1/13: On the Ground in New Hampshire

It’s a political junkie’s drug – New Hampshire in the days leading up to the primary.

2012 marked the Marist Poll’s seventh venture to the Granite State, but I was a newbie.

Here’s the back story.  Plain and simple, I love politics!  My passion for politics began fairly early in life, debating politics with family at the tender age of 12.  (With wisdom, I have learned to refrain from such discussions at family dinners.)

There are a couple of political endeavors to my credit.  Two valiant, yet failed, efforts – one in junior high and one in high school — for class president.  (Perhaps, a third attempt in college would have proved successful.  Even Nixon eventually gained the White House.)

Politics also played a role in fueling my future career in broadcast journalism.  However, when it came to major political events, I was often in-house taking in tape, editing pieces, creating graphics, and writing.  Certainly, I was never in the field in New Hampshire.  But, as a member of “Team Marist,” I was primed.

The excitement built within me as we traveled through New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and, finally, into New Hampshire.  As we made our way into the state, roads were dotted with signs expressing support for the candidates.  It was almost as though politics permeated the air, and it wasn’t long before I witnessed the reality of the stories I had heard.  You can’t walk down the block without bumping into a journalist or politician.  I was in my element.

While I could go on and on, I will spare you every last detail of the trip.  Here are a few of my personal highlights.

• The ABC News/Yahoo “Your Voice, Your Vote – Republican Presidential Debate in New Hampshire,” on Saturday, January 7^th: This was no ordinary experience.  Our team was credentialed to watch the debate in the press filing center followed by access into the spin room.  There, my journalistic juices were flowing.  As each candidate’s representative entered the gymnasium of Saint Anselm’s College in Manchester, I darted over to the pack of journalists with my compact camera in hand.  Upon realizing former Senator Rick Santorum’s arrival, I elbowed my way into the pack trying to get a good shot of the candidate, but I was behind the senator.   After a quick scan of my surroundings, I noticed the exit to the room was to my right.  The light bulb went off.  Santorum would have to turn in my direction to leave.  I dug in and stayed put.  Santorum thanked the pack, turned, and slowly made his way through the scrum of journalists (a special word of thanks to Nancy Miringoff who braced me as the pressure of the group became almost overwhelming).  Then, the senator stopped and answered a question right in front of me.  Score!  I got the money shot.
  
  




• The NBC News-Facebook Debate on Meet the Press on Sunday, January 8^th:  Still riding high from the experience the night before, our team made its way in the wee hours of the morning from our hotel in Nashua to Concord for the final debate before the Republican primary.  Hard to believe, but this experience outdid the night before.  Sitting inside the debate hall, I watched the candidates interact with their advisers, their families, and each other during the commercial breaks; a very unique perspective.  (Thanks to our GOP primary polling partners at NBC News for making such an experience possible.)
  
  




• Candidates’ Events on Monday, January 9^th:  A Santorum town hall meeting in the morning, a Gingrich event in the afternoon, and a failed attempt to attend a Romney rally early in the evening offered a small taste of the candidates’ grueling schedule.  More importantly, witnessing the crowd size and the audience’s reactions demonstrated their enthusiasm (or lack there of) for the candidates.  The choice of venue, style, and candidate spin when answering audience questions, not only demonstrated their campaign strategies, but their proficiency or inexperience on the stump.
  
  




• Polling Place Visit on primary day, Tuesday, January 10^th:  After hopping a barricade, I was, once again, caught up in a pack of reporters as former Governor Jon Huntsman approached a polling place in Manchester.  Handicapped by height and distance, I tried to figure out a way to get the video I wanted.  Then, I realized Huntsman’s car was to my right.  I made my way to the car, hoping to get a shot of his departure, and soon, I found myself pinned against the vehicle.  As my knee went in one direction and my leg in the other, I raised my tiny camera and pushed back against the throng of reporters who came toward me.  Battling for the best angle, I viewed Huntsman and his wife through my lens and captured the governor as he discussed his daughters’ impact on his campaign.
  
  




• A Who’s Who in the Radisson in Manchester on primary day added an exclamation point to my final hours in New Hampshire.  With the clock ticking down to the end of voting, Lee Miringoff, Barbara Carvalho, Nancy Miringoff, and I gathered at the hotel to conduct a few media interviews and to watch the results of the primary.  We stopped briefly to chat with an ABC reporter in the downstairs corridor of the hotel when I saw a group of cameras out of the corner of my eye.  A quick glance revealed Senator Santorum, his wife, and two of their children walking in our direction.  As they passed, the senator asked us how we were and continued on his way.  Up to the second floor we went for a radio interview.  After leaving radio row, we met up with Governor Huntsman on the staircase.  I took some video of Lee speaking with the candidate prior to my shaking hands with Huntsman.
  
  

And, so our whirlwind trip came to a close, but I would be remiss if I don’t mention two items which deserve honorable mention.

• Famished and slightly exhausted, half of the MIPO team (the non-football fans went shopping) took a breather at J.W. Hill’s Sports Bar and Grille in Manchester to watch the NY Giants defeat the Atlanta Falcons in the playoffs.  (A tip: if ever in the Manchester area, be sure to try the spinach and avocado dip at J.W. Hill’s.  The added tomato created a tantalizing culinary experience.)
• Who knew?  Visitors to the Merrimack area can visit the Anheuser-Busch Brewery for a tour and get up close and personal with the famed Budweiser Clydesdales!
  
  

That said.  The race moves on to South Carolina, but this time I will be watching from afar!

10/4: Key Regional Findings: Striking a Balance: New Yorkers Speak Out on Rightsizing Local Government

In an unprecedented survey of more than forty-five hundred New Yorkers, The Dyson Foundation/Marist Poll set out to uncover residents’ views toward the issue of local government consolidation.

Striking a Balance: New Yorkers Speak Out on Rightsizing Local Government, originally released earlier this year in April, focuses on nine regions in the state – The Capital Region, The Adirondacks, Western New York, The Finger Lakes, Central New York, The Mid-Hudson Valley, The Lower Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island.  And, this week, the Dyson Foundation/Marist Poll is releasing key survey findings from each of those nine regions.

The schedule for release is:

• The Adirondacks, The Capital Region, and The Mid-Hudson Valley: Tuesday, October 4, 2011
• Western New York, The Finger Lakes, and Central New York: Wednesday, October 5, 2011
• The Lower Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island: Thursday, October 6, 2011

For More Information:

Key regional findings and complete survey results for “Striking a Balance: New Yorkers Speak Out on Rightsizing Local Government” may be found at www.nylocalgov.org.  For more information about the Marist Poll, visit www.maristpoll.marist.edu.  To learn more about the Dyson Foundation, log on to www.dysonfoundation.org.

Contact:

The Marist Poll, 845-575-5050
Lee M. Miringoff
Barbara L. Carvalho
Mary E. Azzoli

The Dyson Foundation
Diana M. Gurieva, 845-677-0644
Steve Densmore, 845-234-8713

1/25: Welcome to the World of Sports Signings!

If ever there was a blank slate, I was one.

It was June of 2009, and I found myself amid a crowd of basketball fans at my local shopping mall.  No, there wasn’t a sale at Modell’s, Champs, Foot Locker, or any other sporting goods store.  We were gathered for an autograph signing by former New York Knicks players John Starks and Anthony Mason.

It was my first sports signing in more than 20 years.  And, trust me.  My name was never synonymous with this type of event.  Don’t get me wrong, I love sports!  As a kid, I was thrilled to meet New York Mets Howard Johnson, Terry Leach, and Mackey Sasser at baseball card shows at my elementary school.  As an adult, though, attending these events never really appealed to me.  But, all that changed.

Shortly after meeting my, now, fiancé, I discovered the one addictive part of his personality — his love of collecting sports memorabilia.  Enamored by the stories of those he had met and the pieces he had in his collection, I became intrigued and was a willing participant in the next signing.  To put it simply, I thought it was cool!  I mean, I could hold my own.  I have those childhood baseball card shows under my belt.  I thought I knew what was in store.  Boy, was I wrong.

Soon, I realized this wasn’t just a hobby, it was a whole world (not to mention an industry) with its own set of rules populated by some of the most loyal fans around.  Here’s a taste of what I learned:
•    Collect unique items (e.g. a ball signed by the pitcher and catcher of a perfect game)
•    Without an inscription, it’s really not worth it
•    Inscriptions are extra
•    Prices vary based upon the athlete
•    Different fees exist for different items (balls, flats, jerseys, etc.)
•    16×20 photos must be purchased sparingly (They take up too much wall space and should be reserved for only the most exciting of action shots.)
•    When framing memorabilia, do so with UV protected glass
•    The thrill of meeting some of the greats never dies

Mays, Berra, Palmer, Ripken, Henderson, Seaver, Gooden… Needless to say, I am hooked.  Would I call myself one of the 18% of Americans who told the Marist Poll they would prefer an athlete’s autograph over, say, the president’s?  Probably not.  But, I will say the adrenaline rush of meeting an athlete whom you’ve watched, and in many cases, admired over the years, is incredible!

1/4: New Year’s Resolutions: More Harm Than Good?

It was the best laid plans.  Going into 2011, I planned to refrain from making a New Year’s resolution.  And, I was in good company.  According to the latest national Marist Poll, 56% of American adults said it was not likely at all that they would make a resolution for 2011.  Ultimately, though, I caved.

As the hours ticked down to 2011, I questioned my decision.  “There are definitely plenty of bad habits and personality flaws that I can work on correcting,” I thought.  So, my ultimate decision was to resolve to worry less and enjoy life more.  (No small task for the ultimate Little Miss Worry Wart.)

The ball fell, I ushered in the New Year with my loved ones, and I was on track to be more laid back.  Think positively, I said to myself.  This is the beginning of a whole new you.  January 1st was a wonderful day, filled with family and friends.  And, then, it happened.  My brother, his fiancée, my fiancé, and I were gathered around my mother’s dining room table discussing our respective wedding plans.  As my brother’s well organized fiancée ticked off their well-thought out arrangements, I started to panic.  Granted, they are getting married before us, but that still didn’t stop my mind from racing.  Are we behind?  Does our more traditional style stink of boredom compared with their more avant-guard taste?  Should we be doing more? I painfully held my concerns until later that evening.  When I shared them with my fiancé, he stared at me and asked, “You couldn’t make it through one day, could you?”

He was right.  And, so, I started anew with my resolution.  But, here is the question that has been going through my mind: do resolutions do more harm than good? Think about it.  Each year, many of us promise to make a change going into the New Year, but for those who don’t keep them, there is often a sense of self-disappointment and failure?  In Marist’s holiday survey, nearly six in ten American adults considered the holiday season to be more stressful than fun.  Is this yet another holiday tradition which ultimately stresses us out?  It could be.

Mental note for 2012: resolve to stop over thinking.

10/25: The Youth Vote 2010

Their passion is still evident.  In Marist’s Political Communication and Politics course which I co-teach, a small group of students and I recently discussed Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.  While addressing Obama’s use of new media, at least half of the students mentioned that they either contributed financially to Obama’s campaign or were on his mailing list.  Plus, one of our students did not hesitate to share how she was a foot soldier in Obama’s grassroots army.  But, can lightning strike twice?  Can that exuberance carry over into this year’s midterm elections?

According to the Pew Research Center’s 2008 post-election analysis, younger voters backed the Democratic Party in the 2004, 2006, and 2008 elections.  66% of voters under age 30 supported Obama in 2008, according to the exit polls.  The result was the largest age gap among voters since 1972.

Now, in a midterm election year when Democrats and Republicans are looking for any competitive edge and with the White House trying to reignite that spark, will it work?  The clock is ticking and there are few signs that the youth is in a voting mood.  According to the latest national McClatchy-Marist Poll, just 11% of registered voters under the age of 30 are very enthusiastic about voting in November while 48% of voters 60 an older have the same level of enthusiasm.  Plus, the nation’s youngest voters have been disappointed with the president.  In Marist’s September 22nd survey, 59% said the president was not meeting their expectations.

So, what are candidates, and the president, to do?  As Heather Smith, President of Rock the Vote, points out in a recent U.S. News and World Report article, all hope is not lost.  Campaigns just need to get moving and talk the talk young America wants to hear – focus on issues closest to them, issues like the economy.

9/15: A Thought for Delaware’s GOP

Politics is a passionate beast.  But, there comes a time when, for the cause’s greater good, passion should be tempered with reason.

In a major upset, Tea Party endorsed Republican Christine O’Donnell beat out veteran politician Michael Castle for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Delaware.  Whereas Castle could have posed a formidable challenge to Democratic candidate Christopher Coons, by most accounts, O’Donnell’s general election chances range between slim to none.

But, there are larger implications for Republicans nationally.  A candidate Castle would have been better positioned to turn this former Biden Senate seat from Democratic blue to Republican red.  In turn, this would bring the national GOP one step closer to gaining a majority in the Senate.  Candidate O’Donnell changes the odds on that dramatically.

So, dear Delaware Republicans.  I admire your strength of conviction.  However, your passion has blurred your vision.

7/2: July 4th: Reflecting on Family and Freedom

I love barbecues!  The aroma wafting from a sizzling hot grill under the summer sunshine is a definite perk of the season.  But, an added tinge of excitement wells up inside of me around this time of year.  It’s nearly Independence Day – by far, my favorite day to grill.

Without a doubt, my preferred barbecue food is a good old-fashioned hot dog.  (I tip my cap to the 9% of my carnivorous American brethren who say the same in the latest, national Marist Poll.)  Yet, my fondness for the July 4th holiday goes way beyond food.

Consider it plain old sappiness, but the Fourth of July brings me back to the carefree days of my childhood.  My most vivid memories are the celebrations that occurred before the age of nine.  It was the time when our close, extended family was still together — before cousins moved to distant parts of the country and before we lost many in the elder generations.

Our Independence Day celebrations always began early and ended late.  With the cicadas acting as their soundtrack, mom and grandma would be preparing the food and puttering around the house from the wee hours of the morning.  Dad was usually in the backyard cleaning the grill (which he would man) or skimming out the pool.  Next door, Great Uncle Ben put out lawn chairs for the guests, and Great Aunt Lucy set up the buffet table between our two yards.  As for me, I was usually doing one of two things – playing with whichever cousin was staying with Aunt Lucy and Uncle Ben or getting under mom’s feet. The former of the two was the most dangerous scenario.  My excitement was often matched or exceeded, especially if Cousin Greg was nearby, and the tag team would end in nothing else but trouble.

As the clock ticked down, dad took the helm of the large grill, and he was no joke.  Dad barbecued old school style – with charcoal and lighter fluid.  He fired up the grill early, and flames often shot up higher than one level of the house.  (Needless to say, mom’s nerves were shot before the first guest arrived.)

Then, it was time.  Swarms of family and friends descended on the two yards.  The scene resembled the film, My Big Fat Greek Wedding.  Just swap out the Greek relatives with Italian, Irish, and Lebanese ones.  The kids ran between the two yards, climbed trees, or jumped into the pool while the men played bocce ball in my uncle’s lengthy side yard.

And, of course, food and drink were served throughout the day.  Each year, either Uncle William or Uncle Tony brought a watermelon bigger than me.  And, my mouth watered as I waited for it to be cut up and presented.

As dusk drew near, the pool “closed.”  The kids dried off, changed clothes, and bounced around, filled with a new anticipation.  It was the mid 1980’s, and fireworks were rampant in my neighborhood.  As we all bundled up and curled up on lounge chairs, we watched the fireworks explode in the air above the bay in our backyard.  Topped off with dessert, the official celebration came to a close.

The day ended much like it began with mom, dad, and grandma bustling around the house.  But, now it was time to clean up.  My brother, cousin(s), and I were never ready to let the day come to an end.  We continued to snack on hot dogs and other leftovers as we ran up and down the block until we were lassoed and put to bed.

Today, through the lenses of age and wisdom, I realize that the family togetherness I cherish so much would not be possible if not for our founding fathers.  No, it’s not just that the holiday would not exist.  But, my ancestors, like those of so many others, came to this country seeking a better life for their families.  Here, they found freedom, diversity, and a land of unlimited possibility.  Where else would my Italian, Irish, and Lebanese relatives mesh into one extended family?  Would the face of my family look the same if not for the melting pot that is this great land of opportunity?  Probably not.

So, as I gather with my family and friends this July 4th, I thank our founding fathers for the freedoms that we, as Americans, enjoy, and in a way, I am grateful to them for shaping who I am today.  Happy July 4th!

5/25: The News Media: It Comes Down to Accuracy and Accountability

Is the media fair?  The question is certainly not a new one.  And with advances in technology, it’s a query that, rightfully, receives renewed attention.

For the record, nearly half of Americans in the latest national Marist Poll — 49% — think the press is generally fair when it comes to its coverage of President Obama.  38% think today’s journalists are unfair.  And, while 49% of residents throughout the nation think the press’ questions toward the president are just tough enough, 37% report they aren’t getting to the heart of the issues.

To those who are cynical of the media, I applaud you.  It is our right and our duty as citizens to question our elected officials.  Unfortunately, though, most of us don’t have and will never have press passes that allow us access to directly challenge our elected officials.  So, we must rely on our surrogates in the press.

Now, many of you might be thinking, “Not any more.  We don’t need the traditional press to uncover the truth. We can research the facts on the Internet, and spread the truth in our blogs.”  As a blogger, I am not one to throw stones.  But, I have to admit.  A hole exists in that logic.  Journalistic standards are often left out of the equation.

One woman who is innately aware of the media’s power and responsibility is also one who could never be accused of avoiding the tough questions, the First Lady of the White House Press Corps, Helen Thomas.  Recently, Ms. Thomas honored the Marist community with a visit to our Poughkeepsie campus and shared her experiences, sagacity, and quick wit with students, faculty, and members of the local community.  And, of course, the fearless Thomas was not shy about tackling the issue of new media.

While Ms. Thomas does believe that those living in a democratic society should be involved in reporting the news, their attempts should not come at the expense of accuracy.  ”Everyone with a laptop thinks they are a journalist.  Everyone with a cell phone thinks they are a photographer,” stated Ms. Thomas.  ”They don’t have any of our standards, none of our ethics.  They don’t understand that we only hold people accountable when we feel we have the privilege to find out the truth.”

Those last two sentences really say it all.  The pursuit of truth should not occur, because someone has a political ax to grind or an agenda to feed.  If either of those is the rationale for digging up dirt, it’s not the pursuit of truth.  It’s the pursuit to uncover something which will promote one’s self-interest.

Think about it.  Anyone can write a blog for the entire world to see.  Are all of those writers unbiased?  Are their stories accurate?  Do they misrepresent the subject matter?  In fact, how can the average reader know if what they’re reading is credible?  The short answer is they don’t.  In traditional journalism, editors make sure their writers adhere to standards that present the facts.  With the emergence of new media, that filter is removed.  Citizen journalists are not held accountable for their publications.

Not all citizen journalists have an agenda, and not all blogs are biased.  In fact, there are many reputable online publications.  But, in order to weed out the fact from the fiction, the every day Joe and Jane need to play an active role.  Each of us needs to research and uncover whether we can trust a particular author.

News flash!  Not everything on the Internet is true.  It’s a lesson we teach our students at Marist every day.  Just as we need to be critical of our traditional media and ensure they are holding our elected officials accountable, we, too, need to question those in the new media and hold them to a similar ethical standard.

5/20: A Farewell to One of MIPO’s Shining Stars

Nick Mayr shouldn’t be graduating this spring.

No.  Mayr, 21, has not fallen prey to an ailing academic record in need of life support.  Rather, Mayr’s drive and determination have led him to complete his undergraduate studies in three years time.  And, it’s that perseverance which has contributed to Mayr’s selection as The Marist Poll’s featured student.

Like many of MIPO’s supervisors and interviewers, Mayr began his polling “career” by signing up at Marist’s job fair his freshman year.  Although he was familiar with the poll, he didn’t know just what he was in for once he walked through the phone room door.

“I was excited.  I was excited.  I wasn’t really sure what to expect,” says Mayr.  ”I didn’t really understand the kind of work we did or what it would mean to be an interviewer, what that might require, how it would work.  It was a pretty blank page.”

But, that blank page soon filled in.  Taken with survey methodology, the political science major began studying related coursework with Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, during the 2008 presidential primary season.

“Nick is the model MIPO student,” says Miringoff. “He’s intelligent, hard working, and really embraced the opportunities afforded to him both in and outside of the classroom.”

Mayr’s interest in political science developed at an early age, and so it’s probably not surprising that this self-described “organizer of people” and “builder of systems” became energized by witnessing firsthand how survey data came to life during the historic 2008 primary season.

“I was doing the polling at work.  I was talking about the polling in class, and we were watching the election unfold,” recalls Mayr.  “It was pretty exciting.”

The interconnectedness of his coursework and employment in the MIPO office had an added benefit, too.  It provided Mayr with a broader understanding of the American political debate.

“I have a much better appreciation for where the numbers that are being batted around in the media or by politicians in talking points actually come from, and what it actually takes to get that information, [and] how it’s disseminated,” states Mayr.

Mayr’s interests, though, extend far beyond the survey center.  He enjoys travel and participated in three short-term educational programs abroad during his three years at Marist.  Mayr’s journeys took him to Italy, South Africa, and Israel.  And, of the three, he cites South Africa as his favorite.  It was there that Mayr was able to participate in issues of the developing world, an area of strong interest to him, and he came face-to-face with a polling experience while in the country.

“I realized one day it’s a country that’s kind of straddling the border between first world and third world,” remarks Mayr.  “It really floored me because it made me wonder where we get the information we get about the very poorest of the poor.  How we get it and what we do with it and what it really reflects, because it would be impossible to call them up or to do a web survey which is something we can do here, but we can’t do there.”

His travels to South Africa also affected this socially aware 21 year old in another way.  Mayr says he has always been committed to improving the world.  But, he had a very “hands off” attitude.  Like many, to an extent, he accepted the socioeconomic disparities that exist in the world, reasoning that there was a special type of person who could make a difference, and that person wasn’t him.  However, that all changed after visiting South Africa.

“I think normal people make a tremendous difference in the world,” states Mayr who goes on to say, “I recognized that if there were simple answers, they would have been found already.  If there were people who were specifically talented with this…. then, the rest of us could step back, but there aren’t.  And, when we outsource the responsibility to care, people are left alone.”

So, what’s next for this insightful, 2010 college graduate?  After receiving the MIPO Excellence Award and the top designation in political science at baccalaureate ceremonies and his degree at graduation, he will attend Johns Hopkins University in the fall, pursuing a Masters Degree in Public Policy.

But, before he steps off the Marist College campus, Mayr has one very big piece of advice for all those interested in working at The Marist Poll.

“If you’re an incoming freshman, don’t think that you [have to] come into The Marist Poll with skills or with a drive or even a very serious interest,” Mayr counsels.  “If you come, and you are open to the experience, and you are committed to doing your best, the place will open up to you, and you can follow it where you think you fit.”

4/20: Tug-of-War: Technology’s Impact on Plagiarism

I don’t care what you call it.  Using another writer’s words and claiming them as your own is wrong.  And, yes, there is a common word associated with the practice — stealing.

Don’t take my word for it.  According to Merriam-Webster.com, to “plagiarize” someone’s work is:

“to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own : use  (another’s production) without crediting the source.”

But, is the outrage over plagiarism outdated?  If you were to ask a highly lauded 17-year-old author from Germany, the answer is, “Yes.”  Helene Hegemann is the “author” of Axolotl Roadkill in which she lifted passages from unattributed sources.

According to a recent New York Times article, Hegemann did not offer an apology for what many, including myself, would call plagiarism.  Rather, she offered a mea culpa for not being “more open about her sources,” and said that she is “representative of a different generation” which “mixes” information from both new and old media.

Am I the only one who sees something wrong with this?  First of all, words are property just like a car or a piece of jewelry.  Would we excuse Ms. Hegemann’s behavior if she walked into a department store and walked out with a “free” bracelet, using the excuse that the vast variety of products on the market allows her to freely take the accessory to mix and match with her own?

Perhaps, equally disturbing is that Ms. Hegemann was not disqualified from the Leipzig Book Fair where she was chosen as a finalist.  In fact, the panel of jurors knew Ms. Hegemann was accused of plagiarism before the finalists were even chosen!

There is, though, a bright spot of hope for the future of literature. According to the latest national Marist Poll, half of U.S. residents think the Internet has made it less acceptable to practice plagiarism. To the 35% who say it makes the act more acceptable, I pose this question, “How would you feel if your hard work went uncredited?”

Literature, like any art form, has the ability to both reflect and define a generation.  And, there are some who say what Ms. Hegemann is doing is an offshoot of today’s culture where technology breaks down barriers and bombards us with limitless information.  In fact, that New York Times article describes Ms. Hegemann as being in the middle of Germany’s established literary community and Berlin’s youth who “breathe creativity into old forms.”

Does this mean that the future of literature will be nothing but a regurgitation of others’ creativity?  How will this help societies advance?  Will original thought be replaced by copy and paste commands?

If Ms. Hegemann simply cited her sources, perhaps, she would have been praised universally for creating a new literary genre — one which mashes different fictional works together to create a new piece of prose.  She could have been hailed as innovator who created a new fictional template mirroring today’s technological advancements. Instead, Ms. Hegemann finds herself in the eye of the storm called, “controversy,” and in a tug of war between new and old media.

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