I just went to buzzfeed and took a look. I didn't see anything of note - lots of clickbait, and nothing that you can't find anywhere else. The patient is terminal.
I'm a big fan - have only been following you the past few months, but have really enjoyed your pieces and podcast appearances, and even got the Canarsie book based on your review, which was fascinating.
That said, I'm disappointed to hear that you're joining the NYT. Aside from the paper's questionable ethics - both in terms of their handling of the contributors' letter from last month and the still unresolved question regarding the publisher's conflict of interest in their NY-10 endorsement last year - the paper only seems to be getting bigger by the year, poaching talent and market share from smaller publications with different viewpoints. While I agree the BuzzFeed model is not viable, the NYT's growth makes it harder for other publications to be successful.
I understand. I'd note that I'm not a staffer at NYT - I'm a contributor, which means I can still write elsewhere. I'll be doing a few long form magazine pieces a year and I really like that. I don't think writing for them will change my approach to issues and my authentic voice. I've freelanced on and off for the Times, actually, since 2016.
I just went to buzzfeed and took a look. I didn't see anything of note - lots of clickbait, and nothing that you can't find anywhere else. The patient is terminal.
Hey Ross,
I'm a big fan - have only been following you the past few months, but have really enjoyed your pieces and podcast appearances, and even got the Canarsie book based on your review, which was fascinating.
That said, I'm disappointed to hear that you're joining the NYT. Aside from the paper's questionable ethics - both in terms of their handling of the contributors' letter from last month and the still unresolved question regarding the publisher's conflict of interest in their NY-10 endorsement last year - the paper only seems to be getting bigger by the year, poaching talent and market share from smaller publications with different viewpoints. While I agree the BuzzFeed model is not viable, the NYT's growth makes it harder for other publications to be successful.
I understand. I'd note that I'm not a staffer at NYT - I'm a contributor, which means I can still write elsewhere. I'll be doing a few long form magazine pieces a year and I really like that. I don't think writing for them will change my approach to issues and my authentic voice. I've freelanced on and off for the Times, actually, since 2016.