Joe Marren | SUNY: Buffalo State College (original) (raw)

Papers by Joe Marren

Two great Catholic writers shared a parallel viewpoint, though G.K. Chesterton used a fictional d... more Two great Catholic writers shared a parallel viewpoint, though G.K. Chesterton used a fictional detective who was an English priest to opine about human nature in the early 20 th century while Thomas Merton, a very real Trappist monk in the United States, commented on the world's ills in the mid-20 th century. These two men, writing a generation and an ocean apart, saw spirituality as a way to contextualize and analyze the world. Because most people get their information through the news media they also, from time to time, wrote about journalism theory.

Routledge International Handbook of Race, Class, and Gender, 2012

In any conversation about the academy and where courses intersect, or how to quantify the quality... more In any conversation about the academy and where courses intersect, or how to quantify the quality of a college education, there is the implication that a curriculum would include a nod to the ancient Greek ideas of technical and artistic knowledge in order to instill in graduates an enlightened wisdom of the world. Or so the theory goes. To put it in a journalistic perspective, such wisdom seeks to know the "what" and "why" of things. Metaphorically speaking, such knowledge puts us in an intellectual eudaimonic state. Again, so the theory goes.

In any conversation about the academy and where courses intersect, or how to quantify the quality... more In any conversation about the academy and where courses intersect, or how to quantify the quality of a college education, there is the implication that a curriculum would include a nod to the ancient Greek ideas of technical and artistic knowledge in order to instill in graduates an enlightened wisdom of the world. Or so the theory goes. To put it in a journalistic perspective, such wisdom seeks to know the "what" and "why" of things. Metaphorically speaking, such knowledge puts us in an intellectual eudaimonic state. Again, so the theory goes.

What were White's sources? After all, the bulk of the African American press at the time consiste... more What were White's sources? After all, the bulk of the African American press at the time consisted of mostly small community weeklies that didn't routinely cover sports, and the white press largely ignored black teams and players 2 . Well, White's own career as a player, coach, and manager, almost continuously from 1887 to 1909, and then briefly in 1924, put him in touch with some of the early players and teams. Based on his first-hand knowledge and contacts, White was able to write a history that is still used today for research on African Americans in late 19 th century baseball. His book has been republished twice since 1984.

The Internet is still a mysterious tool for some publishers and editors at community newspapers. ... more The Internet is still a mysterious tool for some publishers and editors at community newspapers. Although metropolitan newspapers claim to have figured out how to make money with the new toy, some people who own or labor at community papers are puzzled about how to successfully marry content with revenue.

One of the tenets of the hard-boiled genre of detective fiction in the pulp magazines of the earl... more One of the tenets of the hard-boiled genre of detective fiction in the pulp magazines of the early 20 th century was that the main character was a loner who cared more for honor and justice than the worldly trappings of money and power. That protagonist of classically romantic manner was usually a male -there were very few women -private eye or incorruptible metro police officer who fought graft and the political cogs in the crooked machine and almost always emerged triumphant. Justice, if not truth, reigned for at least a little while in the city after the battle between the forces of good and evil. But there was never any rest because the denizens of the underworld, not content to reign in hell, were always plotting and scheming.

This paper takes a literary, historical and theoretical look at James Joyce's view and treatment ... more This paper takes a literary, historical and theoretical look at James Joyce's view and treatment of and by the press in the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries. The reason why is simple: because he baffled the critics, especially the Irish critics (Murphy). Although critics and the public recognized Joyce's genius, they were upset by his apparent renunciation of Catholicism and nationalism, as well perceived pornography in his literary style. So the press of his day framed Joyce as something of an "intelligent but mentally perverted fiend" (Murphy).

Buffalo has had two "native-son" presidents: The rather lackluster and unlucky 13 th president, M... more Buffalo has had two "native-son" presidents: The rather lackluster and unlucky 13 th president, Millard Fillmore, and the non-consecutive two-termer Grover Cleveland (the 22 nd and 24 th president). 1 There is something of a Dickensian motif in the sense that Cleveland is usually ranked among the better presidents and Fillmore among the worst; Fillmore returned to Buffalo after his administration and remained engaged in civic affairs while Cleveland never lived in Buffalo again after he left the White House. For Fillmore, Buffalo was among the best of his times; for Cleveland, he variously summarized living in the city as the worst of times.

The words "interfaith communication" have different denotations and connotations depending on the... more The words "interfaith communication" have different denotations and connotations depending on the user and the context framed by that user. For Trappist monk, poet and social commentator Thomas Merton, the phrase meant how to communicate his thoughts about civil rights, war and peace, and the dignity of life to a diverse and, at times, disinterested and complacent audience. For civil rights activist the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the words reminding America to deliver on a promise of opportunity and equality for all in a country that didn't practice what it preached. The movement he led, which was part and parcel of the Christian activist spirit from social rights campaigns of the 19 th and 20 th centuries, sought broad alliances among people of good will. For Jewish teen-ager Anne Frank, hiding away in an attic during World War II, the words conveyed little sense of power, but lots of promise.

In 1941 Thomas Merton withdrew from the world, took a vow of silence and entered a Trappist monas... more In 1941 Thomas Merton withdrew from the world, took a vow of silence and entered a Trappist monastery. Writing from that detached, cloistered vantage point he was concerned that the media had lost a sense of what is real and what truly matters. Over time, Merton forged a philosophy that could be used by today's media practitioners as a model for negotiating the myriad ethical issues that arise during a typical day or career. Examined here will be the ethical principles emphasized by Merton that can be applied to current journalistic practices. It will be suggested that Merton's views resonate with what might be termed a Romantic view of journalism that emphasizes a commitment to seeking and reporting the truth.

In some regards, the chief executive of the land is the high priest of how Americans define the c... more In some regards, the chief executive of the land is the high priest of how Americans define the country to the world. After all, the presidential/vice presidential slate is the only one up for election every four years and the person who wins the office represents the cherished beliefs of the American people.

Two great Catholic writers shared a parallel viewpoint, though G.K. Chesterton used a fictional d... more Two great Catholic writers shared a parallel viewpoint, though G.K. Chesterton used a fictional detective who was an English priest to opine about human nature in the early 20 th century while Thomas Merton, a very real Trappist monk in the United States, commented on the world's ills in the mid-20 th century. These two men, writing a generation and an ocean apart, saw spirituality as a way to contextualize and analyze the world. Because most people get their information through the news media they also, from time to time, wrote about journalism theory.

Routledge International Handbook of Race, Class, and Gender, 2012

In any conversation about the academy and where courses intersect, or how to quantify the quality... more In any conversation about the academy and where courses intersect, or how to quantify the quality of a college education, there is the implication that a curriculum would include a nod to the ancient Greek ideas of technical and artistic knowledge in order to instill in graduates an enlightened wisdom of the world. Or so the theory goes. To put it in a journalistic perspective, such wisdom seeks to know the "what" and "why" of things. Metaphorically speaking, such knowledge puts us in an intellectual eudaimonic state. Again, so the theory goes.

In any conversation about the academy and where courses intersect, or how to quantify the quality... more In any conversation about the academy and where courses intersect, or how to quantify the quality of a college education, there is the implication that a curriculum would include a nod to the ancient Greek ideas of technical and artistic knowledge in order to instill in graduates an enlightened wisdom of the world. Or so the theory goes. To put it in a journalistic perspective, such wisdom seeks to know the "what" and "why" of things. Metaphorically speaking, such knowledge puts us in an intellectual eudaimonic state. Again, so the theory goes.

What were White's sources? After all, the bulk of the African American press at the time consiste... more What were White's sources? After all, the bulk of the African American press at the time consisted of mostly small community weeklies that didn't routinely cover sports, and the white press largely ignored black teams and players 2 . Well, White's own career as a player, coach, and manager, almost continuously from 1887 to 1909, and then briefly in 1924, put him in touch with some of the early players and teams. Based on his first-hand knowledge and contacts, White was able to write a history that is still used today for research on African Americans in late 19 th century baseball. His book has been republished twice since 1984.

The Internet is still a mysterious tool for some publishers and editors at community newspapers. ... more The Internet is still a mysterious tool for some publishers and editors at community newspapers. Although metropolitan newspapers claim to have figured out how to make money with the new toy, some people who own or labor at community papers are puzzled about how to successfully marry content with revenue.

One of the tenets of the hard-boiled genre of detective fiction in the pulp magazines of the earl... more One of the tenets of the hard-boiled genre of detective fiction in the pulp magazines of the early 20 th century was that the main character was a loner who cared more for honor and justice than the worldly trappings of money and power. That protagonist of classically romantic manner was usually a male -there were very few women -private eye or incorruptible metro police officer who fought graft and the political cogs in the crooked machine and almost always emerged triumphant. Justice, if not truth, reigned for at least a little while in the city after the battle between the forces of good and evil. But there was never any rest because the denizens of the underworld, not content to reign in hell, were always plotting and scheming.

This paper takes a literary, historical and theoretical look at James Joyce's view and treatment ... more This paper takes a literary, historical and theoretical look at James Joyce's view and treatment of and by the press in the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries. The reason why is simple: because he baffled the critics, especially the Irish critics (Murphy). Although critics and the public recognized Joyce's genius, they were upset by his apparent renunciation of Catholicism and nationalism, as well perceived pornography in his literary style. So the press of his day framed Joyce as something of an "intelligent but mentally perverted fiend" (Murphy).

Buffalo has had two "native-son" presidents: The rather lackluster and unlucky 13 th president, M... more Buffalo has had two "native-son" presidents: The rather lackluster and unlucky 13 th president, Millard Fillmore, and the non-consecutive two-termer Grover Cleveland (the 22 nd and 24 th president). 1 There is something of a Dickensian motif in the sense that Cleveland is usually ranked among the better presidents and Fillmore among the worst; Fillmore returned to Buffalo after his administration and remained engaged in civic affairs while Cleveland never lived in Buffalo again after he left the White House. For Fillmore, Buffalo was among the best of his times; for Cleveland, he variously summarized living in the city as the worst of times.

The words "interfaith communication" have different denotations and connotations depending on the... more The words "interfaith communication" have different denotations and connotations depending on the user and the context framed by that user. For Trappist monk, poet and social commentator Thomas Merton, the phrase meant how to communicate his thoughts about civil rights, war and peace, and the dignity of life to a diverse and, at times, disinterested and complacent audience. For civil rights activist the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the words reminding America to deliver on a promise of opportunity and equality for all in a country that didn't practice what it preached. The movement he led, which was part and parcel of the Christian activist spirit from social rights campaigns of the 19 th and 20 th centuries, sought broad alliances among people of good will. For Jewish teen-ager Anne Frank, hiding away in an attic during World War II, the words conveyed little sense of power, but lots of promise.

In 1941 Thomas Merton withdrew from the world, took a vow of silence and entered a Trappist monas... more In 1941 Thomas Merton withdrew from the world, took a vow of silence and entered a Trappist monastery. Writing from that detached, cloistered vantage point he was concerned that the media had lost a sense of what is real and what truly matters. Over time, Merton forged a philosophy that could be used by today's media practitioners as a model for negotiating the myriad ethical issues that arise during a typical day or career. Examined here will be the ethical principles emphasized by Merton that can be applied to current journalistic practices. It will be suggested that Merton's views resonate with what might be termed a Romantic view of journalism that emphasizes a commitment to seeking and reporting the truth.

In some regards, the chief executive of the land is the high priest of how Americans define the c... more In some regards, the chief executive of the land is the high priest of how Americans define the country to the world. After all, the presidential/vice presidential slate is the only one up for election every four years and the person who wins the office represents the cherished beliefs of the American people.