Moments

        For Craig Wilson, it’s all about the little moments.

Wilson, currently a writer for CBS News in New York, spoke to Camosun’s Persuasive Writing for Web class on Monday. He emphasized the importance in recognizing and seizing those moments, and spoke about a few that shaped his life- the first of which happened over twenty years ago when he was handed an article from the class’ instructor Andy Bryce, who was a colleague of Wilson’s when he was working for CHAT TV in Medicine Hat, Alberta. 

“That article changed my life,” said Wilson.  “And I didn’t know it then.  I sort of viewed it as an extra assignment- like, why do I have to know this?”

The real impact of that article would become more tangible for Wilson in time.  

He eventually lost the job at CHAT (fired, in fact, by Bryce, who said that Wilson was not taking the job seriously- a moment that Wilson sees as an opportunity), and found work promoting Alberta tourism.  While doing this job he met a couple from Europe who was to be married within the week.  The groom was a pacifist from Serbia and could not return to Belgrade or he would be drafted into the Balkan war, so the wedding was to be held in Medicine Hat, the home of the bride’s grandparents.  Wilson helped them with their wedding arrangements, which led to an invitation to the wedding- where he met his future wife, a friend of the bride, who lived in New York.  Wilson sold his possessions and moved to be with her.

Making a fresh start in the Big Apple is no simple task, but Wilson was determined to succeed, and took advantage of another moment to help him get his foot in the door.  While working at CHAT, he had the chance to meet former CBC news anchor Knowlton Nash, who had been visiting Medicine Hat from Toronto.

“In those days, television was way more important than it is today,” said Wilson.  “He was the man.”

Wilson made a call to the CBC newsroom in Toronto to speak with Nash directly.  After mentioning their brief meeting in Medicine Hat (and using some well-placed flattery), Wilson asked only for a name of someone in New York who could help him.  Nash directed Wilson to a friend named Jeanette who worked at CBC UN.  

Once in New York, Wilson began working with Jeanette, covering the Secretary-General’s press briefings, holding a microphone to the likes of Madeleine Albright, and, on one occasion, sharing an elevator with Bishop Desmond Tutu.  Much of his coverage was centred around the explosion of the Balkan war, and his interactions with the young couple in Medicine Hat made their way into the pieces he was writing.  Jeanette eventually recommended Wilson to CBS, and he has been working with them ever since.

Wilson’s moments have not stopped there, though. 

He says that he was once thrown out of the mayor’s office in Medicine Hat, and his “skin tingles” when he finds himself in an environment such as the White House briefing room.

“I have always appreciated the opportunities I have,” said Wilson. 

Even the horrific events of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center changed the way Wilson writes and views tragedies, since he usually must travel to cover bad news.  He went to the World Trade Center site on his bicycle and was on the phone with CBC’s Peter Mansbridge as the second tower fell.

“That was the awakening for me, actually,” said Wilson. “That remnant <of the towers> burned for months underneath… So think of all the chemicals.  It created a smell.  And that smell came into my home.  That was the lesson for me. I get to drop in and leave… I get to eat a hot meal; I get to turn on the tap and clean water comes out.  That’s not the case for most places where bad shit happens.  So that was a really important reminder.”

And that article given to him by Andy Bryce when he was reporting in Medicine Hat?

It was a piece about broadcast pioneer Edward R. Murrow, a man who shaped the future of radio broadcasting by reporting from the scene. He notably stood on a rooftop to use the sounds of the Blitz in London as a backdrop when speaking to an audience in New York.

“I learned about writing,” said Wilson, referring to the article.  “I just thought, to tell a story, you told the facts.  But when you’re using a medium of  television or radio you have to choose your words differently.”

And Wilson chose his words wisely when speaking with Monday’s class.

“What you do here, today… may seem routine.  Great.  Life’s about routine.  Be aware and watch out for the moments, because they change your life.”  

Reform blood donation deferral for MSM

MSM BLOOD DONATION DEFERRAL- NEUFELD- MARCH 18, 2018

Canadian Blood Services (hereinafter referred to as CBS) regularly makes calls for blood donation, with three news releases in the past four months citing “urgent need” as supplies are at “critically low levels”.  However, a large demographic faces an obstacle to donating.  Canadian law states that men who have sex with men (MSM) must wait one year after sexual contact before donating blood, focusing mainly on the possible transmission of HIV.  Advancements in technology and societal beliefs have made the one year deferral period excessive and discriminatory, and it should be reformed.

According to a report by the Centre of Communicable Diseases and Infection Control, of reported HIV cases in 2016 whose exposure categories were known, 44.1% were from MSM contact, with heterosexual contact a close second at 32.3%. (Exposure by injection-drug use made up only 15.1% of reported cases.)  Further, the Public Health Agency estimated in 2014 that 21% of Canadians infected with HIV were undiagnosed.  “Amongst people whose HIV infection was acquired through MSM exposure, approximately 18% were unaware of their infection.  Among those whose HIV infection was acquired through heterosexual contact… approximately 28% were unaware of their HIV-positive status.”  MSM have a slightly higher statistical likelihood of being infected with a blood-borne illness, but they are also more likely to be aware of being infected.  The blood donation screening process relies heavily on trust; what of those “trustworthy” donors who are oblivious to their infection?  

CBS acknowledges that “most public health research has focused on men who have sex with men with behaviours that are considered high risk for infectious disease”.  Current regulation is based on inadequate research differentiating high and low risk MSM. Introducing behaviour-based criteria would allow more men to come forward- for example, those in long-term monogamous relationships.  All blood is tested for infectious disease; screening criteria should be amended to allow low-risk MSM to donate.

CBS says that HIV and Hepatitis C can be detected “within 1 to 2 weeks of the donor being infected”, and Hepatitis B with in a month.  In England, MSM are permitted to donate blood after a three month deferral period.  Why does Canada still impose a one year deferral?  The answer: fear.  According to Historica Canada’s Canadian Encyclopedia, between 1980 and 1985, 2000 Canadians contracted HIV from tainted blood; another 30,000 contracted Hepatitis C between 1980 and 1990. This led to overhauls in Canada’s blood system to prevent such a catastrophe from reoccurring, and advances continue to be made.  The McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment states that though risk levels of receiving tainted blood are currently so low that they “can only be expressed as complex estimations”, residual fears have meant that there is zero tolerance for even minute changes to blood-safety regulation policies. 

Such stagnation will not answer the urgent calls for blood donation. It is time to put aside fear and discriminatory beliefs, take advantage of technological advancements to reduce the one year deferral period, and develop screening criteria that is mindful of MSM from all backgrounds.

References

https://blood.ca/en/blog/2017-03/international-meeting-sets-research-agenda-changing-eligibility-msm-blood-donors

https://blood.ca/en/media-room

https://blood.ca/sites/default/files/External_Surveillance_Report_2015.pdf

https://blood.ca/sites/default/files/mclaughlin_report.pdf

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/krever-inquiry/

https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/documents/services/reports-publications/canada-communicable-disease-report-ccdr/monthly-issue/2017-43/ccdr-volume-43-12-december-7-2017/ccdr-43-12-ar01-eng.pdf

http://www.catie.ca/sites/default/files/2014-HIV-Estimates-in-Canada-EN.pdf

http://www.catie.ca/en/fact-sheets/epidemiology/epidemiology-hiv-canada#footnote1_z5abanr

a real snarky paragraph omitted from my bike lanes piece

The last time I owned a bicycle (before it was stolen) was when I lived in Lethbridge, Alberta.  It was a children’s bike, much too small for me, but I felt safe on it because, frankly, it was short and I wasn’t scared of tipping over.  It was also small enough to legally be ridden on the sidewalk, and I took full advantage of this.  There are no bike lanes in Lethbridge.  There are, however, a lot of engine-gunnin’, gas-guzzlin’, pickup-drivin’ folk who own the road, or at least like to act like they do.  These people shouted slurs and catcalls at me on my bicycle, and on a few occasions, nearly struck me down when trying to cross an intersection.  I can’t imagine trying to share the road with them.

BIKE LANEZ

BIKE LANES- NEUFELD- FEBRUARY 26, 2018

Though driving may be understandably necessary in rural areas, one can reasonably achieve most of their personal transportation needs throughout the Greater Victoria area through combined use of walking, public transit, and cycling.  Driving, though quick and convenient, comes at a cost- The Guardian reported in January that the largest source of greenhouse gas pollution in the U.S. was now vehicle emissions.  Luring drivers away from the convenience of driving means providing appealing alternatives.  Continuing to expand Victoria’s bike lanes will make cycling a more attractive option.

While on-road cycling can be a safe option for experienced cyclists with proper training, the prospect of sharing the road with motor vehicles can be intimidating, particularly for those who are less experienced.  Bike lanes, especially protected ones, invite cyclists of all levels of experience to use them.  In fact, a 2014 study by the Portland State University showed that installation of protected bike lanes in five major U.S. cities increased ridership from between 21 and 171 percent.   

Statistics Canada describes lower rates of bicycle-related collisions and deaths in areas where bike usage is more common, due to a “safety in numbers” mindset.  This phenomenon has also been noted outside of Canada, including in Minneapolis, where cycling tripled between 1993 and 2011, but collisions did not increase. Increased ridership through a quality, expansive bike lane system will, in fact, make biking in Victoria even safer.

Victoria is a progressive city, and the capital of a progressive province.  We have an opportunity to set an example of how transportation infrastructure can evolve with the times, and we have already begun with the completion of the Pandora Avenue bike lane and construction beginning on Fort Street.  We should continue to pursue the expansion of the bike lanes, even in the face of criticism.  As more and more of Victoria becomes accessible by protected bike lanes, confidence in the system will grow, ridership will increase, and vehicle traffic congestion will decrease.  And we will demonstrate that we are dynamic, environmentally conscious leaders in the battle against greenhouse gas pollution.

TWO YEARS FREE- NEUFELD- FEBRUARY 18, 2018

In BC, tuition costs and student debt are rising, and post-secondary education is becoming more imperative than ever. Who should pay for tuition?  The present system of paid tuition leaves students overwhelmed with debt and discourages low-income individuals.  The proposition of free tuition, on the other hand, is fraught with flaws and idealistic. The solution is a compromise: two years’ free tuition.

Advocates of free tuition claim that post-secondary graduates, able to get higher-paying jobs after graduating, will more than pay for their educations through higher taxation- a Canadian university degree costing $50,630 at the outset will eventually cost, on average, $106,000 for women and $159,000 for men.  (Ivanova, 2012)  However, BC has the highest underemployment rate in Canada, with only 57% of undergraduate-educated workers employed in fields utilizing their degrees.  (Van Santvoort, 2017)  A university graduate who is only able to find low-wage work will not be able to “give back” their tuition through taxation.   

Further, under the paid-tuition model, BC students are currently graduating from four year programs with debt averaging over $30,000.  (Hernandez, 2017)  Accumulating such debt with uncertain job prospects deters individuals from enrolling, or leads them to drop out.  Providing two years’ free tuition would open the door to all to achieve educational goals, and strengthen BC’s economy with a new well of currently untapped potential.

The ‘Tennessee Promise’, initiated in 2015, is a leading example of a two-years-free program.  This “last-dollar scholarship” covers two years of tuition and fees at a Tennessee public college or technical school that are not covered by other forms of financial assistance.  (Tennessee Promise, n.d.)  Participants must attend meetings with mentors, contribute community service, and maintain a satisfactory GPA.  (Tennessee Promise, n.d.)  The mentoring program sets the stage for students to succeed, and community service ensures that recipients of the Promise give back to the state. 

The Tennessee Promise has already been successful, with “first time freshman enrolment [increasing] by 13 percent in Tennessee”.  (Tennessee Promise Sees Increased Enrollment, 2017) After two years, 17% more participating students had graduated or were pursuing further education than those who did not participate in the program. (Tamburin, 2017)  The Promise is part of Tennessee’s Drive to 55 initiative to “equip 55 percent of Tennesseans with a college degree or certificate by 2025”, which governor Bill Haslam says will be achieved two years early at its current momentum.  (Gonzales, 2018)

The two year free tuition model would benefit BC because it is a middle ground for paid and free tuition.  It would be more easily funded than a full free tuition system, would relieve financial burden on students, and would help to achieve a stronger economy.  The Drive to 55 Alliance describes its mission as “not just… higher education, but a mission for Tennessee’s future workforce and economic development”.  (Drive to 55 Alliance, n.d.)  This noble objective sets a standard which BC, already a leader of change in Canada, should proudly adopt for its own.

References

Drive to 55 Alliance (n.d.) Drive to 55 Alliance. Retrieved from http://driveto55.org

Gonzales, J. (2018, January 29) Gov. Bill Haslam touts education gains, says Drive to 55 two years ahead of pace. USA Today Network- Tennessee.  Retrieved from https://www.tennessean.com

Hernandez, J. (2017, February 22) B.C. budget eases interest on student loans while debt continues to soar.  CBC News.  Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca

Ivanova, I. (2012) Paid in full update: Who pays for university education in BC? Retrieved from Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives BC Office website: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/BC%20Office/2012/01/CCPA_Paid_in_Full_2012_web.pdf

Tamburin, A (2017, September 22) Tennesse Promise students more likely to succeed in college, less likely to drop out, new data shows. USA Today Network. Retrieved from https://tennessean.com

Tennessee Promise (n.d.) About. Retrieved from http://tnpromise.gov/about.shtml

Tennessee Promise Sees Increased Enrollment (2017, February 2) Retrieved from https://www.tn.gov/thec/news/2017/2/2/tennessee-promise-sees-increased-enrollment-strong-retention-rates-in-year.html

Van Santvoort, A. (2017, September 5) B.C. leads country for undermployment. Business In Vancouver.  Retrieved from https://biv.com/

ONE PAGER- NEUFELD- JANUARY 22 2018

I must admit, I don’t read newspapers, listen to the radio, or watch television.  I get my news online, typically from Google News (which is probably pretty bad, but somehow I feel better about getting information from an aggregated source like Google than picking one particular news company to deliver it with its own spin) or from snippets I pick up from social media.   I’d be the first to admit that I’m not terribly well informed, though I do go through phases of trying quite hard to stay on top of current events.

            I moved to Victoria from Alberta in 2015, at the time without concrete intentions of attending post-secondary school, and with no concept of what schools were available, let alone their reputations.  When I began considering furthering my education, I did a Google (!) search for ‘Victoria college’, and when Camosun no doubt popped up first, I perused the available programs until I found one that I found interesting.  I didn’t know much about Camosun- I’d seen the odd ad- but the fact that it came up first on a search engine was enough to sell me on it.

            I imagine that public relations are important in maintaining the image of the college, however, for someone new in town like me, the sole fact that it came up first on a Google search led me to believe it was the biggest and best college in town- and nothing has led me to believe otherwise.  Frankly, I don’t know if Camosun even has any other real contenders, aside from special interest (business/art/religious) schools, and UVic.  Unless some sort of horrible controversy arises that the college must scramble to play down, I feel that Camosun can probably get away with minimal PR without losing too much business or faith from the community.

TWEETING EXERCISE

Change is in the air: Major restructuring announced today for National Widget Company

“I am saddened this morning to announce the National Widget Company will be laying off 200 employees across Canada”:  NWC president Andrew Bryce tearfully announces restructuring this morning.

“It’s like a great big family”: The 200 employees laid off from the National Widget Company this morning will receive compensation and will be re-hired as soon as possible

“The increase in sales is unprecedented!” Explosion in widget demand puts National Widget Company back on top

National Widget Company breaking down barriers as the first widget company to enter Chinese market

“We are thrilled to be offering employment to people we consider part of the family”: National Widget Company president Andrew Bryce announces rehiring of 200 employees laid off last June

Regina, we’re coming for you!  National Widget Company announces plans for new facility in Saskatchewan

Are you a widget lover in Regina? Join our team as we get ready to open our newest facility! 

Hey Regina: The National Widget Company wants YOU!  The career opportunity you’ve been waiting for is coming August 2018!  Apply now!

Analyzing a Blog

BLOG ANALYSIS - NEUFELD - JANUARY 21 2018

In his blog post ‘Because Reading Is Fundamental’, Jeff Attwood discusses the idea that members of the blogging community are more concerned with increasing post counts rather than actively reading them.  He likens this trend to the act of speaking rather than listening, and says that the value of conversation is decreased when bloggers do not take the time to fully read and understand posts.

The intended audience of Attwood’s blog is not gender-specific.  Though his blog ‘Coding Horror’ is about programming and software development and would likely appeal to others in his field, this specific piece could be of interest to anyone who is part of an online community seeking a richer, more educational experience.  His post is written in language that is mildly colloquial but still polished in tone, and would be appropriate for an audience likely 18 and older.  The audience does not need to post-secondary education to understand and enjoy the post; however, as it implores the audience to consider reading more thoroughly, individuals who have sought college or university degrees may be more receptive to his message.

In order to bolster his stance that the blogging community does not spend enough time reading, Attwood cites two “experiments”.  The first of these is the ‘Ars Banana Experiment’, where readers of a post by Ars Technica were instructed, in the last sentence of the seventh paragraph, to include a reference to bananas in their response to prove that they had read the entire post.  It was not until the 93rd comment that a reader first made reference to bananas.  This rather cheeky example clearly backs up Attwood’s claim that the majority of readers are not reading posts to completion.  Attwood’s second example, “The Slate Experiment”, however, hardly seems to be an experiment at all.  He shows us a chart of analytics data gathered by Farhad Manjoo, which is less an experiment than a collection of data.  To call this an experiment is somewhat sensational, and the chart itself is overly simplistic and could even be misleading.  Still, the information does seem to support Attwood’s stance.

Attwood proposes providing incentives to reading- namely, removing pagination, measuring users’ read times, rewarding reading with badges, and updating online conversations in real-time to emulate live conversation. 

Attwood’s post does give credence to the idea of reading/listening more than talking, but there are factors which he does not consider.  For example, a blog post may be dry and frankly, arduous to finish.  Conversely, it may spark emotional response early into the piece which a reader may feel compelled to respond to immediately.  (This could be comparable in “real life” to clapping or booing during a speech.)  “Incentives” for reading defeat the purpose of pursuing knowledge for knowledge’s sake.  And finally, those who come to a blogging community for interaction with others, particularly if incentivized by real-time updates, are simply eager to engage in conversation.  Attwood has an almost utopian idea of a community of informed readers huddled in polite discussion, but for those who come to the internet because they need someone to talk to, this would not be enough.  His idea is thought-provoking, but fanciful.

News Release Assignment

NEWS RELEASE

JANUARY 15 2018

NATIONAL WIDGET COMPANY ANNOUNCES MASS RE-HIRING

Fifty Victoria residents laid off by the National Widget Company last year will soon be back to work.

“We have sent recall notices to all employees who were laid off in June,” says president Andrew Bryce.  “As a family-owned company, it was heartbreaking to lay off so many loyal people so we are thrilled to be offering employment to people we consider part of the family.”

Employees across Canada will be called in as required in the coming weeks, with plans to return to regular operations in six weeks’ time.

Traditionally, widgets have been used in the oil business, but their recent use in residential construction means the need for them has increased.  There is currently a huge demand for widgets in China, where they must be installed in every new building. The National Widget Company is the first company in the world to secure a deal with the Chinese.

“The increase in sales have been unprecedented.  We think this opportunity opens up enormous markets which will last for years,” says Bryce.

The National Widget Company was forced to lay off 200 of its 2000 employees nationwide last June after the world’s markets were flooded with widgets.

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For more information, Contact Stephanie Neufeld at (555) 555-5555