Newspapers

What You’re Missing…

By Patrick on April 26, 2006 12:15 PM

…if you’re not privy to the Washington Post’s internal critique board.

Deep thoughts and other gems of wisdom from Courtland Milloy:

  • Len Downie asked on August 26: “Are we certain what booty bass is, despite the sentence defining it?” No one has dared touch that. Until now. Is booty bass, as reported in The Post that day, “Miami-style frenetically danceable hip-hop records that are low on lyrical depth and high on raunchiness?” Not necessarily. Among some anglers, booty bass is just a big ass fish.

  • Before taking up the search for ways to surprise readers, let me suggest a few ways to surprise ourselves. How about awarding a Green Eyeshade Prize (with cash bonuses) to copy editors? And a Micro Macro Prize for Excellence in IT for our computer whizzes? And a Maltese Falcon Award with a little something-something inside for our news researchers?Give out a Silver Stick Pin for Copy Aides of the Year (just for sticking around that long).

  • Which brings me to Pearlstein’s Conundrum:

    “Everyday we have these critiques that pretty much say we’re doing a crackerjack job in putting out lots of great journalism. And everyday the newspaper…loses a few more readers. What gives?”

    I am meditating on this with a new mantra: buyouts.

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