Lord, what fools these mortals be.

Not only is it Shakespeare’s (observed) birthday, Mayor Daley famously has proclaimed it “Talk Like Shakespeare” Day in Chicago, leading to all kinds of odd behaviours…including a reporter showing up on last night’s WGN News in quasi-Elizabethan costume. 

Gets one to thinking, though.  So many people are commenting these days on the news business, journalism, digital media, and related topics these days, we ought to give ol’ Will a chance.  Will he be as downbeat as Jeff Jarvis?  As perceptive as Steve Yelvington?  Herewith The Next Miracle’s interview with the Bard.

TNM:  Nice to see you, sir.  That new picture that surfaced a few weeks ago doesn’t do you justice.

WS: Mislike me not for my complexion. [Pause] How much more elder are thou than thy looks!

TNM: Gee, thanks.  With flattery out of the way, down to the subject at hand.  You’ve probably heard that the “traditional” news business is considered by some to be on the verge of extinction….

WS:  This news which is called true is so like an old tale that the verity of it is in strong suspicion. 

TNM: I can relate to that.  But I was going to add that, ’twere true, it might be bad news for you, since so many theatres that perform your works today still rely upon these media for their ability to reach a literate audience.

WS:  The very life-blood of our enterprise. [Shakes head] True it is that we have seen better days.

TNM: One theory is that the media are not delivering the kind of information that people want any more.

WS: Though it be honest, it is never good to bring bad news.

TNM: You’ve got a point; there has been a lot of bad news lately.  Still, there are those who say that “The Media” has been in for a comeuppance.  On the other hand, when I read the blogs and the trades, I find that there is an awful lot of piling on, almost obscuring the justifiable criticism.

WS: Through tatter’d clothes small vices do appear;
Robes and furr’d gowns hide all.  Plate sin with gold, 
And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks; 
Arm it in rags, a pigmy’s straw does pierce it.

TNM: Not much gold these days to ward off either sin or virtue, I guess, and regardless of the motives of the critics.

WS: A very ancient and fish-like smell.

TNM:  How acquainted are you with the new technologies, by the way?  Did you hear about the company in Orlando that staged “The Taming of the Shrew” on Twitter?

WS: Men of few words are the best men.

TNM:  I should have known. But you probably still see utility in words on a page, I’m thinking.

WS: I love a ballad in print, a-life, for then we are sure they are true.

TNM: At the same time, would you agree with me that there is value in the new model for media in which the audience has a stake in, and helps to create, the content that shapes community discourse and decision-making?

WS: It is the disease of not listening, the malady of not marking, that I am troubled withal. [Pause] Let none presume to wear an undeserved dignity.

TNM:  Hear, hear.  Before we close, surely you must have some advice for the people who are working so hard to bring their companies and their communities through this recession we’re in by disseminating accurate news and information, whether in print or online, whether in startups or established companies.  What would you tell them?

WS: Love thyself last: cherish those hearts that hate thee;
Corruption wins not more than honesty.
Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace,
To silence envious tongues: be just, and fear not.

TNM:  Thank you, William Shakespeare.