We do what we can with what we have. We have worked ourselves though a phase known as “periodical puberty” – which is a classifiable transition period specific to publications noted in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Media Disorders (DSM-IV). The Art Director has hair under her arms, Modus began to shavus, and we’ve been hiding under a rock waiting for the acne to clear up.
We’re in the business of asking questions. Not only of the city, but also of ourselves.
Starting as an ambitious effort, 10,000 copy weekly paper, we’ve lost some of the baby-fat and are now considering a format change that would be more conducive to our philosophy, schedule, and budget, while not losing any of our spoRadicalness. At the end of the day, everybody agrees, the content will be worth the wait.
Every newspaper has to negotiate the public’s perception as well as concede to a rigid publication schedule. People have expectations of certain media. Newspapers are specifically trusted to adhere to their deadline cycle, coming out the day expected.
The way we work is not meant for the usually strict newspaper format because we are not a well-oiled machine lubricated by a slick stack of greasy greenbacks. Despite the undeniable goal of journalistic integrity, the guidelines of traditional newspapers signify absolute structure. They are paper-based machines of information that pump out advertising and content weekly or daily. But that format doesn't allow for the content development and integrity we strive for. We tried; but you can't shove ten pounds worth of stuff into a five-pound bag.
—Ashley Mercado
