Elevator Talk

There is a reason I avoid most press events - mainly because I can't stand the company of too many other journalists - they think I'm a pompous ass (some of them think that because of this blog, but then again I think they're jealous because nobody reads their blogs) and I frankly don't do too much to detract from that image because very often I think many of the people I see at large gatherings of journalists (with some notable exceptions) are very, very stupid (but I'll deal with stupidity in another post). Because I am an arrogant, opinionated pompous ass, and I won't ever make any bones about it. But then again, you look at the top jobs in journalism today and it is a Who's Who of pompous asses (p.a, it does get too long and repetitive), with due apologies to virtually everyone. I mean other than maybe a couple of people - actually the ones with possibly the most power are fairly modest but the rest of the collective - and I have no clue what the collective would be called (any suggestions?) but they are.
Anyway, over the past few days I've met more than my fair share of journalists. Far too many of them, to be honest but everyone is talking about the same thing. Jobs! Even people who have no fear of losing theirs are talking. Downturn, downturn, downturn - it is the flavour of the month and the best thing are the numbers you end up hearing - 100 here, 200 there. The sad fact is that the good times are truly over and the bad times might be really bad. The worst thing is that unlike the Sakaal fiasco, most of this will be silent 'shedding' and I doubt that the media which made Naresh Goyal into the devil personified will report on this. Other than Mint and Business Standard maybe, but you won't hear anything on television I'm pretty sure at least for a while.
Going beyond, I know some of you read this blog think I'm a p.a or worse, but you're probably not as dumb as most. Heck, you can read my convoluted stream of consciousness despite the halo of last night's vodka tonics blurring it. But, if you are hearing of any lay-offs or pink-slips at media houses, send in a comment or an email. Silent shedding is insiduous in India and if we didn't let Naresh Goyal get away with it why should you let media owners? Don't restrict this to elevator talk!
Also check out (if you haven't already) Samreth's great post on the News X fiasco. Actually, his is quite a good blog. Much better than mine for example!