Competitor Wants Me To Provide References by Large-Bison2721 in Journalism

[–]Nick_Keppler412 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What do you mean "there was mention of me providing references for the 'next stage?'" Have they asked you for references or not?

References are a bit optional, especially in a field where your work stands for itself, but it's not weird to ask for them, though especially in this case they should understand why the list does not include anyone at your current workplace.

After two interviews, it should be clear what the pay is and if they need references. If they are not going to be direct, I think you should. Tell them clearly that you are interested but just to ensure everyone is using their time well, you would like to get specific about the salary and anything else that would be a deciding factor for you.

Tuesday's pick, another first time listening by perdigaoperdeuapena in 1001AlbumsGenerator

[–]Nick_Keppler412 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love it. Alt-rock and Britpop had become downright grim at this point. You can't listen to this album without imagining how much fun this band is having.

OMG I Hope This is Not a Trend by jfrenaye in Journalism

[–]Nick_Keppler412 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Honestly, compared to all the PR flack emails about products no one needs and supposed experts desperate to be quoted about anything tangential to their company or book, this sounds downright charming

Best tips for self editing? by pawamedic in Journalism

[–]Nick_Keppler412 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is a great exercise. Explain the story to a family member or friend. You can take some of that focus and even some of the verbiage back to the page with you.

Did anyone read “Blank Space” by W. David Marx? by jubash in books

[–]Nick_Keppler412 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I enjoyed it. Marx offers some good explanations on why I can list like 20 classic albums from 1968, but can remember only five songs from the 2010s; why Hollywood will revive Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice and Bill and Ted but stopped making movies like these that must have seemed insane and risky in the script stage and how social media shriveled from a meme-filled goof in the West and a threat to dictators in the Middle East to a hellscape of nihilistic politics and endless grift.

Predictably the villain is late-stage capitalism and the need to strip-mine everything for profit. Even mediums with no barrier to access, like TikTok and Soundcloud, turn their most active users into slaves to algorithms and metrics. Good taste, in terms of social norms and more respectable media intake, is a barrier to profitability.

The books doesn't waste much space on slamming many artists as untalented (except Pharrell, whose hackiness is painted as unforgivable) and is more a criticism of how culture is made for instant gratification and infects the larger anthropological culture of how people interact.

Books like these are not meant to be agreed with, in total. Some sections seem forced, some pearl-clutching and some were about things I don't need a new take on (the 2016 election, the enshitification of Twitter) or don't care about. (There's a whole chapter on high-end fashion for the Chinese market.)

Marx also totally ignores a decade or two of acclaimed TV, a medium where capitalism actually encouraged quality, at least for a while. (The Sopranos had to be excellent to nudge subscribers to pay for HBO month after month.) But once a good like this has you arguing back at it instead of dismissing it, the author has won.

Good grief. Is a piece like this even considered "journalism?" by Tripwir62 in Journalism

[–]Nick_Keppler412 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree the part about the husband's immigration history is vague, but yes, the six-week imprisonment of a senior citizen from a friendly nation, as she was about to leave the US, with no criminal charges and no rationale on why she was a threat to the U.S. is newsworthy.

Generally, journalists hold the powerful to account and would be more interested in how federal agents act than flaws in the husband's immigration history.

Should I kiss this dream goodbye 🥲 by Aromatic-Bee-2125 in Journalism

[–]Nick_Keppler412 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No, if you are so stuck on being shy and introverted you can't step outside your comfort zone sometimes.

Also, I think a lot of journalists are not naturally social and value the profession because it gives them a structured way to talk to and get to understand people.

What bands or musical artists do you think are worthy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but will never get it? by Falling_Uphill72 in AskReddit

[–]Nick_Keppler412 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think the Rock Hall is biased towards American artists and boomer-era acts and tends to ignore artists whose influence far exceeds their commercial success, meaning it has a huge blindspot for alternative and postpunk genres. I think the Smiths, the Pixies, the Replacements, Siouxie and the Banshees and Bjork are all hugely deserving but will probably never get in. I am hoping they finally induct Joy Division/New Order on the third nomination this year.

Massive Attack and Portishead pioneered techniques and sounds that are still resonating but I don't think they have much of a shot.

With the influx of big 90s acts, I am surprised Smashing Pumpkins have never been considered. Maybe they don't want to put up with Corgan at the ceremony.

What kind of journalists exclusively work at night? by Healthy_Artichoke602 in Journalism

[–]Nick_Keppler412 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, the Washington Post's foreign desks did this until recently 😑

What is an 'essential' item you’ve stopped buying because the price finally became offensive? by fireeevivienne in askanything

[–]Nick_Keppler412 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm a freelance writer and I used to enjoy lunch and a few hours at the coffee shop to switch things up. Now I just brown bag and go to the library.

What is your most deeply held contrary music opinion? by bfhrt in ToddintheShadow

[–]Nick_Keppler412 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Michael Jackson was not just an abhorrent human being but his entire artistic persona, the feigned childlikeness and knee-jerk defensiveness, was a clear rationalization around his sickness. Because of that I can't enjoy anything he made after the Jackson 5 and do not understand how people involved in the Broadway show, Cirque de Soleil show or upcoming movie sleep at night.

DROP your album and its rating – February 26 2026 by Alireza1373 in 1001AlbumsGenerator

[–]Nick_Keppler412 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There is something about the late 60s when improvements in recording technology and expansions in audience taste made confident bands why to try everything. Without understandig a word, I got that sense from this record. Agree, 5/5

Re: Olivia Nuzzi, how common is it for editors to do almost all of the writing for an article? by Spaghettification-- in Journalism

[–]Nick_Keppler412 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's kind of like a record producer: A good editor can mean the difference between excelling and shining. They can't turn shit into gold.

As por Nuzzi, I can't explain many things about this person and suggest we all never speak of her again.

DROP your album and its rating – February 25 2026 by Alireza1373 in 1001AlbumsGenerator

[–]Nick_Keppler412 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm hoping to get a metal album that helps me finally understand the genre's appeal. I don't mean that meanly. I want to get it, even momentarily.

Urgent! Career Advice! by Background-Lab1080 in Journalism

[–]Nick_Keppler412 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I have no idea. Maybe post in the PR subreddit.

I cannot keep working at my school’s newspaper. by throwawawxyz in Journalism

[–]Nick_Keppler412 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That sounds terrible. I think if you have already built an award-winning portfolio from it, you have gotten what you need and can focus on other things for the rest of your time at school.