Last One

TRAVEL

Mangia, Mangia!

By MATT GROSS

Published: April 11, 2010

In Italy, home cooks invite strangers in to eat, and eat some more. Why go to a restaurant when you can taste the real thing?

Article Analysis:

Over the course of the semester I have become more withdrawn from the idea of 'hard news'. My best day will never be someone's worst day. I will never be able to grip a camera and watch as someone suffers, carefully adjusting the ISO or the shutter speed. One thing, however, has remained constant: my love for travel. I could read travel articles all day long. I am enamored by the idea of going somewhere new and writing about how beautiful people can be, how wonderful (or terrible) the food can taste and how the air smells when it rains.

My words can flow from my fingertips when I am in the mood. If I had just eaten an amazing home-cooked Italian meal in Italy, I could write ten thousand words.

Do Not Fear Losing a Hand

BUSINESS

Grabbing Gracefully, With Replacement Fingers

By ANNE EISENBERG

Published: April 9, 2010

A Scottish company’s motorized prosthetic fingers bend so that the user can more easily pick up a piece of paper, dial a cellphone or hold a glass of wine.

Article Analysis:

Great quote at the end. A perfect quote to tie that story together. The writer was very lucky.

Druuuuugsss duuuuudddeee.

SCIENCE

Hallucinogens Have Doctors Tuning In Again

By JOHN TIERNEY

Published: April 11, 2010

Scientists are studying the drugs’ potential for treating mental problems and illuminating consciousness.

Article Analysis:

If I can be frank; LSD and psilocybins's definitely cured my depression. Amazing article. It hit home with me, and is a testament to the fact that the NY Times is fucking brilliant.

Yay, for human contact!

Health
Well: Surprisingly, Family Time Has Grown
By By TARA PARKER-POPE
Published: April 5, 2010
A new study shows that parents are spending more time with their families than did parents of earlier generations.

Article Analysis:

Meh, not my favorite. Loses momentum at the end.

Smiling with Her Eyes

Health
Seeking Emotional Clues Without Facial Cues
By BENEDICT CAREY
Published: April 5, 2010
People with facial paralysis have no trouble reading others’ expressions, a study finds.

Article Analysis:

Audio slideshow trumps article. Maybe it's because you are hearing her "voice"...literally.

Foster Children Foster Bad Futures?

U.S.
Study Finds More Woes Following Foster Care
By ERIK ECKHOLM
Published: April 6, 2010
Problems like unemployment, crime and poverty follow many young people after they “age out” of the foster care program.

Article Analysis:

The article flows nicely till the last sentence; though it does seem a little like an infomercial. "Adopt this law now, and get your money matched for free!"

Hearing from an over 21-year-old foster kid gave the story a bit more depth. Though it would have been nice to hear from a girl. Or hear from someone who turned out well? I realize stories need to have an angle, but it is nice to get the full circle.

I Feel Lucky to Live in a Fire Safe Nation

World
Emergency in Kyrgyzstan as Police Fire on Protesters
By CLIFFORD J. LEVY
Published: April 7, 2010
Large antigovernment protests broke out in the capital and riot police fired on crowds that tried to storm federal buildings, killing at least 17 people.

Article Analysis:

I love these "story articles". They flow nicely and have a definite beginning and definite end. Sometimes I felt like I was reading a war novel. Nicely done.

I am realizing more and more how much I love the NY Times. I think I might be their biggest fan... Now if only I can get them to hire me as a travel writer...

I have to write 8 more posts. I'm going to post the articles and then get back with the analysis later on.

Great Title

Autos
Scoring the Electric Mini Acid Test
By LAWRENCE ULRICH
Published: March 25, 2010
After leasing Mini E electric vehicles for a number of months, many of the drivers in a test program run by the company have become enthusiastic advocates.

Watched the video, very informative.

I want one!

Weather

Science
Among Weathercasters, Doubt on Warming
By LESLIE KAUFMAN
Published: March 29, 2010
Meteorologists, familiar faces in people’s living rooms, are far more likely to question the science of climate change.

I can't believe meteorologists would question climate change. Yesterday it was hot, today it is cold. That is strange. It didn't get cold until the beginning of January in Florida.

I wish climatologists could be the weather people.

Holes

U.S.
Militia Charged With Plotting to Murder Officers
By NICK BUNKLEY and CHARLIE SAVAGE
Published: March 29, 2010
Members of a Christian militia were indicted on sedition and weapons charges in connection with an alleged plot to murder law enforcement officers.

Why were the sons arrested? The writers mention twice that the first son was arrested, and then mentions again that two sons were arrested. What for? Were they part of the militia? I hate holes in the story!

Space!

Science
Large Hadron Collider Finally Smashing Properly
By DENNIS OVERBYE
Published: March 30, 2010
Following two false starts, the world’s biggest physics machine began to collide subatomic particles on Tuesday.

So, tell me again what they're going to do now that it's working?

How Many Executions Today, Honey?

World
China Leads the World in Executions, Report Says
By MARK McDONALD
Published: March 30, 2010
China executed “thousands” in 2009, more than the rest of the world combined, Amnesty International said.

It's strange how Amnesty International is considered "one voice", and the reporter could not quote a person who worked for Amnesty International.

Business
Media Decoder: TLC Acquires ‘Sarah Palin’s Alaska’
By By BRIAN STELTER
Published: March 25, 2010
Discovery Communications' TLC cable channel has acquired "Sarah Palin's Alaska," a documentary series about the former Alaska governor and her state.

NOOOOOO! That is all.

World

Vatican Declined to Defrock U.S. Priest Who Abused Boys

By LAURIE GOODSTEIN

Published: March 24, 2010

Vatican officials, including the future Pope Benedict XVI, did not defrock a priest who molested as many as 200 deaf boys, even after warnings from several bishops, church files show.

Article analysis:

Wow, that was a depressing story. We hear so much about the Catholic church and molestation of young boys, but nothing is ever done about it. I highly doubt that God approves of molestation. It's all sick. So, so sick.

The article covered everything and gave an in-depth story with great quotes. I just wish the Vatican was not so secretive. Why try and hide sins? I guess they are all ashamed.

Thrash Mobs

U.S.

Mobs Are Born as Word Grows by Text Message

By IAN URBINA

Published: March 24, 2010

In Philadelphia, so-called flash mobs of teenagers sprint through the streets, sometimes brawling and vandalizing.

Article analysis:

Good quotes, nice coverage. Would have been nice to read some quotes by teenagers who have been "texted" but didn't attend, did attend.

Interesting story, Boring article

U.S.

Trial in Same-Sex Marriage Case Is Challenged

By ADAM LIPTAK

Published: March 22, 2010

Opponents of California’s ban on same-sex marriage are questioning the legitimacy of a trial held in January.

It's a boring, boring blah-blah lead with some boring sentences, and to top it off: more boring sentences!

What an incredibly interesting article that should have been rewarded with a personal story to start it off. Something!

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

I love these third person stories; a person telling a story about person telling a story about a person's story. And I'm not being sarcastic. The video to the left of the article shows stunning photographs shrouded in shadows. Usually photojournalism is about catching an expression, a moment. Sheng shows solitude, fear and a person torn between two things; work and lifestyle.

Fashion & Style

He Asked. They Told.

By LAURIE WINER

Published: March 17, 2010

A photographer uses his art to push for social change for gays in the military.

I Remember Mister Rogers

I'm extremely certain that I would be a completely different person today if my mother had not let me watch Mister Rogers. There are videos of me when I was two, my eyes intently focused on the small television screen in Louisiana, mouthing the words to 'Won't you be my neighbor?'.

He was like the grandfather that I never had. Teaching me about friendship, being honest and taking turns.

U.S.

‘Mister Rogers’ Still Big in Pittsburgh

By SEAN D. HAMILL

Published: March 16, 2010

Fred Rogers died in 2003, and while many children nationwide no longer see his TV show, images and memories of him abound in the city where he lived and worked.

http://www.HealthCare

Health

At Ohio Rally, Obama Tries to Personalize the Health Care Bill

By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG

Published: March 15, 2010

At a seniors’ center, President Obama talked about a cleaning woman who had dropped her costly insurance plan, only to discover she had leukemia.

Article analysis:

I would not consider this article an inverted pyramid at all. It kept my attention from beginning to end, and sadly I know hardly anything about the Health Care Bill. My parents take care of my health care and will take care of it until I graduate university. The newsworthiness of this article does not affect me, yet I read this article from the first to the last paragraph.