TUNING IN … WITH ARDITH STEPHANSON

Imagine my shock when Rod Pedersen approached me to resurrect a column I last wrote 16 years ago. Tuning In, which focused on sports broadcasting, was a column I wrote regularly for The Regina Leader-Post while I was a sports writer there. It seems like a lifetime ago, and I guess it was.

Since leaving the paper in 1998, I did freelance writing, but focused my career on communications, and in recent years have only dabbled in writing. I recently started a blog to reinvigorate my passion for writing, because I really do enjoy it. But I have not written for audiences outside of my workplace or my family in a lot of years. People will tell you I am very good at speaking my opinion….but writing it down and sharing it in the mass media for others to read and react to…that’s another matter entirely.

Think about what has changed since I last wrote for an audience, which is probably about 10 years ago. Or since I was a sports writer in the ’90s. When I traveled to Germany to cover world championship curling for The Leader-Post in 1994, my articles were transmitted through large connectors that sat on the telephone handset and connected to my laptop.

I can’t even describe what that laptop was like compared to my MacBook. Now I post a blog in real time that can be read immediately, responded to by readers immediately, and anyone who signs up can get it delivered directly via email. I don’t mean to sound old, but think about how the Internet has changed our lives. Ten years ago is also when Facebook was born, and social media has completely changed how we interact with each other. When I was a sports writer, I used to get letters and cards, and often telephone calls, from readers – happy readers and angry readers.

Imagine – a hand-written card! Now I post a comment on Twitter and can expect to hear back almost instantly. I don’t want to sound like a groupie, but there is something cool about sending a note to Peter Mansbridge, Clara Hughes, Heather Moyse, our Premier, (even Saskatchewan curling celebrity Dwayne Mihalicz) and getting a response!

Imagine that I used to need a phone line to submit stories from Regina Pats or Saskatchewan Roughriders games, or across the country in Halifax or across the world in Oberstdorf, Germany.

Now I need the Internet, or with a smart phone, I only need a cell connection. I won’t pretend to know how all this stuff works, but it works, and I can probably write this blog on my smart phone if I am so inclined. Rod can send a text to me asking where my copy is, and expect to hear back from me immediately. And then there is the medium by which we actually enjoy our sports.

People think I’m a bandwagon jumper when I say I’m a Seahawks fan, but I actually like them from my days in high school and university in Edmonton. Back then, we got our cable from Spokane, Washington, so every Sunday, the game available to watch was a Seahawks game. And if you don’t believe me, I will find a picture of my blue and green Zubaz sweats!

Back then, what was three Canadian channels became American cable TV, which became satellite TV, which became streaming video. I can watch sports on my tablet or smartphone, and hook either to a TV if I want. The technology changes the business model and allows for a business like NetFlix to become the latest and greatest. What’s next?

As humans, however, we still have a fundamental need to connect. I interact through some social media, and there are many I don’t use – I can’t keep up! But nothing beats watching a hockey game with friends, going to a Riders game in person, or discussing our opinions over a beer after a game.

And so the chance to connect with readers again, while scary, is also an exciting one for me. I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I know I will, and I look forward to hearing from you and hearing your thoughts, ideas and opinions. You can write me a letter if you like!

But it’s likely easier to follow me on Twitter @Ardith_S