An Open Letter to Al Gore

they need to control the news just came back after awhile and it is crap

I must say that much of what made current great is the the community-members. Maybe much of what we posted wasn't technically "news". But I"'ve learned much from the things posted here and have developed all sorts of weird views based off of posts from progressives, greens, libertarians, to the point where my views no longer fit into any political label.

It's disheartening to see that citizen journalism aspect kicked to the back burner but that's been the trend since I first started here a few years back. I guess they have to do whatever it takes to stay financially solvent.

If I remember correctly, the station lost money every year since its inception. I believe current signed Keith Olbermann for upwards in the amount of 10 million a year.

They have planted their flag firmly with keith, so of course they are going to restructure the website with Keith as the central plank, even if everything else gets thrown aside.

Keith is a risky gambit, but Current's last chance. If Keith sink's current's ship will sink with him.

the original idea of Current was citizen journalism - to give voice to the people and present news from the bottom up. Rough and raw, it had heart. the problem was there was never enough courage to go with that and too much fear of being seen as Youtube that eventually it was all scrapped for slick professionally looking hollow programming. Also Current had gone from being completely interactive to passive to almost voiceless. I don't recognize this place anymore

judging from the comments, I am beginning to understand the differences, a social networking channel with a slight political bent whose content is fueld by the web-site viewers, or a political activitist channel not unlike mother jones or the nation but on TV, and whos content is fueld by the editors of current. I think they can co-exist.

Although it can safely be said that viewers don't want Current to turn into pop culture and become a perz hilton site.(aka: Huffingtonpost.) God forbid a merge between, Huffington, AOL, and Current, what a sad day that would be.

I still think Al and Current should be given a chance because I really don't think they have sold out yet. But of course I say this because I just got here.

This is the third format change I can recall... And that more than anything else drives away many top contributing community member EVERY TIME they do it. Isn't the definition of insanity repeating the same action and expecting a different result?

Wow, the groups we are reduced to...Politics, US Politics, Green, Right Now and ....what happened? Time to eat cookies.

Open communication be damned? And another step is taken before our eyes.

1st. Newcomers don't like to be beaten over the head with "they don't know what’s good for them talk."

2nd. Many of the old ways sound great, its in the air, I wouldn't hold my breath, but who knows, it certainly can't happen without you.

3rd. I only know these users by their post, but I am not as thoughtful funny as Kbuffin, or Kenny, as insightful as Arch, and as dedicated to a cause as Janforgore. Humor escapes me when it comes to posting, I tend to take a passionate tone. But like arch said how the editors didn't pick up on his posts, it also pains me to see that Janforgore's article on clean water act got 5 posts. It pains me to see that a majority of pultizer prize winning vanguard blogs have less than 3 and some 0 posts. Someone said it should be organized better, that’s not changing a thing. Some one said there was 1000 hits, okay when. As far as I can tell there is about 5 to 10 people that post on current everyday, that's it.

I am also guilty, I tend to only reply to those things that are sensational. Frankly I don't know enough and I just don't have enough time. So maybe there is change, but for who 5 to 10 people. You can't be a community with 10 people, and you can hardly expect the message to get out.

Support other cites, that's fine, but consider this, everyone here knows what it means to root for the underdog, Al Gore is an underdog and so is Currenttv.

Here is a quote from Marly and Me that I think it says it all..."I don't know if I am better than the other guys, but I always manage to amaze myself. 10 years ago I was a pot head on couch playing games, but I got into college, graduated with honors. Jen is woman way out of my league, but I am married to her now." Current should never have gone on air, providing stylized free content that you could already get on utube for free. But they did and they have been on for 5 years. Current could never afford someone with political clout and influence with only 20,000 viewers, but they have k.o.. This kind of transition will be hard on the purist, that’s understandable, but give current a chance to amaze you, don't give up on the underdog.

Personally, I know I will leave and come back for stretches of a time, I am just glad they have KO here everyday, and a site that basically agrees with his outlook. And I am comforted knowing that I can come back here when I want too and when I need too.

We are not crying out to say we want the old current. We are just asking to be heard again. We just need more segments and shows. We need stories added and PODs to air again. We can keep evolving but don't cut us out!

thanks jake for the clarity of the problems you see with the changes to current. All except the cut to Al Gore's intergrity, after all this is his baby. The way you liked it is the way he created it along with many of others of like mind. The nature of creativity is change. I for one, found the Bar Karma community input process cumbersome and overwhelming. As much as I was excited by the ideas and being able to submit my own humble efforts, I couldn't keep up. Especially when I realized I would not be able to watch it on the internet. (Cablevision no current) It too many chefs not enough cooks, the more popular a site gets, and someone has to start making decisions.

In general, the writing is okay. The message is great. The whole premise, laudable. But the letter proves why Current had to change.

The intentions, the message and the suggestions are all reasonable—laudable, even. However, the writing is not professional level. I say this not to criticize Jake, but to educate the dissenters. Some people are meant to be journalists, and some are not.

I really agree with Jake's sentiments. And I find it highly commendable that he is willing to take initiative. But the fact remains that Jake writes like a junior from a public high school: the quality of the writing is there, just beneath the surface, but it requires polishing by someone more experienced. So do many of the people in the comment sections on this site. If this were the quality of the written material featured on the site, what would be the incentive to choose Current as a media source (or outlet) over MSNBC, FOX or CNN??

Great letter! I was able to watch Current for more than 1hr at a time, now I feel like it is impossible... Keith is great, and his show should be the political show for the channel. I miss the pods!!

Thanks to Current staff for not moving this page to a place where nobody would see it. Also thanks to sgwhites, duzins and staff for reading these suggestions.

Current used to be the hottest network and website where everybody had their chance to achieve their fifteen minutes of fame.

Well said Jake. I wish I had discovered Current earlier before it began it's downward spiral.

Lost the internet for a time due to lack of money. Didn't recognize the place when I got back. I feel like the movie "Sucker Punched". Take care and good luck ArchDruid.

To all of you older members of this marvelous forum I would like to say how sorry I am that you seem to be more interested in maintaining a small intimate group than growing into a more expansive coalition.

I am a relative newcomer to Current who joined this community because of Olbermann, frankly I only discovered the existence of Current because of KO. I know that Current expected some growth when they brought on Keith, however, I don't think they were in anyway prepared for the explosion of growth they are now experiencing. Growth is painful in all stages of our lives, but we should celebrate that growth rather than condemn it.

Being new to your forum I can tell you that I watched it getting more and more unweildy each day. I celebrate the fact that Current is working hard to make this site more cohesive. There are millions out there like myself; Liberals stuck in small pockets throughout the Red states. We will never be allowed access to Current TV. The Conservatives ruling our parts of this country will never tolerate the unwashed masses being given access to accurate timely information, they mean to exploit those who only have access to their propaganda. They are, in fact, quite masterful in making the working class feel that they are being abused.

I would have hoped that you would all celebrate swelling your numbers with us new folks, the larger your coalition the greater your ability to affect national policy, however you have determined rather to reject us instead. Score another for the GOP and they didn't have to do anything at all. This is the biggestest weakness in the Liberal/Progressive movement, the tent is supposed to be big enough for all of us. In reality the tent is not big enough for all of us. Given that it seems more important to shout from the mountain tops - mine, mine, mine; than it is to welcome others who you could find common ground with to actually progress.

I am truly sorry you don't want us to join you. I hope that you realize that limiting yourselves to a small intimate coalition does not serve the ends that you say you wish for, but rather serve the ends of the Conservatives.

There used to be a segment on the tv channel where they did little news stories on the top 3 stories on the web site. I actually had one or two of my posts make the cut. That was exciting. I felt like I was contributing something to the site,I felt involved. Now, every time I come to the site it seems we've been pushed farther and farther to the back of the bus. And most of the stories being put on the front page are irrelavant to the news we need to make desicions about our daily lives. Is that not what this site is supposed to be about? It's truly sad:(

As someone new to this site ( couple months) I'm not sure what I missed ?
I've briefly looked at other sections to the site and found nothing but television style promotion...sorry but I gave up on television years ago...I loved this news section where I can find the truthful slant I'm looking for...I have also enjoyed this comment section where like minded folks, for good reason , congregate.
What exactly was the earlier version of Currant about and how old is this site ?
Am I I correct to assume this "news" section is a product created by the readers/members and not a staff of paid writers ?

Its been down hill since Sarah Haskins left, godspeed ArchDruid

I disagree. Mr. Gore should be able to use his platform to make a difference. It had not been doing that for the vast majority of network TV viewers.
There are plenty of other venues to see shows on crime and pollution, heck you can even read about them! Time and energy on a national network needs to be spent on combatting the MSM networks lies and warped propaganda.

wow very nicely written jake

I've only returned to current two times in the last month. And every time, I am more and disappointed on every visit. I don't even watch the tv station anymore. The staff has fucked this site up beyond recognition. You stole the only good news source left on tv.

Notice: this is the #1 story, yet, no mod comments, not even an inkling they care or are listening...

Anyway, I doubt Gore even watches this site... If they changes take place, awesome, if not, see ya later!

Standing Ovation Jake...many times over!

In comment, I can only say, I think there is a definite difference of opinion in what and how progress is being defined....but then there always has been that difference, and out of that difference came the birth of democracy.

A while ago I stoped watching the TV station for one reason, it no longer related nor appeled to me. The shows became more and more of the fluff that drove me from regular TV channels like CBS and MTV. Instead of listioning to the community it went the other direction, a direction that I'm willing to bet is going to lead to its down fall. there has to be a different option than a choice between conforming and destroying currents future or going broke.

Jake, you are on the money with this. The Channel and the website do not have to be the same thing, nor do they have to have the same content and format. There are 168 hours in a week that is available for programing. Not everything has to happen between 8PM and 11PM EST. Nor is it necessary to have the same programming during those hours. You can drive the ad dollars with Keith, build on informational in depth reporting with Vanguard, and use that money to make other news and entertainment programming. That is what CBS did in the late 1960's and early 1970's that made it the "tiffany" network. You have to be cutting edge if you want to grow your audience and you have to be traditional in order to keep them. Everyone wants things to stay the same and familiar once they are used to them, just like you and the rest of the older Current crowd.

But it seems that we have lost the innovation and cutting edge mentality that Current started with. It is going too far down the road that MSN, Cable and Broadcast TV are on. Ultimately this will be bad for Current, as it will get lost in the 500 channels of "cable" stations, not carving out a niche other than KO, who I thoroughly enjoy and am glad is back on the air.

The website should be an extension of the channel. It should be a place that expands what happens on the channel, as there is really no time constraints, and no other limits as to how far information and content can go. Why can't the website be like it was, adding in KO's page? Why can't it be the You Tube of more serious artists? Why can't it be the place where the people can post raw news as it is happening, like Twitter only more in depth than 140 characters? Why can't it be a place like Democracy for America, where like minded people and organize and set meet-ups? Why can't it be more like US Uncut, where we can create community protests and let the nation know what we are doing and spread those protests into national protests?

Why did this site have to become so limiting? I came here from HuffPo because of the corporate changes when Arianna sold out. Now I am not sure where I will turn to get a real news feed, a real news aggregator, so that I can investigate the truth for myself.

Knowledge is power, and collective knowledge limits control by the few from the many. OPEN THE GATES and let us have our site back.

I read the letter and understand the wish for the old days however, this is a business situation. Running Current takes money, lots of money. I am sure all who love Current buy from it's sponsors and tries to let them know we love them. I find Keith Olbermann to be entertaining and intelligent. I've followed him for many years and love that he has aligned with Current. We Liberals have few voices on the national stage and Keith is one of power!

I'd like to see a program that brings the ideas of viewers forward on the problem of what to do to correct our dysfunctional governance. There could be productions based on contributors ideas------------

Jake I want to thank you so much!!! I completely know where you are coming from man. Being a teenager finding Current was amazing. I told everyone of my friends so they could join in as well. Sadly I don't even remember the last time I wanted to tell people about it. I too have seen the great decline on Current. I remember watching it and being inspired to want to change the world. I loved the ViewerCreatedContent, to see people my age was awesome! Slowly it all just changed and I stopped watching and only visited the site more out of habit, once and a while. I agree with all of the points that need to change to make Current back to the great model it was. Sadly I doubt it will change but that's what being an idealist is about right? To always keep hoping no matter what. The realist in me at least thinks maybe another project my get it right.
Once again thanks for so succinctly and articulately stating your feelings and the facts.

Good letter, but Olberman is the only reason I'm here. I like what I see. What happened to Deadliest Journey's? I like that show.

excellent letter jake,

It's really sad that it's come to this. Everything in one place and once place only? Booo.

THAT , is a fine bit of writ . It said what I felt , more clearly than i might have . Whatever happens , Jake , you will do well . Thank you .

Good job Jake!

Good letter. Voted up.