IN THE GNUS
I was asked the other day what “sign of the times” I believe is the most significant one so far in this decade. After pondering the usual unusuals, I have to say that it’s what’s happening “in the gnus” (ha, ha) or more correctly how we get the news. But first, a bit more levity: (1) “No gnus is good gnus” (I’ve already labeled that “fake gnus”); (2) “Read only what’s gnus-worthy” (hey, they don’t call them wildebeests for nothing); (3) “any day a call may come with gnus” (I really don’t need more gnus in my house); (4) “fake gnus abound because people are disinclined to verify” (well, nowadays, a quick jaunt to the Africa savannah isn’t easy or cheap); (5) “every day is a gnu day” (probably true for gnus); (6) “Live gnus can teach incredibly strong lessons” (I will accept this at face value, not wanting to get close enough to one to find out). Okay, enough of the cute (and surprisingly poignant puns) and on with the “real” topic: The change in how we receive the news is the most significant one so far in this decade.
We used to get the news about a week after an event of interest printed on reams of newsprint. Then, things went sideways to save trees, and we used to get the news alongside drama and comedy a few days late on the radio, excepting, of course, the fireside chats with FDR — President Roosevelt. Then we progressed from disembodied oral news to audio-video TV news typically reported within hours of an event of interest. Now I, for one, receive much if not most of my news digitally within minutes [sometimes streamed in “realtime” (verses “unreal-time”?)] of an event of possible interest basically skewed with hidden adverts and political spins. So, are things newsy getting “better?” Or is it that gossip and fiction can now spread at lightening speed to satisfy everyone’s need for stories and impulsively support sales and the economy? What’s “really real” is the more cogent question, of course. The Razor or Gayswer (from my author alter ego Raymond Gaynor) or Danswer (from my actor alter ego, Daniel S. Janik) is: I don’t have a clue what’s true anymore. My rat-gnus-news-nose is constantly itching and squiggling as if somethings amiss, but beyond that, it’s all so subtle that it eludes me, the whole news process being constantly repurposed by businesses (some of interest and others definitely not) being accomplished under the rubric of “advertising.” Or as Trump has so aptly labeled it, “fake news.” In summary, all in all, I find the transition from oral gossip and printed newspapers to digital cellular news perhaps THE most significant “sign of the times.” Is this process, if indeed it’s real, changing our perceptions of the world and events? Definitely so. How? Again, being a victim like you, I’ve not a clue, as it’s being so heavily repurposed to to sell, sell, sell.
Oh, and did I mention that the Amazon genre bestseller, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor is definitely “in the gnus?” I think one got hold of a copy and ate it. At least, that’s what I’m being told, so it probably must be so!
The Edge of Madness
THE EDGE OF MADNESS is available in printed, digital and audiobook formats and has been purchased by K. Simmons Productions for manga, animation and cinematic treatment. All the formats; all good gnus!
We used to get the news about a week after an event of interest printed on reams of newsprint. Then, things went sideways to save trees, and we used to get the news alongside drama and comedy a few days late on the radio, excepting, of course, the fireside chats with FDR — President Roosevelt. Then we progressed from disembodied oral news to audio-video TV news typically reported within hours of an event of interest. Now I, for one, receive much if not most of my news digitally within minutes [sometimes streamed in “realtime” (verses “unreal-time”?)] of an event of possible interest basically skewed with hidden adverts and political spins. So, are things newsy getting “better?” Or is it that gossip and fiction can now spread at lightening speed to satisfy everyone’s need for stories and impulsively support sales and the economy? What’s “really real” is the more cogent question, of course. The Razor or Gayswer (from my author alter ego Raymond Gaynor) or Danswer (from my actor alter ego, Daniel S. Janik) is: I don’t have a clue what’s true anymore. My rat-gnus-news-nose is constantly itching and squiggling as if somethings amiss, but beyond that, it’s all so subtle that it eludes me, the whole news process being constantly repurposed by businesses (some of interest and others definitely not) being accomplished under the rubric of “advertising.” Or as Trump has so aptly labeled it, “fake news.” In summary, all in all, I find the transition from oral gossip and printed newspapers to digital cellular news perhaps THE most significant “sign of the times.” Is this process, if indeed it’s real, changing our perceptions of the world and events? Definitely so. How? Again, being a victim like you, I’ve not a clue, as it’s being so heavily repurposed to to sell, sell, sell.
Oh, and did I mention that the Amazon genre bestseller, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor is definitely “in the gnus?” I think one got hold of a copy and ate it. At least, that’s what I’m being told, so it probably must be so!
The Edge of Madness
THE EDGE OF MADNESS is available in printed, digital and audiobook formats and has been purchased by K. Simmons Productions for manga, animation and cinematic treatment. All the formats; all good gnus!
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