V3con is happy to have Gil Asakawa of Nikkeiview moderate the panel “Smackdown: Journalism vs Blogging” at the Japanese American National Museum on Aug. 25.
We were able to catch up with Gil and learn more about his passion for blogging and the LA food scene.
What do you love about what you do?
I love being involved in the cutting edge of media, expressing myself with blogging and social media and being an evangelist for digital media with traditional journalists who might be resistant to the tsunami of change about to engulf them. Unlike a lot of us in the media industry, I find this isan exciting time full of opportunities because of the breathless pace of change.
And, Asian American Pacific Islanders are already leaders online, as V3con shows. So let’s make sure we leave our digital mark!
My blog, www.nikkeiview.com started as an online column (what’s the diff, right?) and before that, I was for many years a columnist and critic in print and later, online media, so my voice was already conversational as a writer. I’m always coaching bloggers (and reporters and critics) to write more conversationally, because people respond to a more relaxed style.
What surprises me about blogging is how hard it is to be a good blogger, and how much work it takes to be, say, Angry Asian Man. I get very lazy with my blog and will slip into social media for weeks at a time instead of blogging. But Phil Yu is incredibly prolific. That’s why I’m looking forward to the panel I’m moderating, “Smackdown: Journalism Vs. Blogging” with Phil, Slanty of “Slant Eye for the Round Eye” blog, Henry Fuhrmann of the LA Times and Alden Habacon of Schema Magazine. We’ll discuss the line between journalism and blogging, and how it’s blurring or not blurring.
Your favorite hangout in LA?
I’m also a crazy foodie, so I’ll drive anywhere in the LA area for great food. I love terrific Vietnamese garlic noodles, amazing Thai, killer diner fare, waffles and chicken(!), incredible Korean, a fantastic gluten-free meal, homemade ice cream in fabulous unique flavors, delicious Peruvian Japanese fare, ramen, more ramen, and of course every new interesting food fad that pops up. Gardena comes in close second for its Japanese American community. I love LA!
-Margaret Sharpe, V3con blogger
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