SevenQuestions: Rebecca L. Eisenberg, Cyber Pundit

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Seven Questions

Rebecca L. Eisenberg is a freelance writer and emerging cyber pundit (TV and print) who started attracting notice when her site developed a habit of saying things that made comfortable people uncomfortable. 8 August 1998

1 What's one thing that happens all the time in San Francisco but would never happen in your hometown (Milwaukee, Wis.)? Back to the 7Q index

Single-family houses selling for a million dollars.

People think of San Francisco as some sort of "free-wheelin'" alterna-culture haven. Perhaps it used to be, but right now -- with the median price of new homes sold at record $350,000-plus figures -- San Francisco is swiftly becoming a haven for the wealthy.

I have noticed very little behavior here that does not happen (on a smaller scale) in Milwaukee -- Milwaukee has fabulous ethnic festivals (Germanfest, Polishfest, Summerfest) as well as a thriving and diverse gay/lesbian community as well.

2 If web content ever becomes profitable, how is it most likely to emerge?

I think that Web developers need to learn how better to leverage the bi-directional interactive nature of the Net.

For example, they need to start -- listening -- to users and customers. Instead of trying to push onto users the content that they want users to want (like Yahoo and most portals) they need to do a better job of collecting information from users and giving users what they are interested in.

Here is an example of what I mean. In 1993, I used to hang out on the Usenet Newsgroup for fans of the television show "Melrose Place," called alt.tv.melrose-place. Every now and then, a person who described himself as a "PR Exec" from Fox Televison posted in the newsgroup, asking us questions: Do we like Heather Locklear; should Billy marry Allison; would we like to see two men kissing; that sort of thing.

We were able to give our answers (yes, no, yes) and we hoped that the exec would then take our opinion to the powers that be that make decisions about the show. It seems to me that, to the extent that Fox paid attention to our opinions, it increased its popularity at least in our fan base, and it gave us more of a feeling of "relevance" and "ownership" in the product (the show).

Amazon is moving in this direction -- first by using agent technology to collect information about the kinds of books that customers like (and then marketing similar books directly to the customers) but as of today by purchasing Planet All, which will enable them to send reminder notes on the birthdays of their customers friends and relatives with gift suggestions. The Internet is suited amazingly well for this kind of direct marketing. Some people object to the "privacy" concerns -- but I think that people will be attracted by the convenience and the power it may well give them over inventory and purchase decisions.

For example, if enough people state an interest in purchasing feminist fiction in bookstores, maybe more stores will start to carry it. And, if we are going to be stuck with advertisements, the advertising might as well have a better chance at being for something we are interested in.

3 What advice would you give to a journalist going on TV for the first time?

Sit up straight. Think through a few sound bites in advance. Get to your point quickly. And most importantly, don't take yourself too seriously. Nothing is more important for TV than maintaining a sense of humor about yourself and your work.

4 What's the No. 1 survival skill of a freelance writer?

Actually, it is not too different from the above. "Get a thick skin," which to me means: Take risks; learn to deal with disappointment, rejection and criticism with grace; focus on the positive; set your goals high; work your ass off, with abandon, obsession, ambition and passion; enjoy your work - you have a fun job!; and, most importantly, try not to take yourself too seriously.

5 Are there any amendments to the U.S. constitution that you would repeal, if the choice were up to you?

None. But I would add one: an Equal Rights Amendment

6 Who's your favorite journalist covering the Internet/technology beat?

That's really hard, and it depends on what I am writing about. Right now I am writing about personalization, so I'd say Michael Sippey (of Stating the Obvious).

7 Which would you rather be, rich or famous?

This one is easy. Rich. Fame (and/or infamy) has always followed me my whole life, practically without effort. It does not excite me, and sometimes it depresses me, as more and more people think that they "know" you -- but they only know your name. Plus, people somehow assume that fame brings wealth. That is far from the truth.

I very much would like to be rich, and even view the goal as part of a feminist mission to help redistribute the wealth. Pay me, and I'll tell you more about it.

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Copyright 1998, Thomas L. Mangan >Back to new SevenQuestions
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Rebecca L. Eisenberg is a freelance writer and emerging cyber pundit (TV and print) who started attracting notice when her site developed a habit of saying things that made comfortable people uncomfortable.		8 August 1998
1	What's one thing that happens all the time in San Francisco but would never happen in your hometown (Milwaukee, Wis.)?	Back to the 7Q index
	Single-family houses selling for a million dollars. People think of San Francisco as some sort of "free-wheelin'" alterna-culture haven. Perhaps it used to be, but right now -- with the median price of new homes sold at record $350,000-plus figures -- San Francisco is swiftly becoming a haven for the wealthy. I have noticed very little behavior here that does not happen (on a smaller scale) in Milwaukee -- Milwaukee has fabulous ethnic festivals (Germanfest, Polishfest, Summerfest) as well as a thriving and diverse gay/lesbian community as well.
2	If web content ever becomes profitable, how is it most likely to emerge?
	I think that Web developers need to learn how better to leverage the bi-directional interactive nature of the Net. For example, they need to start -- listening -- to users and customers. Instead of trying to push onto users the content that they want users to want (like Yahoo and most portals) they need to do a better job of collecting information from users and giving users what they are interested in. Here is an example of what I mean. In 1993, I used to hang out on the Usenet Newsgroup for fans of the television show "Melrose Place," called alt.tv.melrose-place. Every now and then, a person who described himself as a "PR Exec" from Fox Televison posted in the newsgroup, asking us questions: Do we like Heather Locklear; should Billy marry Allison; would we like to see two men kissing; that sort of thing. We were able to give our answers (yes, no, yes) and we hoped that the exec would then take our opinion to the powers that be that make decisions about the show. It seems to me that, to the extent that Fox paid attention to our opinions, it increased its popularity at least in our fan base, and it gave us more of a feeling of "relevance" and "ownership" in the product (the show). Amazon is moving in this direction -- first by using agent technology to collect information about the kinds of books that customers like (and then marketing similar books directly to the customers) but as of today by purchasing Planet All, which will enable them to send reminder notes on the birthdays of their customers friends and relatives with gift suggestions. The Internet is suited amazingly well for this kind of direct marketing. Some people object to the "privacy" concerns -- but I think that people will be attracted by the convenience and the power it may well give them over inventory and purchase decisions. For example, if enough people state an interest in purchasing feminist fiction in bookstores, maybe more stores will start to carry it. And, if we are going to be stuck with advertisements, the advertising might as well have a better chance at being for something we are interested in.
3	What advice would you give to a journalist going on TV for the first time?
	Sit up straight. Think through a few sound bites in advance. Get to your point quickly. And most importantly, don't take yourself too seriously. Nothing is more important for TV than maintaining a sense of humor about yourself and your work.
4	What's the No. 1 survival skill of a freelance writer?
	Actually, it is not too different from the above. "Get a thick skin," which to me means: Take risks; learn to deal with disappointment, rejection and criticism with grace; focus on the positive; set your goals high; work your ass off, with abandon, obsession, ambition and passion; enjoy your work - you have a fun job!; and, most importantly, try not to take yourself too seriously.
5	Are there any amendments to the U.S. constitution that you would repeal, if the choice were up to you?
	None. But I would add one: an Equal Rights Amendment
6	Who's your favorite journalist covering the Internet/technology beat?
	That's really hard, and it depends on what I am writing about. Right now I am writing about personalization, so I'd say Michael Sippey (of Stating the Obvious).
7	Which would you rather be, rich or famous?
	This one is easy. Rich. Fame (and/or infamy) has always followed me my whole life, practically without effort. It does not excite me, and sometimes it depresses me, as more and more people think that they "know" you -- but they only know your name. Plus, people somehow assume that fame brings wealth. That is far from the truth. I very much would like to be rich, and even view the goal as part of a feminist mission to help redistribute the wealth. Pay me, and I'll tell you more about it.
Back to SQ index Copyright 1998, Thomas L. Mangan		>Back to new SevenQuestions main page