Enough hate for "The Daily" already

Updated on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at 10:11 PM by Logan Molen

I don't get the hate that's already cropping up for Rupert Murdoch's planned tablet-only news product tentatively titled "The Daily." 

I get that Murdoch is evil in a lot of media circles. But what's the harm in letting someone try something that goes against the grain? In an age where there are no sure things when it comes to monetizing news online, shouldn't we celebrate someone with a big bag of cash funding an experiment that might work? Nope, at least among critics postulating recently at Fast Company, "This Week in Google" and more. 

What kills me is too many of these critics are basing their hate on the idea of a "newspaper" online. In fact, Murdoch is proposing a tablet-only product, which opens up all kinds of fresh opportunities in retooling - but not mimicking - the things that make newspapers authoritative and valued. The guys at "This Week in Media" said as much this week. Oddly, none of them have print backgrounds. Hmm. 

OK, a little background on the drama for newbies. 

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Don't be a dick

When adversity strikes, sharp people see opportunity. Others struggle, often resorting to anger as they search for comfort.

That scenario unfolded Sunday when I received a mass email from a New Jersey real estate marketer. I have no idea how I got on the list (it was addressed "Dear Editor") but I get lots of spam so just deleted it. However, a few recipients soon "replied all" and asked to be taken off the list.

OK, I wouldn't have "replied all," but it's an understandable oversight.

That's when things went haywire. When you "reply all," everyone gets the response. People who don't grasp what's going on freak out, "replying all" to be removed from the list, only compounding the problem. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Within minutes, and after probably a half-dozen panicked replies/unsubscribe requests, a person from a Jersey web-design company chimed in, using an expletive in ALL CAPS admonishing anyone reading to stop replying to the email.

I understood his anger, but dropping an F-bomb attached to your business signature isn't too smart. Neither is adding the phrase "Actually knows what's going on" in signing off.

So, here's what umpteen people learned from this Sunday:

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Not Lame dies, but power-pop dreams survive

The video above captures an endearing albeit sometimes rambling Bruce Brodeen, owner of Not Lame Records, confirming the closure of the leading power-pop label and his move on to other music ventures (more on that below). 

We knew Not Lame's closure was coming for months, but it's still tough to swallow for hardcore fans of the power-pop genre.  Brodeen is among its leading ambassadors, and Not Lame's demise is confirmation that power pop simply was and probably will remain a niche. 

I'll remember Bruce and Not Lame for:

1. His "Lost in the Haze" series of power pop "mix tapes" (only on CD) that he'd toss in with some orders. Every "Haze" disc would contain a few forgotten gems (like The Pop's "Down on the Boulevard"), and few stunning discoveries and a half-dozen solid tracks that collectively made for repeat listens. These handmade discs came from the heart, and were unique rewards for regular customers. 

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