Journalism Quote by Eric S. Raymond
““One thing I understood from the beginning is that the press almost completely tunes out abstractions. They won’t write about ideas without larger-than-life personalities fronting them. Everything has to be story, drama, conflict, sound bites. Otherwise, most reporters will simply go to sleep — and even if they don’t, their editors will.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Cathedral and the Bazaar, 1999
The press prefers vivid personalities and drama over abstract ideas, so pure concepts rarely get coverage.
In simple terms: Media favors stories over ideas.
Make ideas compelling with narratives.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- press releases
- policy briefs
- academic outreach
- marketing campaigns
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can abstract concepts be framed as stories?
- What narrative techniques engage journalists?
Complex ideas may still be ignored without sensational hooks.