Easily Amused » journalism

Chinese Propaganda vs US Propaganda

David Xia — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 02:15:16 +0000

China's Xinhua News Agency started a 24-hour English-language news channel and is about to open a new office in New York City, according to the Times. The Times is once again critical of China. And they should be. China ranks 168th out of 175 countries in the 2009 Press Freedom Index, a survey compiled by Reporters Without Borders. What I don't like about the Times article is its prejudicial sense of nationalism and simplistic view of East vs West. The Times inflated the article by making it sound as if Xinhua Red Guards wielding hammers and sickles are about to kick down the sacred doors of Western media companies.

Have Grad Students Made a Terrible Life Choice?

David Xia — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:54:46 +0000

The article compares the academic system to a giant Ponzi scheme approaching assured self-destruction if it stays the course. A system that recklessly burns through the nation's intellectual capital by taking in suckers of doe-eyed graduate students, chews them up, and spits them out.

What’s Your Favorite Beverage?

David Xia — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 22:43:05 +0000

"What's your favorite beverage?" my friend asked me one day. We were sitting on a curb outside of a small concert space in hipster-territory Williamsburg, New York. "Water," I replied. "That's such a David Xia answer," he chuckled.

Most Horrendous Gaffe Ever?

David Xia — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:50:43 +0000

The president of a certain female liberal arts college once compared herself to the pope and the act of endorsing a political candidate to Jews devouring Christian babies.

Is CNN Always Like This?

David Xia — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:37:03 +0000

You know it's Christmas when the anchor dances in her seat to Christmas jingles, the weatherman shares his personal travel plans, and the correspondents call each other by the wrong names.