Flash Journalism...

Mo Scarpelli - Why is Flash journalism effective? One needs only to look at pertinent examples of Flash media to find out. I think of it this way: Why would you use only one or two separate senses to experience something when you could use all your senses at the same time? According to the Chapters on Flash Journalism, "Flash can be the ideal delivery vehicle for some packages." Obviously not all packages can use Flash effectively, but for some it can really widen the scope of delivery for news consumers.

The chapters on Flash journalism bring up an interesting point - when they talk about the six dimensions of interactivity, I thought about the challenges Flash journalism imposes on journalists at large. Of course, using just one medium would require using the six dimensions, but Flash journalism, incorporating multiple mediums, requires more attention to each dimension for each medium.

I see Flash journalism opening up news media to taking multiple approaches to one subject - everything, in that sense, can be turned into a human interest story. Links give so much room to one story, giving the consumer the option of finding out more about whatever it is they're interested in - and if they just want to stick to the main story, they can do that, too. As the chapters say, "choice is one aspect of interactivity." I think this offering a choice is the most important and to some the most appealing aspect of Flash journalism. Americans especially are extremely independent. Flash journalism could only flourish in a society where choice is held so high in regard.

I love the emotional aspects Flash can lend to a subject. One of my favorite websites is www.joelsartore.com. Joel Sartore is a fantastic photographer for the National Geographic Society, and he posts his pictures in a sleek slideshow on his website. Although it's not available on his website now, Sartore also offers a slideshow with his commentary. I don't think just reading what he has to say about his exciting life as a photojournalism for NG in print or just seeing the pictures is enough - getting it all, especially with his voice (he's a compelling storyteller) gives an amazing insider's view of his life.