Slog - Comments on In Praise of Older Journalists Taking Buyouts http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu Jack Shafer: The "retirement" of the buyout brigade has the added benefit of loosening the ugly stranglehold the boomers have over the press. I may be risking self-extermination by advocating wholesale boomer expulsion, but there are just too many of us—especially the older variety—in top slots for journalism's good. The sheer weight of our presence blocks the promotion of the next generation of talented journalists to the most desirable beats. We like our nice salaries, we enjoy our benefits and vacation time, we dig our place in the pecking order, and we expect to live forever. So why should we... Copyright 2008 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:25:15 -0800 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:08:53 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Peter F Slate is *still* online? Why?

]]> Peter F http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993157 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993157 Media Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:41:46 -0800 Comment by J.R. When's old Jack taking his buyout?

]]> J.R. http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993205 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993205 Media Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:10:05 -0800 Comment by don't think so The author is very, uhh, optimistic there. The only thing reducing salaries of higher-level positions by hiring less experienced, allegedly "innovative" youngsters is going to do is increase corporate profits (or, decrease losses). I am quite certain that no "lower-paying entry-level slot" will be added, although if that is how the author must rationalize his long-overdue departure, so be it.

]]> don't think so http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993226 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993226 Media Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:28:10 -0800 Comment by giantladysquirrels I'm all for new blood, but it's got to be balanced with some institutional memory. A paper can't do a very good job of covering its community when no one on staff knows the histories/connections/obligations of the community's elected officials, activists, and other people in power.

]]> giantladysquirrels http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993237 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993237 Media Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:36:00 -0800 Comment by Spoogie As a fellow boomer, Jack, fuck you. I worked hard and long to get what I have. Don't even pretend to speak for me.

]]> Spoogie http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993267 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993267 Media Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:54:06 -0800 Comment by Shilo Urban @4: Yeah there is no way anyone under the age of 50 could possibly know or learn about the "histories/connections/obligations of the community's elected officials, activists, and other people in power."

Because this isn't the information age or anything.

]]> Shilo Urban http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993336 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993336 Media Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:46:59 -0800 Comment by Eric F Ah, we're entering the era of bitter Boomer entitlement, with a presidential candidate as advance guard.

]]> Eric F http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993360 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993360 Media Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:15:30 -0800 Comment by ivan Bitter Boomer retirement, my ass. If people want to keep working because they enjoy their work, and can keep working, who the hell is anybody else to tell them they shouldn't?

]]> ivan http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993366 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993366 Media Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:27:23 -0800 Comment by ivan DUH! I meant bitter Boomer entitlement, my ass.

I hate this ageist crap anyway, no matter who it comes from. And I am not a Boomer.

]]> ivan http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993372 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993372 Media Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:29:54 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle I agree with Spoogie @5, even if I'm edge gen.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993409 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993409 Media Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:54:46 -0800 Comment by Laurence Ballard America: the only society where the phrase, "That's history" is a pejorative.

]]> Laurence Ballard http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993574 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993574 Media Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:26:35 -0800 Comment by Young and Restless Boomers: The people who bought us "Human Resources" and killed pensions in favor of the greatest ponzi scheme of all, the 401k.

Don't just retire. Die already.

]]> Young and Restless http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993616 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/in_praise_of_older_journalists_taking_bu#c993616 Media Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:08:53 -0800