I broadcast high school sports, but I also (in exchange) get to teach an "intro to media" class. Part of the mission of the class, at least in my opinion, is to instill an understanding of good media etiquette in a generation who are growing up without any of that. Maybe it's as simple as them learning to not say "this movie sucks" just because they don't like it and don't know how to form a subjective opinion. Sometimes it's bigger, helping them understand the responsibility there is to tell truth over telling "narrative" or "brand".
Anyway, it's hard being a media/journalism fan in this age, but your writing is always refreshing. It inspires us down here in the small, grassroots spaces. We appreciate your efforts.
Excellent post, Katie! Before I continue, I hope you're feeling better. I hope you feel all better soon and send you my best wishes!
I probably have mentioned this before, but one thing I appreciate about your posts is how they always get me thinking deeply and they resonate with me.
"It’s difficult to parse want, harder to name it. There are certain groups of people, marginalised mostly, for whom want has been socialised to feel foreign. Enforced by overarching power structures, want becomes a slippery thing to name. Becomes greed, not need, especially if the want is directed at the aspirational (big goals, betterment, enrichment beyond the monetary), even if want is directed at the very basic (food, housing, the ability to live in a fulfilling and dignified way)."
This really struck me. It's something that I've been thinking a lot about in recent years. This reminds me of how calls for universal healthcare are demonized here in the U.S. It saddens me and it's horrible.
Also, what you said about writing, pitching, and putting your work out into the world as acts of hope resonate with me. I'm not a sportswriter (though sports writing is something I was considering in high school), but I love creative writing. I don't have any plans to publish a book, but I've submitted microfiction to a publication and have shared my writing with friends and critique groups. I feel anxious each time I submit my writing or share it with others (even close friends). I fear rejection. Nevertheless, each submission (and each time I share my work with others) is definitely an act of hope. So, what you wrote hit my heart.
"But storytelling seeks to serve impulses beyond entertainment, seeks connection, empathy, growth, comfort and truth, while solely self-aggrandising narrative seeks… much less."
Yes! That's what I love most about storytelling. There's so much we can learn from stories - and I like your holistic approach to storytelling. It's so easy to focus on the stats from the game, the wins and losses, etc. But I appreciate how you focus on the broader story - and I love how stories connect us and expand our horizons and understanding of our world.
"It’s depressing that reading, or enjoying and engaging with art, has become a lightning rod. In general. More depressing that I could sense the need to couch each (how are they beneficial to an athlete’s game versus how are they pleasurable, period), the way one would with a personal ask or a subject considered divisive."
I strongly agree with this too. There is so much beauty and truth in art, and art is a wonderful and invaluable way for us to express ourselves (and to speak from the heart). And yet, as you indicate here and in the paragraph above this, there are so many attacks on art today (like with book bans) and it saddens me too that engagement with art is seen as threatening or divisive. This is especially saddening to me because of how much art enlightens our world and helps us learn and grow. Art has certainly helped me expand my horizons and learn as well as engage with my feelings.
I know I jumped from topic to topic, but I really appreciate your post. You got me thinking about the power and importance of art and the hopes and worries that come with sharing/submitting writing.
Again, I hope you feel all better soon and I wish you a wonderful holiday season. :).
“interpretation is the most important part” 🙌🙌🙌
I broadcast high school sports, but I also (in exchange) get to teach an "intro to media" class. Part of the mission of the class, at least in my opinion, is to instill an understanding of good media etiquette in a generation who are growing up without any of that. Maybe it's as simple as them learning to not say "this movie sucks" just because they don't like it and don't know how to form a subjective opinion. Sometimes it's bigger, helping them understand the responsibility there is to tell truth over telling "narrative" or "brand".
Anyway, it's hard being a media/journalism fan in this age, but your writing is always refreshing. It inspires us down here in the small, grassroots spaces. We appreciate your efforts.
Really lovely insight, Joseph, thank you for sharing it and for reading.
Incredible piece Katie. Here’s to a year of successful pitches and work you’re proud of
Thank you Ronin!
Excellent post, Katie! Before I continue, I hope you're feeling better. I hope you feel all better soon and send you my best wishes!
I probably have mentioned this before, but one thing I appreciate about your posts is how they always get me thinking deeply and they resonate with me.
"It’s difficult to parse want, harder to name it. There are certain groups of people, marginalised mostly, for whom want has been socialised to feel foreign. Enforced by overarching power structures, want becomes a slippery thing to name. Becomes greed, not need, especially if the want is directed at the aspirational (big goals, betterment, enrichment beyond the monetary), even if want is directed at the very basic (food, housing, the ability to live in a fulfilling and dignified way)."
This really struck me. It's something that I've been thinking a lot about in recent years. This reminds me of how calls for universal healthcare are demonized here in the U.S. It saddens me and it's horrible.
Also, what you said about writing, pitching, and putting your work out into the world as acts of hope resonate with me. I'm not a sportswriter (though sports writing is something I was considering in high school), but I love creative writing. I don't have any plans to publish a book, but I've submitted microfiction to a publication and have shared my writing with friends and critique groups. I feel anxious each time I submit my writing or share it with others (even close friends). I fear rejection. Nevertheless, each submission (and each time I share my work with others) is definitely an act of hope. So, what you wrote hit my heart.
"But storytelling seeks to serve impulses beyond entertainment, seeks connection, empathy, growth, comfort and truth, while solely self-aggrandising narrative seeks… much less."
Yes! That's what I love most about storytelling. There's so much we can learn from stories - and I like your holistic approach to storytelling. It's so easy to focus on the stats from the game, the wins and losses, etc. But I appreciate how you focus on the broader story - and I love how stories connect us and expand our horizons and understanding of our world.
"It’s depressing that reading, or enjoying and engaging with art, has become a lightning rod. In general. More depressing that I could sense the need to couch each (how are they beneficial to an athlete’s game versus how are they pleasurable, period), the way one would with a personal ask or a subject considered divisive."
I strongly agree with this too. There is so much beauty and truth in art, and art is a wonderful and invaluable way for us to express ourselves (and to speak from the heart). And yet, as you indicate here and in the paragraph above this, there are so many attacks on art today (like with book bans) and it saddens me too that engagement with art is seen as threatening or divisive. This is especially saddening to me because of how much art enlightens our world and helps us learn and grow. Art has certainly helped me expand my horizons and learn as well as engage with my feelings.
I know I jumped from topic to topic, but I really appreciate your post. You got me thinking about the power and importance of art and the hopes and worries that come with sharing/submitting writing.
Again, I hope you feel all better soon and I wish you a wonderful holiday season. :).
Thanks as always for the deep read and thoughtful feedback, Alex! And keep pitching!
Awww you're very welcome, Katie! Keep up the amazing work!
Thank you! I'll definitely be sure to. :) May 2026 be an awesome year for us both!