CRUNCH TIME: Students hit the books and the laptops in the library as finals get under way. / Photo by Jen Beasley

Today's word on journalism

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

A FINAL WORD
Dear WORDies:

All good things come to an end, they say. Not-so-good things, too, for that matter.

This marks the last word of the 11th season of TODAY'S WORD ON JOURNALISM (pause for shrieks, applause, heavy sighs, general hand-wringing and sobbing), the international daily email spam of soundbites about the press, free expression, engaged citizenship, spelling, public life, writing, and sweatsocks.

Normally, the WORD continues its reign of terror through the second week of May. But this year, WORDmeister Ted Pease is on sabbatical from his day job, and has the chance at a junket. "So," he mused as he headed for the airport, "enough is enuff."

As Xenocrates (396-314 BC) famously whipped, "I have often regretted my speech, never my silence." In the WORD's case, what could be more true?

The WORD will meet with moguls who think 11 or 12 years' accumulation of its "wisdom" might make a book, a movie, or even a weblog. Exciting times, enhanced by St. Mumbles' tender chemical therapies. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, dear WORDsters, keep the faith. Tom Stoppard's right: "Words are sacred. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones, in the right order, you can nudge the world a little."

Nudge on.

Ted Pease, WORDmeister
Pease Omphaloskepsis Institute (POI)
Trinidad, California