This blog posting by Geov Parrish got me thinking.

The events of Nov. 30, 1999, played a big role in my family's decision to move to Seattle from Tokyo four years ago. And no, I'm not an anarchist — I'm talking about the events involving the other 69,900 people in the streets of Seattle protesting the WTO on that day. They were an inspiration, and my wife and I hoped they'd spark some sort of movement in the US to push the country to live up to its promises. But then came the 9/11 attacks and the slow, painful plunge of our nation into its current fearful state.

I still hold out hope for Seattle, and this Thursday will give me an indication of whether I'm at all justified in doing so. Two members of the Federal Communications Commission will be in town to take public comment on media consolidation. They'll listen to Seattle denizens from 6 to 9 pm at the downtown library. Anything short of a packed house — snowstorm or not — would be very disappointing. More media consolidation means less local reporting, more lock-step journalism like the sort that got us into Iraq in the first place, and a less informed culture. Ever wonder why your local TV news will report on a horrific car wreck in Oklahoma or an oversized baby born in Alabama? Media consolidation. It's not just about Rupert Murdoch (although, lord knows, we should be worried about him), it's about weekly newspapers getting bought up by one chain, radio stations using the same playlist — it's about boring and misinforming you for profit.

In fact, if that last sentence is really true, then Chin Music Press is the exact opposite of media consolidation ... which is why I need to get back to work. See you Thursday.