I wrote a version of this post awhile back on the Aggregate blog, listing the top 5 new sites you should read or check out in Nevada County. This list differs from that a bit due to the changing landscape and the general negativity that’s being spewed online.
So instead of sifting through the pot shots, take a look at this list to see what might interest you as something worth reading without the heartburn.
- Sierra Voices — Penned by Don Pelton, this blog focuses on politics and upping the quality of debating. It centers around regional and national issues.
- See Jane Do — Elisa White and Jesse Locks run this blog in conjunction with their radio show on KVMR. The gist, just like the show, is dedicated to “everyday women doing extraordinary things for the planet.” There’s some amazing stories told here every week.
- Dixie Fix — Dixie Redfearn has worked with every single media outlet in Nevada County and has her eyes and ears (and sometimes fingers) on the pulse of this county. Remarkably, she stays positive throughout.
- Nevada City Farmers Market — It’s weird because this is centered around essentially a business, but the once a week reminder posted on this site is uplifting and topical for those looking for something to do in Nevada City. Good qualities for this list.
This list is by no means encompassing of the entire region, and I welcome suggestions in the comments.
Anna Haynes
/ July 19, 2009Thanks for the heads-up on the Farmers Market; I’ve added it to Nevada County Voices.
Another for the list is Shawn Tuttle’s Project Simplify – she’s positive, but still reality-based.
The flip side of positive, though – Not offending people is not an option (for newspapers)
It works in the short run, but in the long run, reality _will_ be offensive to some – and if we don’t face up to reality, we’ll put off some things a bit longer, and reality will become a very unwelcome surprise for pretty much everyone.
(“I don’t think tottering from a seemingly normal climate at my birth… to an irreversible charge towards the equivalent of the Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum by my death…makes for a good disaster movie, although it will be the end of all we know.” – link)
(How do you say “we’re in danger, don’t listen to those men who are trying to lull you and your children to sleep in a burning house”, in a positive way? How do you convey that we can’t afford to sleep on this, in a way that will get through to our elected representatives who are inclined to do exactly that?)
It’s not a special interest when our civilization really is at stake.
sorry. that did set me off a bit, I am rather fond of human civilization and would like us to keep it…
(related, see Boiling the Frog by Nobel economist Krugman. Is it a positive frog?)
Zuri
/ July 19, 2009Agreed on all points Anna. But I’m a firm believer of “there is a time and a place for everything.” And this post is just meant to give people an option to check out, what I perceive as, more positive and uplifting voices in the community on their own time when they don’t want to be haggled with the end of the world rants that are becoming so popular. Trust me when I say there’s a lot of negative voices to choose from. But we’ve got slim pickings on positive ones.
Thanks for pointing me in the direction of Project Simplify. I’ll check it out.
Don Pelton
/ September 1, 2009Zuri:
Thanks for including Sierra Voices. Perhaps you wouldn’t now mind upgrading the link in this posting to http://sierravoices.com ?
Thanks.
Don.
Zuri
/ September 1, 2009Taken care of, Don.