‘Daily Trojan’ aims to adapt to the times

A New Year is almost always a catalyst for some kind of change: Some might seek to lose those 10 extra bothersome pounds and take up yoga, while others have decided to limit their Facebook usage. The New Year is a time when one can look back at their life and make promises and turn it all around. It’s time for a change, to be the best people we can be.

In 2014, there will be less partying and more going to class, less Panda Express and more Seeds. We’ll make more of an effort to go to that fraternity event or trivia night at Tommy’s Place. It’s time for spring cleaning. We’ll finally talk to that cute girl in our G.E., but not before learning French because, honestly, who can resist?

And for some reason, humans are only capable of making these resolutions on Jan. 1.

But these resolutions tend to break as soon as you realize just how much you miss Chipotle, because we, as a species, as a race, as a people, find it difficult to adapt. We become comfortable with the regular, and when given the choice between a rocky road filled with question marks and an easier one involving a couch and the Bravo network, the decision is pretty clear.

One could say that the journalism industry is in a similar predicament. After years of existing as the only way for the people to get news (cue “Extra! Extra! Read all about it!”), radio came into play. Soon after, the television made its way into people’s living rooms. And now computers, tablets, phones and more are becoming the dominant way people get information.

News sources have tried to keep up with this change: They create apps and write polls, they have audiences ask questions to dignitaries over Twitter. But no matter how much they might try to keep up, it’s almost as if we’re dogs trying to catch their tails — it’s just out of reach.

USC, not unlike the current journalism industry, is in a constant state of change. As the Editorial Board pointed out in last semester’s orientation issue, “With each decade, and each new leader, USC’s image has changed.” Campus Centers have gone up, security fences have magically appeared, head football coaches have disappeared and President C. L. Max Nikias has proposed a new vision for the University Village.

This continual modification and adaptation is part of what makes USC so special. Though there is more than enough to be grateful for, we still want — and deserve — the best. Through hard work and determination, we’ve gone from the University of Spoiled Children to one of the leading universities in the world.

We’ve made a resolution of our own here at the Daily Trojan (and no, we’re not giving up Panda Express). We want to strive to be not just the best that we can be, but the best news source possible. We want to be the first place you look to for a new film review or a breaking news story. And in order to do that, we need to change a bit.

This semester, look out for our new graphic ideas, our wider range of topics and, most importantly, our website. We understand that you want your news on the go and we’re here to serve. Multimedia content such as podcasts, videos and interactive maps will be created and posted for you to peruse while waiting in the long line at Lemonade.

We hope that you’ll cheer us on and support us as you have for over a century. We’re here to serve you, whether you’re a student or professor, administrator, alumnus, fan or green vest handing out fliers to dodging students on Trousdale.

So yes, we’re making a resolution, and this year, we’re going to keep it.

 

Editor-in-Chief Sheridan Watson is a senior majoring in critical studies.