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It's not all bad; REALLY!
People don’t hold back their opinions when they find out that I am a journalist. Many tell me they consider reading newspapers to be a negative experience.
They say this is due, in large part, to the problems piled high across the pages. I realize that presenting a counterpoint in a column called “The Joy of Life” would be preaching to the choir. But I would like to revel in journalism’s ability to be uplifting amongst my compatriots.
While the goal of journalists is to spread useful information, we also hope to entertain as well.
Take, for instance, the recent MSNBC story about scientists using computers to decode dogs’ speech. I am happy to report that some scientists actually think it’s a high priority to figure out when dogs want to play versus when they are looking for a hug.
Then there was last week’s AP story about a Swedish university that intends to spend $590,000 to study how 20 cows burp. (Researchers want to measure the greenhouse gases released when a cow belches.)
We were also treated last week to a follow-up story about Alfred, the one-eyed seal who was rescued in New Jersey waters a year ago.
When he was scooped out of the ocean, he was a puny 90 pounds. Experts said his blindness kept him from catching fish. He has since doubled his weight and now lives in sunny LA with four female companions and a Barry White record collection.
For a further pick-me-up, how about the Wisconsin man who reported a laptop, Palm Pilot, GPS unit and digital camera stolen. Then he received a phone call. The caller told him his items would be returned within a day. They were, everything but the GPS unit. (I guess the thief needed to find their way home!)
How about Maine’s Elizabeth Emerson? She is a senior citizen living on a tight budget. When she mentioned in the New York Times that she loved chocolate, readers felt compelled to satisfy her sweet tooth. The 87-year-old received chocolate from across the country.
Last month the Hershey Company also sent her an assortment. She now has more candy than she can eat.
"I couldn't believe it. I laughed more than anything. All that fuss over little old me," Emerson told the Bangor Daily News.
Of course if I wanted to encourage the stereotype of journalists being negative, I could point out that Emerson now has a new problem.
"I can only eat so much chocolate," she said.
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