Journalism Class - Wednesday September 28

[jerusalem-s.livejournal.com]

Newsfeeds on, cat frolicking beneath the desks, Spider appears to be in a very good mood this morning. Good, verging on maniacal. "Today's class concerns the fine old art of 'Monstering'. Please note, this particular class may contain objectionable material, so the extra course materials have been placed elsewhere, under a friendslock and complete with warnings. That's two levels of warnings about my crass, illegal behavior. You may complain about the behavior, but not of not being warned of it."



Helping himself to a generous swallow of something lime green from a glass on the edge of his desk, Spider continued, "I've been very pleased with the homework received thus far, and I'm reminding the rest of you that you have until Friday at midnight to turn it in. Remember, any interviews with hopeful student politicians or any articles submitted to the Daily Tentacle are good for extra credit."

There was a pause as Spider counted heads before continuing. "Tomorrow, we will be organizing for Friday's field trip. I have four copies of a treasure map and we're going to divide into teams. The team that gets to the treasure first and/or does the best and most exciting job of documenting their adventure gets to keep whatever's at the X. All participants get extra credit and please be sure that you did sign up and your permissions are up to date. We'll be travelling through L-space, so while we're leaving on Friday morning, we might get back tonight. We'll see. Those of you who need permission slips because you'll be missing class, please let me know."

Spider paused to shuffle through the stack of papers on his desk which seem to be permission slips of various types. "Monstering is the fine art of hounding a wrong-doer into total, grovelling submission. A good journalist will stop at nothing to expose the truth, although one would hope that you'd save the brutality for those who deserve it and settle for bribery and honest interviews for the rest. That having been said, feel free to discuss the concept and/or the extra materials. Please be aware that the laws of my world are not the laws of yours, and always carry an experienced attorney and appropriate bail money."

Comments

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Beka enters the classroom, and leans in the doorway, arms across her chest like she does every day when she comes to class. This time, she grins and asks a question. "So... is using sex an acceptable way to expose the truth?"

[jerusalem-s.livejournal.com]

"In a moral sense...?" Spider shrugged, grinning. "I certainly wouldn't have any problems with it, but your mileage may vary."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory walks in, and plops into the back of the room. The almost-blue bags under her eyes contrast with her general pallor, and it's fairly obvious she didn't sleep very well. If at all.

She glances around the room, wondering if anyone's going to approach her, because she is sure as hell not going to be outgoing this morning.

[courier-gavin.livejournal.com]

Jake's sitting in his usual place, scribbling (http://www.livejournal.com/users/courier_gavin/6454.html) in his notebook and from time to time sipping his coffee.

[dbiers.livejournal.com]

*raises hand* Sir, doesn't extreme heckling and hounding also carry with it the very real possibility that one's prey quarry will simply wind up telling you whatever it is he or she believes you want to hear whether the information is true?

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Beka comes in and turns in a slow circle, arms out. My mileage would vary a lot more if my frelling erstwhile boyfriend wasn't being such a damned gentleman. "I figure it like this, Prof. I'm tough, yeah. Got weapons? Can threaten or kill. But my best weapon is my brain. And if they're busy looking elsewhere, they won't see that coming."

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

*looks at her* This, I believe, is my point precisely. *grins*

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"Professor, I'm not as well versed in journalism as yourself or others but on the topic of monstering and your explanation. Does monstering affect the public's perception of the piece of journalism that said monstering births? Or is society at large just eager to hear the news and/or gossip however it comes out?"

[krycek-rat.livejournal.com]

Krycek looks over Jake's shoulder before sitting down. Smirking, he slides into his seat almost bonelessly, dropping his bag at his feet. "Starting a new club?"

[courier-gavin.livejournal.com]

"Not yet, thinking about it," Jake replied, still scribbling (http://www.livejournal.com/users/courier_gavin/6454.html) his own interpretations of the comments his classmates were making. "Why? Want to join?" He glanced over at Krycek. "Not sure if you'll be allowed, Mr. Black Coffee is the Only Coffee."

[maias-notebook.livejournal.com]

Maia comes in, drops the form on Spiders Desk, signs whatever forms are needed and sits in the back of the room not really in the mood for discussion.

[mycanonhatesme]

Chloe gets into her seat just in time to hear John's question. After reading the extra course materials, she's suddenly finding herself with more respect for Professor Jerusalem than she ever thought she'd have.

"Wouldn't it depend on how bad the person is who's getting monstered? I mean, if you can do everything you have to do to get the truth, and still maintain the moral high ground, you could probably still get the support of the public. Of course, people in large groups tend to be idiots, so you never really know how they're going to act."

[dbiers.livejournal.com]

How so?

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Simple. People, especially men, are easily distracted by shiny things. New toys, beautiful bodies, praise. If you want the truth, seduce it out of them.

*considers*

You have to be careful with that, too. If it goes too far, then they start making up things to impress you. So, discernment is still required.

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, and I think I'm thinking in terms of people like the paparazzi and/or tabloids columnists who will go to extremes to get their stories and most of the public eats it up for whatever reason. Tagging on to that, do groups of journalist who use less then questionable methods for getting their story give those journalists who use their skills a bad reputation?"

[jerusalem-s.livejournal.com]

"The best possible use of one's brain is in an offensive capacity. You're going to do very, very well in this class, Valentine."


((OOC: As if she weren't kicking ass already.))

[jerusalem-s.livejournal.com]

"As you're going to be publishing it with their name on it, most of them will tell you anything but the truth. The good news is, if it's a lie and you publish it as a direct quote, the fall-out is on them, not you. Most people will tell you the truth rather than allow you to publish a lie. The trick is in getting them to open their mouths in the first place."

[youngest-sister.livejournal.com]

Monstering is the fine art of hounding a wrong-doer into total, grovelling submission.

*grins*

i'M gOOD at thAt.

*turns into a monster*

[jerusalem-s.livejournal.com]

"Most reputatble journalists don't go in for Monstering and, personally, I only save it for special occasions." Spider took another swallow of his drink and frowned. "It should only be used in cases where you know there's something ugly being covered up and the cost-to-benefit ratio to you as well as to the public, had better be worth it before you start stirring things up."

Rising from his seat, Spider moved to address Chloe, John and the others at their table. "Understand, I've been beaten by the police, shot at by armed troops and hired assassins, divorced and been hunted like a dog." He reached out to tap two fingers on the surface of the table. "There are consequences to each and every action, especially if you publish your findings. I've seen innocent people gunned down as a reaction to something I wrote, and that's something I have to live with."

Spider frowned at them. "You will influence people, for good or ill, by the things you do and the things you write... and you can't always control things to get the reaction that you want. You have to go into any journalistic endeavor with a clear understanding of the worst that could happen... and then you have to choose whether or not you can accept that."

[jerusalem-s.livejournal.com]

Spider blinked at her before removing his glasses and rubbing his eyes. After a moment, he quietly slid beneath the desk. Another moment later, his hand reappeared, fumbled around for his drink, and disappeared again.

[youngest-sister.livejournal.com]

RaRRRR

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory arches a brow. "Hi."

[youngest-sister.livejournal.com]

*hops on Spider's desk*

*jumps off again*

RaRRRR! Um. i mEAn. TRRUUutThH!!

[youngest-sister.livejournal.com]

hI! I'm MOnstering!

*grins, showing a multitude of teeth of various sizes and colours*

iS it wORking?

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Oh yes. It's terrifying," Rory says drily.