EPIC

In January 2005 a fascinating short film about the future of the news was released and brought to my attention. It really blew my mind at the time. When I mention it to people today I’m surprised at the number of those who have not had the opportunity to view the film. The reason why I’ve been thinking about it lately is because of the recent news concerning newspapers around the country that are dying. These include the LA Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Miami Herald, the Chicago Sun-Times and the list goes on. Some of these are award-winning publications and you have to wonder what the cause of their demise really is.

The second reason I’m thinking of the film is because of the current massive growth of the Social Network platforms Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc. Do people have the time to do both: socialize on the Internet as well as read newspapers? Or are they getting their news while they socialize on these sites?

The film, by Robin Sloan and Matt Thompson is fictional and was based on a presentation they gave at the Poynter Institute. Take a look at this film and keep in mind it was made in 2005. Everything it presents as happening after that time is based on speculation. How much is happening now and how much will be happening by 2015?

Welcome to EPIC 2015

Let me know what you think.