Three years ago, around this very same time, I sent out my declaration of independence from big media. I thought it was worth a smile, but I was also trying to send a serious message. Amidst the soaring newsprint prices and declining ad revenues, the media corporations have more to worry about.

Browsing the job sites today, I stumbled across hidden text on this Yahoo listing. At first I thought Yahoo was behind it, but giving it a minute and thinking about it, I bet it's the person who posted the ad who did it.

One of the threads on Poynter's Online-News mailing list over the last week or so was Frequency: Our Toughest Challenge. Greg Harmon of Belden Associates had some good thoughts I want to share here (with permission.)

Greg Harmon wrote:

The following is a true story (without malice) of my experiences dealing with Jay Flannagan (Jay Flanagan) and Alex Halasz, who own a building at 1529 1/2 South A in Elwood, Indiana.

This was pretty simple, but no one in the area is doing it yet. The readers seem to like the idea and it makes sense to ask them what questions they want answered. Of course, there's still a need for a gatekeeper, an editor, a JOURNALIST, but I've always seen a need for that. Indeed, I've seen a need for more of that.

Ok, take a look at the screengrab with this post. The Herald Bulletin has the top spot (with whatever they're calling the extra links under it this month), plus a More results from theheraldbulletin.com », then *another* for www.theheraldbulletin.com, then *two more* for just www.heraldbulletin.com (which appears to be a mirror?).

Citizen Journalism as a term must die this year. I mean, just a little further and we'd be calling it 'Human Journalism...'

Anyone agree you're L7 if you use it?

I've had this idea since I first saw it online for L.A. and New York, etc., but always thought it would take tons of resources to pull it off. I talked with Al Jordan (The Computer Dude - who runs ElwoodIndiana.org) about the idea and he ran with it.

I'm looking to take on one or two small/medium projects. Rates are only $40/hour and include a holistic view of your project - technical, design, marketing, etc. If you know someone needing work done, please pass along my contact info. Questions? (765) 557-0576 or kpaul.mallasch@gmail.com I

Various quotes and thoughts to ponder this week.

The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it. ~ Chinese Proverb

"Tell me, I will forget. Show me, I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand."~ Chinese Proverb