The Expo ends
The Shanghai Expo 2010 (World's Fair) has closed. I am sorry that we did not get a chance to go back to see a few more pavilions that we could not get to in August because we genuinely enjoyed ourselves. The kids loved the lights and entertainments, and Randy and I found at every pavilion we visited a lot to digest. Whether it was the message, the media, the point of view---everywhere we went we were curious about what each pavilion was trying to communicate, and how they were trying to communicate, and to whom they were trying to communicate.
There was not a lot in the press outside of China about the Expo. Adam has taken to task the foreign correspondents in China for the absence of coverage of this event. His post, and especially the addendum, really show that there were a lot of missed opportunities (like a fight breaking out between Palestinians and Israelis, the Omani staff being detained by security....). Even before the Expo opened, Adam approached several New York based magazines and faces a lack of interest there. What I don't know is if the lack of interest is primarily from the news organizations' management, the correspondents themselves (which would be easy to believe based on Adam's interview with the Telegraph's Malcolm Moore, whose coverage of China I usually enjoy), or the consumers of news (I belong in this category).
Of course, my own perspective could be questioned because I went to the Expo and enjoyed myself, but I really find it hard to believe that the same New York Times readers that were treated to a story on dog ownership in China would not also be interested in any of a number of stories that could come from the Expo. I mean, the intellectual curiosity of the average Times reader surely must have a greater worldview than just people owning dogs. There's a metaphorical story there, for sure, but there were a lot more substantial stories at the Expo, a fairly self-contained reporting field.
I was surprised myself not to have any comments on my posts about Ireland and the picture of Jesus. I am linking to them here, not because they are particularly newsworthy, but I thought some of my Catholic friends out there might be interested in these in case you missed them.
There was not a lot in the press outside of China about the Expo. Adam has taken to task the foreign correspondents in China for the absence of coverage of this event. His post, and especially the addendum, really show that there were a lot of missed opportunities (like a fight breaking out between Palestinians and Israelis, the Omani staff being detained by security....). Even before the Expo opened, Adam approached several New York based magazines and faces a lack of interest there. What I don't know is if the lack of interest is primarily from the news organizations' management, the correspondents themselves (which would be easy to believe based on Adam's interview with the Telegraph's Malcolm Moore, whose coverage of China I usually enjoy), or the consumers of news (I belong in this category).
Of course, my own perspective could be questioned because I went to the Expo and enjoyed myself, but I really find it hard to believe that the same New York Times readers that were treated to a story on dog ownership in China would not also be interested in any of a number of stories that could come from the Expo. I mean, the intellectual curiosity of the average Times reader surely must have a greater worldview than just people owning dogs. There's a metaphorical story there, for sure, but there were a lot more substantial stories at the Expo, a fairly self-contained reporting field.
I was surprised myself not to have any comments on my posts about Ireland and the picture of Jesus. I am linking to them here, not because they are particularly newsworthy, but I thought some of my Catholic friends out there might be interested in these in case you missed them.
Comments
I did think the Expo as seen through your eyes was interesting. I really had no idea there still were World's Fairs.
I do remember being very intrigued by the Ireland post. I probably just couldn't formulate an intelligent comment at the time. Or, you know, I was distracted and never got back to it. Not that my household has any distractions in it. :)