The big picture

I just finished putting together my first audio slideshow. It took me significantly more time than I had anticipated but I wanted to try something creative. Rather than a silent slideshow or have characters narate the photo essay, I wanted to have corresponding sounds accompany the pictures. It was difficult to match noises with still photos, but I think the experiment went well!

I realize the importance of taking good photos and making sure that the audio is of high quality. As this first slideshow was indeed an experiment, I learned a lot about photo/sound editing and have come to realize the importance of meticulously planning a project before I begin gathering footage/photos/audio.

While the photo slideshow is indeed complete, my next task is remembering out how to export it to YouTube and embed it here on my site!

Congestion Suggestion

 

Today is a day most cab drivers dread. Today is the day of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Apparently, from now until the end of January, most cab drivers (or at least the seasoned ones) will stay as far away from mid-town as humanly possible to avoid the mess of traffic and tourists.

Just after the Thanksgiving rush comes the lighting ceremony. And in between, before, and after it’s not as though the streets of New York move anything close to quickly. Horns, yelling, screeching, and various other elements of road rage are heard nearly every day, all day. Cab drivers (and their passengers, for that matter) face traffic and congestion to a degree that most other cities’ drivers could not comprehend.

This is a prime example of why most of the city’s drivers that I’ve spoken to are hopeful that Bloomberg’s congestion pricing plan will go ahead as laid out in PlaNYC. This would mean more fares for the drivers and less time spent waiting in frustration just to move forward an inch or two. Less frustration might lead to friendlier drivers and less agressive driving on the roads.

PlaNYC is just that, a plan. We’ll see how much of what’s in that document comes to fruition - and what it will really mean for the city’s drivers.

Lean Mean Green Machines

 

While the current taxi technology debate will likely continue into the future (I don’t foresee drivers keeping mum even after they install the system), it is important to note that the TLC and drivers seem to agree on one technology upgrade that will help make New York a cleaner city.

It is well known that the Bloomberg administration ordered all of NYC’s taxis be hybrid by 2012. I literally read Bloomberg’s plaNYC from front to back, and after doing so, I am even more convinced that improving the city’s air quality must be a top priority.

It is no secret that New York City’s air quality violates the federal health standard for photochemical smog, but how that affects people on a day-to-day basis is perhaps talked about less at the water cooler. The city has one of the poorest air qualities in the United States and one of the highest asthma rates. 

By requiring that the city’s taxis go green, the City is acknowledging the need to address this issue and attempt to make a significant change. Granted, taxis only account for about 13,000 cars on the street at a given time. But given their constant use and the fact that they are regulated and thus offer an opportunity for mandated improvement, this requirement should be welcomed by all.

Drivers will spend less on fuel, the City can say that it is being proactive, and New Yorkers will be able to breathe even just a little bit easier. Some hybrid cars on the market, such as the Ford Escape, provide twice the fuel efficiency of the Ford Crown Victoria (which comprises more than 93 percent of the city’s taxi fleet today). According to the Sierra Club, “the use of such hybrid cars can cut emissions of global warming pollutants by 50 percent or more in comparision with traditional vehicles.”

And four become three…

 

While I’m about a week late in writing about this, I figure it’s worth mentioning that one of the four taxi technology recently declared bankruptcy. And it just so happens that the company of note is Taxi Technology Ltd. – the vendor which was surprisingly accomodating when it came to agreeing to an interview for my web video. I was slightly suspicious at how eager the company spokesperson was to meet with me. I now realize that he was likely hoping for a chance to frame the company in a positive light.

What this means for the drivers who signed on with Taxi Tech is yet to be determined. But it likely means that affected drivers will have to start over with a new company and shop around to determine which vendor they feel offers the best plan in terms of monthly rate, options for acquiring revenue from advertising sales, and which system is the easiest to use.

What this also means is more headaches for the TLC. The affected drivers are surely disgruntled and the Alliance is probably using this occurence as a way to illustrate why the system should never have been mandated in the first place.

Worth Watching

 

Wow. Talk about inspirational! This Wall Street Journal clip is how a web video about the GPS should be done.

This video is done in true web style – no voice overs, no tripod, and creative in tone and footage. From the elderly woman who’s baffled by all things 21st century to the singing taxi driver, this clip is definitely worth checking out.

While it is true that the Wall Street Journal reporter was fortunate to catch such vivid characters on film in a ride-along with a jolly taxi driver, I truly believe that there is no such thing as a “lucky” journalist. Well, at least there no such thing as a a lucky lazy journalist. A good journalist makes his or her own luck by being at the right place at the right time, hanging out longer than everyone else, and showing up when no one else does. This video is proof in the pudding!

*I have to give a shout out to Amy (fellow classmate) for passing the clip along to me.

Veering off course

Important FYI: For the sake of my sanity, taxis have absolutely nothing to do with this post.

“Is it over for frontline reporting?” – That was the subject of the panel discussion I attended last night. The event was hosted by the London-based Frontline Club, a unique media club that combines “eating, drinking, and thinking.” While I was studying journalism at City University in London, England, I attended Frontline club events almost religiously and was privy to relevant discussions led by journalists from all over the world. When I heard that the club was hosting an event in New York, I knew I had to be there – especially considering one of my favorite City profs would be moderating the discussion.

Thanks to my Professor John Owen (NewsExchange), I had the opportunity to chat with Chuck Lustig (ABC), Robert Fisk (Independent), Ron Haviv (VII Photo Agency), Francesca Unsworth (BBC), and Ghaith Abdul-Ahad (The Guardian) before they took their seats on the panel. During the panel discussion, the journalists debated the pros and cons of embedded reporting, the use of freelance reporters, the difficulties in budgeting and prioritizing for foreign bureaus, the issue of access etc.

One of the most interesting questions raised was how to best utilize local journalists in place of parachuting foreign correspondents into a given region. The bottom line appeared to be that while embedded reporting is not ideal, it’s better than nothing and should be supplemented with in-depth local journalism whenever possible. With the Iraq war as the back drop, the discussion became heated in no time, with the big media (ABC/BBC) being forced to justify their approach to covering the war. One thing that annoyed me was the fact that many people in the audience had such an aversion to admitting that media is business, and yes, ratings do matter when it comes to setting the agenda.

In true Frontline spirit, the discussion was extremely engaging and informative. Check out their site at http://www.frontlineclub.com/index.php to see when the club will be hosting their next event in New York – I can promise that it will be more than worth your time and energy.

Change of course

 

As I’ve mentioned before, I am at a crossroads with this taxi magazine feature. The bottom line is that I can’t actually produce the story that I pitched to my professors. This has taught me a valuable lesson about the dangers of committing to writing a feature that I might not be able to come up with.

After much thought and discussion, it appears that my feature will no longer be a third-person account of the taxi strike and surrounding issues, but rather a first-person account of the difficulties I’ve had in information-gathering.

While I know that a first-person narrative will be challenging, I’m keen to step out of my comfort zone and make an honest attempt.

Another day, another dollar

 

For anyone interested in the taxi industry, I recommend checking out New York Hack – a blog maintained by Melissa Plaut, taxi driver and author of the book “Hack.”
Her most recent blog entry is a commentary on the Oct. 22 strike. Plaut discusses the technology requirement and claims that this debate has next to nothing to do with money and everything to do with “dignity and respect.”
I beg to differ. But hey, what do I know. I’ve only been researching this for two months and am getting the run-around from any and all interested parties. Hmmm.
For the duration of the strike, the TLC was smart enough to allow for cab-sharing and flat-rate fares which meant more money in the pockets of the drivers who chose not to stay at home. While dignity and respect might be part of the issue, if cab drivers can be convinced to get behind the wheel for the sake of a few extra dollars, then I highly doubt that dignity and respect are their chief concerns.
Granted, most drivers need the extra money and would be hard-pressed to turn down an opportunity to make some extra dough. Which brings me to my next point.
As far as I can tell, this technology debate centers on money – whether it be income tax evasion, off-the-meter fares, the five percent credit/debit transaction fee, or the money made from the “strike.” Money is the common denominator.
Yes, privacy and “dignity and respect” are cause for concern. But having known about this upgrade since 2004, you’d think the drivers would have voiced their opposition years ago. Or is it that the financial impact only became frighteningly obvious when the installation deadline reared its ugly head?

Road Block

 

I half-expected the past two days to be helpful in terms of drawing conclusions from the information I’ve gathered. I thought maybe, just maybe, scheduled interviews with the TLC and vendors would be fruitful in answering some of my questions. Instead, what I’ve ended up with is more questions. A lot more questions.

Everyone I’ve spoken with speaks with such conviction that it’s almost easy to buy what they’re selling. And then as soon as I put down the phone, I’m thinking ‘wait a second…’. Yet after multiple conversations with a variety of sources, I’m really back at square one.

My inclination is that the drivers and the TLC stand to gain something by pitching their arguments in the language that they’re using. As I’ve said before, I definitely get the feeling that neither side is being upfront about their motives and intentions.