New Attraction: Media Watch

Dear Readers:

Well, I just can't help myself. I have started "Media Watch" - a new blog for RealClearPolitics.

This won't come as much of a surprise. I'm still very engaged in and passionate about the media business, particularly the fate of the newspapers. This new blog will be refreshed daily with the latest news and opinions about the world of media.

I won't be mirroring every post here at the Zoo, so please be sure to check the blog at RealClearPolitics. But here's the first post:

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The newspaper business is in its death throes, apparently. But that hardly means journalism is dead.

The media industry is evolving at a breakneck pace in the opening stanza of the 21st century - and instead of just reporting the news, the media frequently find themselves in the news. Since we here at Real Clear Politics follow the news, it's become imperative for us to also keep up with the people who bring us the news.

A veteran newspaperman-cum-digital media maven, I relished this challenge. I got my first job as a paperboy at the age of 15 and worked up the newspaper food chain from there. In my 20 years as a journalist, I put in time both as an editor and a writer, covering diverse events ranging from the Super Bowl to Hong Kong's change of ownership.

Viewing the newspaper business as a sinking ship, I jumped into the high seas and surfed for the web. Three years ago I began a new life as the BCS Guru and six months ago I found my kindred spirits at Real Clear Politics and helped start our new international politics and news site Real Clear World.

Everyday, you'll find a little bit of something here covering the media - from the journalism realm to the business end. Your interest is most welcome, as are comments and tips. You may contact me at sam@realclearworld.com.

- Samuel Chi, December 2008

The Guru Leaves the Zoo

Dear Readers:

It's come time to say goodbye.

Over the past two years, the Berlinzoo has co-hosted the BCS Guru. But over time, with the growth of the Guru site, it has become redundant and unnecessary to repeat the Guru postings here. So beginning December 1, the Guru postings will no longer appear here.

Instead, the Zoo will be devoted to mostly political commentary and now also the media, as the newspaper industry faces its impending doom. Please also visit RealClearWorld for my latest work.

In the meantime, if you're missing the Guru, feel free to visit BCS Guru.

Thank you for your support, as always.

Hello, World!

Dear Reader:

A month ago, I announced that I was working on a beta site for RealClearPolitics, a superb compilation and analysis site for all things politics. Now I am able to present RealClearWorld, an international news and politics site featuring articles from the leading English-language publications around the world, and sometimes, even from yours truly.

RealClearWorld launched on Aug. 9, just as the Beijing Olympics got under way and Russia began its invasion of Georgia. In a world juxtaposed with both conflict and harmony, I trust our site will be a good source for useful information you're looking for.

Come and see us soon!

A RealClear Choice

Dear Reader:

The Berlinzoo is undergoing an expansion!

With pleasure, I'm announcing that I have joined the RealClearPolitics team. RCP is a well-trafficked and highly-regarded compilation and analysis site, on all matters politics. I will mainly work on a beta site (which I'm not at liberty to reveal yet) due to launch within a month, as well as RealClearSports, as an editor and contributor.

This is my first piece for RealClearSports, heralding the impending Wimbledon men's final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, which, of course, did not disappoint. I am expected to write on a weekly basis, perhaps more frequently once the football season gets under way.

Like its sister site, RealClearSports is a compilation site that provides links to the day's top sports opinion and feature pieces from various publications, web sites and blogs. The site is updated twice daily, at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. It's as if we're publishing a morning and an afternoon newspaper -- just like the good ol' days.

I will make another announcement when the beta site is formally launched. Please visit us, early and often!

New Day at the Zoo

Dear Reader:

We're excited to bring you some news at The Berlinzoo. Rest assured that you'll still find all the quality postings here uninterrupted. But if you're interested in any particular topic, you now may go to places that devote exclusively to what you're looking for.

The BCS Guru is getting a facelift. The end result is that the site will have a dual existence as a resource center and a blog. All postings and comments will now be archived at the Guru's blog site. And a new RSS feed from the Guru is now available.

As the Beijing Olympics are approaching, I will be providing more insights and analyses to everything about China and the Olympics. Since China obviously is not going away even after the Games, it's fitting that we'll now have a blog devoted exclusively to China. It will also double as a resource center for everything pertaining to China -- history, culture, current events and of course, politics. Go to Sinotaneous.com and have a look. An exclusive RSS feed for Sinotaneous will be available soon as well.

I want to thank you for your continued support. And if you are one of those people who just can't get enough of me, then please come back to The Berlinzoo, as everything I write will appear here. It's like a zoo that has more species than any other in the world.

Now which zoo would that be? Hmmm ...

The Zoo is Now Open

After plotting this project for well over a month, the Berlinzoo is now officially open. Just like its namesake in the German capital, there are actually two zoos for the price of one. The political animals will reside apart from the sporting animals -- most of the time. Of course, they will all be in the charge of one Zookeeper.

You'll find fascinating commentary here about politics of our time, specifically about the survival of Western Civilization, lessons from history and also China. Full disclosure: The Zookeeper is a native of the Republic of China.

Sport will get its due as well, for the Zookeeper is a former sports journalist. He wears another hat as the BCS Guru. In addition to college football, the Zookeeper will keep you informed and enlightened about other pursuits from the extremely popular pro football to the extremely obscure college baseball. And yes, the 2008 Beijing Olympics will be prominently discussed here as well.

Welcome to the Berlinzoo. Enjoy the visit.