We get some pretty bizarre articles and press releases at Newspeak. Some of them express the author's view of society, religion, or politics. A few are blatent advertisements transformed into a press release. We generally don't run these in the newspaper for two reasons: we don't think they would appeal to the community, and their content is usually more like a commentary or an adverisement, not a press release.
The point of this editorial isn't about the unsolicited press releases we receive. It's about asking. I don't know what thoughts are going through the authors' mind as they send their press release to newspapers around the country. I imagine they must realize that not too many newspaper associations would print their article. The point is: they asked to have their piece printed. If they hadn't sent it to us, we would never know that it exists. At least by sending us their press release, no matter how opinionated or commercial it is, the author has the potential to get his message out to a community.
The message I want to send to all of you is the following: It never hurts to ask for something! You've probably heard this many times before, but there's nothing wrong with repeating it. I have found that you have lots to gain from just taking the time to ask a simple question, whether it is for information, services, or products. A while back, a friend and I wondered why Fig Newton commercials made a point of stating that Fig Newtons aren't cookies, yet the product's package refers to them as cookies. We were just having fun - we totally didn't expect a response. In a couple of weeks, we received a letter thanking us for our interest in their product, and an explanation and history of the name "Fig Newton."
On a more practical level, I read a story in which a couple who had just started a self-esteem program in their community wanted to go to a conference which was taking place on the other side of the country. All of the important people in this field would be there. Unfortunately, the couple couldn't afford plane tickets and other costs. By asking the right people in a variety of companies, they were able to get admission to the conference, airline tickets, a hotel room, and a rental car donated to them. All because they asked! What's the worse that can happen? The person you are asking can say "no." That's a much better fate than never knowing what the answer would be in the first place! And of course, it never hurts for you to ask a question in lecture, or during a professor's office hours. That's what they're there for!
Of course, don't turn into a nagging pain in the butt. Realize that asking a question is okay. You may find out something you've always wanted to know, or you may be able to do something you wouldn't be able to do otherwise. You may even get your press release printed in Newspeak.
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