Not Alright

Things change. That’s life. Onward to yet another point of equilibrium. Out of balance one moment, power and energy shift a bit here and there and suddenly things are in balance once again. Not to last very long, the balance is upset by yet another happening. Sometimes those are ideas. Some written, some spoken. But ideas shared with others bumps around and eventually others take up the idea, at least in part. This tiny shift of course sets loose a free fall of repercussions not noticed at the beginning. But eventually, ever so slightly, the repercussions add up and we do observe a change of some kind. That change once recognized causes yet other adaptations and reactions, causing their own consequences in time.

Sometimes that timing is nanoseconds; other times it is hours, days, weeks, and so on.

History is the story of mankind on earth. It notes the events big and small that have some noticeable effect that causes yet other effects. It takes time to see it all more clearly. And yes, more clearly is accurate; for it should be understood that total clarity about some history is impossible. We are not all-knowing creatures. We cannot see and understand everything that happens around us. Whether we are the actors that give cause to the events, or only mopes who are there on the scene to react and play our part in that trailing down of consequence.

With communications measured in nanoseconds in the year 2015, change can occur quickly. Very quickly. What we do about that change – the thing that makes us actually take action because it is unavoidable – is not always known or understood in advance.

An example might help here.

When Gutenberg invented the printing press with movable type, did he truly see how this would change the world? Most likely he did not. Soon thereafter, however, books were printed for the church and more for wealthy patrons. Private libraries slowly grew and centers of learning developed libraries. Then public libraries followed. None of this was done in a twinkling. It took centuries. But repercussions built faster and faster into new technologies and the rest is history.

We walk down the sidewalk reading the newspaper on our I-phone or tablet, or catch up on email on the subway or bus. We are in contact with our word images nearly around the clock. Voice transmission is another contact we share instantly.  The pre-history of all of this goes back to Gutenberg at some point.

Of course libraries existed before Gutenberg. Collections of mankind’s knowledge in written form precedes the great library of Alexandria. So it is evident human history has been concerned with making a record of thought and events; however transcribed, these records have been kept safe in various ways. On stone tablets, vellum scrolls stored in sealed pots stashed in desert caves – man has struggled to make a record and keep it. From these modest beginnings come the modern library. The role of Gutenberg in the latter is huge. From that even more gigantic changes have emanated.

Related to all this is journalism and the public’s manner in documenting what is happening in daily life. News articles, photographs, opinion columns, articles reporting on interest groups and their points of view as well as their actions to press their viewpoint on to the rest of society. Advertisements also document what people are buying or selling. Event calendars are offered in newspapers informing the public of what they can do where and when in the near future. Later, if these events are noteworthy enough, articles reporting on their happening will be offered as news.

The newspaper thus chronicles – transmits, shares and records information – about a community’s life. There are people within the newspaper’s organization doing the work to make this happen. The result is intended to be a well-informed public capable of constructing a community that serves its people well, encourages them to behave in ways that will improve the common good of the community. Encouraging civic duty, volunteerism and other forms of support are all part and parcel of the message of a newspaper. These are good and positive elements of a newspaper.

There are issues interacting in the newspaper that parallel the community of which it is a part. If a community is discussing an issue and supporters develop on various sides, so too does this occur within the newspaper. If the discussion becomes divisive in the community, it likewise is so within the newspaper’s staff.

Thus publishing decisions need to be made. What is included in the printed matter of the publication? What is left out? Why are some things included and others not? Thus the debate is encountered as decisions are made and copy is prepared for the readers.

If internal management cannot agree on the issues, discord results. However, in a newspaper, discord may come to a crossroads where people must decide if they will remain a part of the newspaper or not.

Such is the case I face currently. The current issue of the paper readying for publication contains copy at odds with members of the management team. The division of thought is such that working together is no longer possible. Thus a parting of the ways develops.

Accordingly, the current issue of Village Chronicles will be distributed this week with some copy omitted. The edition of the paper will remain true to past mission and vision. But future content is up for grabs. I cannot imagine the work and stress this will entail. At my age I don’t need this discomfort, so I am withdrawing from the newspaper. 

Let those who continue be solely responsible for the product and content of the paper. It will be so without my involvement or input.

That’s OK. All things come to an end at some time. I just wish this end would have been more positive and upbeat. After all, what we have accomplished in the past seven years is pretty remarkable: a positive voiced publication designed to support and enhance community life done completely by volunteer labor and without financial profit to anyone. That is quite an accomplishment. Its future, however, is in doubt.

Only balanced journalism will have credibility with the public. There will always be opinion makers and manipulators that will abuse the public’s trust. It is up to the community to determine and to discern what their publications stand for. At all times they need to beware of that which is passed off as truth but isn’t. For now I feel certain that we have presented truth and differing opinions of that truth.

I cannot in full conscience, however, feel so certain in the future of our publication. Therefore, it is time I left so others can manage this sacred trust.  Or not. Reader beware!

February 11, 2015