Issue #69
Last Update October 31, 2010
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Commentary September 2009 This month marks the beginning of our ninth year of publication. Our first issue, September 2001, was almost ready to publish when 9/11 occurred. Some of the articles we had planned seemed trivial compared with the seriousness of the times, and we quickly replaced them with a few articles acknowledging the events of that day. From that rocky beginning, we have built an on-line magazine that comments on national and world events, translates into layman's terms cutting-edge developments in finance and technology, reads and summarizes the documents that most legislators (and newspeople) don't bother to read, but which affect the lives of all of us, and reviews restaurants, plays, concerts, CDs and books. Occasional humorous pieces have appeared, some of them satirical and some of them just lighthearted. We have tried to keep to a monthly schedule, with occasional time off for good behavior, so that we can remain timely commentators on the issues of the day.
Our format and appearance have evolved over time, and that evolution is not complete. We have plans to include more photos and graphics, and will eventually provide sound files and some video, where warranted. We have always been free to our readers, and have no plans to change to a paid model in any way. We have also been advertising-free, and have no current plans to change that, although situations may eventually dictate otherwise. Our current revenue model suits us, but is somewhat restrictive, so it may change.
There has never been, and never will be, a shortage of developments for us to comment on. Politically, the US is in a period of change that has us hopeful, but countervailing forces are strong, so we will monitor progress in health-care, civil liberties, military activity, infrastructure and the environment most carefully, and report to you, the reader, on the trends we perceive. Internationally, the movement towards greater political consolidation, as exemplified by the EU and the nascent Pacific version thereof, is a good sign that diverse peoples can cooperate for the good of all. Struggling against this is religious fundamentalism, Eastern European nationalism, governmental corruption and degradation of the environment. New York Stringer (despite its local name) has always embraced a world view, and will keep that broad focus in the coming year.
Technological revolutions are in progress as well. The data revolution, now epitomized by the spread of smart phones that give everyone instant access to news, communication with friends and business associates, directions to their destination, answers to almost any kind of question and the location of the nearest Pizza Hut, wifi access point, motel or bookstore, is shaking up our economy, our relationships and our knowledge of the world around us. Surely we live in interesting times, and fun times as well.
Stay with us as we navigate into the future, commenting as we go.
New York Stringer is published by NYStringer.com. For all communications, contact David Katz, Editor and Publisher, at david@nystringer.com