Knowledge & the double edged sword
Author: 60 Plus
Date: 06-06-2018 - 04:36
There's a conglomeration of items I know plays into this situation, some have been mentioned, others may not have even been thought of. I wonder what the magazine would be like if DPM was around TODAY for starts. The industry has changed drastically; it's no longer the door to door service we had 50 years ago...it's no longer the "craft" of an industry either. (This is where we can argue about the past of taking pride in your job versus today's employees being there just for the check) But inasmuch as we could blame the railroad industry (can't write about 40' boxcars; they aren't used anymore!) the magazine industry can take some of the blame as well. I want to give quarter to Margaret in regards to suitable articles, but you can also toss in the situation of applicable photography. However, as a former shipper as well as a retired railroad employee, I shake my head at the people who have been behind the desk at Trains magazine. I think they dropped the ball in regards to a several industrial items that could have been reported on. But, this is where the question lies; are they OBLIGATED to report the dirty underside of the industry? There are numerous business and personnel issues that have sprouted DECADES later from the Staggers Act...they don't even get mentioned; shoot I'm betting they weren't even ANTICIPATED. It's the elephant in the room at this point in time that nobody is supposedly interested in. That's just one of the examples I can come up with at this point in time. Now, in regards to the butt kissing that Ignatz harshly accuses...it WAS interesting to remember certain photographers being published in certain magazines ONLY...I'll leave it at that! There's no question I can find out the latest news on the internet within minutes of the occurrence...the magazines are going to have to reinvent themselves with interesting FEATURES if they want to remain on the market, and that's if they can find the people still interested in writing those articles. Good luck on that one as plenty of bridges have been burnt in the meantime. I wouldn't even recommend working for the railroad anymore, let alone writing about it.