This Story Just In…

Summary

The author reflects on the morning news' explanation for high heat bills, humorously questioning the balance between research and imagination in reporting, and subtly defends their own writing style.

Abstract

The article recounts the author's experience of watching a news report about the reasons behind the increased cost of heating bills, which included both the rising cost of gas and the cold weather. The author draws a parallel between the news report and their own writing, where they had previously suggested that creating content on a new topic requires either research or a strong dose of imagination. The author admits to a possible misunderstanding of their tongue-in-cheek approach in past writings and expresses confusion over the nature of the news report, wondering if it was based on factual research or imaginative storytelling. The piece concludes with the author feeling somewhat vindicated by the news report, which seems to mirror their own contentious stance on the use of imagination in non-fiction writing.

Opinions

The author playfully criticizes the news report for stating the obvious about cold weather causing high heat bills, likening it to their own controversial suggestion that writing on new topics requires research or imagination.
There is a hint of sarcasm in the author's reaction to the news report, indicated by the phrase "Imagination??? In a non-fiction piece??? What a goose this Don Martin must be!!" which implies a mocking tone towards those who may have misunderstood their previous writing.
The author seems to feel vindicated by the news report, suggesting that it inadvertently supports their argument about the role of imagination in conveying information, even in supposedly factual reporting.
The author recognizes that their previous writing may have been misinterpreted, indicating a concern for how their work is received and understood by their audience.
By inviting readers to join Medium through their referral link and to take a quiz about becoming a big-time writer, the author subtly promotes their own work and the platform, suggesting a blend of self-promotion and genuine interest in guiding aspiring writers.

I was watching the news this morning.

Well, I did it again. I turned on the TV news this morning.

The first story I saw was one revealing why peoples’ heat bills were so high this year.

The story cut away to a field reporter in front of our local electrical/gas co-op, a remote perfect for the photo-op, even though it was still closed at that time of day.

The story caught my attention for this reason.

Just a short while ago I wrote a story that may have made a reader or two mad at me because I suggested that, as for me, and my style of writing…

Imagination??? In a non-fiction piece??? What a goose this Don Martin must be!

Indignance.

After the fact, I realized that it is entirely possible some did not realize my tongue was firmly planted in my cheek.

Yet this morning on television, this reporter helped us understand that the reason for our higher heat bills was that in, addition to the cost of gas going up, the weather had been cold.

Now I am confused as to whether that report was the product of research or imagination.

Perhaps the news station just had its collective tongue in its cheek.

But I do feel somewhat vindicated.

This Story Just In…

I was watching the news this morning.

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