Walter Dodson
Walt is a freelance writer working in
San Francisco. Covering topics from
tourism to wine collecting to sport
scuba diving, his articles have
appeared in some of Americas most well
known weekly magazines.
Walt answered a few questions for Spike
Webb Productions so you could get to
know him a little:
SWP: Walt, why have you stayed away from covering the
high-tech industry?
WD: In a world where youre only as good as your last press
release, Silicon Valley writes its own history as it goes
along. The last thing anyone down there wants is an objective
view being reported. Journalism sort of gets in the way.
SWP: But you held out as long as you could and now the
gravitational pull of Silicon Valleys industry and gossip
line has finally pulled you into the center of what you call
"the modem pool." What do you mean by "modem pool?"
WD: Ive been calling it "the modem pool" for quite a while, I
guess. It used to be the guys covering high tech were the only
ones who used PCs and modems to send in their stories. Its
also kind of joke about how they do there work. You know,
download press releases, sprinkle in a few of their own words
and upload to the editors desk. Whos doing more work, the
writer or the modem?
SWP: But now youre part of it.
WD: I hope Im not part of it. At least Im telling myself
that doing this Ack-Nack project is different. My goal is to
get some visibility for what I think are widely held views
that dont seem to get any coverage. I think Im the only
"techno-moderate" on the planet. Somebody has to start
speaking for the level-headed majority. Its time for some
sanity.
To see how moderate you think he is, follow
Walter Dodsons view of cyberspace here each week
in the Ack-Nack section of Spike Webb.
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