Tuesday News: Tim Wu and Matthew Inman on net neutrality, clickbait defined, and the subversive virtues of Jane the Virgin

JanetPublishing Newsclickbait / common carriers / Internet Service Providers / net neutrality / romantic comedy / Telecommunications Act / telenovela / television9 Comments

Tim Wu says Obama’s net neutrality plan is “bold, courageous, and just obvious” – US President Obama made a very strong statement yesterday in favor of net neutrality. Not surprisingly, some Republicans made strongly worded objections to Obama’s support of net neutrality. Specifically, Obama wants Internet Service Providers to be reclassified as common carriers under the Telecommunications Act, which would allow them to be regulated like phone companies. Tim Wu, who is responsible for the term “net neutrality,” talks a bit about how the President’s message has created political pressure on the FCC, and how they are now in the middle, between Obama, the Republicans, and the companies themselves, which, understandably, do not want this level of regulation.

What’s the point of being in the middle if you’re the FCC at this point, unless you really think it’s better in some way? If they stay in the middle, they’re kind of naked right now — there’s no one there with them. It’s not like Congress is gonna help out. Congress is going to be against any version of the net neutrality rule, the tech companies are against any compromise. Sometimes, the middle can end up being a very dangerous place.

The only concern I have is that there’s too much chaos. My main concern is delay. –The Verge

Dear Senator Ted Cruz, I’m going to explain to you how Net Neutrality ACTUALLY works – US Senator Ted Cruz referred to net neutrality “Obamacare for the Internet.” Matthew Inman wrote a brilliant, hilarious, hilariously brilliant response. It’s unquotable, so you just need to read it.  –The Oatmeal

The many different ways publishers define ‘clickbait’ – In the wake of Ben Smith — Buzfeed’s news editor-in-chief — insisting that Buzzed does not engage in clickbait (pause for major eye roll), Digiday collected some opinions on the definition of clickbait from some other digital publishers. You have to read the whole thing, but I offer Slate’s definition below (and I’m doing so with a completely straight face, even though you can’t see it):

Julia Turner, editor-in-chief, Slate
Clickbait is the pejorative and suggests a headline making a promise that the story it links to doesn’t keep. The headline baits you into clicking, and then you’re just a fish on a hook, dragged through a sea of display ads without the satisfaction of a good meal. Clickbait begets disappointed readers, and that’s never a good thing; we strive mightily to avoid it on Slate.

However, most Web writers and editors do have thoughts on which topics are “clicky” — which is the non-pejorative term I usually hear for a subject that readers will be interested in and thus might click on. There’s no shame in thinking about what’s “clicky”: It’s basically another word for “interesting” or “enticing,” factors editors have been considering for time immemorial. –Digiday

Here Is Why You Should Be Watching the Wonderful Jane the Virgin – This is the episode in which I admit that my cynical preconceptions about “Jane the Virgin” were — for the most part — undeserved. The self-awareness of the show makes it so much fun to watch, and the emotional authenticity of the performances, despite the melodrama of the plot, reflects some really talented actors and smart storytelling. Adapted from a Venezuelan telenovela, it’s definitely got some Rom Com and HP elements that may appeal to Romance readers, and it’s also got this sly combination of subversion of stereotypes and emotional earnestness that I’ve found pretty irresistible. Despite the ridiculous premise, I highly recommend the series – just make sure you start from the beginning, or catch up as quickly as possible, since there are so many intertwined storylines to keep up with.

The whimsy factor of the show will certainly appeal to fans of Bryan Fuller’s earlier work like Pushing Daisies and Wonderfalls, or the similarly campy Ugly Betty. And like those (also excellent) shows, there’s a real decency to the characters here. There are a few scoundrels, of course, but even they have a core being — there’s nothing arbitrary about the conflicts or even the villainy. Each part of the story is driven by clear character wants, informed by their backstories, and complicated by their loyalties. Sometimes I wonder why the characters on, say, Scandal are acting the way they are. I don’t wonder that on JTV. –The Vulture

Janet

isn't sure if she's an average Romance reader, or even an average reader, but a reader she is, enjoying everything from literary fiction to philosophy to history to poetry. Historical Romance was her first love within the genre, but she's fickle and easily seduced by the promise of a good read. She approaches every book with the same hope: that she will be filled from the inside out with something awesome that she didnʼt know, didnʼt think about, or didnʼt feel until that moment. And she's always looking for the next mind-blowing read, so feel free to share any suggestions!

→ Janet