Of Noughties and "Historical Forces"

What might be the meaning behind the relentless onslaught of stupendous events?

Mr. Arni Zachariassen got me commenting the following on one of his Facebook discussion threads. He asked, “What was the most important religious event of the noughties? September 11th must be up there, both as an abrupt end to the secularisation thesis and the beginning of a new kind of anti-religious era. From religious apathy to religious antipathy. What do you think?”

A very interesting subject, Arni! One way to look at it might be along these lines: overall, there are immensely powerful processes at play, breaking down a number of established systems and structures of various kinds, not least in religious terms, while simultaneously creating something new and laying the foundation for something more sustainable. In this perspective, terrorism — however serious a threat it may pose to ordered society — represents but one of many such destructive forces.

Maybe the rise of New Atheism can be linked to the evident vulnerability of what, prior to 9/11, used to be perceived as a superior system of civilization — a vulnerability that has been further accentuated by the current shake-up in the financial world. Add to that the overwhelming sense of betrayal generated by these and, indeed, a series of other earth-shattering events, including scandals involving high-profile secular and clerical leaders, and you have massive confusion.

So where’s the good news? Maybe at some level, after all, the world is maturing slowly but surely toward the realization that we’re all interconnected and that it’s time to put aside the old ways of warring, of exploitative behavior, of racism, fanaticism, and prejudice — and that, therefore, there is growing recognition of the fact that structural changes are required in a wide range of areas from religious practice to principles of governance. After all, we have seen a number of steps taken over the past century toward securing some human rights and some principles of equality, toward establishing world peace, bringing education to the masses, and generally raising the standard of living. Very much of this is still in the early stages and has, alas, only been confined to a part of the world. I guess it’s fair to say that the world has missed many opportunities and could have come much further if it weren’t for such huge setbacks as, for example, the two world wars.

But progress in science and technology has been substantial, with the Internet representing a whole new stage of rapid development.

The term “historical forces” was used in the 1980s to describe the momentous changes that took place during that decade with events such as the fall of communism. I think these “historical forces” have in no wise ceased to operate but rather seem to be escalating.

Anyone who believes in God could be asking, might there be some divine master plan in all of this somehow?

Buy the ultimate fishing book—get a fabulous wall calendar as a free bonus!

Here’s a special offer for the rest of 2009. Order the ultimate photography book on life on the fishing grounds, IMAGES OF FISHERMEN: The North Atlantic at only £29.65.* As a bonus, at no additional cost, you will also get our 2010 Wall Calendar, value approximately £14!

With 200 large-size color photos taken by photographer Maria Olsen, IMAGES OF FISHERMEN is no ordinary coffee-table book, presenting truly astounding pictures from the amazing life on board 6 different vessels fishing off Greenland, Iceland, Faroe and Shetland. The photographs, together with stories written by myself and an expert treatise by world-renown fishery adviser Menakhem Ben-Yami, make the book truly unique and a must-have for anyone interested in quality documentation of commercial fishing and life at sea.

The limited-edition 2010 Images of Fishermen Calendar, features one full-page photo from the book for every month of the year, with the calendar info itself on the opposite page of the spread. You will want to keep it for the pictures alone, even after the year 2010 has passed!

Be sure to order your copy of IMAGES of FISHERMEN today by sending an email to nais(at)globalone-press.com with “2010 IOF Calendar” in the subject line.

*Postage and handling not included.

Brands Are Given a Tough Time in Supermarkets

It strikes me increasingly when visiting a supermarket how big brands are being squeezed out by the supermarkets' own labels. This trend has been ongoing for a long time but seems to be accelerating, or am I wrong?

As a case in point, I noticed a few months ago that a classic like Sun Maid California raisins apparently had become unavailable at ASDA (Walmart's UK chain). While relegated to a bottom shelf at Sainsbury's, Sun Maid can still be bought there, which means I'm at least loyal to Sainbury's when it comes to fetching good raisins.

ASDA undeniably has a strong lure not only in its low-price concept but, even more, in being open 24/7. So, admitted, I shop there quite a lot. Last time I went there, however, I was shocked to learn that even an old-time favorite like Ribena was being attacked head-on by ASDA's own blackcurrant drink.

Well, is this taking it a bit too far or what? With competition at dog-eat-dog levels, will there be any benefits left for consumers in the long term, or what is the ultimate outcome of such an environment -- anyone?

Fishermen Appeal to US Congress to Save Industry

In the US, commercial fishermen are finally making coordinated efforts to get their points across to the powers that be. The state of the US fishing industry has a few things in common with that of Western Europe and Australia: the industry has virtually been reduced to ashes by outside management seemingly hell-bent on cutting back on quotas and fishing effort year after year, while increasing technical regulations and red tape to the effect of suffocating the industry.

Commercial Fishermen of America (CFA), a new interest organization (established as late as in 2006), has initiated a campaign to demand Congressional review of the National Marine and Fisheries Service (NMFS), citing “poor management actions” partly caused by influences from non-fishing pressure groups.

According to the August edition of Fishing News International, the CFA and representatives from the “Deadliest Catch” documentary series (Discovery Channel) are heading for Washington in September to set up a Congressional hearing in request of a “thorough review of the policies, procedures and impacts of NMFS decisions.”

In a letter to Congress, the CFA says it “believes that NMFS has misinterpreted Congressional intent beyond all recognition in their implementation of the Magnusson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA).

“The MSA is fundamentally a sound statute; however, Congress must review NMFS implementation of its provisions and provide clarification and continuous oversight of the Agency’s actions. (…)

“NMFS misinterpretation of the intent of Congress has been driven in part by outside influences of NGOs and their increased involvement in the NMFS process.”

The 6 June letter concludes: “Since the implementation of the MSA in 1976, our domestic fishing industry has been reduced by approximately two-thirds, i.e. vessels, fishermen, associated infrastructure, docks, and processing capability. At the same time, our nation’s seafood imports have almost tripled from less than 28% to 82%—while the number of employees of the NMFS has nearly quadrupled.”

CFA president James Ruhle tells Fishing News International: “The science is our target. We’re questioning the science from every angle. I can’t possibly understand how the recommendations of the science community from Woods Hole that I’ve seen for the past 45 years have never been in line with what the industry sees on a daily basis.”

Mr. Ruhle notes: “One of the leading fisheries scientists in the world, Ray Hilborn, of the University of Washington, has said many times that, in the absence of fishing, a mixed-stock species will experience an average 30% overfished species in that complex—without any fishing going on!

“Right now I’m seeing levels of surface species abundance at the highest I’ve ever experience in 45 years in fishing. But we are foregoing the yields of those fisheries because of the NMFS policies.”

Mr. Ruhle adds: “You cannot have every species at high biomass at the same time.”

The Abundance Mindset

American self-help gurus like to pit a mindset of abundance up against one of scarcity. I like that because I think it’s reflective of a fundamental truth about life: your focus becomes your history or, you are what you believe.

Personally, I've always adored the abundance mindset and shunned the scarcity ditto. Why? Well, for one thing the concept of abundance affirms my deepest beliefs about God, glory, and goodness. It implies faith, optimism, and confidence. A mindset that runs counter to that is simply too miserable.

Now, some might mistake this advocacy of the abundance mindset for naïvité -- as in fantasizing that if only you can dream of whatever, then that whatever will be realized just like some sort of magic. Without going into too much detail at this point, let's just say that it's not that simple and, clearly, wishful thinking does not solve any problems, quite the contrary.

But let's be perfectly clear, that does in no wise invalidate the Law of Attraction... To cut it short, for a million reasons, I can hardly imagine it possible to exaggerate the importance of having a positive mental attitude.

Alex Mandossian is one of quite a few such ‘gurus’ whose email newsletters I happen to enjoy more or less regularly (admitted, I get so many of those that reading all of them is next to impossible but then again some of them catch my attention before they get archived and marked as read). Mr. Mandossian reminded me of this subject this morning through his post, Worldwide Survey to Define “Abundance”.

So yes, Napoleon Hill was right. We should go for the abundance mindset, feel wealthy, count our blessings, and appreciate all the great gifts of life -- regardless of what might be one's social status or current net worth.

North Atlantic News: Faroese Ports Highlighted

On the occasion of the Fish Expo Faroes 2009 trade show in Tórshavn 27-29 May, we're publishing the debut issue of North Atlantic News. This is a special-focus, magazine-style publication with the first issue dedicated to coverage of the Faroese ports and shipping sector.

The bulk of the stories printed in the magazine are sponsored features of a similar format as known from Faroe Business Report, and are likewise published online. Features include Faroe Agency, Port of Klaksvik, Toftir Harbour, Port of Runavik, Samskip, and Port of Fuglafjoerdur. The editorial discusses the deteriorating outlook for the blue whiting fishery which may force the ports and shipping sector to look for alternative routes to business growth.

Download a copy of North Atlantic News May 2009 (pdf)...

Positive Representation in the Media

How to receive positive representation in the media: an advisory for a local charity caring for the elderly.

The way the media present persons, organizations, places, and events should never be seen as truly objective reflections of reality — it should rather be perceived as constructs, acts of volition, never neutral, always more or less biased, ever influenced by a range of variables.

Media representations of groups or categories of people sometimes tend to be overly simplistic, or stereotypic. Fortunately, the old problem of stereotyping of the elderly is seen to be somewhat on retreat in the media. However, recent shock advertising campaigns by charities involved in caring for the elderly, attempting to command the attention of potential donors, could cast an unfavorable light on the whole sector and might threaten to refuel ageism in the media.

Faced with such a scenario, the charity for which this report has been prepared needs to strengthen its capacity to deal effectively with the media, which will necessitate the establishment of a permanent media relations program. Based on values that will counter the negative effects of recent shock advertising, such a program will include:

• A clear definition of organizational values — e.g. service, dignity, high ethical standards;
• Perpetual training of all employees for motivation and to build organizational culture;
• The appointment of one or more media spokespersons;
• The development of a core message to convey core values; and
• Proper media coaching of those who will be charged with a spokesperson role.

Introduction
This report aims to outline the ways in which representation works in the media — particularly with regard to how elderly people are represented — and to offer strategic advice on how to interact effectively with the media, with the purpose of ensuring sustainable success: generating a strong public image largely through good media coverage.

The context is that of a local voluntary organization specializing in caring for the elderly. The organization has lately been subjected to what’s perceived as a potential threat to its vital funding in result of the advertising activities of other organizations involved within the same area of activity; those organizations have started using so-called shock tactics to attract public attention. While such campaigns may put people off, they could also jeopardize the good reputation of all charities involved in caring for elderly. Worse, the backlash could, arguably, fuel renewed growth in ageism, the practice of stereotyping elderly people.

Literature dealing with media representation — the way in which the media re-present or construct their own versions of reality — and problems related to such representation, including stereotyping, has been researched for the purpose of this report. Research has also been conducted into literature dealing with media relations — the public relations specialism concerned with building strong relationships with the media — as well as media management, which emphasizes a more direct and technical approach to dealing with the media.

The research is used as a basis for a strategic plan included in the report — offering indications of appropriate and practical objectives while discussing plausible ways by which to receive positive media representation.

Media Representation
Any attempt to reflect the reality of persons, processes, or situations is inherently bound by a range of physical and human limitations: in spite of conveying the idea of merely reflecting aspects of reality, what is presented through the media is, by selection of subject as well as by the process of production, a constructed version of reality — a representation (Branston and Stafford 2006; Haase-Reed et al. 2007).

Media representation in arts, entertainment, literature, news, and advertising is exemplified in the use of so-called ‘code’ i.e. imagery and phrases consisting of repeated elements and ‘signs’ to signify categorization, meaning or intended interpretation — for instance, shaved head for the unemployed, luxury car for the wealthy, an old and sick person for the elderly, or children playing for a thriving community (Branston and Stafford 2006).

Such simplistic representations of reality create or reinforce ‘stereotypes’ which group people, or ‘scripts’ which frame processes and situations (Landman and Manis 1983, p. 88). Exaggerating single perceived characteristics to make them defining and emblematic, a stereotype is, according to Branston and Stafford, a “widely circulated idea or assumption about particular groups.” (2006, p. 91)

Media representation, then, is problematic by and in itself: even with the highest of editorial standards and the most ethical and professional approach to media production, there will always be room for improvement.

Research and Debate
What seems to have given rise to a considerable body of research and debate devoted to media representation over the past few decades refers to the fact that large proportions of populations arguably presupposed to be fairly represented in the media have, nonetheless, been represented in overly simplistic ways or only very infrequently or not at all. In a number of countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, this debate has highlighted the problem of stereotyping along e.g. racial and gender lines — and, as research related to gerontology clearly confirms, elderly people are no exception to the rule (Ramasubramanian and Oliver 2007; Dittmann 2003; Kearl 2008; Woolf 1998).

Stereotyping by Consent?
A number of issues complicate the problem of representation and stereotyping: whether pertaining to business, art or literature, factors such as profession and tradition, history, genre, and the constraints of time and money, do justify and necessitate simplifications and classifications of stories and characters. Indeed, individuals and societies need short-hand references in order for their daily life to function (Branston and Stafford 2006).

The problem varies according to culture and genre — e.g. in fictional works such as crime series and thriller movies there are long-established stereotypes of black criminals, arguably reinforced in recent years with the rise of gangsta rap or other elements of hip-hop culture; likewise, comedy and satire shows often use ethnic stereotypes in jokes and as part of their main content, to the amusement of their audiences including such who belong to the groups stereotyped. In news and current affairs, on the other hand, stereotyping is generally not openly accepted in developed countries.

An Overlooked Group
In advertising, the problem of stereotyping is well-known. Warning against myths and stereotypes of women and the elderly, Lahle Wolfe (2003), points out a significant fact: senior citizens are the fastest-growing population in the United States yet, strangely, marketers have tended to target younger age groups while ignoring seniors. “Several pioneers in the senior marketing industry note that age alone has little to do with the interests of senior consumers. Those who have attempted to cash in on the senior population, simply lumping retirees together by age, have failed, and miserably so.” (Wolfe 2008)

Representation of the Elderly
Calling for increased funding and legal intervention, Dittmann (2003) relates how geriatric psychologists seek to counteract negative age stereotypes found virtually everywhere in society, citing a report from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission with indications of sharply rising numbers of age-discrimination complaints.

Ageism
Compared to other forms of discrimination like sexism or racism, ageism is not a highly publicized form of discrimination although, arguably, most people will readily recognize its existence. The phenomenon can be defined as “the stereotyping of, prejudice against or discrimination against an individual due to his or her age.” (About Equal Opportunities 2008)

Webster University psychology professor Linda M. Woolf posits that “Ageism consists of a negative bias or stereotypic attitude toward aging and the aged. It is maintained in the form of primarily negative stereotypes and myths concerning the older adult.” (Woolf 1998) In Woolf’s assessment, ageism is a reflection of widespread prejudices against the elderly, characterized by two distinctive features: the continual nature of ageing, and the fact that every person is a potential victim inasmuch as no one can escape the process of ageing. “First, the individual may be ageist with respect to others. That is s/he may stereotype other people on the basis of age. Second, the individual may be ageist with respect to self. Thus, ageist attitudes may affect the self concept.” (Woolf 1998)

Progress?
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, publications such as Time magazine, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the New York Daily News were accused of stereotyping old people (Hess 1991). But while references to age stereotyping abound, a quick glance at recent news headlines containing the phrase “old people” produces little visible proof of explicit ageism (Google 2008a); nonetheless, the phrase “elderly people” seems to offer fewer yet different replies with more stories about poverty and misery among the elderly (Google 2008b). Another, more subtle kind of stereotyping could still be thriving, as seen in the disproportionate distribution of age represented in the media relative to the population at large (Fish 2008). The overall impression, however, is that age stereotyping could be more or less on retreat, possibly in result of the dramatic growth of the elderly population in the United States and elsewhere.

Media Relations
Effective media relations is concerned with building strong relationships with the media, and includes managing the flow of information from an organization to its publics. Listing communication instinct and communication skills, conviction, quality of story, and preparedness as key success factors, Doorley and Garcia (2007) recommend a centralized media relations function, with specifically appointed spokespersons — news media are prone to look for bad news with journalists using persuasive techniques to extract information or quotes from their subjects; the risks associated with allowing every employee to discuss organizational matters with outsiders, particularly journalists, outweigh other considerations.

Without a clear message and a sense of conviction of the validity of that message, however, a spokesperson would be perceived as not very believable, which would reflect negatively in media coverage of the organization (Doorley and Garcia 2007).

Media Training
One of the fundamental elements of effective media management is clarity and having a well-defined core message (Stevens 2005; Stewart 2004). Above all when it comes to television, a core message is essential: people will only remember very little from a TV interview but by frequently rephrasing a core message, a spokesperson will make it easier for audiences to remember what was said (Stevens 2005). Additionally, there are a number of issues to bear in mind for those interviewed, such as displaying good demeanor, appearing professional and trustworthy, dressing appropriately, mindful of body language and tone of voice. Being well prepared implies being sufficiently knowledgeable on subjects of basic relevance for the organization as well as having rehearsed its story and core message, being mentally and physically fit, and also being acquainted with the medium in question and knowing about its audiences. Understanding journalists, what they want and why, is another vital requirement (Stewart 2004).

Strategic Plan
Strategies and tactics used by media relations and media coaching professionals can be appropriate to employ, not only for those on the receiving end of misrepresentation in the media but for every organization, particularly those financially dependent on the good will of constituencies primarily communicated with through the media.

Read more of this report (pdf)...