Thursday, April 15, 2004

What people want and need This should have been posted April 13. But it wasn't because of repeated Radio UserLand finicks. And now the news: Kate sent me one of the daily entries from Minnesota Public Radio's "The Writer's Almanac." I like it. That's an official endorsement, though be assured no money changed hands for it. It's a nice collection of daily trivia on writerly stuff that wanders into historical stuff. The other day was the anniversary of the opening of Galileo's trial, so the almanac contained a short essay on why Galileo mattered and still does. Yesterday, or now the day before yesterday, the 13th, it was Thomas Jefferson's birthday. He was actually born on April 2 in 1743 -- so I count him as a birthday pal -- but the date was moved when Britain and the colonies ditched the Julian calendar for the Gregorian in 1752. No extra charge for that information -- I've always been fascinated by the idea of a bunch of people having their birthdays changed. But what I really wanted to write about was this note in the little almanac section on Eudora Welty, also born on the 13th: "She tried getting a job in advertising but, she said, 'It was too much like sticking pins into people to make them buy things they didn't need or really want.' " So two things: First, that's why I think I am/would be no good at selling or promoting or marketing stuff -- goods, merchandise, services that you ought to pay for if you want to be sated, satisfied, or successful. A voice inside says, "You know, this is really in my interest, not yours, to take this off my hands. And is it really as good as I'm telling you it is? And is it what you need?" But -- and this is point two -- I think the reason I've stuck to news or things that closely resemble news is that I've always believed and felt, mind and heart, that it's something people really do need and want. Still do, and that's what makes the job fun still even if you hear me whining. 12:28:47 AM    comment []

© Copyright 2004 Dan Brekke.