On Tuesday's episode we covered the weekinreview group in Los Angeles. What exactly is the weekinreview? Well, the founders describe it as an alternative to your regular news source: "Documenting and reporting hearsay recounts of the news, a forum is created in which people who care and are interested in the world around them can have a voice." I first heard about the weekinreview when it was conceived in 2004. They've stayed strong since then, expanding to other cities and countries even. Think of it as the DIY news.
The different news events that happen each week used to come to us solely through the mainstream media. Lately though, I've been hearing about news events and happenings via my social network, especially through Twitter. When the Chino Hills earthquake hit a couple weeks ago, Twitter shook with tweets about where everybody was during. I learned about George Carlin's and Bernie Mac's deaths from friends' Twitters. Weekinreview takes the human news feed to the internet in graphic form.
The coolest part about weekinreview is that it gets people together to meets to share and discuss the latest bits of news they've heard about. In today's digital world, perhaps what we lack the most is face to face interaction. Honestly, with my internets addiction, you'd think I would be the last person to say that, but participating in the weekinreview was a really fun way to meet and connect with new people.
It's easy to start your own weekinreview chapter. All you really need are markers, paper, and a place to gather. Email your scans to Estelle and she'll hook you up with your very own spot on the weekinreview homepage. A great place to think about advertising your chapter is Upcoming.org. Go forth, gather, and draw!
