You are transparent

10/30/09 03:16 PM
Magic in their eyes

I know you’ve deceived me, now here’s a surprise
I know that you have ‘cause there’s magic in my eyes
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
 –  The Who
 
Old music? Ask Brian Gorman, the first-base umpire in the Oct. 29th World Series Game between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies.
 
Gorman missed two plays.
 
In the seventh inning, he ruled that Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard had caught a low liner off the bat of the Yankees’ Johnny Damon on the fly, starting a double play. Replay showed Howard trapped the ball.
 
In the eighth, Gorman called Phillies batter Chase Utley out at first on the second leg of a double play. Replay showed Utley was safe.

 wembley_79_who_7

In 1967, when The Who released “I Can See For Miles,” no one would have disputed those calls. Both were so close that no umpire could have been taken to task for his decision.
 
Now it’s different. On HD, the play was clear. We have magic in our eyes.
 
Everyone, it seems, can see for miles and miles and miles. Companies used to be able to say “no comment” to reporters’ questions, confident that the doors protecting their information could not be breached. Now everyone’s a reporter.
 
Executives could maintain a pristine civic profile at work and get goofy on their own time. Michael Phelps will tell you that not only is everyone a reporter, but every one of them has a video camera.
 
Protecting your reputation is a full-time job. Like every other function, you can do better with help. Someone who understands how the media landscape has changed and how it can be managed can make a difference. That’s what we do.
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