Author Archives: Ralph Hanson

Meet my blogging students

Posted on January 11, 2018 by Ralph Hanson

This spring I’m teaching JMC 406 – Commentary and Blogging, a course I first taught 30 years ago this winter. (Of course, when I first taught it, there was not a blogging component, given that blogging didn’t exist yet…) Here … Continue reading →

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Neil Postman’s Amusing Ourselves To Death is as relevant now as it was more than 30 years ago

Posted on January 8, 2018 by Ralph Hanson

Back in 1985, NYU communication professor Neil Postman published his book Amusing Ourselves To Death. This book has had an influence on me my entire academic career.  Among the reasons it had such an impact on me was this interview C-SPAN … Continue reading →

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Questions Worth Asking (Maybe) – Fire and Fury Edition

Posted on January 4, 2018 by Ralph Hanson

Writer/journalist Michael Wolff has a the new book Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House being published imminently, and it’s attracting lots of Questions Worth Asking (Maybe)! Sounds interesting.  Where can I read it without buying the book? A … Continue reading →

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Disney To Acquire Large Portions of 21st Century Fox

Posted on December 24, 2017 by Ralph Hanson

Yes, I know this was news a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been busy, and this will be around for a long time, assuming it gets approved… There’s been a lot of talk lately about one of media conglomerates acquiring … Continue reading →

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More Bridges of Buffalo County

Posted on December 17, 2017 by Ralph Hanson

Earlier this fall, thanks to a post on an ADVRIDER discussion board (for people who go on motorcycle adventures…), I discovered the website Bridgehunter.com.  Bridge Hunter is a database of historic and notable bridges around the United States and is a … Continue reading →

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Is a Wedding Cake Free Speech? Or Is That Even The Question?

Posted on December 6, 2017 by Ralph Hanson

Update: Here’s how the court ruled. On Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017 the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the case of Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. In 2012, back when marriage equality was yet to be … Continue reading →

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How MSNBC/NBC is Covering the Matt Lauer Abuse/Firing Story

Posted on November 30, 2017 by Ralph Hanson

Yesterday, I posted an inventory of about 15 major journalism and media figures who have been accused of sexual harassment or abuse over the last year or two.  I’ve spoken with a number of people about this list, and where … Continue reading →

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A Brief History of Accusations (and Consequences) of Sexual Misconduct by Media Figures

Posted on November 29, 2017 by Ralph Hanson

A brief history of recent accusations and consequences of sexual misconduct by media figures: News Item 1‘Today’ show host Matt Lauer fired after claims of ‘inappropriate sexual behavior’ – WaPo https://t.co/luFyYbCezZ — RalphIsNow@rhanson40@threads.net (@ralphehanson) November 29, 2017 Consequences to Date: … Continue reading →

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The Bridges of Buffalo County

Posted on November 27, 2017 by Ralph Hanson

Earlier today, thanks to a post on an ADVRIDER discussion board (for people who go on motorcycle adventures…), I discovered the website Bridgehunter.com.  Bridge Hunter is a database of historic and notable bridges around the United States and is a great … Continue reading →

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Annie Proulx in praise of the happy ending

Posted on November 17, 2017 by Ralph Hanson

Annie Proulx just won the National Book Award Medal for Distinguished Contribution, and she gave a wonderful acceptance speech in praise of the happy ending.  Here are some highlights, but you can read the whole thing over at Vulture: “Although … Continue reading →

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