or Powell's or me• • •
"Mike and Jon, Jon and Mike—I've known them both for years, and, clearly, one of them is very funny. As for the other: truly one of the great hangers-on of our time."—Steve Bodow, head writer, The Daily Show
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"Who can really judge what's funny? If humor is a subjective medium, then can there be something that is really and truly hilarious? Me. This book."—Daniel Handler, author, Adverbs, and personal representative of Lemony Snicket
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"The good news: I thought Our Kampf was consistently hilarious. The bad news: I’m the guy who wrote Monkeybone."—Sam Hamm, screenwriter, Batman, Batman Returns, and Homecoming
September 09, 2005
I Am Impressed
I'm a grumpy malcontent and generally don't get enthusiastic about anything. But I'm impressed with Independent World Television.
IWT wants to build a real television news network without government funding or advertising revenue; essentially the plan is just to ask people for money. At first glance I thought this was ABSOLUTELY CRAZY. But no. They are trying to appeal to the entire English speaking worldâ€â€ie, not just in the US but also Canada, England, Australia, even India. And if they can get one million people to pony up $100 per year, they'd have more than enough cash.
Add to this the fact that IWT is made up of serious people who actually know what they're doing, and that they've already gotten serious startup money both from foundations and the Canadian Auto Workers.
Beyond that, I just like their general social-movement-can-do-non-sourpuss attitude. I urge you to check them out, watch their video, and read the thoughts of IWT Chair Paul Jay on Hurricane Katrina, complete with historical references.
Posted at September 9, 2005 09:03 AM | TrackBackThis sounds like a very promising development.
Posted by: Jonathan versen at September 10, 2005 02:13 AM
