Several times this week I've found myself discussing news delivery with colleagues. Lately, I get all of my breaking news via Twitter. It's no wonder newspapers are in crisis mode; by the time they're printed and delivered, it's old information. Why wait for the next day to read a long story when you can get the gist in 140 characters or less and choose whether to find out more?
These past few days have been a study in dichotomy in the news. Major tweeting topics ranged from the horrible earthquake in Haiti to Conan vs. Jay. Lane Kiffin's departure for USC was highlighted next to outcry over TARP funds being used for CEO bonuses.
And Idol's "pants on the ground" became a nationwide pheonomenon and the topic of too many Facebook statuses to count.
While I find this vast contrast intriguing, I also find it a microcosm of life. It's full of catostrophes and heartache, but it's also full of laughter and silliness. When faced with so much pain and destruction, some poor person humiliating themselves on national TV is a distraction. Perhaps it's not that we're unfeeling, it's that when the feelings become too much, we need to think about something else.
After all, Americans have already donated more than $5 million to the Red Cross via a technology campaign. We care about what's happening in Haiti. And we care about who NBC is featuring in the late night chair.
So in a nutshell, let's all pray for Haiti, donate $10 via text, continue to dislike USC, and declare ourselves on Team Conan or Team Jay. And may your pants not be on the ground... especially on national television.
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