truly.
Rachael, Supplies Orderer

As you may have heard, I've signed a contract with Berrett-Koehler to write a book about social media this summer. But! I need a tremendous amount of support — monetary, moral and otherwise — to get it done in the super-fast timeframe that I'm working within. Can you help? Here's the email that I sent out to all my friends and colleagues. Please use the ChipIn to the right, or click here to make a donation.

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Friends, colleagues, clients! Lend me your ears…

I'm writing you with some exciting news that makes me very happy. I just signed a contract from Berrett-Koehler publishers to write a book I've been imagining for a long time. But it's going to take some very hard work on my part, and I hope you can help me succeed.

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It's been a hilarious couple of months working on this project, and I'm thrilled to launch the site hosting the genius work of Alice Bradley (aka, Finslippy) and Eden M. Kennedy (aka, Fussy). Tired of all the condescending parenting and pregnancy advice that's out there, they took it upon themselves to write the funniest non-advice series ever. Have a look!

http://www.lets-panic.com/

Here's the interview I did this morning with the Morning News Hour crew at Hofstra University — great conversation and lots of fun, too. We cover Iran, other countries with repressive Internet policies, Net Neutrality, the big picture of social media and so much more! A jam-packed 17 minutes of goodness:

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