If you haven’t seen the 1976 film Network, run out and rent it. Right now.

Network is a scathing satire about a fictional television network UBS. This Oscar winning screenplay was written by Paddy Chayefsky. It was unbelievable then and today it’s still almost unbelievable. It’s the story of a news anchor, Howard Beale who after many years of reporting the news with integrity finds his ratings slipping. In an effort to boost the ratings, UBS decides to combine entertainment with news. The once lone anchor reading from a teleprompter looking straight into the camera is replaced by fortunetellers, evangelists, and urban terrorists. Distraught by what he now sees as passing for news, Beale delivers his famous on camera speech urging the viewers to open…

Here’s where the internet makes my life easier.  The website YouLicense.com launched a new tool that allows artists, writers, producers, publishers, labels, or any other music owners to license their music directly to the consumer.  The consumer being anyone who wants to use music in advertising, promotion, movies, television, mobile apps, etc.
As a producer, I know what a ‘nightmare’ licensing music can be.  I’m not even mentioning the huge chunk of the budget licensing consumes.  With a service like this – it could make my job easier, if not cheaper.  With no middle man involved, and the ability to purchase directly from the artist or publisher there is potential ease of doing business and cost savings.  This is something I’ll definitely investigate more…

With millions of people buying e-readers and down loading books at a moments notice, why bother to take a trip to the local bookstore or book chain?

I’m an e-reader but I also happen to be one of those people who will take time out of her busy schedule to go to a bookstore and browse. I like that feeling of wonderment when browsing through the stacks. For that matter I love my library and the excitement and heady sensation that overcome me in the presence of so many books.

Buying books on line is simple, quick, and I can do it any time of the day or night. There are also hundreds of on-line outlets for me to choose from.

If that wasn’t enough,…

Seems everyone’s mindful of the economy these days.  Even televsion.  The Today Show’s Matt Lauer will be staying right here in the U.S. A for his annual Where in the World trip beginning May 1st.  This year he’ll be featuring affordable vacation sites.  Isn’t that considerate?

If you build it they will come.  So, they built it and people are coming by the millions -   Facebook, Twitter, My Space, Linkedin, Plaxo, Flickr, Tumblr, Good Reads, etc., etc.

The question is why?  Social networking has exploded.  In just the last two years it seems everyone is on line.  They’re either blogging about something, or trying to connect to someone.  I get it, I really do.  But, is it necessary?  Do you really need 500 friends on Facebook?  Do you even know them?  Do you need 2000 followers on Twitter – can you even keep up with them?

When it comes to Twitter, personally, I’m disappointed.  For me it’s like instant messaging on crack.  I know, people will say I’m crazy, but hear…